CurseForge: the complete guide

What CurseForge is

CurseForge is the world's largest catalog of community-made mods, modpacks, resource packs, maps and add-ons for games, with Minecraft at the top of the list. According to the platform's own statistics, more than 150,000 Minecraft mods have been published there so far, and hundreds of millions of files are downloaded every month. If you're looking for any popular mod, there's a very good chance you'll find it on CurseForge.

The platform belongs to the Israeli company Overwolf, which bought it from Twitch in 2020. Overwolf doesn't just host the files: it also verifies authors and pays them real money through its rewards program. That makes CurseForge a financial engine for many mod creators around the world.

CurseForge has two main sides: the website (curseforge.com), where you can browse and download files by hand, and the desktop app, which automates the whole process: installing the modloader, picking compatible versions and updating packs. The CurseForge app is free and officially distributed by Overwolf, so stay away from any unofficial "repacks".

How to download and install the CurseForge app (Windows, macOS, Linux)

The CurseForge app makes managing mods much easier. Instead of hunting down the right Forge version by hand, downloading mods one by one and keeping track of compatibility, you click one button and the app does the rest. There's only one place to get the official installer: curseforge.com/download. Don't download the app from links on forums or in Facebook groups.

Step 1: download the installer

1. Go to curseforge.com/download in your browser
2. Choose your operating system: Windows (EXE) or macOS (DMG)
3. On Linux, see the Linux section below
4. Save the installer to your drive (your Downloads folder)

Step 2: installing on Windows

1. Run the downloaded curseforge-installer.exe file
2. Click Install: in the background, the installer pulls in the Overwolf platform the app runs on
3. After a moment the app starts automatically
4. Sign in with an existing CurseForge account, an Overwolf account or Discord, or create a new account

Step 3: installing on macOS

1. Open the downloaded curseforge.dmg file
2. Drag the CurseForge icon into the Applications folder
3. Launch the app from Launchpad (the first launch may need your approval in System Settings → Privacy & Security)
4. Sign in or create an account

Step 4: Linux

On Linux, you have these options:

• Prism Launcher: an open-source launcher that can import CurseForge packs through the official API
• ATLauncher: an alternative launcher that supports the CurseForge and Modrinth formats
• Manual download: the curseforge.com website works in your browser and lets you download every .jar file individually

Step 5: point the app to your Minecraft folder

On first launch, the app asks you to point it to the folder with your Minecraft installations. The default path is %AppData%\.minecraft on Windows and ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft on macOS. Leave the defaults unless you have a specific reason to change them: the app can detect them by itself.

How to install mods with CurseForge (step by step)

CurseForge supports two main ways of installing mods: automatic (through the app, recommended for beginners) and manual (downloading the .jar file straight from the website). We cover both methods below.

Method A: installing a mod through the CurseForge app

1. Open the CurseForge app and click the Minecraft icon in the left panel
2. In the top right corner, choose Create Custom Profile
3. Enter a profile name, the Minecraft version and the modloader: Forge, NeoForge or Fabric
4. Click Create, and the app downloads the modloader
5. In the new profile, go to the Add More Content tab
6. Search for a mod (for example JEI, Jade, Iris or OptiFine) and click Install
7. The app downloads the .jar file and any dependencies by itself

Method B: manual installation from a .jar file

1. Go to curseforge.com and search for the mod you want
2. Click Files and choose the version that matches your Minecraft version and modloader
3. Click Download and save the .jar file to your drive
4. Go to the .minecraft/mods folder (create it if it doesn't exist)
5. Copy the .jar file into the mods folder
6. In the Minecraft Launcher, choose the profile with the modloader installed and click Play

How to install a modpack (RLCraft, Better MC, All the Mods)

A modpack is a ready-made set of mods and configs, often with maps and texture packs too, packed into a single "box". Instead of putting together dozens of mods yourself, you install the pack with one click, and the pack's author makes sure everything works together. CurseForge has thousands of modpacks, from hardcore survival to tech and magic packs.

Step 1: find a modpack in the catalog

1. In the CurseForge app, go to Minecraft → Browse Modpacks
2. Use the filters for category, version and number of downloads
3. Check the rating, the comments and the date of the last update: active packs are safer

Step 2: popular packs

• RLCraft: hardcore survival with realistic mechanics, hunger, temperature and dragons. One of the most popular modpacks of all time.
• Better MC (Forge and Fabric series): an improved version of vanilla with hundreds of QoL mods, shaders and new biomes.
• All the Mods (ATM 9, ATM 10): a "kitchen sink" pack full of tech, magic and exploration mods.
• SkyFactory: the cult skyblock pack with automation.
• Valhelsia: a balanced RPG pack with magic and exploration.
• GregTech: New Horizons: one of the most complex modpacks in history, for players with thousands of hours to spare.

Step 3: one-click installation

1. Click the modpack you chose in the CurseForge catalog
2. Press the Install button in the top right corner
3. The app downloads all the mods, the modloader and the configs
4. When it's done, click Play next to the pack's profile
5. CurseForge starts the Minecraft launcher with the right profile: select it and play

Step 4: allocate more RAM

Big modpacks like All the Mods or GregTech need 6-10 GB of RAM. In the CurseForge app, click the three-dot icon next to the pack's profile, then Profile Options, and set the Allocated Memory slider to at least 6 GB. Don't set it higher than 75% of your physical RAM: leave some headroom for the system.

CurseForge problems: Java, RAM, mod conflicts

Most errors when you launch mods come down to a handful of recurring causes. Below is a checklist of the most common problems and their fixes.

Crash on startup: the wrong Java version

Minecraft 1.17 requires Java 16, Minecraft 1.18-1.20.4 needs Java 17, and from 1.20.5 onward Java 21 is required. Since 2024, the CurseForge app has been downloading the required Java version for each profile by itself, but if you pointed it to an old installation by hand, the game may throw an UnsupportedClassVersionError. The fix: in Profile Options → Java Settings, choose Use system Java, or clear the field so the app downloads the right version by itself.

The game won't start: not enough RAM

Symptoms: the game throws an Out of memory error or crashes after loading 20-30% of the mods. The fix: raise Allocated Memory in the profile settings to 6-8 GB for mid-sized packs and 10-12 GB for giants like ATM 10 or GTNH. Note that on 32-bit systems Java won't accept more than 4 GB, so make sure you have the 64-bit version of Java.

Mod conflicts: duplicate IDs

Sometimes two mods register the same block or item ID. Symptoms: a crash with a Registry conflict or Duplicate item message. The fix: uninstall one of the mods, or check the Issues tab on CurseForge to see whether the author has released a patch. In big packs, the modpack author resolves conflicts like these, so report the problem in the comments.

Black screen after loading

The usual culprits are shaders or graphics mods like OptiFine in an incompatible combination with other mods. The fix: temporarily turn off shaders in the game options, update your graphics card drivers and check the logs in .minecraft/logs/latest.log.

Download stuck at 0%

This is a problem with CurseForge's servers or with your network. The most common fixes: turn off your VPN, check that your firewall isn't blocking the Overwolf app, and restart the client. Some internet providers get blocked from time to time, so try a mobile network as a test.

The CurseForge app won't start (Overwolf)

CurseForge is an app that runs inside the Overwolf platform. When the Overwolf app breaks, CurseForge won't start either. The fix: uninstall Overwolf from the Control Panel, download the latest version of CurseForge from curseforge.com/download and install it again. Your packs and profiles stay on your drive, and the app detects them automatically.

Alternatives to CurseForge

CurseForge is the standard, but it's not the only sensible choice. If you don't like having to install Overwolf or the ads in the app, consider the alternatives below.

Modrinth

Modrinth (modrinth.com) is a younger, open-source competitor to CurseForge. It has a simpler interface and a fast search. It has fewer mods than CurseForge, but many authors publish in both places at the same time. Modrinth also has its own desktop client, the Modrinth App, which works just like the CurseForge app: you install mods and packs with one click.

Prism Launcher

Prism Launcher is an open-source Minecraft launcher (a fork of MultiMC) that can download packs from CurseForge and Modrinth without any extra app. It has native versions for Windows, macOS and Linux. Many people use it as their main launcher: it's light and fast and gives you full control over JVM arguments. Official site: prismlauncher.org.

ATLauncher and MultiMC

ATLauncher is a classic pack launcher: less popular than Prism, but still active. It supports the CurseForge, Modrinth, Technic and FTB formats. MultiMC is the project Prism grew out of: it still works, but development is slower.

GDLauncher Carbon

GDLauncher Carbon is a modern, free launcher built with modpacks in mind. It supports the CurseForge and Modrinth formats, has a built-in tool for making your own packs and can be a sensible alternative to the CurseForge app, especially if you want something lightweight.

Straight from the mod's author

Some big mods (Sodium, Iris, Lithium, Create) have their own websites where they publish builds, but they almost always upload them to CurseForge and Modrinth as well. Downloading from the author's official site is safe. Avoid "aggregator" sites that collect mods from everywhere, though: they often host modified, potentially malicious copies.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is CurseForge free?

Yes, the CurseForge app is completely free for players. Mod creators are paid through Overwolf's rewards program, which is funded by ads in the app. There's no subscription and no fee for downloading mods.

Is CurseForge safe?

The platform is official and well respected in the community: files are scanned and authors are verified. Just make sure you download the app only from curseforge.com/download. In 2023 there was a one-off incident with Fractureiser, malware smuggled in through a malicious account. CurseForge reacted lightning fast and has tightened its verification process since then. For extra safety, don't run mods from unknown sources or from pirated modpacks passed around on Discord.

What's the difference between CurseForge and the Twitch App?

The Twitch App (formerly the Curse Client) was shut down in 2020, when CurseForge moved to Overwolf. The new CurseForge app is its direct successor: the same catalog, but a faster client that no longer depends on Twitch. If you still have the Twitch App installed, uninstall it and download the new CurseForge.

Does CurseForge work on phones (Minecraft Bedrock, Pocket Edition)?

The CurseForge app supports only Minecraft Java Edition. On Bedrock (PE, Xbox, Switch), mods don't exist in the traditional form: instead you use Add-Ons distributed through Mojang's Marketplace. CurseForge for Bedrock offers resource packs and maps, but not mods.

How do I uninstall the CurseForge app?

On Windows, go to Control Panel → Programs and uninstall CurseForge and Overwolf separately. On macOS, drag both apps from the Applications folder to the Trash. Your modpacks and mods stay in the .minecraft folder until you delete them by hand.

Can I download a modpack from CurseForge without the app?

Yes. On the modpack's page, click Files, choose the latest version and download the pack's .zip file. You can import that file in Prism Launcher, ATLauncher or MultiMC. It's the ideal solution for Linux users and for anyone who doesn't want to install Overwolf.

Related pages

• How to install Minecraft mods: a Fabric, Forge and NeoForge guide
• OptiFine: downloading, installing and everything about the most popular graphics mod
• Minecraft Forge: the classic modloader
• Fabric: the lightweight next-generation modloader
• NeoForge: the continuation of the Forge project
• Minecraft shaders: a list of the best packs
• Best Minecraft modpacks 2026: ranking
• Best Minecraft mods: ranking
• How to install shaders in Minecraft, step by step
• Java and JVM arguments: optimizing Minecraft