CurseForge: the mod and modpack platform for Minecraft

What CurseForge is

CurseForge is a platform for distributing community-made game content. In the Minecraft world that mostly means mods, modpacks, resource packs, maps, worlds and Add-Ons for Bedrock Edition. The project goes back to the mid-2000s, when it was part of Curse Inc. It later belonged to Twitch, and in 2020 it was sold to the Israeli company Overwolf, which still runs it. At that point the old Twitch app was shut down completely and replaced by a new, independent CurseForge app.

Today CurseForge is by far the largest catalog of Minecraft mods in the world. It has more than 150,000 mods and tens of thousands of modpacks, and Overwolf's servers handle hundreds of millions of downloads a month. Competing platforms like Modrinth and community archives have much smaller catalogs, although they are growing fast. If you're looking for a popular mod, there's a very good chance you'll find it on CurseForge.

CurseForge gives you two ways to use the catalog. The website (curseforge.com) lets you browse and download files by hand: every mod has a "Files" button with direct links to the .jar. The desktop app automates the whole process. It installs the modloader, picks the right dependency versions, downloads icons and launches the game with one button. Both routes are fully legal and free.

The CurseForge app vs the website

Many people don't realize that CurseForge is really two products: the website and the app. Both use the same catalog, but they differ in features and purpose.

The curseforge.com website

• Full catalog of mods, modpacks, resource packs and maps
• Direct downloads of .jar and .zip files
• Comments, ratings and the author's Issues tab
• Works in any browser on any system (Linux, Chromebook, iOS)
• You install the modloader and mods by hand

The CurseForge desktop app

• One-click modpack installation
• Manage multiple game profiles (different versions, different packs)
• Automatically downloads the required Java version (17, 21)
• Built-in update notifications
• Export and import packs as .zip files
• Built for Windows and macOS; on Linux it is officially supported only on Ubuntu-based distributions (otherwise use Prism Launcher)

Downloading the app from curseforge.com

The official and only safe place to download the CurseForge app is curseforge.com/download. Avoid links from Facebook groups, Discord channels and forums. There are plenty of modified "repacks" floating around that contain adware, a crypto miner or Fractureiser malware (more in the Security section).

Step by step: downloading the installer

1. Open your browser and go to curseforge.com/download
2. The page detects your system automatically and highlights the right button (Windows or macOS)
3. Click "Download for Windows" or "Download for Mac"
4. Save the file in your Downloads folder: curseforge-installer.exe on Windows, curseforge.dmg on macOS
5. Check the file name: the official installer always starts with "curseforge-" and carries a digital signature from Overwolf Ltd.

For Linux users

On Linux, the CurseForge app is officially supported only on Ubuntu-based distributions. On other distributions you have a few sensible alternatives:

• Prism Launcher: an open-source launcher with official CurseForge API support
• ATLauncher: a native Linux client that pulls packs from CurseForge
• Modrinth App: a competing platform with a native Linux client
• Browser: curseforge.com lets you download every file individually

Hardware and system requirements

The CurseForge app itself is light. It uses about 200 MB of RAM and runs smoothly even on older computers. The real requirements come from the mods and modpacks you plan to run. Here are the minimum and recommended specs.

Since 2024 the CurseForge app has downloaded the required Java version for each profile on its own, so you don't have to install or update Java by hand. If you prefer a system-wide install (for example an optimized GraalVM), open the profile settings and point the app to java.exe manually.

Installing on Windows and macOS

Installing the CurseForge app takes 2-5 minutes. The process differs slightly between Windows and macOS, so here are both.

Installing on Windows

1. Run the downloaded curseforge-installer.exe (right-click → "Run as administrator" if a UAC prompt pops up)
2. Click Install. The installer pulls in the Overwolf platform (~120 MB) in the background
3. Wait 1-3 minutes. The progress bar shows how far along it is
4. When it finishes, the app starts automatically on the sign-in screen
5. You'll find it in the Start menu under "CurseForge"

Installing on macOS

1. Open the downloaded curseforge.dmg file
2. A window with an arrow opens: drag the CurseForge icon into the Applications folder
3. Close the DMG window and eject the disk image
4. Open Launchpad or the Applications folder and click the CurseForge icon
5. On first launch macOS may ask for permission: go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click "Open Anyway"
6. The app starts on the sign-in screen

First setup after installing

On first launch the app walks you through a short setup wizard. It takes 2-3 minutes and affects all your later profiles.

Step 1: choose your games

The app supports about 20 games (WoW, Sims 4, RuneScape, ARK, Kerbal Space Program and so on). On the first screen you can choose which games show up in the sidebar. For Minecraft, tick only the "Minecraft" tile. You can switch off the rest so they don't clutter the interface.

Step 2: installation folder

By default the app keeps its files in:

• Windows: C:\Users\[You]\curseforge\minecraft
• macOS: ~/Documents/curseforge/minecraft

You can change this in the settings (Settings → General → Minecraft Instance Location), but we recommend leaving the defaults. Modpacks can weigh 2-5 GB each, so make sure the chosen drive has enough space.

Step 3: global RAM settings

In Settings → Minecraft → Java Settings you'll find the global "Allocated Memory" slider. It's set to 4096 MB by default. Change it to fit your hardware:

• 8 GB of RAM in your computer → 4-5 GB for Minecraft
• 16 GB of RAM → 6-8 GB for most packs, 10 GB for ATM 10
• 32 GB of RAM → 10-12 GB for GregTech: New Horizons and the biggest packs

Never give Minecraft more than 75% of your physical RAM. The operating system and background apps need headroom.

Signing in with Microsoft and a CurseForge account

The CurseForge app needs two separate sign-ins: one for the app itself (a CurseForge / Overwolf / Discord account) and one for Minecraft (the Microsoft / Xbox Live account that owns the game). Both are free and both are required.

CurseForge / Overwolf account

When the app starts you pick one of these sign-in methods:

• CurseForge account: if you already have an old account from curseforge.com
• Overwolf account: the account used by the underlying platform
• Discord: quick sign-up from an existing Discord account
• Google: sign-up with a Google account
• Email: classic sign-up with a password

The CurseForge account is mainly for saving bookmarks, commenting and publishing your own packs. It doesn't affect gameplay.

Microsoft / Xbox Live sign-in

When you launch a modpack, the app sends you to a Microsoft sign-in window. Use the account that holds your Minecraft license (bought on minecraft.net). After you sign in once, the token stays in the app, so you don't have to sign in again every time you launch.

Finding your Minecraft folder

The CurseForge app works on its own instances: every modpack has its own isolated folder. It doesn't replace your main installation in .minecraft, so vanilla stays untouched.

Where to find instances

• Windows: C:\Users\[You]\curseforge\minecraft\Instances\[ModpackName]
• macOS: ~/Documents/curseforge/minecraft/Instances/[ModpackName]

Each instance is a full Minecraft folder with mods, config, saves, resourcepacks and shaderpacks subfolders. That lets you drop a mod into a pack by hand or copy a world between profiles.

How to open the instance folder

1. In the app, select the modpack profile
2. Click the three-dot icon (⋮) next to the Play button
3. Choose Open Folder
4. Explorer / Finder opens at the instance location

Importing an existing folder

If you already have Minecraft with mods installed in .minecraft, you don't have to give that up. The CurseForge app runs alongside the standard Mojang launcher. You can import an existing pack through Create Custom Profile → Import and point it at the .minecraft folder.

Installing a modpack step by step

The biggest advantage of the CurseForge app is one-click modpack installation. Instead of assembling 150 mods by hand, watching compatibility and configuring Forge, you pick a pack in the catalog and click Install. The app does the rest.

Step 1: find a modpack in the catalog

1. In the left panel, click the Minecraft icon
2. Go to the Browse Modpacks tab
3. Use the filters: Minecraft version, modloader, category, sort by popularity
4. Check the pack cards, paying attention to download counts, last update date and ratings

Step 2: look over the pack page

Click a pack to open its page. You'll see the key information there:

• Overview: the author's description, screenshots, list of main mods
• Files: all available pack versions with dates
• Comments: player feedback and the most common problems
• Issues: bug reports
• Wiki: documentation (not every pack has one)

Step 3: install

1. Click the Install button in the top right corner
2. The app shows download progress: first the manifest, then the mods, then the configs
3. Big packs (ATM 10, GTNH) take 10-30 minutes to download on an average connection
4. When it's done, the pack appears in the My Modpacks tab

Step 4: first launch

1. Click the tile of the installed pack
2. Press the green Play button
3. The app checks dependencies, starts the Minecraft launcher and signs you in with your Microsoft account
4. The first start takes 2-5 minutes while Minecraft compiles modules and builds its cache
5. Later launches are much faster (30-60 seconds)

Custom profile: Forge, NeoForge, Fabric

If you want to build your own pack from scratch instead of using a ready-made one from the catalog, use the Create Custom Profile feature. It's a flexible option for players who have a specific vision of the mods they want.

Creating a profile

1. In the Minecraft tab, click Create Custom Profile in the top right corner
2. Enter a profile name (for example "My magic pack")
3. Pick the Minecraft version (for example 1.20.1, 1.21.4)
4. Pick a modloader:
   • Forge: the classic, with the widest compatibility
   • NeoForge: a Forge fork under active development
   • Fabric: lightweight, fast, modern
   • Quilt: a Fabric fork, niche
5. Click Create. The app downloads the modloader you chose

Configuring the profile

After creating it, you can adjust the profile settings:

• Allocated Memory: how much RAM this pack gets
• Java Arguments: extra JVM arguments (for example G1GC)
• Java Installation: system Java or the built-in one
• Game Icon: a custom profile icon
• Additional JVM Arguments: advanced startup flags

Adding mods and dependencies

With a custom profile created, you can add individual mods. CurseForge checks dependencies automatically: if the mod you pick needs another mod, the app asks whether to install that too.

Adding a mod through the app

1. Open the custom profile you created
2. Click the Add More Content tab
3. Search for a mod by name (for example "Jade", "JEI", "Iris", "Sodium")
4. Click Install on the mod card
5. If the mod has dependencies (for example "Architectury API"), the app shows a list. Confirm the installation
6. When it's done, the mod shows up in the Installed tab

Popular dependencies worth knowing

• Architectury API: a bridge between Forge and Fabric, required by many cross-platform mods
• Fabric API: the base for over 80% of Fabric mods
• Forge Config API Port: lets mods port configs between loaders
• Cloth Config: a unified config system
• YetAnotherConfigLib: nicer configuration menus
• Kotlin for Forge / Fabric Language Kotlin: support for mods written in Kotlin

Adding mods by hand

If a mod isn't in the CurseForge catalog (for example it's only on Modrinth or on the author's site), you can add it by hand:

1. Open the profile folder (⋮ → Open Folder)
2. Go into the mods subfolder
3. Drop in the mod's .jar file
4. Launch the pack and the mod loads with the rest

Updating mods and modpacks

The CurseForge app monitors all installed mods and modpacks. When an author publishes a new version, a yellow update icon appears next to the profile.

Updating a modpack

1. On the pack tile in the My Modpacks tab you'll see "Update Available"
2. Click the three dots (⋮) → Update Now
3. The app downloads the new mods, removes the old ones and updates the config
4. Your worlds and settings are kept

Updating individual mods

In the profile's Installed tab you'll see a column with versions. Mods with an available update get an Update button. You can also use Update All in the top bar to update every mod at once.

Blocking unwanted updates

If one version of a mod works perfectly and the new one breaks the game, you can block the update. In the Installed tab, right-click the mod → Pin to Version. The mod won't be offered for updates until you unpin it.

Exporting your own modpack

Once you've built a working pack with mods, configs and maybe even a starter world, you can export it and share it with friends or publish it in the CurseForge catalog.

Local export (for friends)

1. In the custom profile, click the three dots (⋮)
2. Choose Export Profile
3. Tick what goes into the pack: mods, configs, worlds, resource packs
4. Click Export. The app creates a .zip file in the CurseForge modpack format
5. Your friends import the pack through Create Custom Profile → Import Modpack

Publishing in the CurseForge catalog

If you want to publish the pack publicly:

1. Register as an author at authors.curseforge.com
2. Click Submit a Project → Modpack
3. Fill in the form: name, description, screenshots, category
4. Upload the .zip from the export
5. The project goes to review (usually 1-3 days)
6. Once approved, the pack shows up in the catalog and starts earning Reward Points

Content categories on CurseForge

The CurseForge Minecraft catalog is split into 6 main categories. Each has its own filters, a subcategory system and a separate download counter.

Details on each category

Mods is the biggest category, with more than 150,000 entries. It splits further into: Adventure and RPG, Armor/Tools, Buildcraft, Cosmetic, Energy, Farming, Food, Library, Magic, Map, Mobs, Redstone, Server Utility, Storage, Technology, Transportation, World Gen.

Modpacks hold more than 30,000 ready-made sets. Subcategories: Adventure, Challenge Pack, Combat, Exploration, FTB, HermitCraft, Hi-Tech, Magic, Map Based, Mini Game, Multiplayer, Quests, Sci-Fi, Skyblock, Small/Light, Tech, Vanilla+.

Resource Packs cover texture packs from 16x16 to 256x256. Subcategories: Traditional, Steampunk, Medieval, Modern, Photo Realistic, Animated, Mod Support, Font, Miscellaneous. We cover many of them in the Texture packs section.

Worlds are ready-made maps: parkour, adventure, survival, puzzle, horror, CTM (Complete the Monument). You can download them and drop them into saves.

Add-Ons (Bedrock) are add-ons for Minecraft Bedrock Edition: mods in the .mcpack and .mcaddon formats. They don't need the CurseForge desktop app. You can install them straight on the device by double-clicking the file.

Customization covers shaders (for example BSL, Complementary, SEUS), fonts and other cosmetic changes.

Security and the Fractureiser incident (2023)

CurseForge is an official platform that scans every uploaded file with antivirus, with an author verification system and a team of moderators. Downloading from CurseForge is safe in the vast majority of cases, but not always. There have been incidents in the platform's history, and the most serious was the Fractureiser incident in June 2023.

The Fractureiser incident: what happened

In June 2023 the CurseForge team discovered that several versions of a few mods (including Dungeons Arise, Sky Villages and Better MC) had been tampered with. The attackers took over author accounts and swapped the .jar files for versions containing malicious code called Fractureiser. The malware stole browser passwords, Discord and Microsoft session keys and cryptocurrency wallets.

The incident hit about 60 mods and modpacks. CurseForge responded within 24 hours: it halted all publishing, removed the infected files, forced password resets for authors and introduced mandatory 2FA for publishers. A Fractureiser Scanner tool was also released, letting you scan existing installations.

What changed after the incident

• Mandatory 2FA for all authors who publish files
• Extra file verification before publishing (static analysis)
• A built-in scanner in the CurseForge app that scans new files automatically
• A public database of malware reports
• VirusTotal integration for suspicious files

How to protect yourself

1. Use only the official app and website. Never copies from Discord, forums or YouTube
2. Turn on 2FA on your Microsoft account. Even if you lose your password, an attacker can't sign in
3. Don't reuse your Minecraft password on other sites
4. Read the comments before downloading a new mod. The community reports suspicious behavior fast
5. Update your mods regularly. Old versions may contain unpatched holes
6. Use antivirus. Microsoft Defender or Malwarebytes is enough
7. Back up your worlds and configs

CurseForge vs Modrinth

The most significant alternative to CurseForge is Modrinth, a younger open-source platform with a fast-growing mod catalog. Here's how the two compare.

When to choose CurseForge

• You're looking for rare, older or niche mods (the catalog is bigger)
• You want to play popular modpacks like RLCraft, ATM 10 or GregTech
• You use Windows or macOS
• You prefer a feature-rich interface with comments and a community side

When to choose Modrinth

• You care about open source and a lack of ads
• You use Linux and want a native client
• You value speed and minimalism
• You mostly want modern Fabric mods (Sodium, Iris, Lithium)

CurseForge vs ATLauncher, Prism and FTB

Besides the CurseForge app, several other launchers can use the CurseForge catalog. They differ in philosophy, license and features. Here's a quick comparison.

ATLauncher

A classic launcher under active development since 2013. It supports the CurseForge, Modrinth, Technic and FTB formats. It has native versions for Windows, macOS and Linux. The interface is simple and there are no ads. A good choice for Linux users and minimalists.

Prism Launcher

A MultiMC fork, open source, with native support for Windows, macOS and Linux. It can pull packs from CurseForge and Modrinth at the same time. It has advanced options for managing Java, JVM arguments and multiple Microsoft accounts. More in our dedicated guide, Prism Launcher: the complete guide.

FTB App (Feed The Beast)

The official launcher from the Feed The Beast team, the creators of the legendary FTB modpacks. It supports both FTB packs and CurseForge. The interface resembles the CurseForge app but is lighter. Recommended for fans of the FTB Inferno, FTB Skies and FTB Academy packs.

MultiMC

The predecessor of Prism Launcher. It still works, but development is slow. Many users have moved to Prism, which has a better interface and an active community.

GDLauncher Carbon

A modern, free launcher built with modpacks in mind. It supports CurseForge and Modrinth, has a built-in tool for creating your own packs and a sleek, Discord-style interface.

Permissions and privacy

Like any desktop app, the CurseForge app asks for certain permissions. It's worth knowing what exactly goes on in the background.

Permissions on Windows

• Write access to the home folder: storing instances and configs
• Network access: downloading mods from the CDN
• Launching processes: starting Minecraft and Java
• Autostart (optional): can be turned off in settings
• System notifications: update information

Permissions on macOS

• Full Disk Access: not required (only the app folder)
• Network: handled automatically inside the sandbox
• Notifications: asked on first launch

What Overwolf collects

Overwolf's privacy policy (available at overwolf.com/legal/privacy-policy) lists anonymous telemetry data: app version, operating system and general usage events (clicking Install, Play). The contents of your Minecraft folder, chat and personal data are not collected. You can turn off telemetry in Settings → Privacy → Analytics.

Ads and Overwolf

The app shows ads in the sidebar and sometimes at startup. They are mostly ads for other mods, Overwolf games and stores. You can minimize them but not turn them off completely. They are the main source of funding for the platform and for creator payouts.

Best modpacks in 2026

CurseForge has tens of thousands of modpacks. Below are the best and most popular ones in 2026 to start with. For each we give a short description and a link to a detailed guide.

All the Mods 10 (ATM 10)

The flagship "kitchen sink" pack with more than 400 mods. Tech, magic, exploration, automation, all in one package. It needs 8-10 GB of RAM. Best for players who like endless possibilities and hundreds of hours of gameplay. See the detailed ATM 10 guide.

RLCraft

A hardcore survival pack with realistic mechanics. Temperature, hunger, dragons and no "spawning home". Death means losing all your gear. A classic with millions of downloads. See the detailed RLCraft guide.

Cobblemon

A modpack set in the Pokémon universe inside Minecraft. Catch and train Pokémon, battle, evolve. Popular with younger players. See the detailed Cobblemon guide.

Better MC

A family of packs (Forge, Fabric, NeoForge) that extend vanilla with hundreds of QoL mods, new biomes, better graphics and new mobs. Balanced and easy on your computer. A great pick if you want "Minecraft, but better".

SkyFactory 5

The iconic skyblock pack: you start on a single tree floating in the void. Automation, magic, quests. The latest version is on 1.20.

Valhelsia 6

A balanced RPG pack with magic and exploration.

GregTech: New Horizons (GTNH)

One of the most complex packs in Minecraft history. You go from the Stone Age to advanced nuclear physics. The authors estimate that full completion takes 3,000-5,000 hours of play. Only for veterans.

Create: Astral

A pack built on the Create mod, centered on engineering mechanics, conveyor belts and mechanical clockwork. Steampunk aesthetic.

Prominence II

A modern RPG pack with a big focus on exploration and magic. A beautifully made quest system and hundreds of unique biomes.

Enigmatica 9

A tech/magic kitchen sink with a big focus on balance. One of the most polished packs on 1.20.1.

Full rankings and reviews are in the Minecraft mods and modpacks section.

Best mods on CurseForge

For players building their own packs, here is a list of must-have mods that cover 90% of cases. Each has hundreds of thousands or millions of downloads.

Optimization and FPS

• OptiFine: the classic FPS and shader mod
• Sodium: the OptiFine competitor for Fabric
• Lithium: game logic optimization
• Starlight: a faster lighting system
• FerriteCore: lower RAM usage
• ModernFix: all-round fixes

Shaders

• List of all shaders: BSL, Complementary, SEUS, Sildur's
• Iris: a shader loader for Fabric
• OptiFabric: OptiFine on Fabric

Interface and QoL

• JEI (Just Enough Items): a recipe catalog
• Jade: info on the block under your crosshair
• Xaero's World Map: minimap and world map
• Mouse Tweaks: better mouse handling in inventories
• AppleSkin: an extended hunger bar

Building and storage

• Create: mechanical automation
• Applied Energistics 2: a digital storage network
• Refined Storage: an alternative to AE2
• Iron Chests: bigger chests
• Backpacks: backpacks for carrying items

Exploration and world

• Biomes O'Plenty: 80+ new biomes
• Terralith: natural terrain generation
• Quark: hundreds of small QoL additions
• Alex's Mobs: new animals

Is CurseForge free

Yes, CurseForge is completely free for players. The desktop app, downloading mods and modpacks, browsing the catalog: none of it requires payment, a subscription or a premium account.

Where the money comes from

• Ads in the app: a banner in the sidebar, interstitial ads
• Ads on curseforge.com: banners and sponsorship
• Overwolf OnePartner: the whole Overwolf ecosystem funds the platform
• Developer fees (optional): some authors pay for extra analytics tools

Premium for authors

Mod authors can turn on a Premium subscription that:

• Removes ads around their mods
• Gives access to advanced stats
• Costs about 5 USD a month, and is optional

Players have no Premium tier. For the end user the whole platform stays free.

Reward Points for creators

CurseForge pays money to mod and modpack authors through its Author Rewards system. This is one of the main differences from open source: CurseForge monetizes community creativity professionally.

How it works

• Every mod or modpack download earns the author Reward Points
• Points are converted to dollars, and the rate changes every month
• On average, 1,000 downloads = 3-5 USD (depending on ad campaigns)
• The minimum payout is 20 USD a month
• Payouts go through PayPal or bank transfer

How authors earn

For a moderately popular mod (100,000 downloads a month) that comes to about 300-500 USD a month. Top authors (the CurseForge "gods") with mods downloaded millions of times earn several thousand dollars a month. Well-known names: Sinytra (Connector), Forge Team, Create Team, Shivaxi (RLCraft).

Common problems and fixes

Here are the most commonly reported problems with the CurseForge app and tried-and-tested fixes.

"Failed to install": the installation won't finish

Causes:

• Network error during download (VPN, firewall)
• Blocked by antivirus
• Not enough disk space
• Corrupted instance folder

Fix:

1. Check your connection and turn off your VPN
2. Add an antivirus exception for the curseforge\minecraft folder
3. Make sure you have at least 10 GB free
4. Delete the corrupted instance and install again
5. If it still fails, change your DNS to 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google)

"Java not found": Java can't be located

Cause: The app can't find the required Java version.

Fix:

1. Go to Settings → Minecraft → Java Settings
2. Under "Java Installation" choose Managed by CurseForge
3. The app downloads the correct version automatically (17 or 21)
4. Alternatively, point it to Java 21 by hand (for example one installed from adoptium.net)

"Out of memory": the game crashes

Cause: The pack needs more RAM than it was given.

Fix:

1. Open the modpack profile → ⋮ → Profile Options
2. Raise Allocated Memory:
   • Small packs: 4 GB
   • Medium (Better MC): 6-8 GB
   • Large (ATM 10, GTNH): 10-12 GB
3. Make sure you're on 64-bit Java (32-bit won't take more than 4 GB)
4. Close other apps (Chrome, Discord) before launching

"Forge version mismatch": the Forge version doesn't match

Cause: A mod needs a different Forge version than the one installed.

Fix:

1. Check on the mod's page which Forge version it needs (for example 1.20.1-47.2.0)
2. In the custom profile → ⋮ → Profile Options → Version
3. Change the Forge version to a matching one
4. Or remove the mod and find a version that matches your Forge

"Profile already exists"

Cause: You're creating a profile with the same name as an existing one.

Fix: Rename the profile or delete the old one via ⋮ → Delete.

The Overwolf app won't start

Fix:

1. Uninstall Overwolf and CurseForge from the Control Panel
2. Delete the folder C:\Users\[You]\AppData\Local\Overwolf
3. Download the latest version from curseforge.com/download
4. Install again. Your packs stay in their folder and will be detected

A mod won't update

Cause: The mod is pinned to a version.

Fix: In the Installed tab, right-click the mod → Unpin. Then click Update.

Worlds disappear after reinstalling

Cause: Reinstalling a pack wipes the instance folder.

Fix: Always copy the saves folder before reinstalling. You'll find it in curseforge/minecraft/Instances/[Pack]/saves.

Server packs: running a modpack server

Authors of CurseForge packs often publish a so-called Server Pack alongside the client: dedicated files for running the pack on your own server for friends. Multiplayer with mods is one of the most common uses of modpacks.

Where to find a Server Pack

1. Open the pack page in the CurseForge catalog
2. Go to the Files tab
3. Look for files labeled "Server Pack" or "ServerFiles"
4. Not every pack provides one. If it's missing, ask the author in the comments

Starting the server

1. Download the Server Pack .zip
2. Unzip it into a separate folder (for example C:\MinecraftServer)
3. Run start.bat (Windows) or start.sh (Linux)
4. On first start, accept the Mojang EULA (open eula.txt and change false to true)
5. The server starts, on port 25565 by default

A full guide to setting up a server is in How to create a Minecraft server. If you're looking for hosting, see Free Minecraft server hosting 2026.

Bedrock and mobile

Although CurseForge is known for Java mods, the platform also supports Minecraft Bedrock Edition and has a mobile app.

Bedrock Edition support

On CurseForge you'll find a Bedrock section with resource packs, maps and Add-Ons for Minecraft Bedrock. The files use the extensions .mcpack, .mctemplate and .mcaddon. They don't need the CurseForge desktop app: just download the file and open it on a device that runs Bedrock (Windows 10/11, Android, iOS). The operating system imports the add-on into the game automatically.

Keep in mind that Bedrock has no mods in the traditional sense, only Add-Ons, which are more limited than Java mods. They can change textures, mob behavior and add items, but they can't add new mechanics like pipes or automation.

CurseForge Mobile

Overwolf released a mobile app, CurseForge for Minecraft, for Android and iOS. It is aimed only at Minecraft Bedrock: it downloads Add-Ons and texture packs straight into the game installed on your phone or tablet. For Java the mobile app is no use, because Java Edition doesn't run on mobile devices.

More in our dedicated guide, Minecraft PE (Bedrock): servers and mods.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Does CurseForge work offline?

Partly. Installing a modpack needs a connection, but after the download and first launch you can play offline. The app remembers your Microsoft account for 7 days and lets you play without internet. After 7 days you need to sign in online again.

Does CurseForge work with TLauncher?

No. TLauncher and other pirated launchers aren't supported by CurseForge. The app requires a legal copy of Minecraft bought on minecraft.net. Trying to sign in with a TLauncher account ends in a Microsoft authentication error. In line with minecraft.pl policy we always recommend buying the game legally and strongly advise against pirated solutions.

Can I use CurseForge without an account?

No. The app requires a CurseForge, Overwolf, Discord or Google account: free, but required. On curseforge.com itself you can browse and download without an account, but you need to register to post comments and ratings or to save bookmarks.

What is Overwolf?

Overwolf is an app platform for gamers, something like "Steam for gaming tools". CurseForge is one of the apps running in the Overwolf ecosystem. Without Overwolf the CurseForge app won't work. It's a natural dependency.

Can I move my world between packs?

Yes, if both packs use the same Minecraft version. Copy the world folder from Pack1/saves/[World] to Pack2/saves/[World]. Keep in mind, though, that if mods generate unique blocks or items, those will be removed in a pack that doesn't have them.

Does the CurseForge app slow down my computer?

The app itself uses 200-300 MB of RAM in the background. While downloading packs it may use CPU and network. After you exit the game you can close the app. It doesn't have to run in the background.

How do I uninstall the CurseForge app?

On Windows: Control Panel → Programs → uninstall CurseForge and Overwolf separately. On macOS: drag both apps to the Trash. Your modpacks stay in the curseforge/minecraft folder. Delete it by hand if you want a clean uninstall.

Does CurseForge support Quilt?

Yes. Since 2023 the app officially supports the Quilt modloader, a Fabric fork. When you create a custom profile you'll see Quilt next to Forge, NeoForge and Fabric. Quilt is niche but compatible with Fabric mods.

Why do some mods download slowly?

CurseForge uses a distributed CDN, but popular files can get congested. Overwolf also limits bandwidth for free downloads. If a download stalls, change your DNS to 1.1.1.1 or turn off your VPN for a moment.