Playing modded Minecraft with friends on Java comes down to one rule: every player runs the same mods, the same loader and the same game version. After that you pick a route, either a LAN world, a modded server, or a shared modpack profile that keeps everyone matched. Java mods never run on Bedrock, and Bedrock add-ons are a different system covered in how to install add-ons on Bedrock.
For an unmodified world, read how to play Minecraft with friends instead. This page only covers what mods change.
What every player needs to match
- The same mods. One missing or extra mod can produce an error when you join.
- The same loader. Forge, Fabric, NeoForge and Quilt do not mix, and a Forge mod will not load on Fabric.
- The same game version. A 1.20.1 modpack will not load on a friend running 1.21.
- Enough RAM to hold the whole list. Modpacks are heavy, so see how to allocate more RAM.
A mod runs only with the loader it was made for, installed for the same game version. If a friend does not have a loader yet, send them to how to install Forge and NeoForge or how to install Fabric.
Which route to pick
- Everyone is on the same network and the host will keep the world open: use a LAN world.
- You want a world that keeps running and friends join from anywhere: use a modded server.
- You want everyone's mod list identical with the least effort: share a modpack profile, then use it with either route above.
Play over LAN
LAN lets people on the same network join a world you host, with no server software. Everyone first loads the matching mods and loader.
- 1.Launch the shared modded profile and create a new world, or load an existing one.
- 2.Open the menu and select `Open to LAN`.
- 3.Choose a game mode for the other players and whether cheats (commands) are on or off. You can ignore the port option if you do not know it.
- 4.Select `Start LAN World`.
- 5.Your friends launch the same profile and click `Multiplayer`. Under `Scanning for games on your local network`, your world appears and they can join it.
Join a modded server
A modded server runs a Forge, Fabric or NeoForge server, not the vanilla server software. For a modpack, you usually take the server files from the pack's own page. Friends then install the identical pack in their launcher and connect from the multiplayer menu.
- 1.Get the server address from whoever runs it. It looks like a web address or a string of numbers separated by dots.
- 2.Launch the matching profile and click `Multiplayer`, then click `proceed` past the online warning.
- 3.Click `Direct Connection` and type the address to connect at once, or click `Add Server` to save it to your list.
- 4.Select the saved entry and click `Join Server`.
Lock a server down with a whitelist so only your friends can join. Mods that must be installed on the server side are explained in how client-side and server-side mods differ.
Share a modpack profile
A profile bundles the loader, the configurations and the mods. In the CurseForge app, you click `Create`, name the profile, choose a game version and a loader version, then add mods with `Add More Content`. The Export feature sends the finished profile to a friend. A Modrinth modpack imports through the Modrinth App, or Prism Launcher and other launchers that read `.mrpack` files, which downloads the listed mods and the right loader.
The CurseForge app is required for those profile steps. Full walkthroughs are in how to install a modpack and how to use the Modrinth App. To assemble your own list, see how to make a modpack.
Trade-offs of each route
- LAN is free and needs no setup beyond the menu, but only people on your network can join, and the world is only open while you are playing.
- A rented server stays online around the clock, takes load off your PC, and needs no port forwarding. It costs money, and a light pack wants roughly 4 to 6 GB of RAM while heavy packs want 8 GB or more.
- Self-hosting is free and fully under your control, but it needs port forwarding, which can expose your PC if done wrong. It also makes one computer run both the game and a memory-hungry pack.
- A shared profile fixes matching only. It does not give you a place to play.
Fix mismatches and connection problems
- Cannot join at all: check that your game version equals the version the world or server runs, then confirm your loader. Change your game version if needed. Snapshot players usually need to go back to the latest full release.
- Mod will not install into a profile: in the CurseForge app, hover over the question mark next to an incompatible profile to see whether the game version, the loader or both do not match.
- Duplicate mod warning: proceeding overrides the existing copy of that mod in the profile, so check which file you want to keep.
- Timeouts or refused connections: work through Fix Minecraft Can't Connect to Server.
- Crash on launch after adding mods: see Fix Minecraft Exit Code 1 Crashes.
Playing with friends in a modded world
Frequently asked questions
Do all my friends need the same mods?
Yes. Everyone needs the same mods, the same loader and the same game version, and one mismatch can produce an error. The easiest way to guarantee this is to have everyone install the identical modpack or import the same exported profile before joining.
Can I play modded Minecraft with friends without a server?
Yes, over LAN. Load the world, select `Open to LAN`, then `Start LAN World`. Friends on your network see it in the multiplayer menu under the local network scan. It only works while the host has the world open, and only for players on the same network.
Can Forge and Fabric players join the same world?
No. Forge, Fabric, NeoForge and Quilt do not mix, and each only loads mods made for it. Everyone in the same world needs the same loader, installed for the same game version, with the same mod list.
Can Bedrock players use Java mods?
No. Mods are for Java Edition only, and Bedrock cannot load them. Bedrock extends the game through add-ons, which are a separate system with their own install steps and their own guide on this site.
