Screenshot 1 of 8. Daybreak Shader screen space reflections on a village pond lit by a purple portal
What Daybreak Shader works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Iris |
| Minecraft versions | 1.20, 1.20.1, 1.20.2, 1.20.3, 1.20.4, 1.20.5, 1.20.6, 1.21 |
Daybreak Shader is a vanilla-plus pack for Iris on Minecraft Java. It keeps the base game's look and adds screen space reflections, so water, ice, and wet blocks pick up nearby scenery instead of Minecraft's flat vanilla shine. It runs on 1.20 through 1.21 and has stayed on version 0.2 since its last build on June 26, 2024, so it has not tracked the game's newer 26.x releases.
How to install Daybreak Shader with Iris
- 1.Install Fabric or a Fabric-compatible loader, then add the Iris mod for your Minecraft Java version.
- 2.Download Daybreak Shader from its Modrinth page.
- 3.Drop the downloaded file into the shaderpacks folder inside your Minecraft instance.
- 4.Launch Minecraft with Iris, open Video Settings, then Shader Packs, and select Daybreak.
What Daybreak Shader changes
The project describes itself as "a simple vanilla plus shader with screen space reflections" and nothing more elaborate. There is no volumetric lighting, no custom sky, and no shadow overhaul: the main visible change is reflective water and wet surfaces, layered on top of the game's existing lighting rather than replacing it. That keeps the visual identity close to stock Minecraft, which is the appeal for players who want one clear upgrade instead of a full graphics overhaul.
Version support and staleness
Daybreak only ships one loader, Iris, and its highest declared version is 1.21. The last published build, version 0.2, went out on June 26, 2024, and no newer release has followed since. That means it predates Minecraft's move to year.drop versioning (26.x) and has not been confirmed against any release after 1.21. Treat the 1.20 to 1.21 range as the real ceiling and expect it to need testing on anything newer.
Compatibility and requirements
- Requires the Iris shader loader; it does not run on OptiFine or Canvas.
- Client-side only, with no server-side component required.
- No listed dependencies beyond Iris itself.
- Public domain under CC0-1.0, so redistribution or edits need no permission.
Questions about Daybreak Shader.
4 questions
What does Daybreak Shader change in Minecraft?
It adds screen space reflections to water and wet blocks while keeping the rest of Minecraft's vanilla look and lighting. It is a light visual upgrade, not a full graphics overhaul with new skies or volumetric lighting.
Which Minecraft versions does Daybreak Shader support?
Its last published build, from June 2024, lists Minecraft 1.20 through 1.21 on the Iris loader. No release has followed since, so support for anything newer than 1.21 is unconfirmed.
Does Daybreak Shader work with OptiFine?
No. Daybreak only ships for the Iris shader loader. You need Iris installed on a Fabric-compatible setup; it is not built for OptiFine or Canvas.
Is Daybreak Shader free to use and modify?
Yes. It is released under the CC0-1.0 public domain license, so anyone can use, modify, or redistribute it without asking permission or crediting the original creator.
