Official downloads

Download the Minecraft Launcher

Get the official launcher from Microsoft Store on Windows or from Mojang's download servers on macOS and Linux. These are the only sources we link to: Microsoft Store (9PGW18NPBZV5), minecraft.net, and launcher.mojang.com. The installer is free; playing paid editions still requires a license or Game Pass.

Microsoft Store (Windows) minecraft.net
Smart chooser

Choose the right path for your system

Pick your operating system and what you want to play. We will point you to the correct official link. Unsure which edition fits your setup? Compare Java, Bedrock, Dungeons, and Legends first.

Step 1 · Your operating system

WIN

Windows 10 / 11

Unified launcher for Java, Bedrock, Dungeons, and Legends. Updates through Microsoft Store.

Microsoft Store Requires Windows 10 build 19041+ · Not Windows S mode
MAC

macOS

Official .dmg installer. Java Edition only on Mac.

Download .dmg macOS 10.15+ for launcher updates
LIN

Linux

Debian package or portable archive. Java Edition only.

Download .deb .tar.gz 64-bit Linux · Java Edition only

Safe download: Confirm the publisher is Microsoft, Mojang, or Xbox before you install. Windows should open the Microsoft Store or launcher.mojang.com. Avoid third-party download portals. Account, Game Pass, and entitlement questions are answered on our launcher FAQ.

By platform

Windows: Microsoft Store vs minecraft.net

On Windows 10 and 11, Mojang recommends the Microsoft Store build of the Minecraft Launcher for Windows.

Microsoft Store (recommended)

The Store app ID 9PGW18NPBZV5 delivers the current "Minecraft Launcher for Windows." It includes Java Edition, Minecraft for Windows (Bedrock), Minecraft Dungeons, and Minecraft Legends when your account owns them or has Game Pass access. Updates install automatically through the Store, which reduces broken installs after Windows upgrades.

Open it directly: apps.microsoft.com/detail/9PGW18NPBZV5. After installation, launch from the Start menu and sign in with your Microsoft account.

minecraft.net installer (alternate)

minecraft.net/en-us/download offers a Windows installer that also sets up the official launcher. On modern Windows builds this path often still routes you toward the Store experience. An alternate direct file is MinecraftInstaller.exe from launcher.mojang.com, useful if Store registration is broken but you still want the official binary.

Both Store and installer paths are official. Prefer the Store when it works on your PC so Gaming Services and entitlement checks stay in sync.

Requirements

  • Windows 10 version 19041 or newer, or Windows 11
  • Not Windows 10 in S mode (Store apps are restricted)
  • Microsoft account with game ownership or active PC Game Pass
  • Stable internet for first-time game file downloads
macOS

Download the .dmg from Mojang

Mac players use Java Edition through a dedicated launcher build—not the full Windows multi-game sidebar.

Official download: launcher.mojang.com/download/Minecraft.dmg or the macOS section of minecraft.net.

Installation steps

  1. Open the downloaded Minecraft.dmg disk image.
  2. Drag Minecraft to your Applications folder.
  3. First launch: right-click the app and choose Open to approve Gatekeeper if macOS blocks unknown developers.
  4. Sign in with the Microsoft account that owns Java Edition.

What Mac does not get

Bedrock, Dungeons, and Legends are not distributed for macOS through the official launcher. Cross-play with console friends requires Bedrock on Windows or a console or mobile device.

macOS Sequoia 15+ note

If launcher updates fail with error 9, grant Full Disk Access to Minecraft.app in System Settings → Privacy & Security. See our fixes page for details.

Linux

.deb package or .tar.gz archive

Linux receives Java Edition only through Mojang's launcher packages.

Debian / Ubuntu (.deb)

Download Minecraft.deb and install with your package manager:

sudo apt install ./Minecraft.deb

This registers the launcher in your applications menu and handles dependencies on most Ubuntu-based distributions.

Portable archive (.tar.gz)

Download Minecraft.tar.gz for distros without apt or when you prefer a user-local install. Extract and run the minecraft-launcher binary inside the folder. Useful on Fedora, Arch, or custom layouts.

Arch and Flatpak

Arch users often install from the AUR; Flatpak builds exist for sandboxed installs and can reduce CEF sign-in crashes on some desktops. These are community packaging paths—the upstream binaries still originate from Mojang.

Runtime

The launcher bundles a Java runtime for default play. You do not need to install a separate JDK unless you run servers or custom tooling.

After download, follow our step-by-step install guide for your operating system. If the installer fails or sign-in loops, start with common launcher fixes.

Install walkthrough