Download the launcher. Enter the Minecraft universe.

Minecraft is a sandbox where you mine, craft, build, and survive across infinite worlds. The official launcher is your door to Java Edition, Bedrock, Dungeons, and Legends on PC. Download safely and start playing on Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Get the official launcher Gameplay trailers

The launcher installer is free. You still need a Microsoft account and a valid license or Game Pass entitlement to play paid editions.

Official Minecraft Launcher home screen with edition navigation and Play button
Official Mojang Launcher Java · Bedrock · Dungeons · Legends
minecraft.net Minecraft Wiki Microsoft Store Mojang bug tracker
Official Minecraft Overworld promotional artwork with Steve exploring biomes The sandbox game
What is Minecraft?

Build, explore, and survive in block worlds

Minecraft drops you into procedurally generated worlds made of blocks. Gather resources by day, survive mobs by night, and shape the landscape into anything from a dirt hut to a redstone computer. Play solo, on Realms, or on community servers with friends.

The official PC launcher connects your Microsoft account to every Mojang title you own. One download, one sign-in, then pick Java for mods and servers, or Bedrock for cross-play on Windows.

Java Mods, snapshots, servers
Bedrock Cross-play, Marketplace
Spin-offs Dungeons & Legends

Read the full game overview →

Explore dimensions

Three worlds, one launcher

From grassy plains to lava oceans and the End islands. The launcher downloads the edition you choose, then you step into the adventure.

Explore all dimensions →

Cherry Grove scene from the Minecraft Overworld

Overworld

Mine, craft, build

Forests, caves, villages, and oceans. The classic survival loop: wood, tools, shelter, then whatever you imagine.

Official Minecraft Nether dimension artwork with fortresses and lava seas

The Nether

Fortresses & blaze rods

Portals lead to a dangerous dimension of piglins, fortresses, and ancient debris for netherite gear.

The End dimension with the Ender Dragon and end cities

The End

Dragon & elytra

Defeat the Ender Dragon, then explore outer islands for end cities, shulkers, and elytra wings.

Launcher library

Four games, one sidebar

The official launcher mirrors Mojang's edition rail. Pick a title to see what you get before you download.

Java Edition Play screen in Minecraft Launcher Bedrock Edition Play screen Minecraft Dungeons Play screen Minecraft Legends Play screen

Java Edition

The original PC sandbox

Full mod support with Forge and Fabric, community servers, weekly snapshots, and separate installations for every version. Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Official Minecraft Java Edition key art

Java Edition

Mods, redstone, technical servers

Official Minecraft Bedrock Edition key art

Bedrock

Cross-play with console & mobile

Official Minecraft Dungeons key art

Dungeons

Co-op dungeon crawler

Official Minecraft Legends key art

Legends

Real-time strategy adventure

Compare all editions →

Gameplay Trailers

Minecraft

Explore your own unique worlds, survive the night, and create anything you can imagine!

Watch the sample video of Minecraft gameplay above, or select watch the trailer to see the full video on YouTube.

Watch the trailer
Minecraft Dungeons

Discover an action-adventure game inspired by classic dungeon crawlers.

Watch the sample video of Minecraft Dungeons gameplay above, or select watch the trailer to see the full video on YouTube.

Watch the trailer
Minecraft Legends

Lead your allies in heroic battles in the action-strategy game Minecraft Legends.

Watch the sample video of Minecraft Legends gameplay above, or select watch the trailer to see the full video on YouTube.

Watch the trailer

Gameplay clips from minecraft.net. Full trailers on YouTube.

Official downloads

Choose the right path for your system

Windows players get the full launcher from Microsoft Store. macOS and Linux use Mojang's direct installer for Java Edition. Pick your OS below and we will point you to the correct official link.

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.

Installation walkthrough →

What it is

The official hub for Minecraft on PC

The Minecraft Launcher is Mojang's desktop app to download, update, and start every Minecraft PC title your Microsoft account owns. One sign-in unlocks Java Edition, Bedrock on Windows, Dungeons, and Legends from a single window.

Official

One app, many games

Switch between editions from the left navigation. The launcher checks your entitlements and downloads the right game files automatically.

Account

Microsoft account required

Since March 10, 2022, Java Edition requires a Microsoft account. Mojang accounts no longer work for new sign-ins.

Updates

Always up to date

The launcher checks for game and launcher updates automatically through Microsoft Store on Windows, or the built-in updater on macOS and Linux.

Platform support

What runs where

Not every edition is available on every OS. Check this before you download or buy a game.

Edition Windows macOS Linux
Java Edition Yes Yes Yes
Bedrock (Windows) Yes No No
Minecraft Dungeons Yes No No
Minecraft Legends Yes No No
  • Pick Java if you want mods, technical servers, snapshots, or play on Mac or Linux.
  • Pick Bedrock if you need cross-play with Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, or mobile on Windows.
  • Stay on the official launcher for Bedrock, Game Pass, Realms, and Dungeons or Legends.
  • Consider Prism or Modrinth only for advanced Java instance management. They do not replace the official launcher for Bedrock.
  • Avoid cracked launchers like TLauncher. They carry security risks and can break multiplayer access.
  • Windows has two legacy names: the current Store app is "Minecraft Launcher for Windows." The old Unified Launcher should be uninstalled to avoid confusion.
First run

From download to Play

Four steps that work on every platform. Pick your OS for platform-specific notes.

Minecraft Launcher download screen
01

Download

Get the launcher from Microsoft Store or minecraft.net. Avoid third-party mirrors.

Microsoft sign-in inside Minecraft Launcher
02

Sign in

Use the Microsoft account that owns the game or has Game Pass.

Edition picker in Minecraft Launcher
03

Pick edition

Select Java, Bedrock, Dungeons, or Legends from the left rail.

Minecraft Launcher ready to play
04

Press Play

Wait for the first download, then launch your world, Realm, or server.

Download Minecraft for Mac
01

Download .dmg

Get the installer from minecraft.net or launcher.mojang.com.

Sign in on Mac
02

Install and open

Drag Minecraft to Applications. Right-click Open the first time to pass Gatekeeper.

Java Edition on Mac
03

Java Edition only

Bedrock is not available on macOS through the official launcher.

Play on Mac
04

Press Play

On macOS Sequoia 15+, grant Full Disk Access if updates fail with error 9.

Linux download options
01

Install package

Use .deb on Debian/Ubuntu, AUR on Arch, or the .tar.gz portable build.

Linux sign in
02

Sign in

Ensure a desktop keyring is running. Flatpak often avoids CEF sign-in crashes.

Java on Linux
03

Java Edition

Select Minecraft: Java Edition. Bedrock is not officially supported on Linux.

Play on Linux
04

Press Play

The launcher bundles its own Java runtime. No separate JDK needed for default play.

Troubleshooting guide →

Core features

What the launcher does for you

Quick Play

Jump back into recent worlds and servers from the launcher home screen without digging through in-game menus.

Installations

Create separate profiles for releases, snapshots, and mod loaders like Forge or Fabric with custom memory and game directories.

Microsoft account

One sign-in syncs ownership, multiplayer services, and your Xbox gamertag across supported editions on PC.

Troubleshooting

Common problems, sensible first steps

Public guidance from Microsoft support and community reports. These are starting points, not guaranteed fixes.

Windows

Launcher won't open

Corrupted cache, broken Gaming Services, or Store registration issues after a Windows update.

Try first: Settings → Apps → Minecraft Launcher → Repair, then run wsreset.exe and restart.

All platforms

Blank or black window

Often a GPU acceleration or outdated graphics driver problem.

Try first: Update your GPU driver, then test with a --disableGPU launch flag.

0x803f8001

Game not available in your account

Windows cannot verify that the signed-in account owns Minecraft or has an active entitlement.

Try first: Sign out of Microsoft Store and Xbox app, restart, sign back in with the owning account.

Sign-in

Login never finishes

Account mismatch between Windows, Store, Xbox app, and the launcher.

Try first: Use the Microsoft sign-in helper and confirm system time is automatic.

macOS

Error 9 on update

macOS Sequoia 15+ can block the updater from modifying the app bundle.

Try first: System Settings → Privacy → Full Disk Access → add Minecraft.app, then reopen.

Linux

Sign-in window crashes

CEF OAuth failures, often related to missing KWallet or keyring on KDE desktops.

Try first: Install kwallet on KDE or try the Flatpak build. See MCL-24681.

More answers in the FAQ →

FAQ

Quick answers

Is the Minecraft Launcher free?
Yes. The installer is free to download. Java Edition, Bedrock, and other titles still require a valid license, Game Pass entitlement, or demo where offered.
Where should I download the launcher?
Use the Microsoft Store on Windows or the official download page at minecraft.net. macOS and Linux files come from launcher.mojang.com. Avoid third-party download sites.
Do I need to install Java separately?
Not for default Java Edition play. The official launcher downloads a bundled runtime. You only need a separate JDK for servers or some third-party launchers.
Can I play Bedrock on Mac or Linux?
Not officially. Bedrock on PC is a Windows 10/11 title. macOS and Linux players use Java Edition through the official launcher.
Why does the launcher require a Microsoft account?
Mojang account migration moved authentication and ownership checks to Microsoft accounts. Since March 10, 2022, a Microsoft account is required to play Java Edition.
What is the difference between Store and minecraft.net downloads on Windows?
Both can deliver the official launcher. The Microsoft Store version is recommended for Windows 10 and 11 because it handles updates automatically. The minecraft.net installer is an alternate path that also installs the official launcher.

Browse the complete FAQ →

Resources

Official sources

Source priority

Official stores, Mojang documentation, and public bug tickets come first. Community fixes are labeled as possible steps, not guarantees.

Safety standard

Always confirm you are on a Microsoft, Xbox, or Mojang-owned domain before downloading the launcher.

Last reviewed

Download destinations and installation guidance were reviewed on August 25, 2026.