01
Download
Get the launcher from Microsoft Store or minecraft.net. The Store build is recommended for automatic updates and access to Bedrock, Dungeons, and Legends.
First run
Install and launch the Minecraft Launcher
From download to Play in four steps on every platform. Install from the Microsoft Store on Windows or from Mojang packages on Mac and Linux, sign in with your Microsoft account, choose an edition, and wait for the first game download to finish.
Platform steps
From download to Play
Four steps that work on every platform. Pick your OS for platform-specific notes.
02
Sign in
Use the Microsoft account that owns Minecraft or has an active PC Game Pass subscription. If sign-in loops, sign out of the Xbox app and Microsoft Store, restart, and try again with the sign-in helper.
03
Pick edition
Select Java Edition, Minecraft for Windows (Bedrock), Dungeons, or Legends from the left rail. Tiles you do not own show purchase or Game Pass options instead of Play.
04
Press Play
The first launch downloads game files—often several gigabytes. Wait for the progress bar to finish, then start a new world, Realm, or server. Quick Play lists recent sessions on the home screen afterward.
01
Download .dmg
Get the installer from minecraft.net or launcher.mojang.com. Only Java Edition is available on Mac.
02
Install and open
Drag Minecraft to Applications. Right-click Open the first time to pass Gatekeeper. Sign in with your Microsoft account—the same one linked to your Java license.
03
Java Edition only
The Mac launcher shows Minecraft: Java Edition. Bedrock is not available on macOS through the official launcher. Create installations for release, snapshots, or mod loaders as needed.
04
Press Play
On macOS Sequoia 15+, grant Full Disk Access to Minecraft.app if updates fail with error 9. Otherwise press Play and wait for the Java runtime and game assets to download.
02
Sign in
Ensure a desktop keyring is running. KDE users may need KWallet. If the OAuth window crashes, try the Flatpak build or see Linux sign-in fixes.
03
Java Edition
Select Minecraft: Java Edition. Bedrock is not officially supported on Linux. Optional: set a custom game directory per installation for modded profiles.
04
Press Play
The launcher bundles its own Java runtime. No separate JDK needed for default play. First launch downloads game files to your home directory under .minecraft by default.
Core features
What the launcher does for you
After install, these built-in tools keep you in the game without hunting through folders or third-party apps. Browse our launcher screenshot gallery to see what each screen looks like on Windows.
Quick Play
Jump back into recent worlds and servers from the launcher home screen without digging through in-game menus. Java lists single-player saves and multiplayer servers you have joined; Bedrock shows recent worlds and friends' sessions when available.
Installations
Create separate profiles for releases, snapshots, and mod loaders like Forge or Fabric with custom memory and game directories. Each installation can target a different Minecraft version—essential for mod packs that lock to specific releases.
Microsoft account
One sign-in syncs ownership, multiplayer services, and your Xbox gamertag across supported editions on PC. Java multiplayer and Realms require the migrated Microsoft account—Mojang accounts no longer work for new sign-ins.
After install
First-world checklist
- Confirm entitlement — If Play is greyed out, verify the game appears in your Microsoft account purchases or that Game Pass is active.
- Pick the right edition — Java for mods and Mac/Linux; Bedrock on Windows for cross-play. See games comparison.
- Allocate RAM — In Java Installations → More options, increase JVM arguments if you use large mod packs (e.g.
-Xmx4G). - Enable backups — Copy your save folder before experimenting with snapshots or heavy mods.
- Update GPU drivers — Reduces black-screen and crash issues on first launch, especially on Windows.
Questions about account linking or edition choice are covered on the FAQ page. Download links remain on download.