What are Minecraft modpacks and how do you use them?

Minecraft logo on Android mobile device
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A lot of gamers are familiar with the concept of mods. Mods are user-created content that can change the way a game is played. It can add new features, gameplay mechanics, items, and more. Minecraft is no exception – there are thousands of mods available for the game, ranging from small changes to complete overhauls. 

However, if you’re new to the world of mods, or have seen the feature as an add on in your Minecraft server hosting service, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. 

In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to the world of Minecraft modpacks, explain what they are and how to use them.

What are Minecraft modpacks? 

A modpack is a collection of mods that have been brought together and configured to work together, often with additional tweaks and customizations. In other words, it’s a pre-made bundle of mods that you can install in just a few clicks. 

There are hundreds of different types, or "flavors", of modpacks available to download. These range from simple packs that contain only a few mods, to complex packs containing many mods.

Some popular examples include Feed the Beast, CurseForge/Twitch Modpack Index, and Technic Platform. To use these modpacks, you will need to download an external application such as the Twitch app or Technic Launcher, and have a copy of Minecraft installed on your computer. 

You can then use this application to install any desired pack onto your existing version of Minecraft. This allows you to switch between multiple versions of Minecraft with ease, and also allows you to easily keep the content on your computer up-to-date.

Modpacks can be a great way to try out new gameplay or mod combinations, as well as give you access to many different features that might not be included in other versions of Minecraft. However, they can sometimes be difficult to configure and may require some advanced knowledge of computers and gaming software.

 How to host a Minecraft server with modpacks

You'll need to download your preferred modpack from one of the sites listed above. Each website will have detailed instructions for installing their particular modpacks. Follow these installation instructions carefully in order to set up your Minecraft server correctly.

Once your modpack is installed, start up your Minecraft server and join it using the appropriate IP address. You should now be able to play on your modded Minecraft server with all of the included mods enabled.

If you want to make any changes to your modpack settings or add new mods, you can do so by editing the configuration files for your particular version of Minecraft and modpack. Make sure you are familiar with how to use text editors like Notepad before attempting to modify these files, as they can contain important information that may be overwritten if they are accidentally erased or edited incorrectly.

How to install a Minecraft modpack 

If you want to install a Minecraft mod, first, you'll need to download the modpack that you want. To do this, go to a site such as Curseforge. Next, you'll need to search for the modpack you are interested in, and then click "Download" next to it. You may need to enter your Minecraft account information if you haven't already done so.

Once you have downloaded the modpack file (it will be a zipped folder with an ".mcmod" or ".zip" extension), double-click on it to open it up. This will unpack the files used by the modpack into a new folder inside of your Minecraft directory called ".minecraft".

You'll then need to find your "modpacks" folder inside of your ".minecraft" folder. If you don't already have a modpacks folder, then create one there by right-clicking inside of the ".minecraft" folder and clicking "New > Folder".

Once you have created your modpacks folder, open it up. Inside it should be another folder with the name of the modpack that you downloaded (for example, if you had downloaded Agrarian Skies modpack, then your file would be in "agrarian skies 2"). Open this new folder and copy all of the files inside into the newly created modpacks directory located inside of ".minecraft".

At this point, assuming your mods were successfully copied over to ".minecraft", run Minecraft and start playing.

How to host a modded Minecraft server for free 

Modpacks contain pre-made configurations that allow you to quickly and easily install all of the mods you need to run your own modded server, without having to go through the hassle of searching for and installing each individual mod yourself. To get started hosting a modded server, simply follow these steps:

First, you need to purchase Minecraft Realms. This is a premium service that lets you host your own private server for free, and it only takes minutes to set up. 

Once you've signed up, log in and navigate to the Minecraft Realms section of your account. Here, you'll find all of the modpacks available on Realms - simply select one to install it on your server right away.

Once the modpack has finished downloading, start up your server using the provided button within Realm's dashboard. This will automatically launch the game along with all of the necessary mods needed for playing online with friends!

Then, invite your friends or family members to your server and start playing. You can do this by clicking on the "invite players" button within your Realm account.

Ruby has been a freelance technology writer for over four years and has a passion for information technology and the Internet in its entirety. She has a wide range of specialities including web hosting, streaming (Firestick, Kodi, and APKs), VPN, information technology, and affiliate marketing. Ruby is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of the Philippines, and regularly codes in her free time.