A Minecraft mod launcher with a client built in
The Dawn Minecraft launcher runs Fabric, Forge and NeoForge profiles side by side, with Modrinth mods and modpacks a click away.
Free · Windows, macOS, Linux
148,000+ mods and packs at your fingertips
One click to install. One click to play.
Dawn Client
Every loader, every version
Dawn makes profiles for Vanilla (releases, snapshots, old beta and old alpha), Fabric, Forge and NeoForge, on the versions Mojang and each loader publish. Every profile keeps its own mods, worlds and settings, so a 1.20.1 NeoForge modpack and a 1.21 Fabric setup never touch each other.
Profiles can go into folders and get their own icons and banners, which helps once you have more than a handful. Quilt isn't supported.
Mods, modpacks and shaders from Modrinth
Dawn's browser covers Modrinth's mods, modpacks, resource packs, shader packs and data packs. Filter by game version, loader and category, or find a mod first and pick which profile gets it afterwards.
Modpacks install as their own profile with the right Minecraft version and loader already set. The modpack guide walks through it, and the Cobblemon guide covers one of the most popular packs from start to finish.
Bring your setup
Dawn can copy an existing .minecraft folder into a new profile. It's a one-time copy, and your original folder isn't changed. Point it at the .minecraft folder of a Prism Launcher or MultiMC instance and Dawn picks up that instance's Minecraft version and loader.
You can also drop a .mrpack (Modrinth's modpack format), .dawnpack or .lcpack file onto Dawn, or use Import on the Profiles page.
A client built in
This is where Dawn differs from launchers like Prism or the Modrinth App. Profiles created With Dawn run Dawn Client, which adds 100+ in-game modules like keystrokes, zoom, waypoints and voice chat, plus a custom HUD. Dawn Client runs on Fabric and on Forge 1.8.9 and 1.12.2, and the profile creator only lists the versions it currently supports. NeoForge profiles run without it for now.
Fabric profiles also get Dawn's performance pack: Sodium, Lithium, FerriteCore, Entity Culling, ImmediatelyFast and ModernFix, added for your version without touching a mods folder. It's on by default for profiles With Dawn. The FPS mods page has the details, and the PvP client page covers the modules.
Help when the game crashes
When Minecraft crashes, Dawn can upload redacted launcher and game logs to mclogs and give you links to share with support or a mod's issue tracker. It also flags Fabric mod conflicts it detects, which is usually the first thing to check when a modded profile won't start.
How to install Fabric, Forge or NeoForge in Dawn
There's no separate installer to run. Dawn installs the loader for you, and the same steps work for all three.
- Start a new profileOpen Profiles and press New profile, then choose Modded.
- Choose With Dawn or Without DawnWith Dawn adds Dawn Client and its FPS improvements. Without Dawn gives you a plain loader for your own mods.
- Pick a Minecraft versionChoose the version your mods or server need.
- Pick the loaderChoose Fabric, Forge or NeoForge and press Create Profile. Loaders that don't support that version show as Unavailable.
- Add mods and playAdd mods from the Mods tab, then press Play.
FAQ
Does Dawn support CurseForge?
Dawn's mod and modpack browser uses Modrinth.
Does Dawn support Quilt?
Not right now. Dawn supports Fabric, Forge and NeoForge.
Is there a Mac version?
Yes, on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Is there a Linux version?
Yes, as a Flatpak or a tarball. Linux support is still experimental.
Do I need to install Java?
No. Dawn downloads and manages the Java runtime each Minecraft version needs.
Can I play without a Microsoft account?
No. You need a Microsoft account that owns Minecraft: Java Edition.
Is Dawn free?
Yes. Dawn is free to download and play. The launcher shows ads and sells optional cosmetics.