Profiles are collections of settings and files required to launch a custom modded instance of Minecraft: Java Edition. These include the modloader, configurations, and of course the mods themselves.

If you'd like to share your custom profile, you can use the Export feature to send it to a friend. You can also submit it to CurseForge to potentially earn revenue from your creation!

This guide outlines several ways to create and manage profiles using the CurseForge app.

The CurseForge app is required for all methods described here.

Game Types and Modloaders

Modding Minecraft requires a modloader, which is responsible for loading mods and associated files correctly.

When creating a profile in the CurseForge app, you’ll choose one of the following game types:

Forge: Supports only Forge-compatible mods and modpacks.
Fabric: Supports only Fabric-compatible mods and modpacks.
Vanilla: The unmodified version of Minecraft. No modloader is used, and mods are not supported.

Modloader Versions

Forge and Fabric each have their own versions, maintained by separate development communities.

When selecting a modloader, the latest version is automatically pre-selected under the "Moadloader Version" dropdown. No manual selection is needed unless you want a different version.

If you choose “Vanilla” as your game type, no modloader is needed and the version field will remain blank.

Take me to...

Create a Custom Profile
Install a Mod into a New Profile
Advanced Settings
Install a Mod into an Existing Profile
Compatibility Notes
Create a Vanilla Profile

Create a Custom Profile

To create a new custom profile, follow these steps:

Open the Minecraft section in the CurseForge app.
Click Create.
Name your profile, select a Minecraft version, and choose a modloader version.
Go to My Modpacks and click your newly created profile.
Click Add More Content.
Install your preferred mods, resource packs, or maps.
Once ready, click Play to launch your custom modpack.

Install a Mod into a New Profile

Another way to create a profile or add mods to an existing one is through the CurseForge website. This method lets you search, filter, and browse for mods that interest you.

It’s especially useful if you want to try out a single mod or prefer exploring content through the website.

Search or browse for a mod using the CurseForge app or website, then click Install.
The CurseForge app will automatically open and display a screen where you can choose to:
Create a new profile for the selected mod or add it to an existing profile:
Select Create a new profile.
The app will automatically detect the correct game version and modloader type, and apply the necessary settings.

You’ll be asked to:
- Choose a name for your new profile
- Optionally upload a custom avatar
When ready, click Create.

Advanced Settings

If you want to adjust the game version or modloader type/version, click Advanced.

Please keep in mind that only compatible options for the selected mod will be shown.

The Advanced section is recommended for experienced users. If you’re unsure, it's best to proceed with the app’s automatic settings.

Once your profile is created, the mod will be added automatically.

You’ll soon be able to continue adding mods to the same profile through this method. Until then, additional mods can be added through the Add More Content option inside the CurseForge app.

Install a Mod into an Existing Profile

If you’d like to install a mod into an existing modpack or custom profile, follow these steps:

Download the mod using the Install button (deep link) from either the app or the website.
The CurseForge app will launch and display a screen where you can choose to:
Create a new profile or add the mod to an existing profile
Select ‘Select a profile’ and choose your desired profile or modpack from the list.

Compatibility Notes

If some profiles appear as incompatible, hover over the question mark next to them to view the reason. You may see one of the following:

Incompatible Minecraft Version

Each mod and profile is tied to a specific Minecraft version. If they don’t match, the mod can’t be added to that profile.

You’ll need to select a different profile or install the mod to a new profile.

To check a mod’s compatible game version, open the All Game Versions dropdown:

To check a profile’s game version, click the profile and look for the version listed next to the controller icon:

Incompatible Modloader (Forge/Fabric/NeoForge/Quilt)

The mod and the profile must use the same modloader. If they don’t match, they are incompatible.

Choose a different profile or create a new one with the correct modloader.

To see what modloader a mod uses, open the All Mod Loaders dropdown:

For profiles, click on the modpack/profile and look for the modloader label (e.g., "Forge" or "Fabric") :

Incompatible Modloader and Minecraft Version

If both the modloader and Minecraft version are incompatible, the profile cannot be selected.

You’ll need to install the mod into a new profile that supports the correct configuration using the steps Here.

Duplicate Mod Warning

If the selected profile already includes the mod, you will receive a notification:

You can choose to proceed, in which case the existing version of the mod will be overridden.

Once your desired profile is selected and validated, click Install to complete the process:

Create a Vanilla Profile

"Vanilla" refers to the original, unmodified version of Minecraft running without any modloaders or mods.

If you'd like to play different versions of Vanilla Minecraft, you can easily create a profile specifically for that purpose using the CurseForge app.

Follow these steps to set up your Vanilla profile:

Click Create in the Minecraft section of the app.
Under Game Type, select Vanilla.
If desired, you can enhance your Vanilla profile with additional content such as resource packs or maps. To do this:
1. Click the Add More Content button
2. Click Install next to any content you'd like to include: