Player guide
Everything a player needs: install the launcher, sign in, find a server, play, and understand the messages the launcher shows along the way.
Install
Download the installer for your system from neko-launcher.com. Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Linux are supported. The launcher updates itself; you do not need to reinstall for new versions.
On first start you are asked to accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Sign in
Click Sign in and choose a Microsoft account that owns Minecraft: Java Edition. The launcher opens your browser for the Microsoft sign-in and never sees your password.
Several accounts can be added; switch between them from the account menu at the top right. Every server list, access check and application is evaluated for the account currently selected.
Offline accounts (a username without a Microsoft login) can be added too, but:
- servers with online mode on will not let an offline account play; the launcher shows This server requires a genuine Minecraft account;
- offline accounts cannot apply to servers or pay entry fees.
Find a server
| Way in | What to do |
|---|---|
| Home | Official servers are listed on the home screen. Click one and press Play. |
| Discover | The compass icon opens Discover: public servers approved for listing, servers currently recruiting, and tags. |
| Search | The search box at the top accepts a server name, an invite code or a domain (see Join with an IP address). |
| Invite link | An owner can send you https://neko-launcher.com/j/<code>. Open it in a browser and press Open in Neko Launcher; the launcher adds the server for you. See Deep links. |
Play
Press Play. The first launch downloads the modpack and the right Java and mod loader; later launches only fetch what changed. A progress bar shows downloads, and the Logs button opens the game log in a separate window.
The launcher keeps the instance in sync with the owner's published version. Files the owner marked as ignored (your options, resource packs, screenshots, key binds and so on) are yours and are never overwritten.
When a server is locked
Some servers are private or whitelist-only. You can still open the server page and read about it, but Play is disabled and a message sits at the bottom of the screen. The owner writes that message; it may tell you where to ask for access.
If the server is taking applications, the message ends with Tap here to apply. Applying takes a short form and, on some servers, an entry fee. See Apply to a server.
Settings
Open the gear icon:
- Java and memory — the launcher installs a matching Java automatically; you can choose your own and set the memory limit.
- Language — English, Thai, Japanese, Russian.
- Close to tray, Discord Rich Presence, update channel (stable / beta).
- Per-instance settings — right-click an instance for its folder, files, shortcut on the desktop and version history.
Your own instances and modpacks
Press + at the bottom of the sidebar to browse modpacks from Modrinth, CurseForge, FTB and ATLauncher, import a .mrpack or CurseForge .zip, or create an empty instance with any Minecraft version and loader. See Local instances and modpacks.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | What to check |
|---|---|
| This server requires a genuine Minecraft account | You are on an offline account. Switch to a Microsoft account. |
| You are not allowed to access this instance | The server is locked. Ask the owner or apply if applications are open. |
| Download stuck | Check the connection; a single file has a time limit and the launcher retries on the next Play. |
| Game closes at once | Open Logs. A crash report path is printed at the end. |
| Wrong account playing | The selected account is shown at the top right; switch before pressing Play. |
More help: neko-launcher.com/support.