Installing OptiFine with Forge

26.1.2

OptiFine can run as a standalone profile or as a Forge mod. Use Forge when you already have other mods installed: OptiFine is then loaded from the mods folder like any other mod, and both use the same Minecraft profile.

1. Install Forge

Download the Forge installer for your Minecraft version, run it, choose Install client, and launch the Forge profile once so the mods folder is created.

2. Download the matching OptiFine build

From the Downloads page, pick the OptiFine build for the exact same Minecraft version as your Forge install.

3. Move the .jar into the mods folder

Do not run the OptiFine installer. Copy the .jar file directly into the mods folder:

Windows: %appdata%\.minecraft\mods
macOS:   ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods
Linux:   ~/.minecraft/mods

4. Launch the Forge profile

Start the Minecraft Launcher, select the Forge profile, and press Play. Open Options → Video Settings to confirm the OptiFine tabs are there.

Version compatibility

Forge and OptiFine must target the same Minecraft version, and not every OptiFine build supports every Forge build. If the game crashes on startup, try the previous OptiFine build for your version.

Troubleshooting

The game crashes on startup

Remove OptiFine from the mods folder and start the game again. If it launches, the crash comes from an OptiFine/Forge version mismatch or another mod conflict.

OptiFine settings are missing

You are probably launching the vanilla or OptiFine standalone profile instead of the Forge profile.