Introduction
Are you ready to take your Minecraft experience to the next level? Tired of vanilla Minecraft and longing for a world filled with custom content, exciting features, and the ability to play with your friends in a truly unique environment? Then you’ve come to the right place! This guide will walk you through the process of setting up a Forge server on your Mac, allowing you to unlock the full potential of Minecraft modding.
Forge is essentially a modding API (Application Programming Interface) that sits on top of the core Minecraft game. It provides a standardized way for mod developers to create and distribute modifications (mods) that add new items, blocks, creatures, mechanics, and even entire dimensions to the game. Instead of being limited to what Mojang provides, you can customize virtually every aspect of the game.
Creating your own Forge server opens up a world of possibilities. Imagine building sprawling cities with futuristic technology, exploring magical realms filled with mythical creatures, or automating complex factories to produce rare resources. With a Forge server, you and your friends can collaborate on amazing projects and build unforgettable memories together.
This guide is designed for Mac users who are relatively new to the world of server administration but have some experience playing Minecraft. We’ll break down each step into manageable chunks, providing clear instructions and helpful tips along the way. Don’t worry if you’re not a coding expert; we’ll focus on the practical aspects of setting up and running the server.
Before we dive in, let’s take a quick look at what we’ll be covering: ensuring you have the proper version of Java installed, downloading the necessary Forge and Minecraft server files, installing Forge, configuring your server, and finally, getting your server up and running. We’ll also cover some common troubleshooting tips to help you overcome any obstacles you might encounter.
Getting Ready: Meeting the Prerequisites
Before you can start building your dream Minecraft world, you need to ensure that your Mac is properly prepared. This involves a few essential prerequisites.
First and foremost, you’ll need Java. Java is the programming language that Minecraft is built on, and Forge relies heavily on it. Therefore, you need the Java Development Kit (JDK) installed on your Mac.
To check if Java is already installed, open the Terminal application (found in /Applications/Utilities/). Type the following command and press Enter:
java -version
If Java is installed, you’ll see information about the Java version. If you get an error message or the version is older than Java version eight, you’ll need to install or update Java. It’s recommended to use a modern OpenJDK distribution like Eclipse Temurin or Adoptium. You can download it from the official Adoptium website.
Once downloaded, follow the installation instructions.
An important step for Mac users is setting the JAVA_HOME environment variable. This tells your system where Java is installed. Open the Terminal, and using nano, vim, or another text editor, edit your shell configuration file (.zshrc if you use Zsh, or .bash_profile if you use Bash). To open the file with nano, type the following:
nano ~/.zshrc
Add the following lines to the file. Note, you may need to alter the path based on where java is installed. To find the location of Java run /usr/libexec/java_home. This will output the location of Java which you should use in the following block.
export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home)
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
Save the file (Ctrl+O in nano), and exit (Ctrl+X in nano). Then, reload your shell configuration by running:
source ~/.zshrc
Next, you need to ensure you have a valid Minecraft account. This means you’ve purchased Minecraft Java Edition and have launched the vanilla (unmodded) game at least once. This step is crucial because it allows Minecraft to generate the necessary game files and folders that Forge needs to function correctly.
Finally, it’s good practice to create a dedicated folder for your server files. This will keep everything organized and prevent clutter. For example, you could create a folder named “MinecraftServer” in your Documents folder.
Downloading Forge and Minecraft Server Files
Now that your Mac is prepared, it’s time to download the necessary files. This involves getting the correct version of Forge and the official Minecraft server JAR file.
First, head over to the official Minecraft Forge website. Here, you’ll find a list of available Forge versions. It’s crucial to choose the version that corresponds to your desired Minecraft version. Using an incompatible version can lead to crashes and other issues. The Minecraft version is displayed in the Minecraft Launcher. If you are unsure what version of Minecraft to choose, choose the most recent version.
You’ll notice two options: “Recommended” and “Latest.” The “Recommended” version is generally more stable and has been thoroughly tested, while the “Latest” version might contain newer features and bug fixes but could also be more prone to issues. Unless you have a specific reason to use the “Latest” version, it’s generally best to stick with the “Recommended” version for a smoother experience.
Click the “Installer” button to download the Forge installer JAR file. Do not download the MDK or Sources.
Next, download the Minecraft server JAR file from the official Minecraft website. Ensure the version of server.jar matches the version of Forge you downloaded. You can usually find the correct link on the Minecraft download page.
Once both files are downloaded, place them in the dedicated server folder you created earlier.
Installing Forge
With the necessary files in place, it’s time to install Forge. This process involves running the Forge installer and generating the initial server files.
Open your Terminal and use the cd command to navigate to your server folder. Once you’re in the correct directory, run the following command, replacing <forge-installer-filename>.jar with the actual name of your Forge installer file:
java -jar <forge-installer-filename>.jar
This will launch the Forge installer window. Select the “Install server” option, and make sure the installer is pointed at the directory you are currently working in. Click the ‘OK’ button to proceed with installation.
Once the installation is complete, you’ll need to run the server for the first time. This will generate essential files like eula.txt and server.properties. Create a new text file named start.command in your server folder. This file will contain the command to start the server. Paste the following lines into the file:
#!/bin/bash
java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar <minecraft_server>.jar nogui
#!/bin/bash: This line tells the operating system that this is a Bash script.
-Xmx4G: This sets the maximum amount of memory the server can use. 4G means four gigabytes. Adjust this based on your Mac’s RAM. Start with a lower value if you have limited RAM.
-Xms2G: This sets the initial amount of memory the server will use. 2G means two gigabytes.
<minecraft_server>.jar: Replace this with the actual name of your server JAR file (e.g., minecraft_server.1.20.1.jar).
nogui: This tells the server to run without a graphical user interface, which is more efficient.
Save the start.command file. Now, you need to make it executable. In the Terminal, run the following command, ensuring you are still in the server directory:
chmod +x start.command
Finally, start the server by running the command:
./start.command
The server will start, generate the necessary files, and then stop. You’ll see an error message indicating that you need to accept the EULA.
Accepting the EULA
The EULA (End User License Agreement) is a legal agreement that you must accept before running the Minecraft server. Open the eula.txt file in your server folder using a text editor. Change the line eula=false to eula=true, and save the file.
Configuring the Server
The server.properties file contains various settings that control how your server behaves. Open this file in a text editor to customize your server.
Here are some of the key settings you might want to adjust:
level-name: The name of your world.server-port: The port the server runs on (default is 25565).online-mode: Set tofalsefor offline mode. For your server to be secure, the setting should always be set totrue. Setting to false has the risk of accounts being stolen and griefed.max-players: The maximum number of players who can join the server.motd: The message that appears in the Minecraft server list.gamemode: The gamemode to start the server with
Adding Mods
Now comes the fun part: adding mods! Create a folder named “mods” in your server folder if one does not already exist. Download mods from reputable sources like CurseForge or Modrinth. Always check that the mods are compatible with your Forge and Minecraft versions. Simply place the .jar files of the mods into the “mods” folder.
Running the Forge Server
With the server configured and mods added, it’s time to run the Forge server. Execute the start.command script again. Watch the server console output in the Terminal. You should see the mods loading successfully. The final message to appear in the terminal should be “Done (number)s! For help, type “help””
Connecting to the Server
Open Minecraft, click “Multiplayer,” and then click “Add Server.” Enter a server name and the server address. If you’re playing on the same Mac, use localhost or 127.0.0.1 as the address.
Troubleshooting
- “Failed to bind to port”: Another application is using the port. Try changing the server port in
server.properties. - Crash on startup: Incompatible mods. Remove mods one by one to identify the culprit.
- Java errors: Incorrect Java version or memory allocation issues. Revisit Java installation.
- “Internal Exception: io.netty.handler.codec.DecoderException”: Version Mismatch. Ensure the client and server use the same Minecraft and Forge versions.
Check the server log files for error messages. The logs are usually located in the server directory.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed a Forge server on your Mac. By following the steps above, you’ll now be able to launch a modded Minecraft server that you can play with your friends. Explore the vast world of Minecraft mods!
