Minecraft Java Edition on Ubuntu is installed through the official Mojang launcher—not the legacy Minecraft.jar. Microsoft publishes Minecraft.deb for Debian/Ubuntu and Minecraft.tar.gz for manual installs. You need a Java runtime, a desktop session (Wayland or X11), and a Microsoft account linked to a Java Edition license (or use the demo).
This guide covers how to install Minecraft on Ubuntu from the official .deb, the tarball fallback, and the optional mc-installer Snap. Steps below were tested on Ubuntu 25.04; the graphical login wizard requires a real desktop (not plain SSH).
Tested on: Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin); kernel 6.14.0-37-generic; amd64.
.deb or .tar.gz). The mc-installer Snap is community-maintained—not Mojang’s launcher. A dedicated server uses server.jar and is a different workflow (server setup overview).
Quick command summary
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Install Java runtime | sudo apt install -y openjdk-21-jre-headless |
Download official .deb |
wget https://launcher.mojang.com/download/Minecraft.deb |
| Install launcher | sudo apt install -y ./Minecraft.deb |
| Launch (GUI) | minecraft-launcher or Activities → Minecraft Launcher |
| Tarball alternative | wget …/Minecraft.tar.gz && tar -xzf Minecraft.tar.gz |
| Run tarball binary | ./minecraft-launcher/minecraft-launcher |
| Community Snap | sudo snap install mc-installer |
| Remove launcher | sudo apt purge -y minecraft-launcher |
Prerequisites
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, or newer (25.04 tested here) on x86_64 (amd64).
- Desktop environment with Wayland or X11—the launcher is a GTK GUI app.
- sudo for package installation.
- 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB+ recommended); GPU drivers help with larger render distances.
- Java runtime —
openjdk-21-jre-headlessordefault-jre(install Java guide). - Microsoft account with Java Edition owned, or use Play Demo in the launcher.
- Outbound HTTPS to
launcher.mojang.comand Minecraft CDN hosts.
See check Ubuntu version if you are unsure which release you are on.
Choose an install method
| Method | Best for | Jump to |
|---|---|---|
Official Minecraft.deb |
Most Ubuntu Desktop players who want the standard Minecraft launcher | Step 2 |
Minecraft.tar.gz |
Users who prefer a manual portable install without a .deb |
Step 3 |
mc-installer Snap |
Users who prefer installing from the Snap Store | Step 4 |
server.jar |
Server hosts running a multiplayer world—not the game client | Minecraft server guides |
For most players on Ubuntu Desktop, install the official .deb. Use the tarball or Snap when you prefer those workflows. Skip the 2013 java -jar Minecraft.jar flow—Mojang replaced it with the native launcher binary.
Step 1: Install Java (JRE)
Check whether Java is already present:
java -versionIf missing, install a current runtime:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y openjdk-21-jre-headlessExample on Ubuntu 25.04:
openjdk version "21.0.9" 2025-10-21
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 21.0.9+10-Ubuntu-125.04)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 21.0.9+10-Ubuntu-125.04, mixed mode, sharing)default-jre also works; on 25.04 it tracks OpenJDK 21. You do not need a full JDK unless you develop Java mods.
Step 2: Install from the official .deb (recommended)
Download from Mojang’s CDN:
cd ~/Downloads
wget https://launcher.mojang.com/download/Minecraft.debProbe and file size on Ubuntu 25.04:
HTTP/2 200
content-type: application/octet-stream
content-length: 825844Install with apt so dependencies resolve:
sudo apt install -y ./Minecraft.debSelecting previously unselected package minecraft-launcher.
Unpacking minecraft-launcher (2.1.3) ...
Setting up minecraft-launcher (2.1.3) ...Verify:
which minecraft-launcher
dpkg -l minecraft-launcher/usr/bin/minecraft-launcher
ii minecraft-launcher 2.1.3 amd64 Official Minecraft LauncherDesktop integration files land under /usr/share/applications/minecraft-launcher.desktop.
Step 3: Install from Minecraft.tar.gz (alternative)
Use the tarball when you want a portable directory or a manual install without dpkg:
cd ~/Downloads
wget https://launcher.mojang.com/download/Minecraft.tar.gz
tar -xzf Minecraft.tar.gz-rw-rw-r-- 1 user user 1.1M Oct 10 2024 Minecraft.tar.gz
minecraft-launcher/minecraft-launcher: ELF 64-bit LSB pie executable, x86-64, dynamically linkedThe binary is already executable. Launch from the extract folder:
cd minecraft-launcher
./minecraft-launcherOptional: move to /opt and add a .desktop file or symlink minecraft-launcher into ~/.local/bin for menu-less launches.
Step 4: mc-installer Snap (optional)
Snapcraft publishes a community mc-installer Snap (publisher James Tigert / kz6fittycent):
sudo snap install mc-installername: mc-installer
summary: A simple installer for Minecraft - Java Edition
publisher: James Tigert (kz6fittycent)This is not the official Mojang package. Prefer Minecraft.deb unless you standardize on Snap for all desktop apps.
Step 5: Launch, sign in, and download the game
- Open Activities → Minecraft Launcher (or run
minecraft-launcherin a terminal on the desktop). - Sign in with your Microsoft account (Mojang accounts were migrated—use Microsoft login).
- On first run the launcher downloads updates; progress appears in the launcher window.
- Open the Installations tab, pick a release (or create one), then click Play.
- The client downloads game assets to
~/.minecrafton first launch.
On a headless SSH session without a display, the launcher exits with:
Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display:That is expected—use a local desktop session or a remote desktop tool.
Verify hardware (optional)
Check CPU and memory before tuning render distance:
lscpu | grep -E 'Model name|Architecture|CPU\(s\)'
free -hUninstall
Official .deb launcher:
sudo apt purge -y minecraft-launcher
sudo apt autoremove -yGame data (optional):
rm -rf ~/.minecraftSnap:
sudo snap remove mc-installerTarball-only install: delete the extracted minecraft-launcher folder and any custom .desktop entry.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
cannot open display |
No GUI / SSH only | Launch from a desktop session; use X11 forwarding or a remote desktop |
java: command not found |
JRE not installed | sudo apt install -y openjdk-21-jre-headless |
.deb install dependency errors |
Missing packages | sudo apt install -f after dpkg -i |
Double-click .deb opens archive |
File manager association | Use sudo apt install ./Minecraft.deb in terminal |
| Launcher downloads forever | Network / proxy / CDN block | Check firewall; try another network |
Old Minecraft.jar / chmod guides fail |
Obsolete 2013 workflow | Use official .deb or .tar.gz from launcher.mojang.com |
| Want a private multiplayer world | Client vs server confusion | Install server.jar on a VPS (server guide), not the desktop launcher |
| Multiple launchers conflict | .deb + Snap + tarball |
Pick one; purge others |
References
- Minecraft for Linux (official download) —
.deband.tar.gzlinks https://launcher.mojang.com/download/Minecraft.deb— tested Ubuntu packagehttps://launcher.mojang.com/download/Minecraft.tar.gz— tested tarball- Install mc-installer Snap
- InMotion: Minecraft server on Ubuntu —
server.jar/eula.txtpath - On-site: apt command, wget command, install Java
Summary
The reliable way to install Minecraft Java Edition on Ubuntu is openjdk-21-jre-headless (or default-jre), then wget the official Minecraft.deb and sudo apt install ./Minecraft.deb. That places minecraft-launcher 2.1.3 at /usr/bin/minecraft-launcher with a GNOME menu entry.
Extract Minecraft.tar.gz when you want a standalone binary under your home or /opt directory. Sign in with a Microsoft account, let the launcher download assets into ~/.minecraft, and click Play. For a headless dedicated server, use server.jar instead of this client launcher.
