How to install texture packs, skins and shaders
Get your creations into Minecraft: step-by-step guides for Java and Bedrock on PC, Mac, phones and consoles, plus answers to common questions.
Texture packs on Java
JavaJava Edition calls texture packs resource packs. Your export is a .zip file — keep it zipped.
- Export your pack from the Texture Pack Maker. You get a file like
My Pack.zip. - Start Minecraft Java Edition and open Options… > Resource Packs….
- Click Open Pack Folder. This opens the
resourcepacksfolder. - Drop the
.zipinto that folder. You can also drag it straight onto the Resource Packs screen. - Hover your pack in the Available list and click the arrow to move it to Selected. Packs higher in the list win. Click Done.
Where the folder lives
| System | Folder |
|---|---|
| Windows | %APPDATA%\.minecraft\resourcepacks |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/resourcepacks |
| Linux | ~/.minecraft/resourcepacks |
Texture packs on Bedrock
BedrockBedrock packs export as .mcpack files. Opening one imports it into Minecraft automatically.
- Export your pack. You get a file like
My Pack.mcpack. - Double-click the file. Minecraft opens and shows Import started… then Successfully imported.
- Go to Settings > Global Resources > My Packs, select your pack and press Activate.
- Using several packs? Move yours to the top so it wins.
- Download the
.mcpackon your phone or tablet. - Android: open it from your Downloads or Files app and choose Minecraft. iPhone / iPad: in the Files app tap the file, then Share > Minecraft.
- Minecraft imports the pack. Then open Settings > Global Resources and activate it.
Xbox, PlayStation and Switch can't import .mcpack files. Add the pack to a world on a PC or phone and join that world, or play on a Realm or server that includes the pack.
Skins on Java
JavaExport your skin as a .png. Remember whether you painted the Classic (4 pixel arms) or Slim (3 pixel arms) model.
- Open the Minecraft Launcher and choose Minecraft: Java Edition > Skins.
- Click New skin (the + card).
- Name it and pick the player model: Classic or Slim.
- Click Browse, choose your PNG, then Save & Use.
- Sign in at minecraft.net and open your profile.
- In the skin section choose the Classic or Slim model.
- Upload your PNG and confirm. It shows up in game the next time you join a world or server.
Skins on Bedrock
Bedrock- Export as a Bedrock skin pack. You get a
.mcpackfile. - Open the file (double-click on Windows, "Open with Minecraft" on phones and tablets) to import it.
- In Minecraft go to Dressing Room > Classic Skins. Your pack is listed with the imported packs.
- Pick your skin and press Equip.
- Export the skin as a
.png. - Open Dressing Room > Classic Skins and under Owned select the blank Import slot.
- Choose your PNG, then pick the classic or slim arm model.
Shaders with Iris or OptiFine
JavaClassic shader packs need a shader mod. Iris is the easiest and fastest; OptiFine works too.
- Download the Iris Installer from irisshaders.dev. It installs Fabric Loader, Iris and Sodium for your version in one go.
- Open the Minecraft Launcher, choose the new Iris & Sodium profile and play once.
- Export your shader pack from the Shader Maker (a
.zip— keep it zipped). - In game open Options… > Video Settings… > Shader Packs… and click Open Shader Pack Folder. Drop the zip in.
- Select your pack and click Apply. The Shader Pack Settings button lets you fine-tune options in game.
- Install OptiFine for your Minecraft version from optifine.net and play the OptiFine profile once.
- Open Options… > Video Settings… > Shaders… and click Shaders Folder.
- Drop your exported zip into the folder, then select it in the list.
Shader pack folder
| System | Folder |
|---|---|
| Windows | %APPDATA%\.minecraft\shaderpacks |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/shaderpacks |
| Linux | ~/.minecraft/shaderpacks |
Vanilla shaders (no mods)
JavaThese work in the normal game because they are a resource pack that replaces some of Minecraft’s own shader files.
- Export with the Vanilla Java target. You get a
.zipresource pack. - Install it like a texture pack: Options… > Resource Packs… > Open Pack Folder, drop the zip in.
- Move it to Selected and click Done. The new look applies straight away.
Vibrant Visuals on Bedrock
BedrockBedrock "shaders" are Vibrant Visuals settings packs: lighting, sky, colour grading, water and fog.
- Export your pack (
.mcpack) and open the file to import it. - Go to Settings > Global Resources > My Packs and activate it.
- Open Settings > Video and set Graphics Mode to Vibrant Visuals.
Finding your Minecraft folder
Java & BedrockThe quickest way is the Open Pack Folder button in Minecraft. If you need the path:
| What | Where |
|---|---|
| Java on Windows | %APPDATA%\.minecraft |
| Java on macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft |
| Java on Linux | ~/.minecraft |
| Game files (.jar) | .minecraft/versions/<version>/<version>.jar |
| Bedrock on Windows | %APPDATA%\Minecraft Bedrock\users\shared\games\com.mojang |
On Windows, paste the path into the File Explorer address bar or the Run box (Win + R).
Frequently asked questions
Where do the vanilla textures come from?
When you start a Java project, your browser downloads the official game file for that version straight from Mojang's servers and keeps only the textures, models and shaders on this device. Bedrock textures come from Mojang's official bedrock-samples repository on GitHub.
Nothing from Mojang is stored in Texture Pack Maker itself — it is a static website with no servers of its own.
Is anything uploaded?
No. Your projects, images and exported packs never leave your device. The app only downloads things: game files from Mojang, the list of versions, and skins you look up by username.
Does it work offline?
Yes, after the first load. The app and every version you have already opened stay on this device, so you can keep editing without internet. A version you haven't used yet needs a connection — or choose Use my own .jar and pick it from your .minecraft/versions folder.
Where are my projects saved?
In your browser's storage on this device. They stay until you delete them or clear this site's data. To back up a project or move it to another computer, export it and open the file there with Open a pack.
Which Minecraft versions are supported?
Java 26.3 is the default, and every Java release back to 1.6.1 (when resource packs were introduced) works — snapshots too if you switch them on. For Bedrock you can use the latest release, the latest preview and older versions.
What is the resource pack format for Minecraft Java 26.3?
Java 26.3 uses resource pack format 97.1. A pack made only for 26.3 declares "min_format": [97, 1] and "max_format": 97 in its pack.mcmeta. The Texture Pack Maker writes these fields for you. See the format of every Java version.
What is the difference between Java and Bedrock packs?
A Java pack is a .zip with a pack.mcmeta file and PNG textures under assets/minecraft/textures/. A Bedrock pack is an .mcpack with a manifest.json and textures under textures/ (PNG or TGA). Neither edition can load the other’s packs. Full comparison.
Can I make shaders without mods?
Yes. On Java 1.17 and newer a resource pack can change Minecraft’s own shaders (colour, vignette, fog, and bloom on 26.3). On Bedrock a Vibrant Visuals pack changes the built-in lighting, sky, fog and water. Real shadows and reflections on Java still need Iris or OptiFine. How it works.
Can I use it on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Every tool works with touch, including pinch-to-zoom in the pixel editors. A bigger screen is more comfortable for detailed pixel art.
Is this free? Is it official?
It is free and open source under the MIT licence.
Texture Pack Maker is not an official Minecraft product and is not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.
Something went wrong. How do I report it?
Please open an issue on GitHub with your browser, the game version and what you were doing. Screenshots help a lot.