Your First Launch
Step 1 — Add an Account
On the home screen, tap the account icon (top right) or the Add Account button.
Microsoft / Premium Account
- Tap Microsoft Login.
- A browser window will open. Sign in with your Microsoft account linked to Minecraft.
- Authorize CopperLauncher.
- Your account will appear in the launcher.
Local / Offline Account
- Tap Local Account.
- Enter a username of your choice.
- Tap Confirm.
Local accounts can play singleplayer and LAN games, but cannot join servers that require authentication.
Step 2 — Create an Instance
CopperLauncher uses instances to keep each version's game data separate. Tap the + button to create a new instance.
When creating an instance, you can configure:
- Name — a label for this instance (e.g. "Survival World" or "Modded 1.20")
- Version — tap SELECT to choose a Minecraft version and optionally a mod loader (Fabric, Forge, etc.)
- Default controlmap — the renderer to use for this instance (see below)
Tap SAVE when done. You can edit these settings later by long-pressing the instance.
Choosing a Renderer (Default controlmap)
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Holy GL4ES | Minecraft up to 1.21.4 — fast, wide compatibility |
| Zink (Vulkan) | All versions — mid speed, Vulkan-based |
| MobileGlues (OpenGL ES) | 1.17+ — fast native OpenGL ES |
| LTW (OpenGL ES 3) | 1.17+ — lightweight, good balance |
| Krypton Wrapper | Up to 1.21.8 — fast, wrapper-based |
| Default | Let the launcher decide automatically |
Step 3 — Select a Minecraft Version
- Tap the version selector on the home screen.
- Browse or search for the version you want.
- Tap the version to select it.
If you're not sure which version to pick, 1.20.1 has the best mod support via Forge and Fabric.
Step 4 — Download and Launch
- Tap Play (or Download if the version isn't installed yet).
- Wait for CopperLauncher to download the game files.
- The game will launch automatically once downloaded.
Tips for First-Time Players
- Performance: If the game runs slowly, check the Optimization Guide.
- Mods: Want mods? See Installing Mods.
- Controls: Customize them in Custom Controls.
- Java: Need a newer Java runtime? See Launcher Preferences.