Can I install Forge or Fabric mods on Minecraft for iPhone?

No. Forge, Fabric, NeoForge, and similar mod loaders are for Minecraft Java Edition, which only runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Minecraft on iPhone and iPad is Bedrock Edition. It uses add-ons in .mcaddon and .mcpack format instead of Java mods.

Where do downloaded .mcaddon files go on iPhone?

By default, Safari saves files to the Downloads folder inside the Files app. Open Files, tap Browse, then tap Downloads. If you used a different app to download the file, it may be saved inside that app's own storage folder instead.

Why doesn't my add-on show up in Behavior Packs or Resource Packs?

The import may have failed silently. Try tapping the file again in the Files app and choosing Copy to Minecraft. Also check that the file extension is .mcaddon or .mcpack and not .zip. If the file is corrupted, download it again from the source.

Can I use add-ons on Minecraft Realms?

Resource packs work on Realms since they run client-side and only change visuals on your end. Behavior packs are different. They change gameplay and need to be enabled on the Realm itself by the Realm owner. You cannot apply a behavior pack to someone else's Realm from your device alone.

My add-on installed fine but nothing changed when I loaded my world. What went wrong?

You need to apply the pack to each world individually. Installing it in Minecraft is just the first step. Go to the world's settings by tapping the pencil icon next to it, scroll to Behavior Packs or Resource Packs, find your add-on, and tap the + icon to activate it for that world. Then save and load in.

How to Install Minecraft PE Mods & Add-ons on iOS

Installing add-ons on Minecraft Bedrock for iOS is simpler than most people expect. There’s no mod loader to set up. You just tap the file, hand it off to Minecraft, and apply it to a world.

What You Need Before You Start

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition installed on your iPhone or iPad (the App Store version)
An .mcaddon or .mcpack file saved to your device
iOS 15 or later (older versions may behave oddly with the Files app)

Quick note on file types: .mcaddon files usually bundle a resource pack and a behavior pack together. .mcpack files are one or the other individually. Both install exactly the same way.

How to Install .mcaddon and .mcpack Files on iOS

Download the add-on file to your device.

Use Safari or your preferred browser to download the .mcaddon or .mcpack file. By default, iOS saves downloads to the Files app under Browse > Downloads. If you used another app, check its own storage folder.
Open the Files app and locate the file.

Tap the Files app, navigate to your Downloads folder (or wherever the file was saved), and find the .mcaddon or .mcpack file.
Tap the Share button and send it to Minecraft.

Tap the file once to select it, then tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing up). Scroll through the app list in the share sheet and tap Copy to Minecraft or Open in Minecraft. Minecraft will launch automatically.
Wait for the import screen.

Minecraft will display an import progress bar. When it finishes, you’ll see a message confirming the pack was imported. Behavior packs and resource packs are stored in their respective sections in Minecraft’s settings.
Apply the add-on to a world.

From the Play screen, tap the pencil icon on an existing world to edit it, or start a new one. Under Behavior Packs or Resource Packs, find your add-on and tap the + button to activate it. Save your world settings, then load in.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Using Java Edition mods by mistake

This is the most common issue. Minecraft on iPhone and iPad is Bedrock Edition only. Mods in .jar format, and tools like Minecraft Forge, Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, and OptiFine are all for Java Edition on PC and Mac. They will not work on iOS at all. Stick to .mcaddon and .mcpack files.

The file downloaded as a .zip

Some browsers or file managers automatically rename .mcaddon or .mcpack files to .zip because they use the same compression format underneath. In the Files app, press and hold the file, tap Rename, and change the extension back to .mcaddon or .mcpack before trying to open it.

“Open in Minecraft” does not appear in the share sheet

This usually means iOS hasn’t registered Minecraft as an app that handles these file types yet. Try closing and reopening the Files app. If it still doesn’t show up, try uninstalling and reinstalling Minecraft from the App Store, then try again.

The add-on installed but doesn’t do anything in game

Installing a pack and applying it are two separate steps. Just because it shows up under Behavior Packs or Resource Packs in Minecraft doesn’t mean it’s active. You need to go into each world’s settings and specifically add the pack to that world with the + button.

The add-on requires a newer version of Minecraft

Most add-ons list a minimum required version. If you’re running an older version of Minecraft Bedrock, the pack may import without errors but do nothing in game. Check the download page for version requirements and update Minecraft from the App Store if needed.

The behavior pack won’t activate with a message about experimental features

Some behavior packs use experimental gameplay features. When applying the pack to a world, Minecraft will warn you and ask you to enable experiments. Tap the toggle to allow it. Note that worlds with experimental features enabled may behave differently after Minecraft updates.

Which Versions and Editions This Applies To

This guide is for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition on iOS (iPhone and iPad), versions 1.16 and later. Add-on support has existed since earlier versions, but the current .mcaddon format and the behavior pack system became stable around 1.16. Many newer add-ons require 1.20 or higher.

This does not apply to Minecraft Java Edition, which runs only on PC and Mac and uses a completely different modding system.