PojavLauncher is a launcher that allows you to run the original Java Edition of Minecraft on mobile devices. This article will help you quickly get familiar with the launcher and configure it for your needs.
Download the current version of PojavLauncher from the official GitHub repository or from the app store (Play Market), if available in your region. On first launch, the main screen will open with account selection. Tap the profile icon and select "Local Account" (or "Offline"). Enter your desired nickname using Latin characters — it will be used in singleplayer and on servers that support offline mode. Tap "Save" — and the account is ready.
The main launcher screen displays the current version (e.g., "1.21.4"). Tap it to open the list of available releases, snapshots, and archived builds. The launcher automatically downloads all necessary files from Mojang's servers the first time you select a version. Simply tap the desired entry — the download will begin, after which the version will be selected by default.
To work with most mods and connect to popular servers, you need: Fabric — a lightweight and high-performance loader that is often used on servers thanks to its extensive library of compatible modifications. Installing it is very simple: on the main screen, tap the "Install Fabric" button. Make sure the same base game version as on the server is selected, and tap "Install." The launcher will create a separate profile labeled "Fabric." From now on, select this profile when launching with mods.
After installing Fabric, the game is ready for mod loading. After installation, it's important to do a trial launch of the game. Using any file manager, navigate to the /PojavLauncher/.minecraft/mods directory. If the mods folder doesn't exist, create it manually. Copy mod files (.jar) downloaded from trusted sources into this folder. Then return to the launcher, select the Fabric profile, and tap "Play."
One of the main advantages of PojavLauncher is its fully customizable virtual control system, which emulates a keyboard and mouse. Access to the editor is available from the launcher menu, which can be opened via the "Control Layout" menu.
Enter the world, open the launcher menu, and go to the "Controls" section. Tap the "Add Button" button. A new element will appear on the screen that can be dragged to a convenient location. Then tap it to open the properties panel. Here you assign the emulated key or action (e.g., "LMB", "Shift", "E"), as well as configure size and transparency. Set the "Right Shift" key to open the EVO+ mod menu.
In configuration mode, tap the desired button — it will be highlighted. In the properties panel, you can change the assigned action, size, shape, and text on the button. To change the action, tap the current value and select the desired key from the dropdown list. Once done, tap an empty area.
In the same "Controls" menu, tap "Add Joystick." A virtual stick will appear, emulating the WASD keys. Drag it to the left side of the screen and configure sensitivity and mode (fixed or floating) via the properties panel, similarly to a button. The joystick makes moving around in the game significantly more convenient on a touchscreen.
After arranging all the elements, tap the "Save Profile" button. Enter a name for the preset and confirm. The profile activates automatically. Later, you can switch between several saved configurations or reset controls to the default.
Graphics Settings.
In the "Graphics" section, you can switch the renderer between OpenGL ES and Vulkan. On many devices, Vulkan provides an FPS boost, but sometimes causes artifacts. The same section lets you enable rendering optimization and lower the resolution if the game lags.
Shaders and Resource Packs.
Shader packs (.zip) go into the shaderpacks folder, and resource packs go into resourcepacks. For Fabric, it's recommended to use the Sodium + Iris combo, optimized for mobile platforms.
Solving Common Issues:
mods folder, not in nested directories, and that an up-to-date Fabric API is installed.