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The Orca desktop app

The Orca desktop app is the free client you use to actually play. You make mods, plugins, and worlds in Orca, then the desktop app launches Minecraft and gets you in-game in one click. It runs on Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon), and Linux, and it costs nothing to download.

It handles the parts that are usually a chore. It signs you in with your Microsoft and Minecraft account, loads your creations, launches modded or unmodded games, and joins your Orca servers without you editing config files or copying jars by hand. You can even type "play [mod]" in chat and the app launches straight into that mod. Grab it from the download page.

What the desktop app does

The app is the bridge between the things you build in Orca and a running game of Minecraft. Once it is installed and your account is linked, every Play button you press elsewhere in Orca opens here.

  • One-click launch into a modded game with your Orca creations loaded.
  • One-click launch into a plain unmodded game when you just want vanilla.
  • One-click join into your Orca servers, no IP typing or manual setup.
  • Say "play [mod]" from chat and the app launches straight into that mod.
  • Connect your Microsoft and Minecraft account so the game loads with your real profile and skin.

Supported systems

The desktop client is free on all three desktop platforms. Most machines from the last several years run it without any extra setup.

  • Windows.
  • macOS on Apple Silicon (M1 and newer).
  • Linux.

The Intel Mac caveat

If you have an older Intel Mac, there is one limit to know about. The app runs Minecraft 1.16 and earlier on Intel Macs.

Anything on Minecraft 1.17 or later needs a Mac with Apple Silicon. On Apple Silicon, every supported version works.

Getting started

Setup is short. You install the app once, sign in, and you are ready to launch anything you have made or any server you own.

  • Download the app for your system from the download page.
  • Sign in and connect your Microsoft and Minecraft account.
  • Press Play on a creation, or join one of your servers, or type "play [mod]" in chat.
  • See more about launching and joining on play Minecraft mods.

Ready to build?

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