Minecraft Java VR Setup Guide with Vivecraft

Minecraft Bedrock Edition VR support has officially ended, but Java Edition players still have a strong path into virtual reality. The catch is that Java VR is not handled by Mojang directly. It runs through community-made tools, mainly Vivecraft.

Using Vivecraft for Minecraft Java VR

Vivecraft is the fan-maintained mod that brings VR support to Minecraft Java Edition. It is widely used, surprisingly polished, and for some players, preferable to the old official Bedrock VR experience.

The setup below applies to SteamVR-compatible headsets, including HTC Vive, Oculus Rift S, Valve Index, and Windows MR devices. If you use Oculus Quest 1 or 2, GearVR, Google Cardboard, Vive Focus, or PSVR, follow the official Vivecraft setup instructions instead: Vivecraft downloads.

How to Install Minecraft Java Edition VR

Step 1: Download Vivecraft

Start by downloading the Vivecraft jar from the Vivecraft Modrinth versions page. At the time covered by the source guide, Vivecraft for Minecraft 1.21.4 was still a beta release, while Minecraft 1.20.4 was the latest official release.

This walkthrough uses the Vivecraft 1.21.4 Fabric beta jar as the example, so the remaining steps assume you are using a Fabric version of Vivecraft too.

Step 2: Download Fabric API

Next, download the Fabric API jar from the Fabric API files page. Match the Minecraft version to the Vivecraft jar you selected. If Vivecraft is for 1.21.4, the Fabric API file should also be for 1.21.4.

Mixing versions is a quick way to make Minecraft refuse to cooperate, which is rude but predictable.

Step 3: Download the Fabric Installer

Before installing Fabric, launch Minecraft Java Edition at least once, then close both the game and launcher completely. Fabric installation can fail if Minecraft or the launcher is still open.

Download the installer from the official Fabric installer page. The file should look like `fabric-installer-#-#-#.exe`, with version numbers in place of the symbols. If the name looks different, delete it and confirm you clicked the correct download button.

Step 4: Install Fabric

Open the Fabric installer. Set the Minecraft version to match the Vivecraft jar. In this example, that means Minecraft 1.21.4.

Leave `Loader Version` unchanged unless you have a specific reason to alter it. If Minecraft Java Edition is installed in the default location, the launcher location can stay as-is too. For custom installs, point the installer to the correct folder.

Make sure `Create Profile` is checked, then click install.

Step 5: Add the Mods

Open the Minecraft launcher and go to the `Installations` tab. A new `fabric-loader` profile should appear. Hover over it, select the button to open its installation folder, then open the `.minecraft` folder.

Inside, find the `mods` folder. Move both the Vivecraft jar and Fabric API jar into that folder, then close it.

Step 6: Install and Start SteamVR

Vivecraft depends on SteamVR, so SteamVR needs to be installed and running before you play Minecraft in VR. Steam itself is free and available from the Steam website.

After installing Steam and signing in, right-click the Steam icon in the Windows tray and select SteamVR. This will either install SteamVR or open it if it is already installed.

Step 7: Launch Minecraft in VR

Open the Minecraft launcher, select the Fabric loader profile, and click play. Minecraft should open normally, but with a VR toggle available in the menu. Switch VR on, put on the headset, and try not to punch your desk while mining.