Minecraft is one of the most popular video-game in history, with several million monthly active players. This sandbox game was developed by Mojang Studios, which was later purchased by Microsoft.
If you are a Minecraft player, it's easy to set it up in Linux these days. Let's see how you can play it properly on Ubuntu.
Install Java Runtime
Java is required to run Minecraft. So, you should install a proper Java runtime on your system. You have two main opti ons:
- OpenJDK: Easily installable from Ubuntu's repositories but I noticed a slight lag in movement during gameplay.
- OracleJDK: Deb file needs to be downloaded from Oracle's website but I find smoother movement with it.
Option 1: OpenJDK
You can install the open-source OpenJDK using the command below:
sudo apt install default-jdk
Learn more about installing Java on Ubuntu and the various options you have.
Option 2: Oracle JDK
Oracle provides a deb file, to install Oracle JDK in Ubuntu and other Debian-based systems. It has some proprietary code compared to the OpenJDK.
Download the DEB files from the official Oracle web page.
Now, install the deb package using the dpkg command:
sudo dpkg -i <path-to-downloaded-deb-file>
For me, it was:
sudo dpkg -i jdk-22_linux-x64_bin.deb
That's it. You have installed Java on your system. Verify it using the command:
java --version
Install Minecraft Launcher
Once you have set the Java Runtime on your system, you are ready to install Minecraft in Ubuntu.
First, download the Debian installation files for Minecraft from the official repository.
This will download a .deb file. Right-click on the file and select open with.
From the new dialog box, select App Center and click Open.
This will open it in the App Center. Click on the Install button to install the file.
It will ask you to confirm and then prompt you to give admin password. Give those responses and you are done installing.
If you are a terminal fan, you can install the deb file using the command:
sudo apt install <path-to-the-deb-file>
OR
sudo dpkg -i <path-to-the-deb-file>
Run the Launcher
After installing the Minecraft deb file, open it from the Ubuntu Activities Overview.
The launcher will download the required update files.
You need to wait for some time for the download and clean up to finish. After that, you can log in to Minecraft using your Microsoft Account.
Click on Sign in using your MS Account and follow the on-screen instructions.
If you have not purchased Minecraft, once you complete the sign-in process, you will be landed on a page to purchase Minecraft.
Or you can play a demo.
Once the download is completed, it will start automatically. You can click on the “Play Demo World” button.
When you click on the “Continue Playing!” button, you will be entered into the Demo world.
Conclusion
I believe you can handle it from here. Enjoy Minecraft on Linux 😄
