PojavLauncher vs Amethyst Launcher – Which One Should You Use in 2026?
Minecraft has over 170 million active players worldwide and a huge part of them play it on mobile. So where is the problem? The problem is that the official Minecraft app on Android is Bedrock Edition and it works fine, but it is a paid and limited version that does not support real Java mods or servers. So players wanted something that fills this gap and that is exactly what PojavLauncher did.
PojavLauncher was free and open-source launcher and had one of the most passionate gaming communities on the internet. For millions of Android players Pojav was the only way to run Forge mods, join Java servers, and play versions of Minecraft that Mojang never brought to mobile. Honestly, it was one of the best things to happen to mobile Minecraft.
Then in September 2025, the whole project got locked on GitHub which means there will be no more updates and no more bug fixes. Now everyone is asking the same question what do you use instead? I have been using Amethyst Launcher and I will compare both so you can decide which one suits you the most.
What is PojavLauncher?
PojavLauncher is a free and open-source Minecraft Java Edition launcher which was originally built for Android and iOS to bring the full PC experience to mobile devices. It was developed by a community of Minecraft fans. It supported every Minecraft version from the earliest releases all the way to 1.21 snapshots, along with Forge and Fabric mod support, custom JVM arguments, and multiple renderer options like GL4ES, Zink, and ANGLE.
It runs on Android 5.0 and above and supports Microsoft and Mojang account login, and gives players full access to multiplayer servers. For years it was the favorite launcher for mobile Minecraft but unfortunately it is now discontinued and The PojavLauncher GitHub repository was officially locked and archived it means no new updates, no bug fixes, and no support for newer Minecraft versions.
What is Amethyst Launcher?
Amethyst Launcher is the official successor to PojavLauncher. It was built by the same development team “AngelAuraMC” who worked on PojavLauncher. They did not just patch the old app. They rebuilt it with better performance, a cleaner interface, and long term support in mind.
Amethyst currently runs on Android but iOS support is actively in development. It supports Minecraft Java versions from early betas all the way to 1.21 snapshots, maintains full Forge and Fabric compatibility, and includes a built-in GUI mod manager that makes installing mods easier without any manual file placement.
PojavLauncher vs Amethyst Launcher – Direct Comparison
| Feature | PojavLauncher | Amethyst Launcher |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued | Actively maintained |
| Android Support | Yes | Yes |
| iOS Support | Limited | In development |
| Mod Support | Forge + Fabric | Forge + Fabric |
| Mod Manager | Manual | Built-in GUI |
| Performance | Dated optimization | Better on low-end devices |
| Updates | None | Regular bug fixes |
| Interface | Functional but dated | Clean and modern |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
Which One Runs Better?
This is where the real difference shows up. PojavLauncher still works on most devices and the existing APK is functional and you can still play Minecraft with it. But because it no longer receives updates, compatibility issues with newer Minecraft versions and newer Android builds will only get worse over time.
Amethyst is newer and runs better on most phones. If you have a device with 3 to 4 GB RAM, you will notice the difference right away with fewer crashes, smoother gameplay, and less lag spikes during heavy mod usage. PojavLauncher never got these improvements because its development is stopped. The garbage collection and memory management in Amethyst handles mods better, especially on the devices with limited RAM.
Mod Support
Both launchers support Forge and Fabric, which means almost every popular Minecraft mod works on both. The difference is how you install them.
On PojavLauncher, you manually place JAR files into the mods folder using a file manager. It works but it is clunky and easy to get wrong especially for new players.
Amethyst has a built-in GUI mod manager. You can browse, install, and manage mods directly inside the app without touching the file system. This alone makes Amethyst significantly easier to use for anyone who is not technically experienced.
Which One Should You Actually Use?
If you are starting fresh in 2026 we will recommend you to use Amethyst Launcher because there is no reason to set up PojavLauncher when the official successor already exists which is actively maintained, and works better on modern devices and Minecraft versions.
If you already have PojavLauncher set up and it is working for you it will continue to work for now. But the longer you wait, the more likely you will face issues with newer Minecraft versions that PojavLauncher will never support. Switching to Amethyst sooner will be the smarter move. Rest is up to you
PojavLauncher was great and it was my favorite but you have to keep yourself updated and that is why I think Amethyst is the best option right now.
FAQ
Is PojavLauncher completely dead?
The GitHub repository was archived in September 2025. The existing APK still works but will never receive another update, bug fix, or new Minecraft version support.
Is Amethyst Launcher made by the same people as PojavLauncher?
Yes. The AngelAuraMC development team behind PojavLauncher built Amethyst as the official successor. Same developers, better launcher.
Can I use my PojavLauncher mods in Amethyst?
Yes. Since both use the same Forge and Fabric mod system, your existing mods are compatible. Just move your mods folder to the new launcher.
Does Amethyst Launcher work on iOS?
Android support is fully available. iOS support is actively in development by the same team.
Is Amethyst Launcher free?
Yes. It is completely free and open-source, with no hidden costs or ads inside the launcher.
