Java Runtimes (8 through 26)
Under Settings → Java, Blade Launcher provides on-demand management for Java runtimes: 8, 11, 17, 21, and 26. To keep the APK compact, each OpenJDK runtime is downloaded on demand into an isolated sandbox directory per instance.
Custom JVM launch arguments (such as -Xms, -Xmx, and garbage collector parameters) can be configured per-instance.
Choosing a renderer
Three rendering backends live under Settings → Renderer:
- GL4ES — The rock-solid default. Translates desktop OpenGL 2.1/3.x to OpenGL ES. Works on virtually all Android hardware, especially Qualcomm Adreno GPUs.
- Vulkan Zink — Modern OpenGL-over-Vulkan implementation. Used automatically for Minecraft 26.2+ on devices with full Vulkan 1.2 drivers.
- VirGL — Virtualized rendering path for specialized device and driver configurations.
Blade Launcher actively queries device Vulkan capabilities via native JNI and recommends the best option without unexpected automatic overrides.
Dual Accounts & Wardrobe
Blade Launcher supports both official authenticated players and offline local players:
Microsoft Account
Required for Realms, Hypixel, and all servers enforcing online ownership verification. Sign in directly with secure OAuth token caching.
Offline Account
Create a local nickname with zero sign-in. Ideal for singleplayer, LAN worlds, and servers with online-mode=false (e.g. Aternos).
Both account types support custom 3D skins (Steve classic and Alex slim) and cape textures imported via direct URL or local storage PNGs.
Mods & Modpacks
The Download section integrates directly with Modrinth and CurseForge APIs. Installing a mod automatically resolves all required dependencies; installing a modpack sets up matching loaders (Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt) in one touch.
The built-in Mods Updater allows batch-updating installed mods to newer compatible builds.
Troubleshooting
Game closes immediately after launch
Ensure the correct Java version is selected for your Minecraft version (e.g. Java 21 for 1.21.4, Java 8 for 1.12.2). If using Zink renderer on unsupported hardware, switch to GL4ES.
Skin URL rejected as wrong size
Make sure you provide a direct PNG image URL (e.g. ending in .png or raw texture endpoint), not a webpage HTML link. Valid dimensions are 64×64, 64×32, or HD multiples (128×128, 256×256).
GPLv3 & Upstream Credits
Blade Launcher is an open-source project based on ZalithLauncher2 by MovTery, released under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
All upstream attributions — MovTery, PojavLauncher, HMCL, PCL2, and dependent open source libraries — are strictly maintained in the application under Settings → About.