Where to download Biomes O' Plenty safely
GitHub source archive, Modrinth or CurseForge? What each Biomes O' Plenty download source gives you and how to avoid unsafe re-upload sites.
Biomes O' Plenty has been around long enough that copies of it are scattered across the web. Some sources are the developers' own, and some are not. Knowing what each source gives you helps you pick the right file and avoid trouble.
The GitHub source archive
The download button on our homepage points to a ZIP archive of the 26.3 branch of the Glitchfiend/BiomesOPlenty repository on GitHub. It is important to understand what that archive is:
- It contains the project's source code: Java files, resources and build scripts.
- It is not a ready-to-play mod jar. Dropping the ZIP into your
modsfolder will not work. - It reflects the branch at the moment you download it, so it can include unreleased work.
The source archive is useful if you want to read how the mod works, study its world-generation code, or build it yourself with the included Gradle setup. Building from source requires a Java Development Kit and some familiarity with Gradle projects.
Modrinth and CurseForge
Most players want a compiled jar. The developers publish built releases on mod platforms including Modrinth and CurseForge, where every file is tagged with its Minecraft version and loader. That tagging is what makes it easy to grab the correct Forge, NeoForge or Fabric build, as well as matching TerraBlender and GlitchCore files.
When you pick a file on either platform, check three things: the Minecraft version, the loader tag, and the release type (release or beta). Then follow the installation guide.
Red flags on download sites
- A download button that leads through several redirect or ad pages.
- Files that arrive as
.exeinstallers instead of.jarfiles. - Claims of "Biomes O' Plenty for MCPE" as a jar, which cannot work on Bedrock (see the Bedrock guide).
- No clear version or loader information.
- Requests to disable antivirus software before installing.
A mod should never need an installer program. Real mod files are jar archives you copy into a folder yourself.
A note for modpack makers
The mod's Modrinth listing sets out conditions for including it in Modrinth-hosted modpacks: do not rehost the mod, only use builds uploaded directly by the developers, do not sell the modpack or access to the mod, and follow the license for the version you use. Referencing the official file rather than bundling a copy keeps you within those terms and keeps players on verified builds.