About ViaBackwards
From ModrinthAllow older Java Edition clients to connect to newer servers.
ViaBackwards
On Fabric, use either ViaFabric or ViaFabricPlus. To override the included version
- in ViaFabric, put ViaBackwards into the
modsfolder - in ViaFabricPlus, put ViaBackwards into the
ViaFabricPlus/jarsfolder
Depending on the platform and version, this also requires ViaVersion.
Requires Java 17. See here how to update your installed Java version. As a last resort, you can download Java 8 downgraded builds from our ci.
Get access to Via* with new MC version support early
**Starting with 1.20.5, ViaVersion and ViaBackwards will only be released a day or so after a Minecraft update unless the protocol changes of the update were trivial. If you want early-access, usually days or even weeks before the final release, you can subscribe to either**:
- GitHub Sponsors (preferred option, also comes with source code access. Use the
/verifycommand on this Discord after), or alternatively - Patreon (see the highest tier and make sure to link Patreon to your Discord account under Discord Settings->Connections)
Note on release channels
It is recommended to always use the latest beta release. Alpha builds are used for work on snapshot version compatibility or other cutting-edge changes.
Always use the same build channel across the ViaVersion, ViaBackwards, and ViaRewind projects.
Releases/Dev Builds - You can find releases in the following places:
- Hangar (for our plugins): https://hangar.papermc.io/ViaVersion/ViaBackwards
- Modrinth (for our mods): https://modrinth.com/mod/viabackwards
- GitHub: https://github.com/ViaVersion/ViaBackwards/releases
Dev builds for all of our projects are on our Jenkins server:
- Jenkins: https://ci.viaversion.com/view/ViaBackwards/
Known issues -
- 1.17+ min_y and height world values that are not 0/256 are not supported. Clients older than
1.17 will not be able to see or interact with blocks below y=0 and above y=255
- <1.17 clients on 1.17+ servers might experience inventory desyncs on certain inventory click actions
- Sound mappings are incomplete (see here)
Other Links - Maven: https://repo.viaversion.com
List of contributors: https://github.com/ViaVersion/ViaBackwards/graphs/contributors
Special Thanks - 
YourKit supports open source projects with innovative and intelligent tools for monitoring and profiling Java and .NET applications. YourKit is the creator of YourKit Java Profiler, YourKit .NET Profiler, and YourKit YouMonitor.
Highlights
From source dataGame versions
Supports 60 Minecraft versions, the newest being 26.3.
Loaders
Runs on BungeeCord, Fabric, Folia, Paper, Sponge and Velocity.
Footprint
A 1 MB download, rated a light load on a server.
ViaBackwards on Nxeon
From our catalogue- One-click install
- Supported on Nxeon Minecraft servers. We download it from Modrinth, place it, and restart the server.
- Server side
- Optional on the server
- Server type needed
- BungeeCord, Fabric, Folia, Paper, Sponge, Velocity
- Server load
- light
- Smallest plan we suggest
- Minecraft — 2 GB (2 GB RAM). This follows our own load rating above, not a benchmark.
- Latest build
- 5.12.3-SNAPSHOT+667 (beta), released 2026-10-29, 1 MB
Game versions by loader
| Loader | Game versions | Newest |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions) | 26.3 |
| Folia | 1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions) | 26.3 |
| Paper | 1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions) | 26.3 |
| Velocity | 1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions) | 26.3 |
From 29 recorded builds of ViaBackwards.
Recent builds
| Build | Released | Game versions | Loaders |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.12.3-SNAPSHOT+667 beta | 2026-10-29 | 1.14 to 26.3 (48 versions) | Fabric |
| 5.12.3-SNAPSHOT+667 beta | 2026-10-29 | 1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions) | Folia, Paper, Velocity |
| 5.12.2 | 2026-10-27 | 1.14 to 26.3 (48 versions) | Fabric |
| 5.12.2 | 2026-10-27 | 1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions) | Folia, Paper, Velocity |
| 5.12.2-SNAPSHOT+665 beta | 2026-10-27 | 1.14 to 26.3 (48 versions) | Fabric |
| 5.12.2-SNAPSHOT+665 beta | 2026-10-27 | 1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions) | Folia, Paper, Velocity |
Dependencies
- Required: modrinth project P1OZGk5p (modrinth, not in our catalogue)
- Optional: modrinth project YlKdE5VK (modrinth, not in our catalogue)
- Optional: modrinth project TbHIxhx5 (modrinth, not in our catalogue)
Declared by the newest build that lists any. Required ones are installed with it on one-click installs.
Run ViaBackwards on a Minecraft server
Pick a server or deploy a new one above; it is installed in one click.
What kind of mod it is
From the catalogGameplay & overhauls
New mechanics, content and overhauls that change how the game plays.
Works on a server
From source side supportModrinth lists server-side support for ViaBackwards as optional: it can run on a server, but isn’t required there.
Compatibility
- Game
- Minecraft
- Loaders
- BungeeCordFabricFoliaPaperSpongeVelocity
- Runs on
- Serveroptional on the server
- Game versions
- 26.3 and 59 earlier
- Requires
- 3 other projects installed alongside it.
- File size
- 1 MB
Verified at the source
- ✓ModrinthOfficial listing, checked 2026-10-30Open ↗
- ✓Authorkennytv, as published on Modrinth
- ✓LicenseGPL-3.0-onlyFree











