Source-checkedGameplay & overhauls

ViaBackwards

by kennytv · for Minecraft

Allow older Java Edition clients to connect to newer servers.

2.4MDownloads
6d agoLast updated
GPL-3.0-onlyLicense
BungeeCord · Fabric +4Loaders

About ViaBackwards

From Modrinth

Allow 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 mods folder
  • in ViaFabricPlus, put ViaBackwards into the ViaFabricPlus/jars folder

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 /verify command 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 - https://www.yourkit.com/

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 data

Game 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

LoaderGame versionsNewest
Fabric1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions)26.3
Folia1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions)26.3
Paper1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions)26.3
Velocity1.10 to 26.3 (60 versions)26.3

From 29 recorded builds of ViaBackwards.

Recent builds

BuildReleasedGame versionsLoaders
5.12.3-SNAPSHOT+667 beta2026-10-291.14 to 26.3 (48 versions)Fabric
5.12.3-SNAPSHOT+667 beta2026-10-291.10 to 26.3 (60 versions)Folia, Paper, Velocity
5.12.22026-10-271.14 to 26.3 (48 versions)Fabric
5.12.22026-10-271.10 to 26.3 (60 versions)Folia, Paper, Velocity
5.12.2-SNAPSHOT+665 beta2026-10-271.14 to 26.3 (48 versions)Fabric
5.12.2-SNAPSHOT+665 beta2026-10-271.10 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 catalog
Listed on Modrinth as “Mods”

Gameplay & overhauls

New mechanics, content and overhauls that change how the game plays.

Works on a server

From source side support

Modrinth 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

ViaBackwards, answered

Generated from the mod’s own source data.

Do my players need to install ViaBackwards?

Modrinth lists server-side support for ViaBackwards as optional: it can run on a server, but isn’t required there.

Which loaders does it support?

BungeeCord, Fabric, Folia, Paper, Sponge and Velocity.

Is it free?

Yes. ViaBackwards is free to download from Modrinth. Its license is GPL-3.0-only.

How do I add it to my Nxeon server?

Use “Add to a server” on this page, or open NxLabs from your dashboard. We install it, restart your server and switch it on.

NxLabs

Run ViaBackwards on a Minecraft server.

Deploy in about a minute from $4.99 a month, then add ViaBackwards in one click.