Update 6, released on August 27, 2026, gave Hytale an in-game mod browser built right into the main menu. You can now search for, install, update and uninstall mods without a third-party manager or copying files by hand. This guide shows you how to use it day to day, how to keep your library tidy, and what changes between singleplayer and a server.
What the mod browser actually does
Before Update 6, installing a mod meant using a third-party app or dropping files into the right folder and restarting the game. The built-in browser puts all of that in one place. According to the official patch notes, you can:
- browse featured, popular and recently updated mods;
- search mod names and descriptions and filter by category;
- open a detail page with a description, screenshots, download count and supported game versions;
- install in one click, with several downloads placed in a queue;
- view, update or remove installed mods from the My Library screen.
The catalog goes beyond gameplay mods: the Browse All section separates mods, worlds and prefabs. One more thing worth knowing: the browser does not include paid mods, and the studio has said all mods will stay free to access. Alongside Chapter I, it also announced an upcoming Minigames tab in the browser, for downloading minigames and playing them locally or with friends.
How to install a mod, step by step
- Launch Hytale and open the mod browser from the main menu.
- Use search or the category filters. A keyword such as “HUD”, “automation” or “UI” often works better than an exact name.
- Open the mod page and check the supported versions first (more on that below).
- Click the install button. If you queue several, they download one after another: installing a new mod no longer cancels downloads in progress.
- Open My Library to confirm the mod shows as installed.
- Open your World Settings. Since Update 4, mod management has its own section there, showing each mod's version and a warning when a mod targets a different game version. Make sure the mod is enabled.
Tip: add mods one at a time and test your world in between. If something breaks, you will know straight away which mod caused it.
If the install button is greyed out
Since hotfix 0.7.1 on October 13, 2026, mods whose creators do not allow in-game downloads show a disabled install button with an explanation. Previously this case triggered a misleading connection error. It is not a problem on your end: the mod is still available on CurseForge, so you will need to install it manually.
If an existing file blocks the install
Already copied a mod into your Mods folder by hand? Since hotfix 0.6.2, the browser handles this when the file is identical. If a different file with the same name blocks the install, the mod page names the file. Delete or rename the old copy, then try again.
Worlds and prefabs: two separate kinds of content
The browser is not just for mods that add items or mechanics. It also offers complete worlds and prefabs (ready-to-place builds).
Installing a world from the browser
A world mod does not open like a regular save. After installing it, press CREATE WORLD and the new world appears in your world list. Three behaviours to keep in mind:
- one world mod can generate as many worlds as you like, handy for restarting an adventure map from scratch;
- removing the mod does not delete worlds you already created from it;
- creating a world from a mod asks for confirmation first, because mods can run code on your computer. Only accept for creators you trust.
Using prefabs
Prefabs are mostly used in Creative mode with the building tools: once a pack is installed, you place ready-made buildings and scenery instead of building them block by block.
Managing My Library day to day
My Library is the control centre for your installed mods. It shows the full list and three actions: view, update and remove.
Spotting and applying updates
A mod with a newer version shows an update marker. Hover over it and a tooltip explains what it means. Before you update, build two habits:
- back up your world (copying the save folder is enough), especially if the mod adds blocks or creatures;
- check that the new version targets your game version.
Cleaning up
A bloated library means longer load times and more room for conflicts. An Update 6 hotfix actually fixed a crash on join in worlds with so many mods that the entity texture atlas overflowed, which shows that stacking mods has a real cost. Remove what you no longer use on a regular basis.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A mod you no longer use | Remove it from My Library |
| Update marker | Back up the world, check the version, then update |
| Mod not updated for several game updates | Test it on a throwaway world before keeping it |
| World mod removed | Worlds you already created remain playable |
Version pitfalls to know about
Hytale is in early access and moves fast: Update 6 in late August, then Update 7, which shipped with Chapter I on October 12, 2026. Every major update can break mods. Here is what to watch.
- Read the supported versions. Every mod page lists them. A mod built for an older version may work, but there is no guarantee.
- Give it a few days after a big update. With Update 6 the network protocol changed, and server-side mods and custom servers had to be rebuilt to connect. Give creators time to ship their fixes.
- Do not mistake a warning for an incompatibility. A misleading warning claiming a mod targeted the current version when it already did has been fixed. If you see an odd message, update the game first.
- Check your graphics card. Since Update 6, Hytale requires at least OpenGL 4.1. If the game stops launching, update your graphics drivers before blaming a mod.
Singleplayer or multiplayer: what changes
This is the most common question, and it is rarely explained well. The browser installs mods on your client, for your local worlds. It does not put anything in a dedicated server's folder.
In singleplayer
Everything happens in the browser: installs, world creation, updates and removal from My Library. Just check in each world's settings which mods are active.
On a server
Hytale's official modding strategy is “server-side first”: players joining a modded server do not need to install mods themselves, the server host takes care of it. The admin therefore places mods in the mods folder at the server root, ideally with the server stopped, then restarts it. A typical layout looks like this:
hytale-server/
├── mods/
│ ├── my-hud-mod.jar
│ └── automation-pack.zip
├── config.json
└── universe/
└── worlds/The best workflow combines both: try a mod in singleplayer through the browser, make sure you like it and that it behaves, then install the same version on your server. Keep versions identical on both sides to avoid surprises.
For a server running several mods with friends online every day, plan enough memory. As a reference, the OuiBox 8G plan offers 8 GB of RAM, 4 cores and 50 GB of NVMe storage, while the 12G and 16G plans go up to 12 and 16 GB of RAM for heavier worlds. The promo code ALOJAMIENTOHYTAL applies to these plans.
Built-in browser or manual install?
| Criterion | Built-in browser | Manual install |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | One click from the menu | Download and copy files |
| Updates | Marker and button in My Library | You track them yourself |
| Mods whose creators block in-game downloads | Not available | Possible |
| Dedicated server | Not applicable | The method to use |
| Worlds and prefabs | Part of the catalog | Possible, but more tedious |
In short: the browser is the best choice for singleplayer and testing, while manual installs remain essential for servers and for the few mods not available in-game.
FAQ
Where is the Hytale mod browser?
In the game's main menu, since Update 6. There is nothing extra to install.
Are mods in the browser free?
Yes. The browser does not include paid mods, and the studio has said all mods will stay free to access.
Do my friends need the same mods to join my server?
No. Hytale modding is designed server-side first: only the host installs mods, players simply connect.
Why is the install button greyed out?
The mod's creator does not allow in-game downloads. An explanation is shown, and you can still install the mod manually.
Does removing a world mod delete my saves?
No. Worlds you already created from that mod are kept.