Question 1

Does Essentials work on Minecraft 26.1.2?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 26.1.2 is the newest Minecraft version Essentials declares support for, and the claim comes from the author's own release metadata rather than from a compatibility list somebody maintains by hand.

Question 2

Which Minecraft versions does Essentials support?

Accepted Answer

Everything the author has declared, from 1.8 up to 26.1.2. The full list is in the table above, with the Java runtime each version needs next to it.

Question 3

Do I need to install Essentials on the client or the server?

Accepted Answer

The server only. Players join with an ordinary Minecraft client and install nothing.

Question 4

Which platform or loader does Essentials support?

Accepted Answer

Paper. A build for one platform or loader will not necessarily load on another, so this is the first thing to check before the Minecraft version.

Question 5

Which Java version do I need for Essentials?

Accepted Answer

Among the supported Minecraft releases above, the highest recorded requirement is Java 25 or newer. Use the requirement for the exact Minecraft version you run; previews and snapshots may differ.

Question 6

What licence is Essentials under?

Accepted Answer

GPL, as stated by the author on the platform we synced it from. Check the project's own page before redistributing or bundling it.

Question 7

How do I install Essentials?

Accepted Answer

Choose the release variant for your server platform. Paper, Spigot, Purpur and Bukkit files go in the server's plugins folder; Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt files go in the mods folder. Restart after installing and check that the Minecraft version matches your server.

Question 8

Where do I download Essentials safely?

Accepted Answer

MCReference has no release file or checksum recorded for Essentials. Check the publisher's Hangar listing for current downloads and verify the publisher before installing.

Minecraft	Through	Java	Evidence	Released
26.1.2	Paper	25+	declared	9 Apr 2026
1.21.11	Paper	21+	declared	9 Dec 2025
1.21.8	Paper	21+	declared	17 Jul 2025
1.21.5	Paper	21+	declared	25 Mar 2025
1.21.4	Paper	21+	declared	3 Dec 2024
1.20.6	Paper	21+	declared	29 Apr 2024
1.20.1	Paper	17+	declared	12 Jun 2023
1.19.4	Paper	17+	declared	14 Mar 2023
1.19.3	Paper	17+	declared	7 Dec 2022
1.19.2	Paper	17+	declared	5 Aug 2022
1.19.1	Paper	17+	declared	27 Jul 2022
1.19	Paper	17+	declared	7 Jun 2022
1.18.2	Paper	17+	declared	28 Feb 2022
1.18.1	Paper	17+	declared	10 Dec 2021
1.18	Paper	17+	declared	30 Nov 2021
1.17.1	Paper	16+	declared	6 Jul 2021
1.17	Paper	16+	declared	8 Jun 2021
1.16.5	Paper	8+	declared	14 Jan 2021
1.16.4	Paper	8+	declared	29 Oct 2020
1.16.3	Paper	8+	declared	10 Sept 2020
1.16.2	Paper	8+	declared	11 Aug 2020
1.16.1	Paper	8+	declared	24 Jun 2020
1.16	Paper	8+	declared	23 Jun 2020
1.15.2	Paper	8+	declared	17 Jan 2020
1.15.1	Paper	8+	declared	16 Dec 2019
1.15	Paper	8+	declared	9 Dec 2019
1.14.4	Paper	8+	declared	19 Jul 2019
1.14.3	Paper	8+	declared	24 Jun 2019
1.14.2	Paper	8+	declared	27 May 2019
1.14.1	Paper	8+	declared	13 May 2019
1.14	Paper	8+	declared	23 Apr 2019
1.13.2	Paper	8+	declared	22 Oct 2018
1.13.1	Paper	8+	declared	22 Aug 2018
1.13	Paper	8+	declared	18 Jul 2018
1.12.2	Paper	8+	declared	18 Sept 2017
1.12.1	Paper	8+	declared	3 Aug 2017
1.12	Paper	8+	declared	2 Jun 2017
1.11.2	Paper	8+	declared	21 Dec 2016
1.11.1	Paper	8+	declared	20 Dec 2016
1.11	Paper	8+	declared	14 Nov 2016

EssentialsMinecraft plugin for 26.1.2

Host Essentials servers

Minecraft versions

Frequently asked