ViaBackwards
ModAllow older Java Edition clients to connect to newer servers.
Why gradeA
How grades workStrengths
Points lost
- Many modpacks removed it−6 points
All 11 criteria
Maintenance
Full points27 / 27Last releaseHow long ago the newest file came out, or an existing file was marked as working on a new Minecraft version.3 days ago (21 Oct 2026) 12 / 12Supports popular versionsWhether the project has a file for a Minecraft version that 15% or more of the popular mods updated in the last 6 months also support. A version many modpacks use, like 1.20.1 or 1.21.1, also counts after a release in the last 12 months.26.3 on Fabric (latest) 9 / 9Regular releasesIn how many of the last 24 months a new file came out. Full points at 8 months.Releases every month for 2 years 6 / 6Stability
6 points lost16 / 22Removed from modpacksHow many modpacks removed it in a later version of the pack. We can only see this in modpacks with two or more versions. A pack that swaps it for another edition of the same project, or that is rebuilt from scratch, does not count.18 of the 63 modpacks with two or more versions removed it in a later one (29%) See the 18 modpacks4 / 10Quick fixesHow often a release needed a quick fix: a new release within 3 days to fix a problem in it.Not counted: it puts out releases very often, so quick fixes are normal for it 7 / 7Known conflictsHow many projects say they do not work with it, compared with how widely it is used. Packs, small projects, forks, ports, add-ons, alternatives and old versions do not count.None of the 2 known conflicts count in the grade See the 2 known conflicts5 / 5Transparency
Full points10 / 10Source codeWhether the project page links to its source code, so anyone can read what it does.GitHub · ViaVersion/ViaBackwards 7 / 7Place to report problemsWhether the project page links to a place where players can report problems: an issue tracker.GitHub issues · ViaVersion/ViaBackwards 3 / 3Popularity
Full points4 / 4DownloadsDownloads on Modrinth and CurseForge. Full points from 5 million.2,355,394 4 / 4Track record
Full points8 / 8AgeHow long the project has existed. It counts less when no new file came out recently.3.2 years, 626 releases 8 / 8Security
PassedFile checksThis check adds no points. It can only take points away.Our checks found nothing harmful in both latest files for recent Minecraft versions. See Security
64.6 of the 71 points that apply = 91 out of 100. The points above are rounded to whole numbers.
About
ViaBackwards lets players using older Minecraft Java clients connect to servers running newer versions by translating between their protocol versions. It works as a server plugin and can also be used with ViaFabric or ViaFabricPlus, and requires ViaVersion. Its translations cover more than basic connections: they map newer items, blocks, biomes, sounds, and entity data so older clients can interpret server content, with mappings that can be customized for items, biomes, and translations. The project also addresses version-specific behavior, such as emulating a recovery compass for older clients and fixing differences in inventories, item handling, and entity display across client and server versions.
Written from Modrinth and the GitHub README . How we write it
In-game changes
Does not change the game's code directly.
Adds no new blocks, items or other content.
Keeps all of vanilla Minecraft's textures, models and sounds.
Often used with it
See all 30Details
- Creators
- kennytv, creeper123123321 and florianreuth
- Downloads
- 2.4M
- Created
- 10 Aug 2023
- Official page
- Modrinth
- Links
- Source code , Issues , Discord
Security
No harmful code found
We checked its files and read their code, without running it.
What it can do on your computer
- Creates settings files
- The mod keeps its settings in the config folder of your game, where you can change or delete them. 2 files in your config folder.
Why we show this: a mod runs on your computer like any program, so harmful code in it can take your accounts or files. Our checks look for known signs of harm. They cannot prove that a file is harmless. In the grade: malware means no grade, and a Warning in a latest file for a recent Minecraft version lowers it.
How we checked
- FilesWe download the files from Modrinth or CurseForge and look at what is inside them and what their code can do, without running them. Fixed rules tell what is harmful.3 latest files: the newest file for each Minecraft version and loader. The answer above is about the 2 for recent versions. Recent versions: those released in the last 2 years, plus 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, among the most played in modpacks. See each file in Releases
- Their codeWe turn the code of the files back into readable code and follow what it does, without running it. This shows what it downloads, what it sends and where your login goes.Read without running it
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth, where the author declares that the project reads or edits things on your system outside the game. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when this applies.Nothing declared about your system outside the game.
- Looked for, not foundWe looked for these in the file and did not find them.The internet, folders outside the game, other programs, updating itself, the webcam or microphone, an AI service.
Privacy
We found nothing it sends
We read its code without running it: it contacts no web address while you play.
Why we show this: a mod can send things about you over the internet, like your player name or your login. Contacting an address to check for updates or download files sends nothing about you. Not in the grade: sending data can be normal for what a mod does.
How we checked
- Files readWe read the code without running it. We list each web address the code contacts while you play, and what it sends. Code that is never used is left out.The code of both files, for recent Minecraft versions. See each file in Releases
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth, where the author declares crash reports, usage data and advertisements. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when a project collects data on its users or shows advertisements.Nothing declared about crash reports, usage data or advertisements.
AI
No sign that AI was used to make it
We looked for AI tools in its texts, files, images and code history and found none.
No sign of AI in the game
We found no AI service, AI library or AI model file in its code.
Why we show this: some players and servers avoid projects made with AI, and AI in the game can send what you write to an online service. Not in the grade: using AI does not tell whether a project works well or is kept up to date.
How we checked
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when a substantial part of the code is AI output, when an asset is mainly AI output, or when the project or its page relies on generative AI.No AI content or AI features declared.
- Code historyThe public code on GitHub: who made each change, credit lines such as "Co-authored-by", and its files.Nothing found
- Description and changelogsThe description, project page and newest changelogs: sentences saying an AI tool was used, and text pasted from an AI chat.Nothing found20 changelogs read
- Its filesFiles that AI coding tools leave behind (like AGENTS.md), and the texts inside the files you download.Nothing found
- Images in its filesHidden data in the images of the files you download, where AI image tools write their name and settings.Nothing found1 image read
- Code of the modThe code and files of the mod, read without running it: addresses of AI services, AI libraries, AI model files and a place for your own AI key.No AI service, AI library or AI model file610 code files read
Compatibility
See all 626 filesPoint at or tap a version to see its loaders.
Known conflicts
These projects do not work together with ViaBackwards: their authors or ViaBackwards' author say so. If you install both, the game can crash or some features can stop working. Some of them do the same job as ViaBackwards, so you only need one.
Related projects
Projects that need ViaBackwards to work.
Modpacks using this project
Find modpacks with it| Oct 2024 | 4 |
|---|---|
| Nov 2024 | 3 |
| Dec 2024 | 8 |
| Jan 2025 | 8 |
| Feb 2025 | 11 |
| Mar 2025 | 7 |
| Apr 2025 | 3 |
| May 2025 | 5 |
| Jun 2025 | 5 |
| Jul 2025 | 8 |
| Aug 2025 | 3 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | 8 |
| Dec 2025 | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | 12 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 |
| May 2026 | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | 4 |
83 modpacks include ViaBackwards in at least one of their versions. Here are the 30 most downloaded.
Pixel Perfect515K downloadslast version with it 28 Mar 2026
OptiFine for NeoForge144K downloadslast version with it 16 Jan 2025
PVP Pack32K downloadslast version with it 6 Nov 2025
Ultimately Optimized - Vanilla but Better28K downloadslast version with it 30 Oct 2024
Gobba's Crystal PVP Modpack17K downloadslast version with it 27 Jun 2026
[Discontinued]14K downloadslast version with it 29 Aug 2025
zOptimized12K downloadslast version with it 22 Oct 2024
Ranked Optimized12K downloadslast version with it 7 Mar 2026
Earth Untrial11K downloadslast version with it 31 Dec 2024
Diamond Ages9.9K downloadslast version with it 7 Apr 2026Often in the same modpacks
Mods that modpacks often add together with ViaBackwards. Share: how many of the modpacks with ViaBackwards also have that mod.
FerriteCoreAModin 95% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
LithiumAModin 94% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
ViaVersionAModin 93% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
Mod MenuAModin 91% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
Sodium ExtraAModin 82% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
Reese's Sodium OptionsAModin 76% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
Concurrent Chunk Management Engine (Fabric)AModin 73% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
Dynamic FPSAModin 69% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
ViaFabricAModin 68% of the modpacks with ViaBackwards
No Chat ReportsAModin 62% of the modpacks with ViaBackwardsLatest files
The newest file for each Minecraft version and loader. The files for recent versions come first. Recent versions: those released in the last 2 years, plus 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, among the most played in modpacks.