How to Play Minecraft Java Edition on iPhone With Amethyst (2026)

ByScarlet iOS Team Updated on

Amethyst is a free, open-source launcher that runs Minecraft: Java Edition on iPhone and iPad, the PC version with Java mods, not the Bedrock version from the App Store. It is made by the AngelAuraMC team and based on PojavLauncher. It is not on the App Store, so you sideload it, and on a normal iPhone it needs JIT to run. This guide covers what you need, how to install it with SideStore and StikDebug, and what does not work. Facts are from Amethyst’s GitHub page and official wiki. Last checked: October 27, 2026.

The Short Version

  • Amethyst is open source (GPL-3.0) and was updated in October 2026. It is based on zhuowei’s Boardwalk project and the PojavLauncher code.
  • You must own Minecraft: Java Edition on a Microsoft account. Amethyst also has a demo mode.
  • It needs iOS 14 or later and an iPhone 6s or newer; the developers recommend an iPhone XS or newer (not the XR or the 2nd-generation SE).
  • It has to be installed with TrollStore (where your iOS version supports it), SideStore or AltStore. Signing services that use distribution certificates, which includes certificate-based installers like Scarlet iOS, are not supported.
  • On a normal (non-jailbroken) device you also need a memory-limit fix (GetMoreRam) and JIT, for example with StikDebug.

What Amethyst Can Do

From the project’s own feature list:

  • Runs most versions of Minecraft: Java Edition, “from the very first beta to the newest snapshots”
  • Supports Forge, Fabric, OptiFine and Quilt for mods
  • Customizable on-screen controls, keyboard and mouse, and game controllers
  • Microsoft account sign-in and a demo mode

What You Need

  • A supported device on iOS or iPadOS 14 or later. Minimum: iPhone 6s, iPad 5th generation, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, any iPad Pro or iPod touch 7th generation. Recommended for smooth play: iPhone XS or newer (excluding iPhone XR and iPhone SE 2nd generation), iPad 10th generation, iPad Air 4th generation, iPad mini 6th generation or newer, and iPad Pro models except the 9.7-inch.
  • Minecraft: Java Edition bought on your Microsoft account. The wiki notes that local (offline) accounts only work after you have signed in once with a Microsoft account that owns Java Edition.
  • A development-signing sideload tool: SideStore or AltStore (or TrollStore on supported iOS versions).
  • A way to enable JIT, such as StikDebug on iOS 17.4 and later.

Why Scarlet iOS and Similar Installers Do Not Work

The Amethyst developers say that signing services that do not use your device’s UDID and use distribution certificates “are not supported, as Amethyst requires capabilities they do not allow”. Amethyst needs the get-task-allow entitlement so a debugger can attach and enable JIT, and only development certificates include it. Scarlet iOS signs apps with a shared certificate, so an Amethyst install through Scarlet will not get JIT. Use SideStore or AltStore for Amethyst, even if you use Scarlet for other apps.

How to Install Amethyst With SideStore

These steps follow the Amethyst wiki’s SideStore guide. The wiki marks the current iOS builds as development builds: “Expect to encounter bugs!”

Step 1: Set up SideStore

Install SideStore first (it needs a computer once). Our SideStore setup guide follows SideStore’s own instructions.

Step 2: Install Amethyst

The Amethyst wiki links the project’s AltStore source and the IPA for SideStore. Add the source in SideStore and install Amethyst, or install the IPA from the wiki’s link. Use only the links from the official wiki or GitHub page.

Step 3: Raise the memory limit with GetMoreRam

The wiki says GetMoreRam “increases the memory limit imposed by iOS/iPadOS on sideloaded apps, and is required to run Amethyst”:

  1. Install GetMoreRam with SideStore, using the link on the Amethyst wiki (the app is on the hugeBlack/GetMoreRam GitHub page).
  2. Open GetMoreRam, go to Settings and choose Sign In with the Apple Account you use in SideStore.
  3. Go to App IDs, tap Refresh, pick the App ID that includes “amethyst” and choose Add Increased Memory Limit.
  4. Reinstall the latest Amethyst build over the existing one (no need to delete it first) so the change takes effect. You can delete GetMoreRam afterwards.

GetMoreRam asks for your Apple Account password, so think about that before you sign in. Many people use a separate Apple Account for sideloading; see two-factor authentication and sideloaded apps. The wiki notes that if Amethyst expires, you repeat the last two steps.

Step 4: Enable JIT

The wiki says: “In order to play Minecraft itself, you will need to enable JIT.” On iOS 17.4 and later its guide uses StikDebug:

  1. Install StikDebug from its source in SideStore and place its pairing file; see how to enable JIT with StikDebug.
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi (the wiki also mentions Airplane Mode), open StikDebug, choose Connect by App and select Amethyst.

Amethyst then starts with JIT, and you can sign in with your Microsoft account and pick a Minecraft version.

Other Ways to Enable JIT

The Amethyst README compares the options:

Tool Computer Wi-Fi Automatic
AltStore Yes Yes Yes*
SideStore First time First time No
StikDebug First time First time Yes
TrollStore No No Yes
Jailbroken No No Yes

* AltStore needs AltServer running on the local network. With TrollStore, the wiki says Amethyst enables JIT automatically and gets more memory, and the install is not revoked; whether you can use TrollStore depends on your iOS version and chip. See Scarlet iOS vs TrollStore for what TrollStore is.

Common Problems

  • Amethyst crashes or closes when a world loads: check that the increased memory limit was added and that you reinstalled Amethyst afterwards.
  • The game will not start: JIT is probably not enabled. Enable it with StikDebug (or your tool) as described above.
  • Cannot sign in: the Microsoft account must own Minecraft: Java Edition. Bedrock Edition from the App Store is a different purchase.
  • The app stopped opening after 7 days: free Apple Account signatures last 7 days. Refresh Amethyst in SideStore.

Is Amethyst Safe?

Amethyst’s code is public on GitHub. Its developers warn: “Only install sideloading software and Amethyst from trusted sources. We are not responsible for any harm caused by using unofficial software.” Get it only from the official GitHub page or wiki. Mods are a separate risk: download them only from their authors’ official pages, because a mod runs code inside the game.

FAQ

Is Amethyst free?

Yes, Amethyst is free and open source. Minecraft: Java Edition itself has to be bought from Mojang/Microsoft.

Is this the same as PojavLauncher?

Not exactly. Amethyst is a newer launcher by the AngelAuraMC team that its developers describe as based on PojavLauncher.

Can I play Java Edition mods on iPhone?

Yes. Amethyst supports Forge, Fabric, OptiFine and Quilt.

Does Amethyst work with Scarlet iOS?

No. Amethyst needs a development certificate for JIT, and its developers say distribution-certificate signing services are not supported.

Can I play with a controller?

Yes. Amethyst supports game controllers, keyboard and mouse, and on-screen controls.

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