If you’re looking to enhance your Minecraft 1.21.5 experience with realistic shaders, but want better performance than OptiFine, then Iris Shaders is the perfect solution!
Unlike OptiFine, Iris Shaders is designed to work with Sodium, an FPS-boosting mod that makes Minecraft run smoother on both low-end and high-end PCs. This means you can get the best of both worlds: amazing graphics and better performance!
- In this guide, I’ll show you:
- How to download & install Iris Shaders
- What mods you need to make it work
- How to enable shaders in Minecraft
Sounds good? Let’s get started!
What You Need to Download
Before we begin, let’s go over the required files:
- Iris Shaders Mod – The core mod that allows shaders to work
- Sodium – FPS boost mod (highly recommended)
- Fabric Loader – Required to run Iris Shaders
- Fabric API – Ensures compatibility with mods
- Shader Packs – Any shader pack you want to use
Note: You can use any shader with Iris, including SEUS, BSL, Complementary, and Sildur’s Shaders!
How To Download Iris Shaders in Minecraft 1.21.5
Follow these steps to get everything you need:
- Scroll down to the Downloads section below.
- Click each link – This will take you to a download page.
- Download the correct versions for Minecraft 1.21.5.
- Move all downloaded files to your desktop for easy access.
How To Install Iris Shaders in Minecraft 1.21.5
Now that we have the files, let’s install Fabric so we can run Iris Shaders.
- Double-click on the Fabric Installer (.jar file)
- Select Minecraft version: 1.21.5
- Click “Install” and wait a few seconds
- If installed correctly, Fabric will now appear in your Minecraft Launcher
Add Mods to the Mods Folder
Now, let’s place the Iris Shaders, Sodium, and Fabric API into the mods folder.
Find the Minecraft Mods Folder:
- Open Windows Search Bar
- Type
%appdata%and hit Enter - Open the
.minecraftfolder - Locate the “mods” folder
- If you don’t see a mods folder, create one!
Move Mods into Mods Folder:
Drag & drop Iris Shaders, Sodium, and Fabric API into the “mods” folder
Launch Minecraft & Enable Shaders
Now that everything is installed, let’s enable Iris Shaders inside Minecraft 1.21.5.
Start Minecraft with Iris Shaders:
- Open Minecraft Launcher
- In the bottom-left corner, select Fabric Loader (Minecraft 1.21.5)
- Click “Play”
Enable Your Shader Pack:
- Click Options > Video Settings
- Click Shaders Packs
- Click Open Shader Folder
- Drag & drop your favorite shader pack into the folder
- Click on your shader pack & press “Done”
That’s it! You’re now running Iris Shaders in Minecraft 1.21.5!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What’s the difference between Iris Shaders and OptiFine?
- Iris is more optimized for modern versions of Minecraft and works with Sodium for better FPS.
- Do all OptiFine shaders work with Iris?
- Yes! Any OptiFine-compatible shaders will work with Iris.
- Do I need Sodium to use Iris?
- No, but it’s recommended because it improves FPS and performance while using shaders.
- Can I use Forge instead of Fabric?
- No, Iris Shaders only works with Fabric. If you use Forge, you’ll need to use OptiFine instead.
Conclusion
Now you know How To Install Iris Shaders in Minecraft 1.21.5!
- Why use Iris Shaders?
- Better FPS than OptiFine
- Compatible with Sodium for performance boost
- Works with all major shader packs
If you have any issues, drop a comment below, and I’ll be happy to help!
Next Steps:
- Install BSL Shaders, SEUS, or Complementary Shaders
- Try Fabric Mods like Lithium, Phosphor, or Indium
- Optimize Minecraft FPS settings for low-end PCs