Simple Voice Chat: Complete Guide to the Minecraft Proximity Voice Chat Mod by henkelmax (2026)
Simple Voice Chat is a proximity voice chat mod for Minecraft Java Edition created by henkelmax, with over 95 million downloads on CurseForge. Players within range hear each other through distance-based audio that gets quieter with distance.
The mod supports Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt, Paper, and Spigot. Press V to open the voice chat GUI and G for group chats.
Try our recommended 5 best Voice Chat mods for Minecraft.
What Is Simple Voice Chat?
Simple Voice Chat is an open-source Minecraft mod and plugin created by developer henkelmax (Max Henkel). It adds in-game proximity voice communication to Minecraft Java Edition. Players hear each other through distance-based audio that gets quieter as they move apart.
The mod has accumulated over 95 million downloads on CurseForge since its release. It works as both a server-side plugin (for Spigot, Paper, Purpur, and Bukkit) and as a client mod (for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt). Consequently, this dual nature makes it compatible with nearly every popular Minecraft server type.
Simple Voice Chat is used on major servers, including the Hermitcraft server. On Hermitcraft, it powers proximity voice communication for members. Furthermore, content creators like Xisuma include this mod in their official Hermitcraft mod collection. This level of adoption demonstrates its reliability at scale.
The core appeal is that it requires no external software like Discord or TeamSpeak. All voice communication happens inside Minecraft itself. Consequently, players stay fully immersed in the game while talking. Additionally, voice directionality adds a tactical layer to PvP, survival, and roleplay servers.
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| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mod Name | Simple Voice Chat |
| Developer | henkelmax (Max Henkel) |
| Type | Proximity voice chat mod and plugin |
| Minecraft Edition | Java Edition only (NOT compatible with Bedrock) |
| Latest Version | 2.6.16+26.1.2 (April 10, 2026) |
| CurseForge Downloads | 95,270,721+ |
| Project ID | 416089 |
| License | All Rights Reserved |
| Source Code | github.com/henkelmax/simple-voice-chat |
| Default Port | 24454 UDP |
| Client Mod Loaders | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt |
| Server Plugin Platforms | Spigot, Paper, Purpur, Bukkit, BukkitDev |
Simple Voice Chat Core Features
Simple Voice Chat Mod offers a full set of voice communication features. The main feature is proximity chat, where audio volume decreases with the distance between players. Furthermore, directional audio lets you tell where a voice is coming from. This adds strategic depth to PvP and survival scenarios.
Group chats work independently of distance. When you create or join a group, you can talk to group members regardless of how far apart you are in the Minecraft world. Group members appear as head icons in the top-left corner of your screen. However, non-group players see a group icon next to your head to indicate you are in a private channel. For more Minecraft guides and mod tutorials on AxeeTech, browse our full gaming resource hub.
Additional features include voice recording with start/stop controls, microphone activation testing, mute/deafen toggles, and an option to hide all voice chat icons. The voice chat is encrypted, though henkelmax notes that absolute security is not guaranteed. Additionally, vanilla clients can still join servers with it unless the force_voice_chat option is enabled.
| Feature | Description | Default Keybind |
|---|---|---|
| Proximity Voice Chat | Distance-based audio with directional sound | Voice activation (configurable) |
| Group Chats | Private channels regardless of distance | G key |
| Voice Chat GUI | Settings, groups, recording, mute controls | V key |
| Mute Self | Disable your microphone | In GUI |
| Disable Voice Chat | Turn off voice chat entirely | In GUI |
| Voice Recording | Start/stop recording audio | In GUI |
| Hide Icons | Hide all voice chat UI elements | In GUI |
| Microphone Test | Test microphone activation | In Settings |
| Group Invite | Add players to group chat | /voicechat invite <playername> |
| Encryption | Voice data encrypted in transit | Always on |
Also Read: How to enable Voice Chat in Roblox
How to Install Simple Voice Chat (Client Side)
Installing Simple Voice Chat on the client side requires the correct version matching your server’s Minecraft version and mod loader. Using mismatched versions causes voice chat failures. Therefore, confirm both the Minecraft version and the mod loader before downloading.
Simple Voice Chat is available on three main sources: CurseForge, Modrinth, and BukkitDev. CurseForge typically has the most up-to-date versions alongside detailed installation data. Modrinth provides an alternative with mod version tracking and faster updates for smaller variants.
The installation process varies slightly by mod loader. Fabric requires the Fabric API alongside SVC. Forge and NeoForge install as standalone mod JARs. Additionally, Quilt users typically use the Fabric version with QSL (Quilt Standard Libraries). All installations drop into the mods folder inside your Minecraft directory.
Steps to install Simple Voice Chat (client side, Fabric):
- Install Fabric Loader for your Minecraft version (from fabricmc.net)
- Install Fabric API (from CurseForge or Modrinth)
- Download the SVC mod Fabric version from CurseForge or Modrinth
- Make sure the downloaded version matches your Minecraft version exactly
- Open your Minecraft launcher
- Select the Fabric profile for your version
- Click Installations then the three dots next to your Fabric profile
- Click “Open folder” to access your .minecraft directory
- Open the “mods” folder (create it if missing)
- Drag and drop the Simple Voice Chat JAR file into mods
- Also drop Fabric API JAR into mods
- Launch Minecraft using the Fabric profile
- Confirm Simple Voice Chat loads (check mods list)
Steps to install Simple Voice Chat (client side, Forge):
- Install Minecraft Forge for your Minecraft version (from files.minecraftforge.net)
- Download Simple Voice Chat Forge version from CurseForge
- Verify the version number matches your Minecraft version
- Open your Minecraft launcher
- Select the Forge profile
- Click Installations and access the profile folder
- Open the “mods” folder
- Drop the Simple Voice Chat Forge JAR into the mods folder
- Launch Minecraft using the Forge profile
- Check the mods list in the main menu to confirm loading
How to Set Up Simple Voice Chat on a Minecraft Server
Server-side setup is where most Simple Voice Chat problems occur. The server must have the correct version of the plugin or mod installed. Additionally, the server must open UDP port 24454 for voice data. Without this port open, voice chat will not work regardless of client setup.
The server version you install depends on your server software. Paper, Spigot, Purpur, and Bukkit servers use the plugin version. Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt servers use the mod version. However, hybrid servers like Mohist, Arclight, Magma, and Cardboard are not supported and should be avoided.
After installing the server file, you must configure the voice chat settings. The main config file is located at /config/voicechat/voicechat-server.properties (for plugins) or /plugins/voicechat/voicechat-server.properties (for mod servers). Port, broadcast range, and force voice chat settings are managed here.
Steps to set up Simple Voice Chat on a server:
- Stop your Minecraft server
- Download the correct Simple Voice Chat server file (plugin for Paper/Spigot, mod for Fabric/Forge)
- Verify the file matches your Minecraft version exactly
- Upload the file to your server’s plugins folder (for Paper/Spigot) or mods folder (for Fabric/Forge)
- Open UDP port 24454 on your server’s firewall or hosting provider panel
- Start the server and wait for full load
- Check the console log for “SimpleVoiceChat initialized” or similar confirmation
- Open the voicechat-server.properties config file
- Adjust settings like max_voice_distance, broadcast_range, and voice_host if needed
- Restart the server after config changes
CRITICAL: The UDP port 24454 MUST be open on your server for Simple Voice Chat to work. This is NOT the same as the standard Minecraft TCP port 25565. If your hosting provider does not give you access to port settings, contact their support. Without the UDP port open, clients will fail to connect to voice chat with a timeout error.
Simple Voice Chat on Minecraft Hosting Providers
Most major Minecraft hosting providers support SimpleVoiceChat. However, setup steps differ by provider, and some hosts require you to manually specify the voice_host IP. Apex Hosting, Shockbyte, and several other hosts publish dedicated setup guides for SVC.
If your hosting provider uses MCShield or a similar protection addon, you must explicitly define the voice_host value in the config. This tells the voice chat plugin which IP to use for UDP traffic. Without this, players will fail to connect to voice chat even when everything else is configured correctly.
| Provider | Official Setup Guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apex Hosting | Yes | Panel-based port forwarding, MCShield voice_host config required |
| Shockbyte | Yes | Auto port opening for most plans |
| CubeCoders AMP | Partial | Requires manual application deployment |
| Self-hosted | Yes (modrepo.de wiki) | Full manual port forwarding via router |
| ngrok | NOT SUPPORTED | Does not support UDP, voice chat will not work |
| playit.gg | Limited | UDP tunneling works but with latency |
| Essential / e4mc / World Host | Limited | UDP support varies |
Simple Voice Chat Addons and Ecosystem
Simple Voice Chat has a rich addon ecosystem built by henkelmax and the community. These addons extend the mod’s functionality with features like radio blocks, realistic sound physics, Discord bridging, and more. Addons require Simple Voice Chat as a dependency and install the same way as any other Fabric or Forge mod.
The most popular addons focus on immersion and extended functionality. Sound Physics adds realistic sound attenuation through walls, reverberation in caves, and distance-based absorption. Additionally, Voicechat Interaction adds server-side group chat enhancements.
Addons for block-based voice features are particularly popular on roleplay servers. The radio block addon streams MP3 audio through voice chat. Furthermore, the microphone and speaker block addon adds placeable voice chat blocks for event announcements or ambient audio.
| Addon | What It Does | Side |
|---|---|---|
| Voicechat Interaction | Server-side group chat enhancements | Server |
| Sound Physics | Realistic sound attenuation and reverberation | Client |
| Radio Block Addon | Streams MP3 radio through voice chat | Server |
| Microphone and Speaker Block Addon | Placeable VC blocks for events | Server |
| Flashback (Replay) | Records voice chat audio in replays | Client |
| XaeroPlus Voicechat Icons | Shows speaking players on map | Client |
| Voicechat Discord Bridge | Bridges Minecraft VC to Discord | Server |
Simple Voice Chat Supported Versions and Mod Loaders
Simple Voice Chat supports 48+ Minecraft versions across multiple mod loaders. This extensive compatibility makes it one of the most version-flexible voice chat mods available. Each version-loader combination has its own release on CurseForge. For other popular gaming guides on AxeeTech, check our full gaming content library.
The developer actively maintains current versions while keeping legacy versions available. Minecraft 1.12.2 through the latest 26.1.2 versions are all supported with appropriate releases. However, not every mod loader supports every Minecraft version.
| Minecraft Version | Fabric | Forge | NeoForge | Quilt | Paper/Spigot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.12.2 | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 1.16.5 | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 1.18.2 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 1.19.x | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 1.20.x | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1.21.x | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 26.1.x | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BEDROCK EDITION WARNING: Simple Voice Chat works ONLY with Minecraft Java Edition. It is NOT compatible with Bedrock Edition on Windows 10, mobile, Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch. Bedrock players looking for proximity voice chat need alternative add-ons or Bedrock-specific solutions.
Simple Voice Chat vs Alternatives
Simple Voice Chat is the most widely used proximity voice chat mod for Minecraft Java. However, alternatives exist, each with different strengths. The main competitors are Plasmo Voice, Mumble Voice Chat, and Proximity Chat mods from various developers.
Plasmo Voice is the closest competitor with similar proximity features and group chat support. It has slightly different keybind defaults and configuration options. Furthermore, Plasmo Voice also offers voice activity detection settings with deeper granularity.
Simple Voice Chat wins on adoption, compatibility, and addon ecosystem. With 95 million+ CurseForge downloads, the community support is unmatched. Additionally, the addon ecosystem around Simple Voice Chat is significantly larger than Plasmo Voice’s.
| Mod | Developer | CurseForge Downloads | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Voice Chat | henkelmax | 95.2M+ | Largest ecosystem, Paper/Spigot plugin support |
| Plasmo Voice | Plasmo Voice team | 3M+ | Deeper voice activity settings |
| Mumble Voice Chat | Various | 500K+ | Uses external Mumble server |
| Proximity Chat (Iceberg) | Various | 100K+ | Simpler feature set, client-only |
| No Chat Reports Voice | Various | 50K+ | Privacy-focused variant |
Simple Voice Chat Not Working: Troubleshooting
The most common reason Simple Voice Chat fails is a port configuration issue. UDP port 24454 must be open on the server side. Additionally, your firewall or router must allow outbound UDP traffic on client side. Furthermore, VPN connections can block UDP voice traffic.
Version mismatches cause connection failures even when ports are correct. The server and all clients must use the same Simple Voice Chat version matching the same Minecraft version. Even minor version differences (like 2.6.16 vs 2.6.15) can cause issues.
Microphone detection problems are usually client-side. Check that Minecraft has microphone permission in your operating system settings. On Windows, verify the microphone is set as Default Input Device in Sound Settings. Inside Minecraft, press V, go to Settings, and select the correct Microphone device from the dropdown.
Try our other Minecraft guides, including: Minehut Free Minecraft Server | Minecraft Minecoin Codes |
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Voice chat not connecting | UDP port 24454 closed | Open UDP 24454 on server firewall and router |
| Connects but no audio | Microphone permission denied | Grant Minecraft microphone access in OS settings |
| Version mismatch error | Client and server versions differ | Install identical SVC versions on both sides |
| Voice chat works in LAN but not online | voice_host not configured | Set voice_host in voicechat-server.properties |
| Cuts out during PvP | Network packet loss | Check server tick speed and ISP quality |
| ngrok users cannot connect | ngrok does not support UDP | Use playit.gg or proper hosting instead |
| Plugin conflicts with vanish plugins | Old SVC version (< 2.6.0) | Update Simple Voice Chat to 2.6.0 or newer |
Frequently Asked Questions About Simple Voice Chat
These are the most searched questions about Simple Voice Chat, its installation, and its usage in Minecraft. For more tech and gaming tutorials, explore our wider AxeeTech content library.
Is Simple Voice Chat free?
Yes. Simple Voice Chat is free to download and use from CurseForge, Modrinth, and BukkitDev. The developer henkelmax provides the mod as open source, with all source code available on GitHub. However, the mod uses an All Rights Reserved license, so modifying or redistributing it requires permission.
Does Simple Voice Chat work on Minecraft Bedrock Edition?
No. Simple Voice Chat is exclusive to Minecraft Java Edition. It does NOT work on Bedrock Edition, which includes Windows 10 Edition, mobile, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch versions. Bedrock players need alternative voice chat solutions.
Do all players need Simple Voice Chat installed to use it?
No. Vanilla clients can still join servers with Simple Voice Chat installed, but they cannot use voice chat without the mod. Only players with the mod installed can hear and speak. Server admins can optionally enable force_voice_chat to require the mod on all connecting clients.
What port does Simple Voice Chat use?
Simple Voice Chat uses UDP port 24454 by default. This port must be open on the server side for voice chat to work. The port number can be changed in the voicechat-server.properties config file. Only the server needs the port open, not individual players.
Does Simple Voice Chat work with Hypixel or large servers?
No. Hypixel does not have Simple Voice Chat installed on its SMP servers. Most major public servers like Hypixel, Hive, and CubeCraft do not run Simple Voice Chat because they cannot moderate voice chat at scale. Simple Voice Chat is most commonly used on private SMPs, friends-only servers, and small to medium community servers.
Is Simple Voice Chat safe?
Simple Voice Chat encrypts voice data in transit. However, the developer explicitly states that absolute security is not guaranteed. Use voice chat at your own risk, especially on untrusted servers. Server admins can record voice chat with Flashback, so assume anything you say can be recorded.
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