If you’re using Windows or Mac to play The Sims 4, you can customize the game with custom content (CC) and mods. If you’re new to modding games, installing them can be difficult, but The Sims 4 makes it relatively simple. Our The Sims 4 installation guide will show you how to install CC and mods for both Windows and Mac. (Mods and CC cannot be installed or used on consoles.)
The steps for installing mods and CC are detailed below. Some mods may require additional installation steps, but most CC should be able to be installed using the steps below.
Concerning Mods and Custom Content
Mods and Custom Content are extremely popular among Sims 4 players, but if you’re new to the franchise, you may be unaware of the treasures that await those who scour the web for the most recent downloads. There is far more free content to download than there is in the base game and all game/stuff packs combined. In this guide, I’ll show you how to install CC and mods, explain what they are, and point you in the right direction by providing links to sites where you can binge-download CC for your game.
What exactly is CC?
Custom Content is simpler than mods, though it can take just as long to create. Hair, textures, objects, and clothing are examples of CC that can be downloaded and easily added to your game. Everything from wall patterns to dressers, earrings, and beautiful flowing gowns can be found here. Because CC creators don’t have to worry about system requirements like Maxis and can devote more time to each piece, they can make truly beautiful additions to the game that greatly improve the graphics (especially in the case of hair) and expand the number of options available to the player. CC is all about giving you more options and better-looking swag.
What exactly are Mods?
Mods are simply game modifications for The Sims 4. Mods can be found in almost any moddable game. They may improve an existing feature or introduce entirely new ones. When mod creators share their content with the Sims community, they work hard to ensure that it is stable and adds the functionality that is described. Some mods significantly improve gameplay, make minor changes to how things work (such as how frequently objects break), or simply fix something that irritates a large number of players. Mod creators may sometimes fix bugs before EA and may be more in tune with how the community wants something to work. For example, door locks were released in a patch after first appearing as a mod.
How to Install Sims 4 Mods on PC
Installing mods may appear simple, but it involves several steps and can take some time depending on the size of the files you’re downloading. The steps are as follows:
1. Activating mods in the game.
2. The mods are being downloaded.
3. Getting the files out of the zipped folder (optional, not applicable for some mods).
4. Putting the files in the right place.
5. Using mods to play the game.
The game does not recognize mods by default, so you must enable them. These settings may be disabled after the game receives a new patch or update, so you’ll need to go back and re-enable them.
When you enable mods in Sims 4, the game creates a Mods folder in your Sims 4 Documents folder. This is where you’ll usually find the folder:
Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods
Directly open the Documents folder in File Explorer.
The majority of mods are in the form of zipped files. To open these folders and extract the raw files, you’ll need a program like WinRAR or 7Zip.
Check to see if a mod is compatible with the current version of The Sims 4 on your device before downloading it. Outdated mods may be flawed, fail to run, or corrupt other areas of the game.
Mods Installation
Installing the mods is a bit misleading because there is no installation procedure to follow. The steps will vary depending on the type of mod you’re downloading after you’ve downloaded the mod files and opened them with an unzipping program. There are four major groups:
Custom content and general modifications: These files have the extension.package. Copy all mod files into the Mod folder that the game has created (Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods). You can add more subfolders to better organize your growing mod collection.
Lots and new Sims: If you want to open more lots on the map, use mods with the following extensions:.bpi,.blueprint,.trayitem. These files are saved in the Tray folder within the Sims 4 documents (Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Tray).
Modifications to the script: Script mods use the.ts4script extension and change how the game works in some way (custom careers, for example). They can also make use of other files. If you’ve downloaded a script mod, keep the files together in the same folder. This folder can be placed in the Mods folder. To work with script mods, you must first enable script mods. Ensure that the ts4script files are no more than one level deep in the Mods folder (i.e. Mods/ModName/.ts4script file).
Other file types, such as images and.txt files, are not loaded by the game and should be deleted, but they can be saved for future reference. Once you’ve determined where each file should go, the procedure is straightforward.
- Extract the zipped file
2. In File Explorer, navigate to the desired location.
3. Drag the files from the zip archive to the desired location.
4. Wait for the items to be processed by the unzipper.
Some downloads are executable files (.exe). This is most likely a virus and should be avoided. However, if the mod’s creator (as well as the site from which you downloaded it) can be trusted, you can keep it.
Typically, the application installs everything automatically and provides you with instructions to complete the installation process. Advanced modders use application files to create more complex content that works with multiple file types and adds new functionalities, but these are uncommon.
Playing the Game
Restart the game after installing the mods on your device. When browsing the gallery, lots, and buy menus, check the Show Custom Content box if you’re using custom lots or items.
How to Install Sims 4 Mods on a Mac
The steps for installing the mods on a Mac device are essentially the same as those for a PC:
1. Enter the game and turn on the mods and custom content.
2. Download the desired mod from the internet.
3. Locate the Mods folder in Finder (Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods).
4. Copy the files in the Mods folder after extracting the mod from the downloaded file. Unzip script mods that work with zip files (most modders will notify you of these mods).
We recommend that you use Archive Utility to unzip the downloaded files before using them.
How to Install Mods in Sims 4 on PlayStation 4
Unfortunately, Sims 4 does not support mods on the PS4. On consoles, games generally have few modding options, and games that allow you to change the gameplay are in the minority. Don’t get your hopes up; the developer has no current plans to enable custom content on the PS4.
How to Install Sims 4 Mods on Xbox
Sims 4 on the Xbox console, like the PS4, does not allow mods. Due to different OS requirements and setups, console gaming is relatively hostile to modding, with only a few games allowing minor mod support (such as Skyrim).
If you want to play Sims 4 with custom content, you can only do so on a PC (Windows or Mac).
Installing Mods in Sims 4 Cracked
In general, we oppose players pirating games. Mods take this to the next level. Because pirated (or cracked) game versions are frequently slightly outdated or have multiple installation files, there is no guarantee that mods that work for legitimate Sims 4 copies will work for pirated ones.
If you want to test the process, the same rules apply whether you’re using a cracked or genuine copy of the game. Because of the installation, your Sims 4 documents folder may be in a different location.
How to Install Sims 4 Mods on Origin
Origin lacks a standalone mod database and no way to automatically update your mod library. The only advantage is that you can access the game files via the Origin client:
Launch Origin and navigate to the game library.
Locate the game by right-clicking Sims 4 in your Origin library.
Origin, on the other hand, won’t be able to find your Documents folder, where the Mods files are supposed to be, so the assistance it provides is limited.
How to Install Sims 4 Mods on Steam
The process for downloading mods is the same whether you play the game through Steam or Origin. Because Steam has not enabled the Workshop for Origin games, you cannot keep a list of mods directly on the platform and must manually download each mod.
Troubleshooting Guide for Mods
You might not want to stop downloading mods once you start. It should be noted, however, that some mods do not play well with others. In extreme cases, the game will not run correctly or at all. Here are some pointers for getting the most out of mods while avoiding mistakes:
Backup mods before an update: All modders despise game updates. Some mods cease to function, while others remain unaffected. Occasionally, the game library is refreshed, removing all mods from the PC. When you need to update Sims 4, move the mod files to a different folder.
Utilize the Repair Tool: The Steam or Origin client’s built-in repair tool will refresh your local files and remove any corrupted ones. In some cases, it may be able to repair mods that have stopped working.
Delete the cache files: There are folders named “cache” and “cachestr” in the Sims 4 Documents folder. These folders contain temporary files and data. Removing their contents allows Sims 4 to refresh mods and fix some issues.
Look for mod updates here: If a mod stops working after a game update, chances are the creator has released a new version that fixes the issue. You must delete the previous version of the mod and start over with a new one. It is also sometimes necessary to delete the cache.
What you must do is as follows:
• Start the game.
• In the main menu, click the three-dot icon in the upper right corner to access the Game Options.
• Select the Other tab.
• Select the Enable Custom Content and Mods checkbox.
• Check Script Mods Allowed if you’re using script mods. When using script mods, the game will display a warning. Accept the offer.
• Exit the game by pressing Apply Changes.
The mod must then be downloaded from the internet. While we can’t tell you where to look for Sims 4 mods and CC, there are numerous online resources. You should not have to pay for any modifications (although some modders will accept donations, as developing content can take days of work). Mod The Sims and The Sims Resource are popular content libraries, but you can also find them on social media or through popular YouTube simmers.
Mods are similar to custom content. They’ll be available in the same mod repositories. The main distinction is that mods can change how the base game works, whereas custom content only changes the game’s aesthetics and has no impact on the underlying game mechanics.
To get the best custom content, use The Sims Resource or follow your favorite online simmers on social media and track their posts.
When you’ve found a mod you like, you can download it using your browser. Most browsers have a Download folder by default (which you can change) and a section where you can find items you’ve downloaded. To open the Downloads screen directly in Chrome, press “Ctrl + J.”
Mods are a great way to further customize your Sims’ lives and introduce new challenges and items into the game. You’ll usually have more trouble finding and installing the content you want. That’s part of Sims 4’s allure. With so many community members, new custom content is frequently available.
Which Sims 4 mods are your favorites? Tell us in the comments section below.