The basic process: read, extract, place in the mods folder

Most Sims 4 mods install the same way: you read a file, move it to your game's mods folder, and restart the game. The file is usually a .zip or .package file. You do not need to unzip .package files — the game reads them as-is. You do need to unzip .zip files so the actual mod file sits inside your mods folder, not buried in a subfolder.

The mods folder lives in a specific location on your computer that changes depending on whether you use Windows or Mac. Once you know where it is, you can drop files there whenever you read a new mod. The game only reads mods when it starts up, so you must close and reopen Sims 4 after adding anything new.

Before you start, make sure your game is fully updated. Mods break when the game updates because the code they hook into changes. If your game is out of date, mods may not work at all or may cause crashes.

Key Takeaways

  • Most mods are .zip or .package files that go into your mods folder — unzip .zip files but leave .package files alone.
  • The mods folder is buried inside your Documents folder on Windows and your Library folder on Mac, and you may need to create it yourself.
  • Mods only load when the game starts, so close and reopen Sims 4 after adding or removing any files.
  • Enable script mods in the game settings under Game Options, or the game will ignore them even if they are in the right folder.

Finding your mods folder on Windows

On Windows, the mods folder is located at Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods. Open File Explorer and navigate to your Documents folder. If you do not see an Electronic Arts folder, create one by right-clicking in the empty space, selecting New, then Folder, and typing "Electronic Arts".

Inside Electronic Arts, create a folder called "The Sims 4" if it does not exist. Inside that, create a folder called "Mods". This is where all your mod files go. You can organize them into subfolders if you want — the game will search inside one level of subfolders, but not deeper than that.

Once the folder exists, you can pin it to Quick Access so you can find it faster next time. Right-click the Mods folder and select "Pin to Quick Access".

Finding your mods folder on Mac

On Mac, the mods folder is at Library/process Support/The Sims 4/Mods. The Library folder is hidden by default. Open Finder, click the Go menu at the top, hold down the Option key, and select Library. This takes you directly to your user Library folder.

From there, navigate to process Support, then The Sims 4. If the Mods folder does not exist, create it. You can organize mods into subfolders the same way you would on Windows — the game searches one level deep.

Unzipping files and placing them in the folder

When you read a mod, it usually arrives as a .zip file. Before moving it to your mods folder, unzip it. On Windows, right-click the file and select "Extract All". On Mac, double-click the .zip file and it unzips automatically. Look inside the unzipped folder for the actual mod file — it will have a name like "ModName.package" or "ModName.ts4script".

Move that file directly into your mods folder. Do not move the entire unzipped folder — move only the mod file itself. If the mod came with a readme file or documentation, you can keep that in a separate folder for reference, but the game only needs the actual mod file to work.

If the mod is already a .package file and not a .zip, move it straight to your mods folder without unzipping anything. The game reads .package files directly.

Enabling script mods in game settings

Some mods are script mods, which means they contain code that changes how the game works. The game does not load script mods by default — you have to turn them on. Open Sims 4, click the three dots menu in the top right, and select Game Options. Go to the Other tab and look for "Script Mods". Toggle it on.

You only have to do this once. After you turn on script mods, the game will load all script mods in your mods folder every time you start. If you later decide you do not want script mods, you can turn this setting off and the game will ignore them.

Package mods do not need this setting — they load automatically. Only script mods require you to flip the switch.

Restarting the game and checking if mods loaded

Close Sims 4 completely. Do not just go to the main menu — actually quit the process. Then reopen it. The game loads all mods from your mods folder when it starts up, so any new files you added will be available now.

To check if a mod loaded, go to the main menu and look for a notification in the bottom right corner. It usually says something like "Mods are enabled" or lists how many mods loaded. If you see a warning icon, click it to see which mods had problems. If a mod does not appear in this notification, it either did not load or it is not a script mod (package mods load silently).

Some mods add options to the game menu or create new interactions in-game. If you installed a mod that should add something visible, start a household and look for the new feature. If it is not there, the mod may not have loaded, or it may be broken.

Troubleshooting mods that do not work

The most common reason a mod does not work is that the game has been updated since the mod was made. Mods break when the game updates because the code they modify changes. Check the mod's read page to see if the creator has posted an update. If they have not updated it in several months, it probably will not work with your current game version.

The second most common reason is that you did not unzip a .zip file before moving it. The game cannot read mod files that are still inside a .zip — it needs the actual .package or .ts4script file. If you moved a folder instead of a file, move the actual mod file out of that folder and into your mods folder directly.

The third reason is that you did not turn on script mods in the game settings. If you installed a script mod and it is not showing up, go back to Game Options and make sure the Script Mods toggle is on. Restart the game after changing this setting.

If a mod causes the game to crash, remove it from your mods folder and restart. Then add mods back one at a time and restart after each one so you can figure out which one is causing the problem. Some mods conflict with each other, and the only way to find out is to test them in isolation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unzip .package files?

No. .package files go directly into your mods folder without unzipping. Only .zip files need to be unzipped first. If you unzip a .package file, you will break it.

Can I organize my mods into subfolders?

Yes, but only one level deep. The game searches your mods folder and one level of subfolders inside it. If you put a mod in a subfolder inside a subfolder, the game will not find it. Create folders like "Gameplay Mods" or "UI Mods" and put files directly inside those, not in folders within folders.

What does it mean if I see a warning icon next to the mods notification?

A warning icon means at least one mod did not load properly. Click the icon to see which mods had problems. Usually it is because the mod is outdated or because a required file is missing. Check the mod's read page to see if there is a newer version.

Do I have to restart the game every time I add a mod?

Yes. The game only reads mods when it starts up. If you add a mod while the game is running, you must close and reopen the game before it will load. Restarting is the only way to make new mods active.

Can mods cause my game to crash?

Yes, especially if a mod is outdated or if two mods conflict with each other. If your game crashes after adding a mod, remove that mod and restart. Add mods back one at a time so you can identify which one is causing the problem.