Where mods go and how The Sims 4 finds them

The Sims 4 looks for mods in a specific folder on your computer. On Windows, that folder is Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods. On Mac, it is Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods. If the Mods folder does not exist yet, you create it yourself — the game will not do it for you.

Before you read anything, open The Sims 4 and go to Game Options > Other. Look for a checkbox that says "Enable Mods and CC" and make sure it is checked. If it is not, the game will ignore every mod file you put in that folder. This setting must be on for the game to load mods at all.

Most mods come as either a .zip file or a .package file. A .zip file is a compressed folder — you extract it (right-click and choose "Extract All" on Windows, or double-click on Mac) and then move the contents into your Mods folder. A .package file goes directly into the Mods folder without extracting. Read the mod's instructions to see which type you have.

Key Takeaways

  • The Mods folder must be in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4 on Windows or Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4 on Mac, and you may need to create it yourself.
  • You must turn on "Enable Mods and CC" in Game Options > Other before the game will load any mods.
  • .zip files need to be extracted before moving to the Mods folder; .package files go in directly.
  • Mods from different creators can conflict with each other, so test new mods one at a time to find which one causes problems.
  • Mods break when the game updates, so check mod creator websites or mod manager tools to see which ones need updating.

Finding mods from trusted sources

The largest mod communities for The Sims 4 are ModTheSims, Nexus Mods, and individual creator websites. ModTheSims has been around since the original Sims game and has a review system. Nexus Mods hosts mods for many games and shows read counts and user ratings. Both sites scan uploads for malware.

Many popular mod creators also host their work on their own websites or Patreon pages. If you find a mod on a random site with no creator information, no read count, and no way to contact the author, that is a sign to look elsewhere. Mods are free — if a site is asking you to pay or complete surveys to read, it is not a legitimate source.

Read the mod description and the comments section before downloading. Other players will mention if a mod is outdated, if it conflicts with other popular mods, or if it causes crashes. A mod that worked fine six months ago may be broken now if the game has updated since then.

Testing mods one at a time

When you first start using mods, add them to your Mods folder one at a time and launch the game after each one. This way, if the game crashes or behaves strangely, you know which mod caused it. If you add ten mods at once and something breaks, you will have to remove them one by one to find the culprit.

Start a new save file when testing mods. Do not test on a save you care about — a bad mod can corrupt your household or make your game unplayable. Once you have confirmed that a mod works, you can use it on your main save.

If a mod causes a crash, remove it from the Mods folder and restart the game. The game does not unload mods while it is running — you have to close it completely and restart. If you remove a mod and the game still crashes, the problem may be a conflict between two other mods, not the one you just removed.

Organizing mods with subfolders

The Mods folder can hold subfolders, and The Sims 4 will search inside them for mod files. You can organize by category — for example, Mods\Gameplay, Mods\UI, Mods\Builds — to keep track of what each mod does. This makes it easier to find and remove a specific mod later.

Some mod managers (like Mod Manager for The Sims 4) create subfolders automatically and let you turn mods on and off without moving files around. If you use a mod manager, follow its instructions for where to place mods — it may use a different folder structure than the standard Mods folder.

What happens when the game updates

When The Sims 4 releases a patch or expansion pack, mods often stop working. The game's code changes, and mods that relied on the old code break. You will usually see an error message in the game log, or the mod straightforward will not function.

Check the mod creator's website or social media after a game update. Most active creators post whether their mods are still working or need a fix. Some mods are abandoned — the creator no longer updates them — and those may never work again after a major update.

If a mod is broken and the creator has not updated it, you have two choices: remove the mod and play without it, or wait to see if another creator makes a replacement. Do not use outdated mods in the hope they will work anyway — they can cause crashes or save file corruption.

Common problems and how to fix them

If mods are not loading, first check that "Enable Mods and CC" is turned on in Game Options. Then verify that your mod files are actually in the Mods folder — not in a subfolder inside Downloads, not on your Desktop. The game only looks in the official Mods folder.

If the game crashes when you load a save, remove the most recently added mod and try again. If it still crashes, remove the next most recent mod. Keep doing this until the game loads. That tells you which mod is the problem.

If a mod works in one save but not another, the problem may be that the save file itself is corrupted or incompatible. Try the mod in a brand-new save file. If it works there, the issue is with that specific save, not the mod.

If you see a message about "script mods" or "tuning mods", those are just categories of mods — script mods change how the game behaves, tuning mods change numbers like how fast Sims age or how much money they earn. Both types go in the same Mods folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use mods from The Sims 3 in The Sims 4?

No. The two games use completely different code, and a mod made for one will not work in the other. You have to find mods specifically made for The Sims 4. Trying to use a Sims 3 mod will either do nothing or crash the game.

Do mods work with The Sims 4 on console?

No. Mods only work on PC and Mac versions of The Sims 4. The console versions (PlayStation and Xbox) do not support mods at all.

Will using mods get me banned from online features?

The Sims 4 does not have competitive online play, so mods do not affect your account status. You can use mods and still access the gallery and other online features. However, if you upload a household or lot that was created with mods, other players may not be able to load it if they do not have the same mods installed.

What is the difference between mods and custom content?

Mods change how the game works — they add new features, change gameplay mechanics, or fix bugs. Custom content (CC) adds new objects, clothes, or hairstyles without changing the game's code. Both go in the Mods folder, and both require "Enable Mods and CC" to be turned on.

How many mods can I use at once?

There is no hard limit, but more mods mean more things that can conflict with each other or slow down your game. Most players use between 5 and 30 mods without problems. If you have more than 50, test carefully and watch for performance issues like longer loading times or lag during gameplay.