How to Install Sims 4 Mods and CC Safely

To install Sims 4 mods and custom content (CC), unzip the download and put the .package and .ts4script files in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods. Then open Game Options > Other, tick Enable Custom Content and Mods (plus Script Mods Allowed for script mods) and restart the game. Mods and CC work on PC and Mac only; PlayStation and Xbox don't support them.

Last checked: November 9, 2026 (game version 1.129, released October 27, 2026).

Mods vs CC: what you're installing

Players use "mods" and "CC" almost interchangeably, but they do different things:

• Custom content (CC) adds new items: hair, clothes, furniture, makeup and so on. CC comes as .package files.
• Tuning mods change how the game behaves, such as how often Sims do something on their own. They're also .package files.
• Script mods add bigger features with code, such as new menus or systems. They come as a .ts4script file, often with a .package file alongside.
• Lots, rooms and households downloaded from websites aren't mods at all. Their files go in the Tray folder, not the Mods folder.

CC can also be a default replacement, which swaps out an existing game item, or non-default, which adds a new item next to the originals. The creator's page says which one you're getting.

What you need before you start

• A PC or Mac copy of the game. Console versions don't load mods or CC.
• An unzip tool. Most downloads come as .zip, .rar or .7z files. Windows opens .zip files on its own; free tools such as 7-Zip handle the rest.
• A backup. Copy your saves folder and current Mods folder somewhere safe before adding anything new.
• Your game version. Open GameVersion.txt in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4 and compare it with what the mod creator says their file supports.

Step 1: Find the Mods folder

The game creates the folder the first time you start it:

• Windows: Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods
• Mac: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods

Inside you'll find a file called Resource.cfg. It tells the game to load files from the folder, so leave it there. If you delete the Mods folder or the file by accident, the game makes a new one on the next start.

If your Documents folder is synced with OneDrive or iCloud, check which copy the game is actually using. Putting mods in the wrong Documents folder is a common reason nothing shows up.

Step 2: Download from trusted sources

Good places to start are CurseForge, which EA partnered with in 2022 for Sims 4 mods, plus long-running sites such as The Sims Resource and Mod The Sims, and creators' own pages.

Malware has appeared in Sims 4 downloads more than once, through fake or hacked creator accounts on popular sites. In 2024, infected script mods were found stealing data from players' PCs, and in 2025 hacked creator accounts had their download links swapped for malicious files. Keep these rules:

• Download from the creator's own page or official account, and check that the username really belongs to them.
• CC never needs an .exe file. Delete any download that contains one.
• A plain CC item or tuning mod shouldn't contain a .ts4script file. If it does, don't install it.
• Never download someone else's whole Mods folder.
• Read the update notes when a mod changes. Be wary of updates with no explanation.
• Consider ModGuard by TwistedMexi, a script mod that detects known malicious mods and stops them from running.

Also make sure the file is for The Sims 4. Files for The Sims 2 and The Sims 3 also use the .package extension and can cause problems.

Step 3: Unzip and copy the files

1. Extract the downloaded archive.
2. Move the .package files into the Mods folder. You can sort them into subfolders by creator or type, up to five folders deep.
3. Move each script mod's files, including the .ts4script, into its own folder directly inside Mods. Script mods only load from the Mods folder itself or one folder down.
4. Put any lot, room or household files in the Tray folder, with no subfolders.

Keep a script mod's files together so you know what to delete when you remove it. Some big mods also create settings or log files, so remove those as well when you uninstall.

Step 4: Turn on mods in the game

1. Start The Sims 4 and open Game Options.
2. Go to the Other tab.
3. Tick Enable Custom Content and Mods.
4. If you installed script mods, also tick Script Mods Allowed.
5. Apply the change and restart the game.

When the game loads, a window lists the CC and script mods it found. In Create a Sim and Build mode, CC items carry a small wrench icon so you can spot them.

After every game update

Major patches switch custom content and mods off automatically. This protects your saves, because an update can break mods that change game code. Before turning them back on:

1. Check the creator pages of your script mods and big tuning mods for updates.
2. Replace outdated files with the new versions, or remove them.
3. Turn the two options back on in Game Options > Other.

Script mods are the files most likely to need an update after a patch, because they hook into the game's code.

Mods or CC not showing up?

Work through these checks:

• Options are off. A patch may have switched them off again.
• Wrong folder. Make sure you used the Documents folder the game actually reads, including OneDrive or iCloud copies.
• Still zipped. Archives in the Mods folder don't work, even if they appear in the in-game list.
• Folders too deep. Package files more than five folders down, or script mods more than one folder down, won't load.
• Missing mesh. A recolor needs the original item it's based on, which may be a separate download or a pack you don't own.
• Outdated file. Check the creator's page for a version that matches your game.

If only some items are broken, test your files in small groups to find the one causing trouble. Sims 4 Studio can batch fix some outdated CC, but it doesn't fix script mods.

Mods vs Marketplace Maker Packs

Since March 2026, The Sims 4 also has an in-game Marketplace where approved creators sell CC as Maker Packs for Moola, the game's virtual currency. It reached PlayStation and Xbox in April 2026, so it's the only way to get creator-made items on console. EA says free CC and mods are still allowed on other sites, and the Gallery and free base game updates continue as before. Our Sims 4 Marketplace and Moola guide explains how it works.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I put Sims 4 mods?

Put them in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods on Windows, or Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods on Mac. Unzip downloads first. Lots, rooms and households go in the Tray folder instead.

How do I enable mods in Sims 4?

Open Game Options, go to the Other tab and tick Enable Custom Content and Mods. Tick Script Mods Allowed as well if you use script mods. Restart the game so the change takes effect.

Why are my Sims 4 mods not showing up?

Usually a patch has switched mods off, the files are still zipped, or they're in the wrong folder. Script mods also fail if they sit more than one folder deep inside Mods. Check the list of installed mods shown when the game starts to see what loaded.

Can you get mods on Sims 4 for PS5 or Xbox?

No. Mods and CC are only supported on PC and Mac. Console players can buy creator-made items as Maker Packs in the in-game Marketplace, which reached PlayStation and Xbox in April 2026.

Are Sims 4 mods safe?

Most are, but infected files have appeared on popular sites through fake and hacked accounts. Download from the creator's official page, avoid any CC with an .exe file, and be suspicious of a .ts4script file inside something that isn't a script mod. A malware guard mod such as ModGuard adds another layer of protection.

Do I need to reinstall mods after a Sims 4 update?

No, the files stay in your Mods folder. Updates switch mods off, so check for new versions of your script mods and larger tuning mods, replace any outdated ones, and turn the options back on.