How to organize your Sims 4 Mods folder
Quick answer: keep everything in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods and make folders by type (CAS, Build Buy, Gameplay). .package files can be up to 5 folders deep. .ts4script files can only be 1 folder deep. Then turn on Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed in Game Options → Other.
Where is the Sims 4 Mods folder?
On Windows it's here:
C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods
If OneDrive backs up your Documents, it's in OneDrive\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods instead. No Mods folder yet? Start the game once and it makes one, with a file called Resource.cfg inside. Keep that file. It tells the game how deep to look for mods.
The two folder-depth rules
This is the big one. If a file is too deep, the game just ignores it, with no error.
| File type | What it is | How deep it can go |
|---|---|---|
| .package | CC (hair, clothes, furniture) and most mods | Up to 5 folders inside Mods |
| .ts4script | Script mods (the ones with new gameplay) | Only 1 folder inside Mods |
A folder layout that works
Sort by what the item is, so you can find it again later:
Mods\ ├─ Resource.cfg ├─ CAS\ │ ├─ Hair\ │ ├─ Clothing\Tops\ │ ├─ Makeup\ │ └─ Accessories\ ├─ Build Buy\ │ ├─ Furniture\ │ └─ Decor\ ├─ Gameplay\ ├─ Pets\ └─ SomeScriptMod\ ← script mods: 1 folder deep, max ├─ somescriptmod.ts4script └─ somescriptmod.package
Keep a script mod's .package and .ts4script files together in the same folder, the way the creator shipped them.
What doesn't belong in Mods
- Downloaded Sims, lots and rooms: files ending in .trayitem, .householdbinary, .blueprint, .room, .hhi, .sgi or .bpi go in the Tray folder next to Mods.
- .zip, .rar and .7z files: unzip them first. The game can't read inside them.
- .exe, .bat and .dll files: these never go in Mods.
- Two copies of the same mod: keep only the newest one. Duplicates of script mods can stop the game from starting.
Turn mods on in the game
Open The Sims 4 and go to Game Options → Other.
Tick Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed.
Restart the game. After every game update, check these again. The game turns them off.
Keep it tidy over time
- Use a "New" folder: drop fresh downloads there, play once to check they work, then sort them.
- Name folders by creator inside each type: it makes updates SO much easier.
- Back up before big changes: zip your Mods folder before you reorganize or update the game.
Questions
Where is the Sims 4 Mods folder?
On Windows it's in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods. If OneDrive backs up your Documents folder, look in OneDrive\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods instead.
How many folders deep can Sims 4 mods go?
.package files (CC and most mods) can be up to 5 folders deep inside Mods. .ts4script files (script mods) can only be 1 folder deep, so put each script mod either straight in Mods or in one folder inside it.
Why is my CC not showing up in The Sims 4?
Check Game Options → Other: Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed must both be on, and the game turns them off after updates. Then check the files are not too many folders deep, are not still inside a .zip, and are in Mods, not Tray.
Where do downloaded Sims and lots go?
Downloaded Sims, households, lots and rooms (.trayitem, .householdbinary, .blueprint, .room, .hhi, .sgi, .bpi files) go in the Tray folder, not Mods. The game can't see them in Mods.