How to Find (& Install) Custom Content in Sims 4

Quick Links

Custom content can make the Sims 4 not only look different but can even enhance gameplay. This can alter nearly every aspect of a Sim – clothes, hair, makeup, and even body shape. Custom content is hosted all over the internet, and finding the best resource is a journey itself.

It is best to approach any Sims 4 custom content steadily. Each designer has made content independently with specific expansion and stuff packs in mind. Loading in dozens or hundreds of files all at once could create conflicts or errors. It is much safer to install one package at a time, test it out in-game, and then add the next.

Some larger custom content files may be compressed into common file formats like ZIP or RAR. Unfortunately, the game cannot always directly read these files and require the custom content in Sims 4 to be extracted. Windows typically includes a default automatic program to do this. For Mac users, an additional app like Unarchiver may be needed from the Mac App Store.

Download Resources

An important aspect is where to even get Sims 4 custom content. Sims franchise designers have been around for over 20 years, resulting in several major hubs. For example, Mod the Sims and The Sims Resource are two of the largest websites dedicated to Sims 4 modifications.

Other Sims 4 communities will regularly share or advertise new and favorite custom content. This includes the official Electronic Arts forum and The Sims 4 Reddit. In addition, Twitch streamers and YouTube Let’s Players will also often showcase custom content. This is a good means of previewing a new item or cosmetic before directly downloading it.

Content Installation Folder

When the Sims 4 is first launched, it will automatically create a new Electronic Arts folder on one’s computer. On subsequent playthroughs, this folder will be where saves, and custom content will be stored. Players can also preemptively make this folder themselves if they want to immediately start a fresh installation with custom content or mods. The installation process is as follows:

• Open a file browser or search and navigate to the Sims 4 mod folder: Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods
• If the custom content was archived into ZIP or RAR files, extract them into the Mods folder
• Basic custom content file types like packages, trayitem, and blueprint can also be placed in the Mods folder
• Optional: the above files can also be further sorted into subfolders like hair, clothes, houses, etc.
• Fully launch the Sims 4
• Enter the Game Options menu
• Go to the Others tab
• Check mark the Enable Custom Content and Mods box
• Optional: Also check mark the Script Mods Allowed box (only for custom content that changes gameplay)
• Select Apply Changes, wait for any loading, and then enter a proper Sims 4 new game or save

Most Sims 4 custom content should function right away. By default, custom content will be marked with a blue wrench icon in the upper left corner. However, more complex content might alter this icon or re-balance other aspects of the game. If, for some reason, the game starts behaving strangely or begins having sudden glitches, disabling custom content may be the solution.

• The Sims

  Franchise: The Sims

  Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

  Released: 2014-09-02

  Developer: Maxis

  Publisher: Electronic Arts

  Genre: Simulation

  ESRB: T