The Sims 4 is still one of the best simulation games available, even years after its release. You can also buy The Sims 4 expansion packs to expand the game. However, these cost money.
Thankfully, you can expand The Sims 4 for free using mods and custom content. So, in this article we show you how to install The Sims 4 mods and list the best The Sims 4 mods to try.
What Are The Sims 4 Mods and Custom Content?
In terms of The Sims 4, mods and custom content (CC) are not the same thing.
Mods (sometimes called script mods) means modifications. These change or add to the functionality of the game, like changing how Sims behave or adding a new career.
Custom content (or CC) is things like furniture, hair styles, or textures—stuff that you can use when designing a Sim or a house.
You can also download lots. These are houses or places. They don’t necessarily use custom content, but instead save you having to build something from scratch.
How to Download and Install The Sims 4 Mods and CC
Most downloadable content for The Sims 4 comes in compressed file types like ZIP or RAR. Windows can handle ZIP files by default, but you will need a free program like WinRAR for anything else. Here are the best tools to open RAR files.
You need to move all mods and custom content into a specific folder. Press Windows key + R to open Run and input the following:
\Users\%username%\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4
You should see a Mods folder here. If you don’t, click New folder to create it.
Extract the contents of your download into this Mods folder. You can store things within subfolders, but don’t go deeper than one level (a new sub-folder for each mod is the simplest approach).
The only exception is for house lots. These files have extensions like .blueprint, .bpi, and .trayitem. They don’t go in the Mods folder. Instead, go to the top The Sims 4 folder and place them in the Tray folder.
To uninstall anything, close the game and simply remove the associated files.
How to Enable Mods and CC in The Sims 4
To enable mods and CC in The Sims 4, first launch the game.
Click the menu button (three horizontal dots) in the top-right of the screen. Then, click Game Options > Other.
Here, tick Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed.
To finish, click Apply Changes. You will need to restart the game for the changes to take effect.
A Mods panel will then open when you launch the game, listing which mods are enabled. If you don’t want to see this, untick Show At Startup.
You don’t need to do this for any lots you download. To find these, click the gallery icon (photo album) in the top-right and click My Library. If your lots use custom content, ensure that Include Custom Content is ticked on the left.
How to Update Mods and CC in The Sims 4
Mods and CC are usually disabled after The Sims 4 updates. This is because there’s a risk that a mod isn’t compatible with the latest version of the game. Follow the instructions above to enable them again.
Unlike the game itself, mods don’t automatically update. When a mod breaks then you will need to check where you got it from to see if there’s a new version. If there is, download it, and replace the original files. If there isn’t, remove the files until there’s an update.
The Best The Sims 4 Mods to Try
There are lots of great places to download The Sims 4 mods and CC from. These include Mod The Sims, The Sims Resource, and Sims Catalog.
Here are some of the best The Sims 4 mods from these sites and beyond.
1. MC Command Center
MC Command Center does so much, we’d be here all day describing it. Essentially, it lets you control every aspect of your Sims—and even grants minor control to usually non-playable characters. For many, this mod includes what the base game should have. You can ban clothes, control pregnancies, remove homeless ghosts, and more.
2. Meaningful Stories
This mod redesigns the mood and emotions system of The Sims 4. In the base game, your Sims will be joyful because of a nice lamp one minute, then angry from a faulty shower the next. This mod makes your Sims’ lives more meaningful (and challenging), with emotions that reflect real life—a first kiss creates true happiness, while a depressive rut can last for days.
3. Have Some Personality Please!
One of the big differences between The Sims 3 and The Sims 4 was the switch towards more emotion-driven gameplay.
This mod makes your Sims personality more natural. No longer will they chat to each other about random things. Instead, they will act based on shared traits, moods, and relationships. The mod also includes more interactions with pets.
4. Slice of Life
As the name of this mod suggests, it aims to bring The Sims 4 closer to reality. It does this by adding a range of emotions, the ability to get drunk, the chance to get acne, the menstrual cycle, colds and flu, and memories. And that’s not everything! You’ll wonder how you played the game without this mod.
5. Don’t Wash Dishes Where You Angry Poop
This mod isn’t as radical as some of the others listed here, but it fixes an incredibly annoying behavior that Sims in the game possess. Now you can set which sinks your Sims can or can’t wash up in. No longer will they pick up their finished dish from the table and then head to the bathroom to wash it in that sink. Rejoice!
Get More From The Sims 4 With Expansion Packs
There are lots of free The Sims 4 mods available, but they don’t usually offer the same game-changing depth that the official expansion packs do.
While the expansion packs do cost money, they add new features like pets or weather, plus objects, clothes, hairstyles, and more.
If you’re struggling to decide which The Sims 4 expansion packs to buy, check out our guide to all of The Sims 4 expansion packs.
Read the full article: How to Install The Sims 4 Mods and the Best Mods to Try
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