The Ultimate 2025 Guide: 7 Essential Steps To Install Sims 4 Mods (CC & Script Mods) Without Breaking Your Game

The Sims 4 modding community is thriving in 2025, offering an endless stream of Custom Content (CC) and powerful Script Mods that can completely transform your gameplay experience. While the core process of installing mods remains consistent, recent game updates and patches mean you need the most current and authoritative guide to ensure a smooth, crash-free experience. This in-depth article will walk you through the entire process, from finding the files on platforms like CurseForge and Patreon to troubleshooting the dreaded "mods not showing up" error, ensuring you unlock the true potential of your game today. The key to successful modding lies in proper file management and understanding the difference between the two main types of mods: Custom Content (CC) and Script Mods. Failing to follow the correct steps for each can lead to game instability, broken saves, or simply having your new content not appear in the game at all. Follow this seven-step process precisely to get your custom content, from beautiful Alpha CC hairstyles to essential gameplay changers like MCCC (McCommand Center), running perfectly.

Step 1: The Crucial Pre-Installation Setup (Enabling Mods In-Game)

Before you even download your first piece of Custom Content or a major Script Mod, you must enable the modding features within The Sims 4 game settings. This is the single most common mistake beginners make.

How to Enable Mods and CC

• Launch The Sims 4 game.
• Click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner to open the Game Options menu.
• Select the Other tab.
• You must check two critical boxes:
  • Enable Custom Content and Mods: This allows the game to read all `.package` files (CC).
  • Script Mods Allowed: This is mandatory for all mods that change or add new gameplay mechanics (e.g., MCCC, WickedWhims, etc.).
• Click Apply Changes and then restart your game immediately. The game will now generate a file list upon startup, ready to read your new content.

Step 2: Locating and Organizing Your Mods Folder

All mods and CC must be placed in a specific folder for the game to recognize them. Knowing this location and keeping it organized is essential for long-term Sims 4 mod management.

The standard location for The Sims 4 user files on both PC and Mac is:

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Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods

Inside the Mods folder, you will find a file called Resource.cfg. This file is vital as it tells the game how many subfolders deep it can look for content. By default, it allows the game to read files placed up to five folders deep, which is perfect for organizing your CC by category (e.g., Mods/Hair/Female/Patreon_Creator_Name).

Step 3: Downloading and Identifying Mod File Types

Mods come in two primary file formats, and you must treat them differently during installation.

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1. Custom Content (CC)

• File Type: Always ends with .package.
• What it is: New hair, clothing, furniture, makeup, and skin details. This is purely cosmetic and does not change gameplay code.
• Installation: Place the `.package` file directly into your Mods folder or a subfolder within it.

2. Script Mods

• File Type: Always ends with .ts4script.
• What it is: Mods that alter or add new gameplay mechanics, new interactions, or new systems. Examples include career mods, relationship mods, and popular cheat menus.
• Installation: Place the `.ts4script` file directly into your Mods folder. CRITICAL: Script mods should generally only be placed one folder deep. Do not bury them in multiple subfolders, as the game may fail to load them, leading to a broken mod.

Step 4: The Golden Rule of Mod Installation: Unzip Everything!

Almost all mods downloaded from sites like Mod The Sims or CurseForge will be compressed into a zipped file format, usually .zip or .rar. The Sims 4 game cannot read files that are still compressed.

• Download: Once you download the mod (e.g., cool_new_hair.zip), locate the file.
• Unzip: Right-click the zipped file and select "Extract All" (Windows) or double-click (Mac). This will create a new folder containing the actual `.package` or `.ts4script` files.
• Move: Move the extracted `.package` and/or `.ts4script` files into your Mods folder. You can safely delete the original `.zip` or `.rar` file afterward.
• Exception: Some creators provide a folder structure within the zip file. In this case, you can move the *entire* extracted folder into your Mods folder, as long as the script files are not more than one folder deep.

Step 5: Post-Installation Check and Cache Clearing

After installing new mods, a crucial maintenance step is clearing the game's cache. This prevents the game from using old, stale data that might conflict with your new content.

Always Delete the localthumbcache.package File:

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This file stores temporary data, including tuning data from old mods. If you remove a mod but don't delete this file, the game might still try to use the old, conflicting data, causing errors or glitches.

• Navigate to your main Sims 4 folder: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4.
• Find the file named localthumbcache.package.
• Delete this file. The game will automatically generate a new, clean version the next time you launch it.

Step 6: Verifying Mod Installation In-Game

After restarting your game, a pop-up window called "Mod List" should appear immediately after the main menu. This window lists all the `.package` and `.ts4script` files the game successfully loaded. If your new mods are listed here, congratulations—they are installed correctly!

If the list is empty, or your new content is missing, you need to revisit Step 1 to ensure both "Enable Custom Content and Mods" and "Script Mods Allowed" are checked and that you applied the changes before restarting.

Step 7: Advanced Troubleshooting: The 50/50 Method for Broken Mods

The biggest challenge in modding is when a new Sims 4 update breaks your existing mods, or you download a faulty file. When your game starts acting strange (Sims T-posing, crashes, weird interactions), you have a conflict. The 50/50 Method is the gold standard for finding the culprit quickly.

The 50/50 Method Explained

The goal of this technique is to isolate the problematic mod by testing your content in halves.

1. Preparation: Move your entire Mods folder from Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/ to your Desktop.
2. Test 1 (50%): Move half of your mods back into the empty Mods folder.
3. Launch Game: Load your save file and check if the error is still present.
4. Analyze Result:
   • If the error is GONE: The broken mod is in the half you left on the Desktop. Move the 'good' half to a new 'Safe' folder on your Desktop.
   • If the error is STILL THERE: The broken mod is in the half you put back in the Mods folder. Move the 'bad' half to a new 'Test' folder on your Desktop.
5. Repeat: Take the 'bad' group and divide it in half again. Repeat the process of testing 50% at a time until you are left with only one or two files. That is your broken mod.
6. Resolution: Once found, delete the broken mod and check the creator's site (e.g., Patreon or CurseForge) for an updated version compatible with the latest Maxis patch.

Mastering these seven steps ensures that your Sims 4 game remains stable, organized, and ready for any new Custom Content or Script Mod the community releases.