Installing Mods

Download the mod

Download from a trusted site (see the Download Sites page).

You'll usually get a .zip file – if so, continue to step 2. If the download gives you the mod files directly (e.g. a .iff, .FAR or .BMP file), skip straight to steps 3 and 4 to place them in the right folders.

Extract the zip

Right-click the .zip file and choose your extraction method. The options you see will depend on whether you're using Windows built-in extraction, 7-Zip or WinRAR:

Extract To "zip folder name": Creates a new folder with the same name as the zip file and places all the contents inside it. This is the tidiest option as everything stays contained in one place. Open that folder to find your mod files.

Extract Files: Opens a dialogue letting you choose exactly where the extracted files are placed. Use this if you want to send them straight to a specific folder you've already set up. Navigate to your destination and confirm the files have extracted properly.

Extract Here: Extracts everything directly into the same folder where the zip file currently sits, following the same folder structure that's inside the zip. If the zip contained a subfolder, that subfolder will appear in the current location. Best used when the zip contains only the mod files with no extra wrapper folder.

Whichever method you use, make sure you can find the actual .iff, .FAR, .BMP or similar mod files before moving on.

Find your game folder

Steam: right-click game → Manage → Browse local files.

EA App: right-click → Manage → Open install folder.

Place the files

Always check for a readme first. Many mods include a readme (.txt) file that tells you exactly where to put things. If one is included, follow those instructions over anything else – some mods need to go into a specific folder to work correctly, and the readme will tell you which one.

If there is no readme, use the file type and mod description as your guide. The most common locations are:

Most mods (.iff/.FAR) → Downloads\
Custom objects, furniture, buyable items and most gameplay tweaks go here. This is the default destination for the majority of mods.

Everyday skin files (.BMP/.CMX/.SKN) with prefix B or C → GameData\Skins\
Everyday body outfits (prefix B) and head textures (prefix C) go here. Must go directly in this folder – no subfolders or the game won't read them. These appear in your Sim's home dresser.

Buyable skin files with prefix L, F, S, W or H → ExpansionShared\SkinsBuy\
Hot Date introduced buyable clothing purchased from a clothing rack on a community lot – not found in the home dresser. These skins use specific first-letter prefixes: L = Lingerie/Sleepwear, F = Formal, S = Swimwear, W = Winterwear (Vacation), H = High Fashion (Superstar). These go in ExpansionShared\SkinsBuy\ rather than the regular Skins folder – no subfolders. See the Terminology page for the full prefix reference.

Wall coverings (.WLL) → GameData\Walls\
Subfolders are supported here if you want to organise by style or creator.

Floor tiles (.FLR) → GameData\Floors\
Subfolders are supported here too.

Roof textures → GameData\Roofs\
Must go directly in the folder – no subfolders.

Game file overrides (.iff) → GameData\Objects\
Mods that replace or modify an existing base game file rather than adding something new. For example, Corylea's Two Hour Carpool replaces the original carpool object to change when it arrives – because it's overriding a base game file rather than adding a new object, it needs to go in GameData\Objects\ rather than Downloads\. The readme will always specify this.

Expansion-specific overrides → ExpansionPack#\ (where # is 1-7)
Some mods target a specific expansion pack's files rather than the base game. These go in the relevant expansion folder. Again, the readme will tell you which number corresponds to which expansion.

Downloaded lots (.iff) → UserData\Houses\ (or UserData1\Houses\ etc. depending on which neighbourhood)
Lots are placed into the Houses folder for the neighbourhood you want them to appear in.

Launch the game and test

Start the game and check the mod is working. If something's wrong, see the CC Troubleshooting or Game Troubleshooting pages.

Identify the house file

House files have the extension .iff, usually named like House04.iff. If the download includes wall or floor files, install those to GameData\Walls\ and GameData\Floors\ in your game install directory first.

Place it in the Houses folder

Navigate to your save directory, open the UserData folder for the neighbourhood you want the lot in, and drop the .iff file into the Houses subfolder inside it.

Example for neighbourhood 1:
Saved Games\Electronic Arts\The Sims 25\UserData\Houses\

Launch and check the neighbourhood view

The lot should appear as a vacant plot. If it does not show up, confirm the file is directly in the Houses folder (not inside a subfolder inside it) and in the right UserData folder.

Identify the family file

Family files have the extension .fam. Downtown lot families may use .dtl.

Place it in the Import folder

Drop the .fam file into the Import subfolder inside your UserData folder:
Saved Games\Electronic Arts\The Sims 25\UserData\Import\

If the Import folder does not exist yet, create it manually.

Import in-game

On the neighbourhood screen, click the Import button (arrow pointing into a house). Select your family from the list and confirm. They will appear ready to move into a lot.