How To Add Mods To The Sims 3: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Home » How To Mod Sims 3 » How To Add Mods To The Sims 3: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Add Mods and CC to The Sims 3: Step-by-Step Guide PDF download Download Article Learn how to add mods to The Sims 3 on Mac and PC Co-authored by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Setting Up Your Game for Mods
    • |
  • Installing Package Mods
    • |
  • Installing Sims3Pack Mods
    • |
  • Finding Good Mods
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Dillon. Hannah Dillon is a Technology Writer and Editor at wikiHow. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from North Dakota State University in 2013 and has since worked in the video game industry as well as a few newspapers. From a young age Hannah has cultivated a love for writing and technology, and hopes to use these passions in tandem to help others in the articles she writes for wikiHow. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 541,532 times. Learn more...

Adding modifications (mods) or custom content to The Sims 3 is a good way to add new content to the game as well as change the way the game operates. The framework for mods is not set up by default, but it's simple enough to find and install. This wikiHow teaches you how to install Mods for The Sims 3.

Installing Sims 3 Mods

  • Download the FrameworkSetup file and extract it to The Sims 3 documents folder.
  • Download a mod and extract it to the "Packages" section of The Sims 3 documents folder.
  • Start your game to test if the mods work correctly.
  • Download reputable mods that are compatible with the patch level of your game.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Setting Up Your Game for Mods

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Close your game if it's currently open. 1 Close your game if it's currently open. Adding mods to your game while it's running won't work. Save and quit your game before proceeding.
    • Warning: Some mods and custom content may contain bugs or errors. These are unofficial modifications to the game that do not go through the standard quality assurance process that official add-ons and content go through.
  2. Step 2 Open File Explorer or the Finder. 2 Open File Explorer or the Finder. If you are using Windows, click the icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip.[1] On Mac, open the Finder. It has an icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face. It's at the bottom of the screen.[2] Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Navigate to your Sims 3 documents folder. 3 Navigate to your Sims 3 documents folder. This is where you add and configure your game to allow mods and custom content. Use the following steps to navigate to the Sims 3 mods folder.[3]
    • Click Documents in the sidebar to the left.
    • Open the Electronic Arts folder.
    • Open The Sims 3 folder.
  4. Step 4 Download the FrameworkSetup.zip file. 4 Download the FrameworkSetup.zip file. To do this, go to the Sims Wiki. This web page has a download link for the FrameworkSetup file needed to install mods and custom content.
  5. Step 5 Scroll down and click Download. 5 Scroll down and click Download. It's next to a blue icon with a disk. This downloads the FrameworkSetup.zip file.
  6. Step 6 Extract the contents of the zip file to The Sims 3 documents folder. 6 Extract the contents of the zip file to The Sims 3 documents folder. You need a program such as Winzip, WinRAR, or the free alternative 7-zip to extract the contents of a zip file. Select the Sims 3 documents folder when asked where to extract the contents of the zip file. Again, the location of The Sims 3 documents folder is Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3.
    • The FrameworkSetup file will contain the necessary framework for your mods - a folder named Overrides, a folder named Packages, and a file named "Resource.cfg". The Packages folder will already have two files in it ("nobuildsparkles.package" and "nointro.package") so you'll be able to check if your mods will work. If you start up your game and get no intro animation, nor any sparkles when placing walls or fences, everything is working.
    • The "Resource.cfg" file may trigger some antivirus software programs. This is because it's a ".cfg" file, not because it's malware. The file is safe and necessary to install mods on The Sims 3.
    • Very old versions of The Sims 3 (before the release of World Adventures and its patch) would have mods and content in the Program Files directory. This no longer works - do not attempt to place custom content in Program Files and do not use Monkey Bars or Helper Monkey to install your content.
  7. Step 7 Test your mods. 7 Test your mods. The FrameworkSetup.zip file also contains two mods so you can test to make sure mods are working in your game. You'll see them in your "Packages" folder: NoBuildSparkles.package and nointro.package. Here's how to test if these mods work:
    • Open your game once you've added the Mods folder to your Sims 3 folder.
    • Check to see if the intro plays. If the intro doesn't play, your mods are working! You can continue to test the other mod, if you like.
    • Once you get in-game, go to a Sim's house and enter Build Mode.
    • Place a wall (or some other item) and see if there are sparkles when you place it. If there isn't, the NoBuildSparkles.package mod is also working.
    8. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Installing Package Mods

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Download a Sims 3 mod. 1 Download a Sims 3 mod. Make sure the mod you are downloading is for The Sims 3, and not The Sims 4. Also, make sure it is compatible with the latest version of the game. When you find a mod you want to download, click the download link on the page to download the package file as a zip file.
    • If the mod you're downloading is a .package file, continue with the steps in this section. If it's a .sims3pack file, skip to our section on installing these mods.
  2. Step 2 Extract the mod from the compressed file. 2 Extract the mod from the compressed file. Mods will usually be stored in .rar or .zip files. You'll need to open these files in Winzip, WinRAR, or 7-zip.
  3. Step 3 Extract the package file(s) to the "Packages" folder. 3 Extract the package file(s) to the "Packages" folder. When asked where you want to extract the file to, extract it to the Mods folder in The Sims 3 documents folder. The location is as follows: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Mods > Packages.[4]
    • It's recommended only to install one mod at a time, especially if the mods in question are core mods (i.e., they alter a key method of how the game runs). Installing multiple mods at once can make it difficult to determine the cause if two of the mods turn out to be incompatible with each other.
  4. Step 4 Start up your game. 4 Start up your game. If the mods are working, you'll be able to tell by testing. For example, if you've installed a decensoring mod, it's working if there's no mosaic when your Sims go to bathe. If they aren't working, they may be incompatible with your patch level or a previously-installed mod, or installed in the wrong place.
    • You'll usually be able to tell when a mod is conflicting with something—you'll get bugs that make it difficult, if not impossible, to play (such as Sims constantly resetting themselves when attempting to perform an action), or the game just might not load at all.
  5. Step 5 Organize your content. 5 Organize your content. If you play with a lot of mods or have a lot of custom content in your Packages folder, it can become tricky to figure out what's causing a problem if your game starts slowing down or crashing. Keeping things organized makes it easier to tell where things are and to test what content could be buggy. Try organizing things. You can create new folders to organize your mods by content type, creator, or however you want to organize them. Use the following steps to create a new folder in your Packages folder:[5]
    • Navigate to the Packages folder.
    • Right-click a blank space in the folder.
    • Click New.
    • Click Folder.
    • Type a name for the folder.
    6. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Installing Sims3Pack Mods

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Download a Sims 3 mod. 1 Download a Sims 3 mod. Make sure the mod you are downloading is for The Sims 3, and not The Sims 4. Also, make sure it is compatible with the latest version of the game. When you find a mod you want to download, click the download link on the page to download the package file as a zip file.
    • If the mod you're downloading is a .sims3pack file, continue with the steps in this section. If it's a .package file, go back to our section on installing these mods.
  2. Step 2 Extract the mod from the compressed file. 2 Extract the mod from the compressed file. Mods will usually be stored in .rar or .zip files. You'll need to open these files in Winzip, WinRAR, or 7-zip.
  3. Step 3 Extract the .package file(s) to the "Downloads" folder. 3 Extract the .package file(s) to the "Downloads" folder. When asked where to extract the file, select the Downloads folder in the The Sims 3 documents folder. The location is as follows: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Downloads.
  4. Step 4 Start the game. 4 Start the game. Once you do, you'll see the Sims 3 Launcher. Don't click the play button just yet; you need to enable the mod before you'll see it in your game.
  5. Step 5 Click the Downloads tab. 5 Click the Downloads tab. It's on the left-hand side, under the Expansions & Stuff button.
  6. Step 6 Click the check box next to each item you want to install. 6 Click the check box next to each item you want to install. If you've added a lot of Sims3Packs, you can click the Select All button at the top of the screen if you want to install all of the mods you added to the "Downloads" folder.
  7. Step 7 Click Install. 7 Click Install. You'll see a window with a loading bar. After a few moments, you'll see a list of all the mods you tried to install and if they were successfully installed or not.
    • Click OK at the bottom of the screen to continue.
    • If one of your mods was not installed, try redownloading it. If it still doesn't work, that mod may not work with your installation of The Sims 3.
  8. Step 8 Start up your game. 8 Start up your game. If the mods are working, you'll be able to tell by testing if their function works. If they aren't working, they may be incompatible with your patch level or a previously-installed mod.
    • You'll usually be able to tell when a mod is conflicting with something—you'll get bugs that make it difficult, if not impossible, to play (such as Sims constantly resetting themselves when attempting to perform an action), or the game just might not load at all.
    9. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Finding Good Mods

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Find reputable mods that match your game's patch level. 1 Find reputable mods that match your game's patch level. Since mods are usually the first thing to cause issues in a game, it's important that you get ones that are known to work. Reputable mods can be found on NRaas's website, Mod The Sims, TheSimsResource, and on content blogs like My Sims 3 Blog. You can also find a lot of custom content creators on Tumblr.
  2. Step 2 Install mods that help you debug your game. 2 Install mods that help you debug your game. Things sometimes go wrong in-game, and the built-in game commands may not be sufficient when it comes to fixing the errors. However, be aware that mods of this type are usually core mods that rework the game's code, and while that's not bad in and of itself, it can result in issues if the mods are removed while in use later on.
    • NRaas Overwatch, MasterController, and ErrorTrap work in tandem to catch errors or reset them.
  3. Step 3 Check out some other mods. 3 Check out some other mods. They may not be core mods, but there are mods out there that allow ease of access to certain things while playing the game (such as viewing hidden traits and skills), allowing Sims of a certain age range to do something not typically aimed at their age, or so forth. It allows for some more versatility in your game, or just makes gameplay a bit more interesting.[6]
  4. Step 4 Update mods if you patch your game. 4 Update mods if you patch your game. While Sims 3 isn't likely to have further patches released, if you're running on old patches and update your game or install an expansion pack, update all your mods before relaunching your game. Outdated mods can result in bugs or corruption of various kinds, so make sure every mod you install is the latest version.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question Should my mods be stored in the mods folder, or should I have moved, copied/pasted them into packages? Belle K. Belle K. Top Answerer Most always they will go in the mods folder, although this can change; read what the maker of the mod says to do in the readme or on the website where you downloaded it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 13
  • Question I don't have a Mods folder. Do I just use Downloads? Community Answer Community Answer No. The Downloads folder is reserved for .sims3pack files and can't read .package files. You need to download the Framework Setup from Mod The Sims, which contains the Mods folder and the Resource.cfg file, and put it into Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 20 Helpful 20
  • Question My files say Origin Games/The Sims 3 instead of Electronic Arts, and the file names don't look the same. When I try to download mods, it doesn't work. Any advice? Community Answer Community Answer That doesn't sound like you're in the right location. It sounds like you're looking at the game's installation files, which are usually located in Program Files. You need to click the Documents tab on the sidebar of File Explorer or Finder - that's where you'll find the Electronic Arts folder. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • Custom content in .package format is installed the same way as mods are. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Do not remove a mod from a game while it is in use. If your saved games have a Sim using this mod, removing it can cause errors or even corrupt your save, especially if the mod is a core mod (i.e., it rewrites game files). Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Add Mods to The Sims 4How toAdd Mods to The Sims 4 Install Sims 2 ModsSims 2 Mods: How to Install & Where to Put Your Extras Pack Install Master Controller on Sims 3How to Download and Run the Master Controller Mod on The Sims 3 Download Custom Content on Sims 4How toDownload Custom Content on Sims 4 Remove Nudity Censor in the Sims 3How toRemove Nudity Censor in the Sims 3 Download a Mod for MinecraftHow to Download and Install Minecraft Mods Download a Minecraft Mod on a MacHow toDownload a Minecraft Mod on a Mac Install Skyrim ModsHow toInstall Skyrim Mods Make Sims UncensoredHow to Make Sims Uncensored: Remove the Mosaic Blur Install Minecraft Mods Using Minecraft ForgeHow toInstall Minecraft Mods Using Minecraft Forge Install Minecraft ModsHow toInstall Minecraft Mods Add Custom Music to Your Sims GameHow toAdd Custom Music to Your Sims Game Play Sims 3 Without the CDHow toPlay Sims 3 Without the CD Find Mods for MinecraftHow to Find, Install, and Use Minecraft Mods Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-and-open-file-explorer-ef370130-1cca-9dc5-e0df-2f7416fe1cb1
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/organize-your-files-in-the-finder-mchlp2605/mac
  3. ↑ https://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Setup_and_Files
  4. ↑ https://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Setup_and_Files
  5. ↑ https://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Setup_and_Files
  6. ↑ https://modthesims.info/downloads/ts3/

About This Article

Hannah Dillon Co-authored by: Hannah Dillon wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Dillon. Hannah Dillon is a Technology Writer and Editor at wikiHow. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from North Dakota State University in 2013 and has since worked in the video game industry as well as a few newspapers. From a young age Hannah has cultivated a love for writing and technology, and hopes to use these passions in tandem to help others in the articles she writes for wikiHow. This article has been viewed 541,532 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 18 Updated: October 1, 2025 Views: 541,532 Categories: Sims 3 Article SummaryX

1. Navigate to http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Setup_and_Files and click Download 2. Extract the zip file to "Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3". 3. Download a Sims 3 mods from the internet. 4. Extract the contents of the zip file containing the mod to "Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Mods > Packages". Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Portuguese Indonesian Dutch Korean Thai Vietnamese Japanese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 541,532 times.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Hannah Dillon Co-authored by: Hannah Dillon wikiHow Technology Writer Co-authors: 18 Updated: October 1, 2025 Views: 541,532 100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote

Quizzes & Games

What Makeup Should I Wear QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizAm I Smart QuizAm I Smart QuizTake QuizWhich Tron Character Am I QuizWhich Tron Character Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Video Game Should I Play QuizWhat Video Game Should I Play QuizTake QuizWhat Video Game Should You Play Next?What Video Game Should You Play Next?GenerateCognitive TestCognitive TestTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Add Mods to The Sims 4How toAdd Mods to The Sims 4Install Sims 2 ModsSims 2 Mods: How to Install & Where to Put Your Extras PackInstall Master Controller on Sims 3How to Download and Run the Master Controller Mod on The Sims 3Download Custom Content on Sims 4How toDownload Custom Content on Sims 4

Featured Articles

What Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?What Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)How Beautiful Am I QuizHow Beautiful Am I Quiz13 Types of Hairlines for Men and Women (And How to Maintain Yours)13 Types of Hairlines for Men and Women (And How to Maintain Yours)Which of the 8 Face Shapes Do You Have? Helpful Tips & Style GuidanceWhich of the 8 Face Shapes Do You Have? Helpful Tips & Style GuidanceMental Illness TestMental Illness Test

Trending Articles

Let Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizLet Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizAm I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?Am I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?How Rare Is My Birthday QuizHow Rare Is My Birthday QuizHow Nonchalant Am I QuizHow Nonchalant Am I QuizCan We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Can We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Make OutHow toMake Out

Featured Articles

Enjoy the HolidaysHow toEnjoy the Holidays Get 250 Grams of Protein Daily: Best Foods, Meal Plans & MoreHow to Get 250 Grams of Protein Daily: Best Foods, Meal Plans & MoreAm I Girly QuizAm I Girly Quiz200 Fun, Flirty, & Deep Questions to Get to Know a Guy Better200 Fun, Flirty, & Deep Questions to Get to Know a Guy Better Tighten Skin Under Your Chin: Natural or Surgical OptionsHow to Tighten Skin Under Your Chin: Natural or Surgical OptionsWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be Quiz

Featured Articles

21 Common Hand Signs & Gestures (& What They Mean)21 Common Hand Signs & Gestures (& What They Mean)170+ Best Useless Facts That Sound Like Lies170+ Best Useless Facts That Sound Like LiesIs He Interested In Me QuizIs He Interested In Me Quiz15 Signs Your Ex Misses You (and What to Do About It)15 Signs Your Ex Misses You (and What to Do About It) Observe Hanukkah (From Candle Lighting to Latke Frying)How to Observe Hanukkah (From Candle Lighting to Latke Frying)165+ "You Are Special" Quotes For Friends, Family, Partners & More165+ "You Are Special" Quotes For Friends, Family, Partners & More

Watch Articles

Wrap a Round GiftHow toWrap a Round GiftSteam in an OvenHow toSteam in an Oven Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesHow to Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesClean a Silver NecklaceHow toClean a Silver Necklace4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of Soda4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of SodaPart Your HairHow toPart Your Hair

Trending Articles

Have I Met My Soulmate Yet QuizHave I Met My Soulmate Yet Quiz180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any Argument180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any ArgumentAm I a Furry QuizAm I a Furry QuizWhat Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)What Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)What Should My Name Really Be QuizWhat Should My Name Really Be QuizRandom Fortune GeneratorRandom Fortune Generator

Quizzes & Games

Creative Ability TestCreative Ability TestTake QuizReal Housewives SimulatorReal Housewives SimulatorPlayMinecraft Trivia QuizMinecraft Trivia QuizTake QuizImpossible English TestImpossible English TestTake QuizWhat Genshin Character Am I QuizWhat Genshin Character Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Kind of Video Game Should I Play QuizWhat Kind of Video Game Should I Play QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Hobbies and Crafts
  • Games
  • Video Games
  • PC Games
  • PC Simulation
  • Sims
  • Sims 3
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --765

Tag » How To Mod Sims 3