October 11, 2025

🧩 How to Unzip & Install Sims 4 Files (Step by Step)

I noticed we have a lot of cousins who are new to downloading mods and CCs. And I frequently get messages about how to install, so I hope this guide is helpful. It will be linked to all future posts going forward.

1️⃣ Identify what you downloaded

Most Sims 4 creators share .zip, .rar, or .7z archives. Inside you’ll usually find:
📦 Mods/CC → .package files
🧠 Script Mods → .ts4script files
🏠 Tray/Lot files → .trayitem, .blueprint, .bpi, .householdbinary
📸 Extras → preview images or readme text

2️⃣ Use Windows “Extract All…” (for .zip only)

  1. 🖱️ Right-click the .zip → Extract All…

  2. 📂 Choose a temporary folder (e.g. Desktop > Unzips > CreatorName) → Extract

  3. 🔍 Open the extracted folder and locate the Sims 4 file types above.

⚠️ Windows only handles .zip. For .rar/.7z, continue below.

3️⃣ Use 7-Zip or WinRAR (for .zip, .rar, .7z & multi-part)

  1. 🧰 Install 7-Zip (free) or WinRAR.

  2. 🖱️ Right-click the archive →

    • 7-Zip > Extract Here (drops files right there), or

    • 7-Zip > Extract to “FolderName\” (keeps things tidy).

  3. 📚 Multi-part archives (like file.part1.rar, part2.rar):

    • Put 🧩 all parts in one folder.

    • Right-click the first part (.001 or part1.rar) → Extract.

4️⃣ On macOS 🍎

  • .zip: Double-click (uses Archive Utility).

  • .rar/.7z: Use The Unarchiver (free app).

5️⃣ Move the files to the right Sims 4 folders

📁 Windows & Mac path:
Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\

🧩 Mods & CC

➡️ Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods\

  • Drop .package and .ts4script files here.

  • Scripts must be no more than one folder deep.
    ❌ Never leave zipped archives inside Mods — the game can’t read them.

🏠 Tray Files (Lots / Households / Rooms)

➡️ Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Tray\

  • Place all .trayitem, .blueprint, .bpi, .householdbinary files here.

6️⃣ Enable Mods in-game 🕹️

  1. ⚙️ Launch Sims 4 → Options (ESC) → Game Options > Other

  2. ✅ Check Enable Custom Content and Mods

  3. ✅ Check Script Mods Allowed (for .ts4script mods)

  4. 🔄 Click Apply Changes, then Restart the game

🏠 How to Find Custom Builds in The Sims 4 Gallery

1️⃣ Launch the Game and Open the Gallery

🎮 From the main menu or in a save, click the Gallery icon (two overlapping photos) or press F4 on your keyboard.

2️⃣ Switch to “My Library”

📚 At the top of the Gallery, click My Library.
This is where all custom builds you’ve installed via Tray files will appear — not in the Community tab.

3️⃣ Turn On “Include Custom Content”

⚙️ On the left-hand filter panel, make sure the Include Custom Content box is ✅ checked.
If it’s off, you won’t see any downloaded builds that use mods or CC.

4️⃣ Filter by Build Type

🏡 Use the filters on the left to choose the type of build you’re looking for:

  • 🏠 Lots — Houses, Venues, Cafés, etc.

  • 🛋️ Rooms — Single-room designs

  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Households — Sims or families

Optional:
🎯 Filter further by Lot Type, Lot Size, or World if you know those details.

5️⃣ Sort by Most Recent

🕓 Use Sort By → Most Recent to bring your newly installed builds to the top.
Freshly installed lots usually appear near the beginning of your library.

6️⃣ Search by Name

🔍 In My Library, type the lot name (or part of it) into the search bar at the top right.
💡 You don’t need the creator ID or hashtag here — that’s only for Community Gallery uploads.

🚨 Troubleshooting

🚫 Nothing shows up in-game:

  • Ensure you extracted the archive.

  • Confirm correct file types & folder locations.

  • Re-enable mods after each patch.

🔒 Files blocked (Windows):

  • Right-click → Properties → check ✅ Unblock → OK.

💥 Archive errors:

  • Re-download the file.

  • Extract only from the first part.

  • Move archives off OneDrive/iCloud to local storage.

📜 Scripts too deep:

  • Keep like Mods\CreatorName\modname.ts4script — no extra folders inside.

🚫 Build not showing up?
Try these fixes:

  1. ✅ Make sure Include Custom Content is checked.

  2. 📂 Verify all Tray files (.trayitem, .blueprint, .bpi, .householdbinary) are in:
    Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Tray\

  3. ⚙️ Check Show Unowned Packs (so builds requiring DLC still appear).

  4. ♻️ Re-extract the zip if files were missing.

  5. 🔄 Restart the game after placing files.

✨Keep things tidy ✨

🗑️ Delete previews/readmes after installing (optional)
📂 Use subfolders (Mods\CC\Hair\, Mods\Scripts\)
⚠️ Scripts ≤ one folder deep