For The Sims 4, put downloaded Sim or household files in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Tray. If the download also includes custom-content files ending in .package, put those in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods instead.
Which folder should you use?
It depends on what the downloaded files contain. A Sim or household is a Library item, so its Tray files belong in Tray. Custom content (CC) that the creator included for the Sim belongs in Mods. Keep the two file types separate; a download may contain both.
| What you downloaded | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Sim, household, lot, room, or other Library-item files | Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Tray |
Custom-content files ending in .package |
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods |
The path starts from your active Documents folder. Its physical location can differ if your computer redirects or syncs Documents.
How to install a third-party Sim download
- Find the download, often in your computer’s Downloads folder, and extract the archive if it is zipped.
- Open the extracted files and identify the file types. Put the household or Library files directly in
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Tray, not inside a new subfolder. - If the creator included
.packagefiles, put those inDocuments > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods. - In the game, enable Enable Custom Content and Mods under Game Options > Other if you need the included CC, then relaunch the game. Menu wording can change between versions.
- Look for the Sim or household in the in-game Library. If it uses CC and does not appear, EA Forums community guidance suggests checking the Library’s Include Custom Content filter.
What if you downloaded it from the Gallery?
Gallery items are added to your game’s Tray automatically when you download them in-game. You do not need to move their files manually. The manual folder steps above are for downloads from third-party sites or creators.
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How to recognize Tray files
EA Forums lists these extensions for Tray items: .blueprint, .bpi, .hhi, .householdbinary, .rmi, .room, .sgi, and .trayitem. These go in Tray; a bundled .package file goes in Mods. The Tray extension guidance comes from EA Forums community information, while EA Help provides the official Mods installation instructions.
Platform and download safety
EA says Sims 4 mods are available on PC and Mac, not PlayStation or Xbox. EA also advises using trusted sources or creators; it says, “Maxis and EA don’t pre-screen, endorse, or support specific Mods or Custom Content.” See EA Help’s Sims 4 mod installation guidance for its current instructions.
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