Okay, let's talk custom content for Sims 4. You're probably here because you saw someone's amazing Sim creation online or a stunning build packed with cool furniture and thought, "How do I get that stuff in my game?" That's CC, and figuring out how to download CC for Sims 4 can feel confusing at first. I remember my first time – clicked some shady link (big mistake!) and got a nasty adware surprise. Let's make sure that doesn't happen to you.
What Exactly is CC and Why Should You Care?
CC stands for Custom Content. It's basically anything made by players (not EA/Maxis) that you add to your game. Think new hairstyles that don't look like weird plastic helmets, clothes that are actually fashionable, furniture that doesn't cost 10,000 Simoleons, or even entirely new gameplay mechanics. Without CC, my Sims would still be wearing the same awful base game outfits. No thanks!
There are two main flavors:
- CAS CC: Stuff for your Sims themselves - hair, skin, eyes, clothes, makeup, accessories.
- Build/Buy CC: Everything for houses and community lots - furniture, decor, windows, doors, plants.
Then you have MODs, which change how the game works (like making Sims smarter or adding new skills). Some folks use "CC" to mean just cosmetic stuff and "MODs" for gameplay changes, but honestly, the lines get blurry.
Getting Your Game Ready for CC
Before you start grabbing shiny things, you gotta prep your game. It's like cleaning your room before bringing in new furniture.
The Magic Mods Folder
This is where all your CC lives. Finding it is step zero for how to download CC for Sims 4:
- Open Documents (or "My Documents").
- Go to
Electronic Arts>The Sims 4. - Look for the
Modsfolder. If it's not there (sometimes it isn't!), just create a new folder and name itModsexactly like that.
Inside that Mods folder, most creators recommend keeping things organized with subfolders. I usually do something like:
01_Hair02_Clothes03_Furniture04_Gameplay Mods
Why the numbers? Makes them sort in order in the folder. Makes finding things way easier later. Trust me on this.
Game Settings You MUST Change
Fire up Sims 4. Go into Game Options (that little three dots menu in the top right). Click on Other.
- Enable Custom Content and Mods: Toggle this ON. Duh.
- Script Mods Allowed: Toggle this ON too (needed for most gameplay mods).
Hit "Apply Changes" and restart the game completely. You'll see a notification about mods being enabled when it reloads. This is crucial. If you skip it, nothing shows up, and you'll wonder why your Sims 4 CC download efforts failed.
Finding the Good Stuff: Where to Download Sims 4 CC Safely
This is where things get real. Not all CC sites are created equal. Some are awesome, some are sketchy ad-fests, and a few are downright dangerous.
My Go-To Trusted CC Sources
These are the sites I've used for years without major issues. They have good creators and decent moderation:
| Website | Best For | Ads? (Annoyance Level) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Sims Resource (TSR) | Massive variety, CAS & Build/Buy, very organized | Yes (High - use ad blocker!) | Requires free account. Slow downloads unless you pay. Huge catalog. |
| Mod The Sims (MTS) | Quality over quantity, unique gameplay mods | Minimal (Low) | Strict upload rules. Great forums for help. Requires free account. |
| Patreon | Early access, exclusive content, high-quality creators | None | Many creators offer free public downloads too. Support creators you love! |
| Tumblr | Unique & trendy CC, Maxis Match style | Varies by blog | Use specific search terms (#s4cc, #mmcc). Download links often on SFS or Patreon. |
| CurseForge | Safe, one-click installs, popular mods | Minimal (Low) | Recently growing for Sims 4. Easy management with their app. |
Red Flags: Sites to Avoid When You Download CC for Sims 4
Seriously, be careful. I learned the hard way early on.
- Aggressive Ad Traps: Sites where you get 50 pop-ups, fake download buttons everywhere, and warnings saying "Your Flash Player is out of date!" (it's 2024!). They just want clicks.
- Paywalled Creations: Sites charging for CC that uses EA's stuff (usually against EA rules). Some legit creators have early access on Patreon, but it should eventually be free.
- No Creator Credit: Sites just re-uploading others' work without permission. Bad karma and potential malware.
- Obscure File Hosts: Sites pushing you toward weird download services you've never heard of (like "SimsFileSuperSpeed" instead of the standard SimsFileShare/SFS). Often risky.
If a site looks messy, has bad spelling everywhere, or feels "off," close the tab. Your computer will thank you later. Finding a safe place to download custom content for Sims 4 is half the battle.
.exe files! CC should almost always be .package or .zip/.rar files containing packages. If it asks you to run an installer, that's malware. Cancel immediately.The Actual Downloading Process: Clicking the Right Button
Okay, you found an awesome hairstyle. How do you actually get it? Let's break it down.
The Standard Download Flow
- Find the Download Link/Button: Look for text like "Download", "Get this item", or sometimes a little downward arrow icon. Avoid big flashy buttons that say "DOWNLOAD HERE FAST!!" - those are usually ads.
- Wait Timer (Sometimes): Sites like TSR make you wait 10-60 seconds before the real download button appears. Annoying, but normal.
- Click the Real Link: After the wait (if any), a link or button will appear. Click that one.
- File Host Page: Often, you'll be taken to a file host page like SimsFileShare (SFS), MediaFire, Google Drive, or Patreon. Click the download button on that page.
- Save the File: Your browser will download a
.package,.zip, or.rarfile. Save it somewhere easy to find, like your Desktop or a dedicated "New Sims CC" folder.
Dealing with Compressed Files (.zip/.rar)
Most CC downloads come compressed to make them smaller. You need to open these files before putting them in your Mods folder.
- Windows: Right-click the
.zipfile and choose "Extract All..." or use free software like 7-Zip. - Mac: Double-click the
.zipfile. It usually extracts automatically.
Look inside the extracted folder. You should see one or more .package files (the actual CC), and sometimes a .png preview image. Only the .package files go into your Mods folder! Throw away the .zip/.rar and the preview image after extracting. If there's a .ts4script file (for script mods), that also goes in the Mods folder, but usually not deeper than 1 subfolder level.
Installation: Getting CC Into Your Game
You've got the files downloaded and extracted? Now for the easy part.
- Navigate: Open your Sims 4 Mods folder (Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods).
- Organize (Optional but Recommended): Put your new
.packagefiles into the relevant subfolder you created earlier (e.g., drag the hair file into your01_Hairfolder). - Launch/Restart Sims 4: Fire up the game.
Finding Your New Stuff In-Game
Where things show up depends on the type of CC:
| CC Type | Where to Find It | Important Filter |
|---|---|---|
| CAS (Hair, Clothes, Skin) | Create a Sim (CAS) Mode | Enable "Custom Content" filter (little star icon) |
| Build/Buy (Furniture, Decor) | Build/Buy Mode | Enable "Show Custom Content" (little plumbob icon) |
| Gameplay Mods | Usually adds new menus/interactions | Check creator's instructions (often on computer or pie menus) |
If you don't see it immediately, double-check that you enabled CC in settings AND restarted the game. Still missing? Time for troubleshooting...
CC Troubleshooting: When Things Go Wrong
Even pros hit snags. Here's how to fix common issues when trying to download CC for Sims 4.
CC Not Showing Up?
This is the most common headache. Check these things:
- Game Settings: Did you definitely enable CC/MODs and restart? (Check
Game Options > Other). - Folder Depth: Did you put package files more than 1 folder deep inside the Mods folder? (e.g.,
Mods > Clothes > Party > dress.packageis too deep). Move it up a level. Script mods (.ts4script) are especially picky and usually need to be directly in Mods or only one subfolder deep. - Broken CC: The file itself might be corrupted or outdated (especially after a game patch). Try removing just that file and see if the problem persists.
Game Crashing or Glitches?
This usually means conflicts or outdated/problematic CC.
- The 50/50 Method: Move half your Mods folder to a temporary desktop folder. Launch the game. Does it work?
- If yes, the problem is in the half you moved out. Split THAT half and test again.
- If no, the problem is in the half still in Mods. Split that and test.
- Repeat until you find the single culprit file. Tedious, but effective.
- Better Exceptions Mod: Seriously, install TwistedMexi's Better Exceptions mod. It scans your CC when an error happens and often points directly to the troublemaker file. Lifesaver.
Outdated CC After a Game Update
EA patches break mods. It happens.
- Check Creator Pages: Go back to where you downloaded it. Creators usually update their mods quickly or post status updates ("Still working after Patch 1.103").
- Discord Servers: Many modding communities have Discord servers with update channels.
- Mod Managers: Tools like Sims 4 Mod Manager (by GameTimeDev) let you see thumbnails of your CC packages, making it easier to identify what needs updating without loading the game.
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > saves) and your Mods folder! Makes rolling back easy if things break badly.Leveling Up Your CC Game: Pro Tips
Once you've mastered the basics of how to download CC for Sims 4, here's how to get really good at it.
Essential Tools for Power Users
| Tool Name | What It Does | Why It's Awesome |
|---|---|---|
| Sims 4 Tray Importer | Shows exactly what CC is used on a saved Sim or Lot | Find source of CC you see online/downloaded; Clean out unused CC |
| Better BuildBuy (TwistedMexi) | Massively improves Build/Buy organization & filtering | Filter by custom content, room, function; Hide debug items easily |
| Sims 4 Studio | Advanced tool for CC creators & fixers | Batch fix outdated CC; Disable specific swatches; Basic customization |
Managing Your Ever-Growing CC Collection
It gets out of hand fast. My Mods folder once hit 60GB. Yikes.
- Regular Purging: Go through your CC folders every few months. Remove stuff you never use. The Tray Importer helps identify unused items.
- Clear File Names: Rename downloaded files to something descriptive (e.g., "Severinka_LivingRoom_Sofa.package" instead of "furniture123.package"). Future-you will be grateful.
- Backup Religiously: Copy your entire Sims 4 folder in Documents to an external drive or cloud storage periodically. Saves heartache if your drive fails or an update nukes everything.
Your Sims 4 CC Download Questions Answered
Is downloading CC for Sims 4 safe?
It can be, if you stick to reputable sites (like the ones I listed earlier) and avoid suspicious links/exe files. Always use a good ad blocker (like uBlock Origin) and antivirus. Most CC is perfectly safe, but bad sites exist.
Does CC slow down my game?
It can, especially high-poly CC (super detailed meshes). Massive Mods folders (like 20GB+) also increase loading times. If your game gets sluggish, try removing some high-poly items or unused CC.
Why won't my Sims 4 CC show up after download?
Top reasons: 1) Didn't enable CC in game settings or restart. 2) Put files too deep in subfolders. 3) Downloaded broken/outdated CC. 4) File is a script mod needing to be no deeper than 1 folder level. Double-check those points!
Can I get banned for using CC?
EA officially tolerates CC and mods (they've said so publicly). They focus bans on online cheating. Using CC offline is perfectly fine. Using mods online (like in the Gallery) might cause issues if the mod is intrusive, but bans for normal CC are extremely rare.
Where is the best place to download CC for Sims 4?
There's no single "best" place, as creators are everywhere! Start with trusted hubs like Mod The Sims (MTS) for quality/vetting, The Sims Resource (TSR) for sheer volume (use an adblocker!), and Patreon for supporting top creators finding new CC. Tumblr is great for discovering unique styles.
How much CC is too much?
There's no hard limit, but performance tanks eventually. If your game takes 15+ minutes to load or crashes constantly, it's time for a CC diet. Focus on quality over quantity. My current sweet spot is around 15GB.
Wrapping It Up: Download With Confidence
Look, learning how to download CC for Sims 4 opens up a whole new world. Suddenly your Sims look like real people, your houses look like magazine spreads, and gameplay gets way more interesting. It takes a bit of setup and caution (seriously, avoid those shady sites!), but once you know the safe spots and the simple installation drill, it's smooth sailing.
Start small. Grab a few hairstyles or a cute chair. See how it works. Get comfortable with your Mods folder. Before you know it, you'll be curating a collection that makes your game uniquely yours. Just remember to organize as you go and back things up!
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