The Sims 4 Mods folder on Mac lives in one of three places, depending on where you bought the game. The EA App (the newer EA launcher) moved the folder into a hidden Library directory that most people never check. This guide shows you every possible path and how to get there no matter which version you have.
Quick Answer
| Where You Bought Sims 4 | Mods Folder Path |
|---|---|
| EA App (post-2023) | ~/Library/Containers/com.ea.origin.mac/The Sims 4/Mods |
| EA App (older) | ~/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods |
| Origin | ~/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods |
| Steam | ~/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods |
If none of those paths exist, scroll down to My Mods Folder Doesn’t Exist — there are three different fixes depending on the cause.
How to Navigate to a Hidden Path in Finder
The EA App path starts with ~/Library/Containers/ which is in the Library folder. macOS hides Library by default since macOS Mojave. Two ways to get there:
Option 1: Go menu (fastest)
In Finder, click Go in the menu bar, then Go to Folder… (or press Cmd + Shift + G). Paste:
~/Library/Containers/com.ea.origin.mac/The Sims 4Hit Go. If the folder opens, look for Mods inside it. If it doesn’t exist, you need to launch Sims 4 once so the game creates it.
Option 2: Show hidden Library
In Finder press Cmd + Shift + . (period) to show hidden files. Your home directory now shows Library as a visible folder. Open it → Containers → com.ea.origin.mac → The Sims 4 → Mods.
Which Version Do I Have?
If you’re not sure which launcher you installed Sims 4 from:
- EA App — purple EA logo in the dock. Says “EA app” or “Electronic Arts” in the menu bar when open.
- Origin — green Origin logo. (Origin was retired for new users in 2020 but still works for old installs.)
- Steam — Steam logo. If you launch Sims 4 through Steam, you have this version.
If you’ve installed Sims 4 in the last 2 years, you almost certainly have the EA App version. The Library path is the one to try first.
The Mods Folder Should Look Like This
When you find it, the folder contents should look like:
Mods/
├── okruee-coco-hair.package
├── clumsyalien-denim-dress.package
└── ... (more .package files)If you have script mods, you’ll also see files like mc_cmd_center.zip, tunng_pay_bills.package, or similar — these are gameplay mods and need their own subfolder or naming convention.
If the Mods folder doesn’t exist yet at all, see below.
My Mods Folder Doesn’t Exist
Three common reasons:
1. You Haven’t Launched Sims 4 Yet
The folder only gets created the first time you load the game. Open Sims 4, sit at the main menu for a few seconds, then quit and check again. Both Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods and Library/Containers/com.ea.origin.mac/The Sims 4/Mods get created on first launch.
2. You Bought Sims 4 on a Different Launcher Than You Think
EA App users with no folder at either path probably installed Origin by accident (or vice versa). The launcher version is tied to your purchase — if you bought it from EA’s website, you have EA App. If you claimed it through Steam, you have the Steam version.
You can also check by looking at the install location in your launcher:
- EA App: Library → Sims 4 → Manage → View install location
- Steam: Steam → Settings → Downloads → Steam Library Folders → right-click Sims 4 → Properties → Installed Files → Browse
3. macOS Is Hiding the Folder
macOS hides folders that start with . and the Library folder on the latest versions. Use the Cmd + Shift + G trick above to jump directly to the path.
Once You Find It
Drop your .package files (from CC you downloaded) into this folder. Sims 4 picks them up on next launch. To stay organized, create subfolders:
Mods/
├── hair/
├── clothing/
├── furniture/
└── mods/ ← for script modsThe game reads subfolders automatically — no setup needed.
Still Stuck?
If you’ve tried all three paths and the Mods folder still isn’t there:
- Make sure Sims 4 has actually launched at least once (main menu counts)
- Check that your Mac user account has permission to write to the folder (right-click Mods → Get Info → Sharing & Permissions → your user should have Read & Write)
- Try reinstalling Sims 4 — if the game data got corrupted the folder won’t be regenerated on launch
If you want a step-by-step install walkthrough after locating the folder, read How to Install Sims 4 Custom Content on Mac.
