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10 Best Sims 4 Mods for 2020
Linsey Knerl
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February 13, 2020
The Sims gaming franchise has a worldwide following, with the 4th installment of the series played by fans of all ages. Mods are one way to keep gameplay fresh, and installing one of these best Sims 4 mods ensures you never have the same experience twice.
Whether you want to change your Sim's look or need a new place to hang out and have fun, consider this list of the best Sims 4 mods downloads that are appropriate for most ages. They’re designed to refresh, expand, and improve the way you play the game.
The best Sims 4 mods for 2020
The Sims 4 is still as popular as ever, and mods are a big reason why. What new mods will we embrace in the new year? Beyond the Sims 4 mods for hair and clothes, see what trends are catching on in this global phenomenon, as well as which ones have the potential to be the next big thing.
Note: Sims 4, like the other Sims games, has the potential for adult situations and gameplay. While each of these mods is made for teens and adults to enjoy, they also have some traits that, when used in the romance category, may be inappropriate for younger players.
1. Become a sorcerer
If having the power to control a virtual human being isn’t enough, you may be ready to become a sorcerer. An extensive magic system comes with this mod. It offers everything from spells in the black arts that manipulate those around you to neutral spells that change your speed and other ordinary traits.
Before you perform the ritual to turn into a sorcerer, decide if you want to be a follower of the darkness or the light. This mod works on Sims of all ages, including toddlers and children, but they will have limited abilities compared to a grownup Sim. While this may not be a substitute for the Realm of Magic expansion, it is a fascinating alternative.
2. Sweet tooth
If your love of cake and baked goods is strong, you’ll enjoy using the Sweet Tooth mod. This trait turns your Sim into a capable baker and includes new moodlets to let others know how much you’re enjoying that cupcake. You’ll also advance through the culinary-based careers much faster than your peers.
The available interactions include sharing homemade treats, throwing a pie in someone’s face, and eating an entire bowl of candy. This mod is available for teen through adult age levels.
3. Build a houseboat
While the tiny house movement may be exploding, there’s something charming about taking your home onto the water. With this Sims 4 mod, you can build your own houseboat by converting those decorative vessels into economical little homes. If you have a skill for making tiny spaces comfy, this is the mod for you.
Note that building the boat is a challenge, and the best way to make sure you get a sturdy home for your Sim is to follow the directions that come with the download. It’s a rewarding puzzle-like activity that gives you a quiet place to enjoy when you’re done.
4. Explore
If you've ever heard your Sim say, "Mom, I'm bored!" this mod may help. The Explore mod gives your Sim a whole world to investigate where you don’t have to follow. The result is a Sim that can go shopping, visit local amusements, and even get a job.
When they return, they won’t be the same as when you left them, which means they may have new clothes, skills, or relationships. Better yet, you can send your Sim to go explore randomly. Without your guidance, who knows what mischief they will get into...
5. iBot
In a kind of cyborg-fantasy tale, this Sims 4 mod lets you add what’s called an “iBot" - a half-human/half-robot character - to your game. There are also iBot hybrids that have more of the characteristics you choose based on their genetic makeup.
They act similarly to humans, offering emotions and creating children, but they also run on batteries to make the gameplay truly unique. Those who like programming will find this to be a fun and challenging addition.
6. PokéSims
In a new way to catch them all, the PokéSims mod is a beta mode addition that combines much of the fandom of the Pokémon franchise with everything you love in Sims 4. Transform your Sims into trainer Sims or one of a handful of the more famous characters: Pikachu, Snorlax, Squirtle, or Voltorb. Then you can challenge one another to battle it out.
These floating Pokés are cute, but you may not be able to change back once you’ve evolved. To revert your Sim to human form, you can always remove the mod. There is even an opportunity to hatch eggs and make more Pokés! This mod is designed for teen through adult ages.
7. Get a Job
If you aren't satisfied with your life, why not look into a new career? This Sims mod gives you a variety of job paths to consider, from tech expert to private investigator to tattoo artist to bowling champ.
Start your Sim in the lowliest job in any career path and watch them become the boss or owner in no time. Not every career is compatible with all mods, especially career-specific overhaul mods, but there’s enough here for curious Sims to get started.
8. MC Command Center
If total and omnipotent control is your desire, you can’t go wrong with this mod. This control panel gives you access to a number of details to adjust to your liking. Once it’s installed, access it by clicking on your Sim’s computer, where you’ll see a menu with all the options.
Change everything from the percentage of babies in your world to what NPC Sims wear by forbidding articles of clothing you don’t like. Automatic settings abound here as well, giving non-controlled Sims a life without you.
There’s also a cleaner tool that can tidy up your game to get rid of ghosts and deal with aging Sims that don’t have anywhere to go. It’s worth checking out this mod for the time limit settings alone, which let you speed up how long it takes to do everyday tasks.
9. Height Slider
The name of this mod says it all. While the Create-a-Sim tool gives you the chance to make your Sim wider, it can’t help you add vertical inches to your character. This height slider gives you a way to shake up the height of your Sims and offers a more diverse group of “people” in your world.
10. Teleport Any Sim
The Sim equivalent to "go away" may very well be in this teleportation mod. Not only can you teleport your Sim out of scary or dangerous situations, but you can also cause other Sims to leave your sight on command. It's a clever way to deal with unwelcome visitors in an immediate manner, and it's helpful for anyone who wished they had somewhere else to be.
How to download mods for Sims 4
There are new Sims mods being created and shared across the internet each year. The popularity of the game has led to sites that collect links to these mods for players to access. Before you download any mod, however, you should research the source and read comments or reviews about the mod.
These mods are largely policed by the Sims gaming community, and it can be impossible to know for sure what a download contains. We recommend that you always keep your computer’s antivirus and firewall software up-to-date to help protect you against mods or files that aren’t as safe as they claim.
Once you find a mod you want to download, follow these steps to use it on your PC or Mac computer:
- Find the site that contains the original mod file
- Download the file to a place that you will remember, such as a special place in your download folder or on your desktop
- Using your Windows Explorer on PC or Finder on Mac, drag the downloaded mod file (usually ending with ‘.ts 4 script' or ‘.package’ into the folder path Electronic Arts, then Sims 4, then Mods
If you don’t want to drag and drop the file, you can also copy and paste using the Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V shortcut keys.
How to install Sims 4 mods
You generally do not have to extract any compressed mod files to use them. Dropping the zipped file into the Mods folder is usually enough for the game to read the mod and load it as an option the next time you play.
But there may be exceptions, and each mod may also have its own set of instructions on its download page.
We recommend that you save the webpage with the download, installation directions, and playthrough tips page as a file of its own. It will tell you how to download and install the mod, and it will come with tips for using the mod within the game.
There are many complicated mods, and they can have dozens of instructions and actions associated with them. Learning them all will take time, so this instruction file can come in handy.
Additional Sims 4 mod tips
Using Sims 4 mods requires that you’re playing the updated version of The Sims 4 game for the PC or Mac. There is also a console-compatible version of the game for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. However, mods don't work on these. The mobile-compatible version, Sim Series, is available for Android and iOS devices, but these aren't mod-friendly either.
Here are some other mod tips for players to consider:
- Be sure that you check the box in your Sims 4 settings to allow mods. If this isn’t selected, your mods won’t be recognized or loaded
- Some zipped files won’t be able to be loaded directly into the game without being extracted first. If you see a mod file with the .rar file extension, you will likely need to use WinZip or WinRar to extract it first
- Mods aren’t final. Creators usually continue to tinker with a mod, adding new features and details as time goes on. At the same time, some mods aren’t supported after a time and may not work as well in the future. Your mileage will vary with any mod
- Single mods aren’t quite the same as packages. Packages are larger groups of mods or features that may need to be downloaded, extracted, and installed one by one, depending on how they were created. Follow the documentation to see what you’ll need to do to maximize any project
- Some files, like those for houses, can only be used in build mode. These files get downloaded to the Tray folder, not the Mods folder. See the documentation for a file if you are unsure
If you are having trouble with your mod, try restarting your game. If a mod is downloaded or installed while the game is open and running, it can prevent new mods from completely installing. A good restart can often solve issues with mods. You may also try downloading any updates for your Sims 4 game from the publisher.
Mods vs. other downloadable content
Remember, mods are created by users and fans of the game who create them out of an appreciation for the game. They aren’t official game content products, so the game publisher can’t help you with any issues that arise from using them.
If you want to get authorized downloadable content features, these are still available for a price. They range from expansion packs like Cats & Dogs, which gives you pets, to smaller packs that range in theme from toddler toys to Halloween decorations.
If you’re open to handling content on your own and enjoy trying out new things, the best Sims 4 mods offer a variety of options for breathing new life into your ho-hum Sim lifestyle. Choose one, or all, and see what new opportunities you can find in the game. But if you’re looking for a few to get you started, try the Sorcerer, Get a Job, and/or MC Command Center mods.
About the Author: Linsey Knerl is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Linsey is a Midwest-based author, public speaker, and member of the ASJA. She has a passion for helping consumers and small business owners do more with their resources via the latest tech solutions.
