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Close The Sims 4, then copy Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4 to a different location and rename the copy with the date or update name. That folder—not the EA App, Steam, Epic, or the game-install directory—contains your saves, Mods, Tray library, and custom content. Keep the original in place; moving it makes the game create a new, apparently empty user folder. After updating, launch once with mods disabled, enter Live Mode, exit without saving, delete localthumbcache.package, and only then re-enable updated custom content and script mods. This routine protects progress and gives you a clean way to recover if a patch or an outdated script breaks a save.
Where are Sims 4 saves, mods, and custom content stored?
On both Windows and Mac, player data is in the user folder at Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4. The folder installed by the EA App, Steam, or Epic contains program files; it is not where your personal saves or mods belong.
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Windows users can jump there by entering %USERPROFILE%DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 4 in File Explorer. On Mac, use ~/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4 in Finder. If Documents has been redirected, look under OneDrive on Windows or iCloud Drive on macOS. In the game, Game Options > Screen Capture > Location Path can show the active Documents location.
If the expected folder is missing, do not create a second Sims 4 folder in the installation directory. The game will create a fresh user folder in Documents when it starts, and it will not search another location for your old files.
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What each important item contains
| Folder or file | What it protects |
|---|---|
Saves |
Worlds, households, and progress, plus automatic files ending in .save.ver0, .ver1, and so on. |
Mods |
Custom-content packages (.package) and script mods (.ts4script). |
Tray |
Households, lots, and rooms saved to or downloaded from the Gallery. |
localthumbcache.package |
A rebuildable thumbnail and tuning cache; it is safe to delete when changing mods. |
Overrides |
Less-common interface and override assets that may also need preserving. |
Keep the program-files folder and the user-data folder separate. A guide from EA Forums Sims Helpers warns that combining them can cause permanent save loss.
What should a Sims 4 backup contain?
The safest choice is a dated copy of the entire The Sims 4 user folder. If storage is limited, preserve at least Saves, Mods, and Tray; that combination covers progress, Gallery creations, and custom content.
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|---|---|---|
| Saves only | Gameplay progress and the .ver recovery files inside Saves. |
A quick emergency copy when you cannot store custom content. |
| Saves + Mods + Tray | Progress, downloaded or created Gallery items, and the complete custom-content library. | A practical minimum before a patch if the rest of the user folder is healthy. |
| Entire user folder | Everything in The Sims 4, including settings, screenshots, cache-adjacent files, and less-common overrides. |
The official, simplest restore because the folder can be put back as one unit. |
Do not cut or drag the live folder to another location. Copy it, paste the copy elsewhere, and leave the original under Documents. Moving it causes the game to generate a new empty folder and can make intact saves appear to have vanished.
How do I back up Sims 4 saves on Windows or Mac?
Close the game completely before copying. Also close a mod manager so it cannot change files during the copy. The Sims Team recommends a weekly backup and another copy before a base-game update, a new pack, a major build, a large mod installation, or a move to a new computer.
Windows steps
- Exit The Sims 4 and close any mod-management program.
- Open Documents > Electronic Arts in File Explorer.
- Right-click The Sims 4 and choose Copy.
- Paste the copy on the Desktop, a separate internal drive, a portable external hard drive or SSD, a USB drive, or a cloud-backed folder.
- Rename the copy to something unambiguous, such as
The Sims 4 Backup Before October 27 2026 Update.
Mac steps
- Quit the game and any mod manager.
- In Finder, open Documents > Electronic Arts.
- Select The Sims 4 and press Command-C.
- Open the chosen destination and press Command-V.
- Rename the copy with its date or purpose, for example
Sims 4 Backup Before New Pack.
Paste a desktop or removable-drive copy outside the live Electronic Arts directory. A dated name prevents a later backup from silently replacing the one you need. Keep at least one copy on a different physical disk; a desktop copy is fast but does not protect against a failing system drive.
Which destination is safest for a Sims 4 backup?
Use the destination that matches the size of your library and the risk you are trying to reduce. A large custom-content collection can reach hundreds of gigabytes, so a small flash drive may be unsuitable even though it works well for saves alone.
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| Destination | Advantages | Limitations | Good choice when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop or another folder on the same drive | Fast and requires no extra hardware. | A drive failure, ransomware incident, or accidental deletion can affect both copies. | You need a quick pre-patch snapshot and will make another off-disk copy. |
| USB flash drive | Portable and inexpensive for a small Saves or Tray set. |
Capacity is often inadequate for a very large Mods folder; removable media can be lost. | Your user folder is modest and you want a portable emergency copy. |
| External hard drive or SSD | Enough capacity for large Mods libraries and multiple dated snapshots. | It must be connected for each backup and protected from physical damage. | Your custom content occupies many gigabytes or you want several historical copies. |
| Cloud storage | Provides an off-device copy and access from another computer. | Syncing the live Documents folder can create conflicts, duplicate folders, or partial uploads. | You upload a closed-game copy to a dedicated backup folder rather than synchronizing the live folder. |
Do not move the entire Documents folder to an external drive. Keep the active user folder where the operating system and game expect it, and copy snapshots to other locations.
Should I turn off automatic Sims 4 updates?
Disabling automatic updates can give you time to back up and check mod creators, but it is only a scheduling choice. New packs, kits, fixes, and online features generally require the current game version, and an update switch is not a permanent way to remain on an old build.
EA App
- Open the EA App.
- Go to Application settings > Download.
- Set Update games automatically to Off.
Steam
Set The Sims 4 to update only when you launch it. Steam can still require an update at launch, so make the full folder backup before opening the game after a patch is available.
Offline mode is not a dependable anti-update strategy. EA documents offline play for up to 30 days after a last online launch; it is intended for offline access, not as a promise that a game can be held on an old version indefinitely. Some players have also reported the EA App updating despite their preference, which is another reason to keep a dated backup before the launcher runs.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat should I do with mods before a Sims 4 update?
Back up first, record what is installed, and keep the live game from loading old scripts during the first launch of the new build. Script mods are much more likely to break than ordinary CAS or build custom content.
- Copy the user folder. At minimum, copy
Saves,Mods, andTray; the complete folder is safer. - Record the mod list. Save each mod name, creator, download page, and any required dependency in a text file or spreadsheet. This makes it possible to identify an outdated script later.
- Close the game and mod manager. Do not let either program write files while the backup is being made.
- Move the entire live
Modsfolder to the Desktop before the first launch on the patched version. The game can then create a clean, empty Mods folder for testing. - Delete
localthumbcache.packagefrom the user folder. The game recreates it; clearing it removes cached references to removed or changed content.
The current PC/Mac build as of 29 October 2026 is the 27 October “Order Up!” update: PC 1.129.39.1030 and Mac 1.129.39.1230. Those version numbers are time-sensitive; always match a creator’s confirmation to the build actually installed on your computer. Food and drink tuning changed substantially in this update, so recipe and food-override mods deserve particular caution. Large gameplay and UI scripts—including MC Command Center, UI Cheats Extension, Basemental, and similar projects—normally require an explicit creator update after a patch.
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What is the safe order after a Sims 4 patch?
Run one short vanilla session, exit without saving, clear the cache, and restore only confirmed-compatible content. The game intentionally turns custom content and script mods off after an update.
- Launch with no Mods or custom content. Leave both options disabled for this first run.
- Enter Live Mode briefly. Confirm that the patched game loads and that the basic interface works.
- Exit without saving. Never choose Save and Exit while mods are disabled. The Sims Team warns that doing so can strip most modded content from the save, especially content belonging to mods with separate
.cfgfiles. - Delete
localthumbcache.package. Do this whenever you change the contents of the Mods folder. - Turn options back on. Use Game Options > Other, tick Enable Custom Content and Mods, tick Script Mods Allowed if you use scripts, select Apply Changes, and restart the game.
- Restore known-good files in small batches. Start with updated gameplay and UI mods, then add CAS and build content. Keep each mod’s files together and test after every batch.
Custom content may be absent during the vanilla launch; that is expected. Do not save a household or lot until the content it depends on has been restored and verified.
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Folder-depth rules when restoring Mods
.ts4scriptfiles may be no more than one subfolder deep..packagefiles may be up to five subfolders deep.- Keep a mod’s script, package, configuration, and dependency files together, preferably in a folder named for its creator.
- Extract
.zipand.rararchives before placing files in Mods; the game does not load compressed archives directly. - After every patch, check both options again because the update may turn them off.
How do I find a broken mod after the update?
Use a controlled 50/50 process instead of reinstalling the entire library at once. If the problem disappears with Mods empty, divide the files into two groups, test one group, and keep halving the failing group until the culprit or dependency set is isolated.
- Stuck Sims, interaction failures, or broken menus: suspect gameplay and UI scripts first.
- Missing meshes, black textures, or floating accessories: check CAS and build custom content, including required meshes.
- Repeated last-exception errors: inspect the unnumbered
lastException.txtandlastUIExceptionfiles in the user folder. Deaderpool notes that these files are usually associated with bad or outdated mods or custom content.
CurseForge can update only mods hosted on its service. Projects such as MCCC, XML Injector, and many Patreon-distributed mods still require a manual check on the creator’s page. A scanner such as TS4 Mod Hound can flag duplicates, missing requirements, or files known to be outdated, but no manager can make an unupdated script safe.
If the base game itself appears damaged, use the launcher’s repair function after removing suspect mods. In the EA App choose Library > The Sims 4 > Manage > Repair. In Epic, verify the installation and then repair it in the EA App. In Steam, open the game’s properties and choose Installed Files > Verify integrity. These operations repair program files; they do not restore or update the contents of your Mods folder.
How do I restore a Sims 4 backup?
Use a full-folder restore when the user directory is damaged or missing, and a lighter subfolder restore when only saves, mods, or Tray content needs replacing. Confirm that your backup opens or contains the expected files before deleting anything from the live folder.
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Full restore on Windows
- Close the game.
- Open Documents > Electronic Arts.
- Delete the live The Sims 4 folder and empty the Recycle Bin only after confirming the backup is intact.
- Rename the backup folder to The Sims 4.
- Copy it into Electronic Arts.
- Start the game and verify that your saves, Gallery library, and settings appear.
Full restore on Mac
- Quit the game and open Documents > Electronic Arts in Finder.
- Move the live The Sims 4 folder to the Bin, keeping the backup until the replacement works.
- Rename the backup to The Sims 4 and press Command-V to place it in Electronic Arts.
- Launch the game and check the expected saves and Tray items.
Restore only selected content
When the rest of the user folder is healthy, copy the backed-up Saves folder over the live one and choose Replace. Repeat with Mods or Tray only when those specific files are needed. Keep the old live folders in a temporary location until the game loads correctly.
Use Recover Save and .ver files
The game stores automatic save copies in Saves with names such as Slot_00000002.save.ver0. The lower number is newer, so ver0 is the most recently created version.
- In game, choose Load Game, select the save, click the floppy-disk Recover Save icon, choose a version, select Recover, and confirm with Yes.
- For a manual recovery, exit the game and rename a file such as
Slot_00000002.save.ver0toSlot_00000002.save, removing only the.ver0ending.
The 27 October 2026 update improved save-backup tracking for players who go a long time between sessions. These in-game backups cover saves only; they do not copy Mods or Tray, so they are an extra safety net rather than a replacement for a dated user-folder copy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does Origin, the EA App, Steam, or Epic back up Sims 4 saves?
No. The launcher may install, update, repair, or synchronize game services, but it does not create a complete backup of your Sims 4 saves, Mods, custom content, or Tray files. Legacy Origin, the EA App, Steam, and Epic still rely on the user folder under Documents for this data.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Cloud synchronization of a Documents folder can also create conflicts if the game is open on more than one computer. Treat a closed-game copy in a dedicated backup location as your recovery source instead of assuming that launcher installation files contain your personal data.
How is console backup different?
PlayStation and Xbox versions do not support Sims 4 mods or custom content, so console players need only protect save data. The PC/Mac procedure for copying Mods, checking script versions, and re-enabling custom content does not apply.
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Use the console platform’s own cloud-save or external-drive tools and verify the current subscription terms in the console account settings. Cloud-save capacity and pricing can change, and a console save backup cannot preserve a PC custom-content library.
Why is a pre-update backup important?
Outdated or conflicting mods can damage a save while the game is still playable. The Sims Team cautions that, in some cases, an outdated mod can cause “unfixable problems” for a save, and its update guide specifically warns against saving while mods are off.
Electronic Arts’ 27 October 2026 notes reported more than 150 bug fixes and 14 crash or stability improvements, while also saying that many top crash reports remained closely linked to outdated or conflicting mod files. The same update changed restaurant-table footprints, especially for tables placed with Move Objects, and noted that saves rescued from an endless white loading screen might need lot details rebuilt. A pre-patch copy of both Saves and Tray gives you a way back if those changes affect a household or lot.
There is no published official percentage showing how often players lose saves after a patch. The practical safeguard is simple: keep a dated copy before the launcher updates, and keep playing only after the first vanilla launch and mod-compatibility checks are complete.
How we picked the backup routine
This procedure follows the official Sims 4 user-folder location and copy method, then adds the lowest-risk community practices for modded games: preserve the whole folder, maintain a dated off-disk copy, remove Mods for the first patched launch, clear the cache, never save while content is disabled, and reintroduce scripts in controlled batches. The choices prioritize recoverability, protection of both progress and custom content, and clear separation between game files and user files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I back up Sims 4 saves while the game is running?
Close the game first. Files can change during play or while the game is writing an automatic save, so a live copy may contain mismatched or incomplete data.
How much free space should I leave before copying a large Mods folder?
Leave room for the complete copy plus future dated snapshots. EA Forums Sims Helpers advises keeping at least 25–30 GB free on a Windows system drive, while a very large custom-content library may require an external drive with substantially more capacity.
What happens if I save after the patch with mods disabled?
The save can lose mod-provided objects, traits, and configuration data. Keep the pre-patch backup, exit without saving, and restore compatible mods before making a normal gameplay save.
Can I use the same backup on a different computer?
Yes. Install the same game edition and copy the backed-up user folder into that computer’s Documents/Electronic Arts location after closing the game. Recheck mod versions and file paths because a transfer does not make incompatible scripts safe.
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