itsaprilXD has written this brilliant tutorial on how to install mods on a Mac for The Sims 3. She did post it over on the official forums but sadly EA kept deleting it. You can also find it over on her Tumblr page – ministryofsims.tumblr.com (for help on installing Mods in The Sims 4, please read her great guide here).
In itsaprilXD’s own words:
ModTheSims & SimsWiki have a wonderful guide on how to do it, but I feel like it’s a bit too basic, and this is why I’m going to try and include as much detail as I can without making it too messy and too hard to read. Now let’s get on to the guide:
Prior to Patch 1.12, the location of the Mods and Packages folder was rather confusing. The original path of where you needed to go every time you wanted to add a new piece of .package custom content (hereby known as CC) was:
– Applications/The Sims 3/The Sims 3.app (by showing package contents)/Contents/Resources/transgaming/c_drive/Program Files/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/.
As you can see, that is a rather long path, but, we no longer need to put our Mods folder in there.
IF YOU CURRENTLY HAVE YOUR MODS FOLDER THERE, YOU NEED TO REMOVE IT. IT NO LONGER WORKS (obviously).
Currently, the place you need to create a Mods folder is:
Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/ and here you create your Mods folder.
Now we will get on to the actual installing of mods.
Any. package file you have downloaded will go in a folder called ‘Mods’. This folder will not be there to start with, as you have to create it yourself.
If you go to the above path (Doc/EA/TS3/) you can create your folder. Make sure you use the correct capital/non-capital casing for the letters!
Now, if you were to put a package file inside the Mods folder, it wouldn’t show up in the game and you’d be sat there wondering what you did wrong. For all .packages to show up in game, you need a file called ‘resource.cfg’.
This can be downloaded from here:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/ipznv0lpp3jz17j/Resource.cfg.zip (if that file doesn’t work you can download the Framework .zip from here and just use the resource.cfg file – BluebellFlora).
Once downloaded, place this inside the Mods folder.
So far, it should look like this (ignoring my other random folders in my documents folder):
![Mods folder [1]](https://bluebellflora.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mods-folder-1.png)
Now that we have that set up, we can now create another folder called ‘Packages’, (again the correct casing for the letters). Just place this folder inside the Mods folder so it looks like this:
![Mods & Packages [2]](https://bluebellflora.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mods-packages-2.png)
As you can see, I have multiple files and folders inside my Packages folder. I just choose to categorise my package files in this way, so I don’t have hundreds of files that could do any number of things.
Now that you have that set up, the best way to check if your Mods will work is to use the ‘No Intro’ package. This just skips the intro with all the happy families that everyone skips anyway…
This can be downloaded here (http://www.mediafire.com/download/hwv1om91zb0351p/nointro.package)
If your intro didn’t play and it went straight from the Maxis intro to the loading screen, then congratulations!
If not, well my only advice will be to re-read all of the above and make sure you followed the steps correctly.
Now that you have (hopefully) got a working Mods folder, you might need some actual mods to improve the game. These are all mods that I use in game, so I highly recommend them.
1. NoIntro mod.
- Download: http://modthesims.info/d/342922
Account is needed for the MTS download.
2. NoBuildSparkles mod.
- Download: http://modthesims.info/d/343257
Account is needed for the MTS download.
3. NoCD mod. This is useful if you have trouble with the Disk Authorisation Error message at the menu screen.
These three mods do not need to be updated with each patch. The majority of mods need to be updated with each patch. Be sure to check the original source of each mod you download after each patch has been released/updated, so you can download one that will work for the patch level you are running.
4. Overwatch. It is useful in reducing lag as it removes built up NPC/Townie mess on a regular basis.
As always, I hope this guide was helpful in showing you how to use mods!
Any other questions can be posted on my The Sims 3 page (itsaprilXD) or at my tumblr, (ministryofsims.tumblr.com).
*Update January 2014*
Sadly Twallan has announced that he is no longer modding for The Sims 3 so the 1.63 patch is the last one he has worked on with regards to his mods. With this in mind it would be a good idea to download and save the 1.63 super patch onto your Mac so if you need to uninstall and reinstall in the future you have the patch ready to go and your game will still be compatible with your mods. Here are the links to the Mac 1.63 super patch:
Region 1 (US) – http://llnet.thesims.cdn.ea.com/sims/u/f/sims3/mac/To-9355-1.63.5.024001.tgz
Region 2 (worldwide) – http://llnet.thesims.cdn.ea.com/sims/u/f/sims3/mac/To-9355-1.63.5.024002.tgz
Region 3 (Asia-Pacific) – http://llnet.thesims.cdn.ea.com/sims/u/f/sims3/mac/To-9355-1.63.5.024003.tgz
Region 5 (Japan) – http://llnet.thesims.cdn.ea.com/sims/u/f/sims3/mac/To-9355-1.63.5.024005.tgz
Digital Download – http://llnet.thesims.cdn.ea.com/sims/u/f/sims3/mac/To-9355-1.63.5.024017.tgz
Bluebellflora 
I have followed this to the T but it still hasn’t worked please help me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know why it isn’t working…
It’s possible it could be the resource.cfg file (they’re known to have problems), but Bluebellflora posted an alternative link I believe, so you could try that one.
If you only use the mods listed (from memory it was just the nointro and nobuildsparkles), you should notice if they work or not (specifically with the missing intro – you should still see the Maxis logo, since there are two versions of that mod).
Other than that, I have no clue as to why it wouldn’t be working for some people.
Are you sure your game is updated to the most current patch? And what expansions and stuff packs do you have installed?
LikeLike
Hey April i have an issue. I downloaded the nraas (or whatever it was) unlimited sims one and I’m really confused! I am on the latest version btw. But it isn’t working!!! I am not doing anything wrong though because the no intro thing works so I’m really confuzzled! Are there either any later versions or AM I doing something wrong???!?!
LikeLike
is there any way someone could help me personally. I’ve gone trough the instructions and done as listed a million times and I still can’t get mods to work on my mac. 😦 please help!!
LikeLike
You must be doing something wrong, these instructions are crystal clear and the Resource.cfg file works. Just keep trying and follow the instructions very carefully, trying one mod at a time.
LikeLike
same, this broke my game and now i cant download custom content or fix it!!
LikeLike
I have followed this step by step as well as including others and still can’t get any results please contact and help me.
LikeLike
– Move your Sims 3 folder (Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3) out onto your desktop.
– Load the game then quit. Don’t save. This will have created a new, vanilla, Sims 3 folder.
– Follow the Mods instructions again.
What happens?
LikeLike
What do you mean by load the game? Actually make a sim?
LikeLike
She probably means just get to the main menu.
LikeLike
I can get it to work, but the only problem is that some mods crash the game when I make a new world.
LikeLike
Were you only using the mods listed?
If not, make sure that you have the updated ones in your game (a lot of mods do get updated with each patch, so you need to go and replace them with every patch).
LikeLike
I cant get it to work too.. I tried this over and over and it still wont work.
The thing is that my sims 3 folder does not have any of the DCBackup DCCache…etc but only Custom Music, Installed World, Library and Saves.
Also, when I open the game they ask me to update but whenever I click update they would say that there are no patches available for download.. Mine is 1.0.631.00001 version.. Please help 😦
LikeLike
Have you tried patching manually? http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/549552/official-ea-download-links-for-the-sims-3-cumulative-manual-update#latest
LikeLike
You’ll need to patch… just follow the link that Bluebell posted before if you haven’t yet.
LikeLike
This isn’t working for me either?
Is there different instructions if you are using a downloaded version off torrents?
LikeLike
I highly doubt it, but it is possible, since from memory the cracked versions require you to replace files in the game directory.
LikeLike
I had some mods work for me, but a lot of them don’t. Why?
LikeLike
That is a good question! I’ve had it happen a few times to me before too.
I generally just take note of which ones aren’t working, remove those from the mods folder, and download fresh ones.
If that doesn’t work for you, I would suggest checking the patch notes for the particular mods. Some haven’t been updated for months or even years, so there could be teeny tiny things that will make the mod not work…
LikeLike
That is a good question! I’ve had it happen a few times to me before too.
I generally just take note of which ones aren’t working, remove those from the mods folder, and download fresh ones.
If that doesn’t work for you, I would suggest checking the patch notes for the particular mods. Some haven’t been updated for months or even years, so there could be teeny tiny things that will make the mod not work…
LikeLike
Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this tutorial. Simplest guide I have ever read on how to get mods, especially because the rar website pointed to the arrow button on my mac toolbar >.>
LikeLike
I can’t tell if that’s sarcasm or not LOL!
Sorry!
If it isn’t, then thank you. That was what I was hoping for.
Although, I’m not entirely sure what you mean by the arrow. Did you mean the mediafire one that tells you where it will appear in your download bar?
LikeLike
Thank you so much for all of the helpful information! I just have one quick question, as I have never actually used mods in my game before.
I just did a complete uninstall/reinstall using the guide in this blog (another lifesaver!), and so my game is patched up to 1.67. I keep getting the stupid disc issue (I upgraded to Yosemite so I kind of expected issues), and so I want to use the NoCD mod. Should I be all right since I’m patched to 1.67, or should I use the 1.63 super patch instead?
Thank you again for all of the information 🙂
LikeLike
I believe the NoCD mod is to patch level 1.67? It will say on the NRaas page 🙂
LikeLike
So it is! Next time I should just read 😉
LikeLike
Does this method still work? Just wanted to make sure before I try it. 🙂
LikeLike
Yep!
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLike
It works great, I couldn’t be happier!
Been contemplating different websites and videos, and I’m glad I found yours! Thanks again so much!
LikeLike
Thank itsaprilXD, she wrote the guide 😀 It’s only because EA kept deleting it on the official forums that it’s here!
LikeLike
Well I give her my heartfelt appreciation 😀
LikeLike
I’m glad there’s people who are getting it to work!
The game can be tricky sometimes, and I’ve had my own fair share of my mods/game not working.
For those who still can’t get it to work, all I can suggest is that you go back and read the comments that Bluebell and I have left. Most of the them should be helpful in getting it to work.
(If you have any further questions about this, I’m active on my tumblr, so feel free to send me a message – it’s linked at the bottom of the guide I believe).
LikeLike
The link is at the top of the article, first paragraph. The guide is perfect and so easy to use and all the files linked to work 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks! It worked brilliant for me!! 🙂
LikeLike
Do all .package files have to be put in the packages folder?
LikeLike
Hi! I’ve had cc before but I from my old pc and it broke down but now I’n using my sisters macbook pro and she’s still skeptical about me even playing the game and the possibility it may ruin her laptop. So I’m very scared to download this resource.cfg but if it works and no viruses or any other risks to the computer then can someone reassure me? I don’t want anything bad to happen !D: ( But i really want ccs)
LikeLike
how do you download the 1.63 super patch into the game
LikeLike
double click it after downloading it.
LikeLike
Hello, I did all of the steps and the no introMod is working.. however, every other mod i download and put in there, doesn’t… Can anyone help me?
LikeLike
Omg k i didn’t think this would actually work, and i was trying to fix my sims on my mac for months, and this worked! thank you so much u don’t even know how much time i spent on trying to fix this! ❤
LikeLike
Does this work on Sims 3 Medieval as well?
LikeLike
No,its a completely new game.
LikeLike
I did exactly everything right,i re-read it so many times…But none of them work!Even the nointro one,i downloaded a bunch and every single one is on the Packages file,but still,no success.
LikeLike
Do i need to unzip the files before putting them into the folders?? I have done this before to use mods but had to reinstall my whole game and now I’m spoiled and hate playing without them. please help!
LikeLike
Yes. You place the .package files in the Mods folder. I’ve written a further guide to extracting the files here – https://bluebellflora.com/2017/07/16/extracting-sims-4-cc-zip-files-for-mac-including-7z-and-rar-files/
LikeLike
Hey- I wasn’t really sure where to put this but I was wondering if you knew would downloading sims 3 on an external hard drive be possible? Im on a Mac that is compatible with 64 bit sims 3. I followed your guide to add sims 4 to my external and it works great but id like to also have sims 3 again!
LikeLike
Yes, changing the game library location in Origin affects all downloaded games.
LikeLike