Should you update The Sims 4 before your mods are updated? Players with a heavily modded game may be better waiting until their essential mod creators confirm compatibility, particularly when a major patch changes gameplay systems, menus or the user interface.
The July 21 update adds new base-game features, including AutoSave and customisable save reminders, alongside performance improvements and bug fixes. However, installing the update before preparing your Mods folder could leave script mods, custom content or existing saves temporarily unusable.
You do not necessarily need to avoid every Sims 4 update. The important thing is understanding what happens to mods after a patch and protecting your game before allowing the update to install.
Should You Update The Sims 4 Immediately?
Should you update The Sims 4 immediately? That depends on whether you use mods and how important those mods are to your current save.
Players who do not use mods or custom content can normally install the July 21 update when it becomes available. Console players can also update without worrying about community-created mods because The Sims 4 does not support traditional PC and Mac mods on consoles.
Players using script mods, gameplay overhauls, custom careers, traits, relationship systems or user-interface changes should be more cautious. These types of mods interact directly with the game’s code and are more likely to need an update after a patch.
You may want to delay the update when:
- Your current save relies on several script mods
- You cannot play the household properly without those mods
- Important mod creators have not confirmed compatibility
- You have not backed up your Sims 4 folder
- You are currently completing a challenge or story that relies on custom features
- You do not have time to test the game properly after updating
You can update immediately when you are happy to play without mods temporarily or when the creators of your essential mods have confirmed that their current versions remain compatible.
Should You Update The Sims 4 With Mods Installed?
Should you update The Sims 4 with mods still inside the Mods folder? The update itself does not normally delete the folder, but leaving everything installed makes it easier to accidentally re-enable an outdated file and load an important save.
Before updating, open:
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4
Move the entire Mods folder to a safe temporary location, such as a clearly labelled folder on your desktop.
Do not permanently delete your files. Many mods and pieces of custom content may remain compatible, while others may receive replacements shortly after the patch.
Moving the Mods folder gives you a clean starting point and prevents an outdated script file from being loaded while you test the updated game.
Back Up The Sims 4 Before Installing the Update
Before deciding should you update The Sims 4, create a complete backup of your user folder.
Copy:
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4
Store the copied folder somewhere outside the Electronic Arts directory. Give it a clear name such as:
The Sims 4 Backup Before July 21 Update
Backing up only the Mods folder is not enough. The complete Sims 4 folder contains:
- Your saved games
- Previous save versions
- Households and lots stored in Tray
- Mods and custom content
- Screenshots
- Recorded videos
- Game settings
Make sure the backup has finished copying before you install the patch. Open the copied folder and check that its saves, Tray and Mods folders contain files.
A synchronised OneDrive folder should not be treated as your only backup. Syncing can copy unwanted changes or remove files from connected devices. Keep a separate, untouched copy until the game and your mods are working normally.
Should You Update The Sims 4 Before Mod Creators Confirm Compatibility?
Should you update The Sims 4 before mod creators confirm compatibility? You can, but you should expect to play without unconfirmed mods.
After a game update, EA disables mods and custom content to reduce the chance of incompatible files causing immediate problems. This does not confirm that every mod is broken. It means the game will initially launch without loading those files.
Do not simply enable both mod settings again and open your main household.
First, check the official page belonging to each important mod creator. Look for a clear status such as:
| Mod status | What you should do |
|---|---|
| Compatible | Continue using the current version |
| Updated | Remove the old version and install the replacement |
| Broken | Keep the mod out of your game |
| Testing | Wait for confirmation |
| Obsolete | Remove the mod and read the creator’s explanation |
A working download link is not proof that a mod is compatible. Check the date and wording of the creator’s latest announcement.
Can You Test the Update Without Your Mods?
Yes. After installing the update, keep the Mods folder outside the game and launch The Sims 4 normally.
Create a new test save or open the main menu without loading your important household. Check that the game starts, reaches Live Mode and responds normally.
EA recommends briefly testing the game without mods and then exiting without saving. Saving an established household while mods and custom content are disabled can remove modded traits, clothing, hairstyles, objects or other custom information from that version of the save.
This is especially important when your Sims use custom content. A household loaded without CC may appear with missing hair, clothing or furniture. Exit without saving and restore the Mods folder only after its contents have been checked.
Should You Play The Sims 4 Before Mods Are Updated?
Should you update The Sims 4 and continue playing before your mods are updated? Yes, but only when you are comfortable playing without those mods and you protect the original save first.
The safest options are:
- Start a temporary vanilla save
- Use a copied version of your existing save
- Avoid saving over a household that relies on mods
- Keep the pre-update backup untouched
- Wait before continuing an important modded storyline
Do not continue using a confirmed broken mod simply because the game appears to launch. Some mod problems do not become visible immediately. An outdated mod may affect relationships, careers, inventories, menus or save data later in the session.
Playing without mods is safer than playing with files that their creators have declared broken.
How to Add Mods Back After Updating
When compatible or updated versions become available, return your mods gradually.
Start with major script, gameplay and user-interface mods. These have a greater chance of affecting loading, menus and core gameplay.
For every updated mod:
- Remove the complete old version.
- Read the new installation instructions.
- Install any required dependencies.
- Check for duplicate files.
- Delete localthumbcache.package.
- Test the mod in a temporary save.
- Confirm its main features work before adding more.
Do not place a new download over an old folder and assume every outdated file has been replaced. Mod creators sometimes rename, divide or remove files between versions.
Adding mods in small groups makes faults much easier to identify. Returning thousands of files at once leaves you with no clear way to tell which one caused an error.
What Happens If You Update With Broken Mods?
When deciding should you update The Sims 4, remember that installing the game update is not usually the dangerous part. The risk comes from loading and saving an important household with incompatible mods enabled.
Broken mods can cause:
- Missing or unresponsive menus
- Sims becoming stuck
- Households returning to the world screen
- Endless loading
- Missing interactions
- Incorrect traits or relationships
- Build and Create a Sim errors
- LastException files
- Crashes during startup
- Problems saving the game
Remove the affected mod, delete localthumbcache.package and test again. Do not repeatedly load and save the same household while diagnosing the problem.
Should You Update The Sims 4? Or Should You Wait Before Installing the July 21 Update?
Should you update The Sims 4 on July 21 or wait? Players who rely heavily on mods may find it easier to wait until their essential creators publish compatibility information.
Players who want the new features immediately can update, keep mods disabled and use a temporary save while testing continues.
The safest approach is straightforward:
- Back up the complete Sims 4 folder
- Move the Mods folder before updating
- Install the July 21 update
- Test the game without mods
- Exit without saving your main household
- Check creator compatibility reports
- Install fresh mod versions gradually
- Delete localthumbcache.package between major changes
Ultimately, should you update The Sims 4 before mods are updated? You can safely install the patch as long as you prepare first and do not load an important save with untested files. Waiting is sensible when your household depends on complicated mods, but a proper backup and a clean test save allow you to explore the update without putting your main game at risk.
