The creator of the DLC Unlocker has officially quit, but the Unlocker tool has been updated and works as of this writing (as to whether it will remain that way, we don't know).
Choose between the SIMPLIFIED GUIDE (shorter, no images) and the DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS (complete step-by-step guide with visuals).
Before You Start
Above guide didn't help? try the detailed instructions below.
______________________________________________________________
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS:
This is a guide on how to unlock DLCs for the legit base game. Make sure your computer's operating system is at least Windows 8 or later and only 64-bit as this will not work otherwise. Note that installing DLCs this way only unlocks the DLCs. You do not actually own them.
SIMPLIFIED GUIDE:
Before You Start
Make sure you are using a 64-bit Windows system (Windows 8 or newer) and have a file extractor such as 7-Zip or WinRAR. You will also need the new DLC Unlocker tool to activate the packs.
Part 1: Download and Place the DLC Files
1. Choose the DLC you want to install from the SimsHub website.
Open the download page for the pack you want.
2. Generate the download link.
Press and hold the “Generate Link” button for a second to reduce pop-ups. Wait for the system to create the download link.
3. Download the file.
Save the DLC archive to your computer.
4. Extract the downloaded archive.
Unzip the file. The folder that contains the pack files (usually named after the DLC) is the one you will use.
5. Find your Sims 4 installation folder.
Open the main game installation directory on your computer. This is where the base game is installed—not the Mods folder.
6. Move the DLC into the game folder.
Copy the entire extracted DLC folder into The Sims 4 installation directory. The files are now in place but must be activated.
Part 2: Activate the DLC Using the Unlocker
1. Open the DLC Unlocker folder.
Locate the tool and run the setup file. A command-style window will appear.
2. Install the Unlocker.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install it. Approve any system permissions.
3. Select The Sims 4.
When prompted to choose a game, select The Sims 4 and let the tool complete the setup.
4. Launch the game.
Once the Unlocker confirms successful installation, start the game. The DLC should now appear as available. If not, repeat the Unlocker steps.
Troubleshooting Tips
- If a pack shows as “Not Owned,” fully close both the game and the launcher, then run the Unlocker setup again.
- Every time you add new DLCs, re-run the Unlocker so the new content is recognized.
- Make sure extracted folders are placed directly inside the main game directory and not inside additional subfolders.
______________________________________________________________
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS:
This is a guide on how to unlock DLCs for the legit base game. Make sure your computer's operating system is at least Windows 8 or later and only 64-bit as this will not work otherwise. Note that installing DLCs this way only unlocks the DLCs. You do not actually own them.
YOU WILL NEED:
1) A FILE ARCHIVER like 7zip, Winzip, Winrar, etc. if your computer is old or does not have its own file archiver. If you're not familiar with unzipping, you may follow this guide.
2) The new DLC UNLOCKER (download link in PART TWO)
This guide is divided into 2 parts:
This guide is divided into 2 parts:
PART ONE (DLC installation process) and PART TWO (DLC Unlocker Setup process)
PART ONE:
1) First, you need to download the DLC you want from The Sims Hub. If you downloaded the DLCs from other sites, we cannot guarantee it will work with the new DLC Unlocker.
2) Search and select the DLC you want from the website and click to open the DLC article. At the bottom of the article, you will see "UNLOCK IT FOR FREE!". Click on it and it will open the download page. Just scroll or search for the DLC that you like from there and click on the DLC name you want to download.
3) On the download page, press and hold the GENERATE LINK button for 1–2 seconds. This helps stop pop-ups, but close any that still appear. After that, the site will start creating your download link, so just give it a moment.
3) On the download page, press and hold the GENERATE LINK button for 1–2 seconds. This helps stop pop-ups, but close any that still appear. After that, the site will start creating your download link, so just give it a moment.
4) You will now see a DOWNLOAD button. Click on it, save it on your downloads folder for now and wait for the download to finish.
5) Once the DLC is downloaded, open your downloads folder, right click on the DLC file, and then unzip it.
6) After unzipping, open the unzipped file and check if it has a subfolder that has the same name. If it has one, then the subfolder is what you need to put in your game installation folder. You can discard the zipped file to save hard drive space, or you can save it on a usb or external hard drive so you won't have to download them again in case you uninstall your game or format your computer and need to reinstall it.
7) Open your game installation folder. Your game installation folder is where your base game is installed. Usually, you can find it in this location (unless you changed it):
This PC/Local Disk C/Program Files/EA Games/The Sims 4
This Sims 4 folder is different from the folder where you install mods, so don't confuse the two.
Just in case you can't locate where your game installation folder is, you can check it on the EA App. Just click on the hamburger menu (3 horizontal lines) at the upper left side of the EA App, then select Settings and then select the Download tab. There you will see the Install Location. Locate that folder in your computer and open the The Sims 4 folder under it.
If you only have the base game, the files boxed in yellow here are the only files you will see there, and this is what it looks like when you have all the DLCs installed (this screenshot includes up to Castle Estate and Goth Galore kit release):
7) Open your game installation folder. Your game installation folder is where your base game is installed. Usually, you can find it in this location (unless you changed it):
This PC/Local Disk C/Program Files/EA Games/The Sims 4
This Sims 4 folder is different from the folder where you install mods, so don't confuse the two.
Just in case you can't locate where your game installation folder is, you can check it on the EA App. Just click on the hamburger menu (3 horizontal lines) at the upper left side of the EA App, then select Settings and then select the Download tab. There you will see the Install Location. Locate that folder in your computer and open the The Sims 4 folder under it.
8) Copy the DLC file you just unzipped and paste it inside your game installation folder. You have now installed the DLC at this point, but don't run your game yet because you still need to setup the DLC Unlocker.
PART TWO:
PART TWO:
1) Download the new DLC Unlocker and unzip it. If your copy of the DLC Unlocker is from before November 20, 2025, it's old and may not work for the new packs released after said date. Delete it and redownload this version instead.
Once you have unzipped it, open the unzipped folder and look for the "setup" file. Double-click on it.
2) You will now see a window that looks like a Windows command prompt. Because of that, you will not be able to use your mouse, so you will have to use your keyboards to enter the alpha-numeric values for each step in the setup.
4) If you get a prompt asking you if "you want to allow this app to make changes to your device", click on "Yes".
Pay attention to the status of the installation. If you see them in green texts, then it was a success. If you see them in red, you just have to repeat the DLC Unlocker setup process (PART TWO).
5) Now on your number keypad, select the number 2 then press ENTER key.
6) Type the number 1 to select the The Sims 4 and then press ENTER key.
7) If the status are all green, then it was a success. You can now quit by pressing on the letter q on your keyboard and then press ENTER key.
6) Type the number 1 to select the The Sims 4 and then press ENTER key.
The setup window will disappear after that. You can now launch The Sims 4 and see if the DLC appears on your home screen. If not, just repeat the DLC Unlocker setup process (PART TWO).
The DLC Unlocker functions as a repair tool as well, so use it whenever you have issues with your game.
Do the same process when a new DLC is released, or when you want to add a DLC you haven't added.
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS:
If you have questions or need help, just comment down and I will try my best to assist you when I can.
Looking for the Sims 4 Updater? Download here.
The DLC Unlocker functions as a repair tool as well, so use it whenever you have issues with your game.
Do the same process when a new DLC is released, or when you want to add a DLC you haven't added.
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS:
1. If your packs are showing as "Not Owned" especially the recently released ones (from Garden to Table onwards), exit your game and your launcher (EA App/Steam) and make sure it's not running in the background (end task in Task Manager), then try uninstalling and reinstalling the DLCs using the new DLC Unlocker. Run your game and the DLCs should now appear as "Owned".
If that doesn't work, you may have leftover files from the old DLC Unlocker. To fix it, completely remove any remaining configuration folders:
If that doesn't work, you may have leftover files from the old DLC Unlocker. To fix it, completely remove any remaining configuration folders:
C:\Users\...\AppData\Roaming\anadius
C:\Users\...\AppData\Local\anadius
After deleting these folders, run the new DLC Unlocker again and confirm that no files are detected (the red line should be clear). Once verified, run your game and the packs should now appear as "Owned".
If the packs are still showing as "Not Owned" after having done the above steps, redownload and reinstall the DLC Unlocker as your copy may already be old or corrupted.
If the packs are still showing as "Not Owned" after having done the above steps, redownload and reinstall the DLC Unlocker as your copy may already be old or corrupted.
2. If all items from add-ons appear as “Debugging” in-game
This usually means the language file for your selected game language is missing. Without the proper language data, the game cannot load object names and marks them as debug.
Download the full language archive for all DLC (version 1.120) and place it in your main game folder. This should restore the correct names and resolve the debug issue.
If you have questions or need help, just comment down and I will try my best to assist you when I can.
Looking for the Sims 4 Updater? Download here.
Links not working/updated?
Leave a comment below and we'll fix it!
Do you like what I do?
Leave a comment below and we'll fix it!
Do you like what I do?
Click HERE to support me! Thank you! 💖
32 Comments
THANK YOU SO MUCH SIMS HAS BEEN A GAME I HAVE PLAYED SINCE I WAS YOUNG AND I'VE BEEN WANTING THESE PACKS SINCE I WAS YOUNG AND THEY WHERE SUPER EXPENSIVE THANK YOUUUUU.
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome! I'm really glad this brought back something special for you. The Sims is such a big part of so many of our childhoods — happy Simming! 💚
DeleteHello!! lately i've been struggling to get my Dine out pack once I downloaded City Living and Cats and dogs. I tried restarting my game and reinstalling dine out several times, and it's still not working i've been lookings at my mods and its all updated and I don't know what to do.
ReplyDeleteHi! So Sorry to hear you're going through that. Did you download the Dine Out pack from here?
DeleteIt says i have the packs, but I cant install them
ReplyDeleteHello! Where did you download the packs from?
DeleteHi so if i have done all these steps , i dont have to play offfline or i will have to always play offline ?
ReplyDeleteIf you downloaded the base game from EA/Steam, you can play online or offline. As a precaution though, best to play offline unless you need to use the gallery.
Deletedo you perhaps also have a link for the sims 4 updater ?? I've made so many researches and still can't find anything at all about that! BUT thanks for sharing the dlc downloader with us by the way !!
ReplyDeleteHello! I updated this post to include the download link for the updater (found at the bottom). Thanks for dropping by and for appreciating this post! 😊
DeleteHello, EA DLC Unlocker has become invalid, and my DLC cannot be unlocked. Is there an update available
ReplyDelete
Hi! Yes, you need to download the new DLC Unlocker (found in PART TWO of the above instructions).
Deletehi im trying to download a new pack but its highlighted red so i dont know how to install it, i have it ticked but it didnt do anything
ReplyDeleteHello! Do you have the legit base game? Where did you download the packs from? Are you using the unlocker or the updater? The updater is now obsolete, and I am not sure if there's one that works. As for the unlocker which is what's featured here, there is a new version (see PART TWO of above instructions), so if you're using the old one from before November 20, 2025, it may no longer work. If you downloaded the packs from elsewhere, I am not sure if they're compatible with this new unlocker, thus, cannot guarantee they will work.
Deletewait so are the spongebob new things up here? and if not would the unlocker work if i have them downloaded from another site?
ReplyDeleteHi! Yes, the Spongebob DLCs are now available and have been tested to be working with the new DLC Unlocker. If the unlocker that you have is from before November 20, 2025, I'm afraid it will not work for the new DLCs. The unlocker has been updated to be compatible with new releases, so it is best to delete the old one and replace it with this new version.
DeleteIDk if im dumb but Prairie Dreams doesnt seem to work tried all the above
ReplyDeleteIt works on my end. You probably have the old DLC Unlocker. Try redownloading and reinstalling it.
DeleteSOME OF THEM HAVE INSTALLER FOLDERS I DIDNT USE IT WILL IT MESS IT UP
ReplyDeleteCorrect. For anyone finding installer folders, don't use them. Follow the instructions here instead.
DeleteStill not working used the new "unlocker" and everything.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that. You didn't specify the type of issue you are having. I am assuming the packs you installed are showing as "Not Owned" as it is the most common issue with the unlocker. If that is the case, kindly check the following:
Delete1) Are you using a 64-bit Windows system (Windows 8 or newer)?
2) Do you have the legit base game?
3) Did you download the packs from here ?
4) Did you download the December 12 version of the DLC Unlocker?
5) Did you remove any remaining configuration folders before using the new DLC Unlocker?
Hope the above questions help you troubleshoot and fix your issue. Good luck!
Hello, I cant find a comment with a similar issue yet.
ReplyDeleteFollowed all the above steps, and I've downloaded the newer kits. All download and installed okay, however in the Pack selection menu, they are showing as installed but the titles are faded and a message says "This pack is not available" when I hover over the selection square.
I've tried closing down steam, re-doing the install and update config options, reopened steam and the game, but still having the same issue. Any ideas?
Sul Sul! Thank you for your detailed explanation of your issue as it gives me an idea on what may have caused it and how to address it. Having said that, please try the fixes here that you haven't done yet. Let me know how it went. Good luck!
Deletehey thank you!! but do you know how this works with linux? i use the lutris launcher for sims 4 (on
ReplyDeletemanjaro linux) the dlc unlocker seems to work but in the game itself nothing changed and i still dont have the three new packs
Sul sul! The original DLC Unlocker was compatible with Linux, however, since the creator has abandoned it but gave away all the tools needed to update/upgrade it, someone else took over, but unfortunately, it only works on Windows for now. I hope they make one for Linux, too, soon.
Deletehi, the expansion packs showed up in my game, but the kits and stuff packs dont. i tried running the setup again, deleted and installed the dlc unlocker again (without ea running in the background), but they still arent showing up. do you have any tips for this? :,( im on windows 11 if that matters haha
ReplyDeleteSul Sul! Please check the following:
Delete1) Do you have the legit base game?
2) Did you download the packs from here?
3) Did you use the December 12 version of the DLC Unlocker?
4) Did you remove any remaining configuration folders before using the new DLC Unlocker?
Hope the above questions help you troubleshoot and fix your issue. Dag dag!
hi again, i sent the comment about only the expansion packs working, but it appears that they dont work either :D the expansion packs show owned in sims 4, but say something like "install to use". they dont show up as owned in ea when i try to manage add ons, so i cannot install them. the kits or stuff packs still arent showing up anywhere
ReplyDeleteHello! Did you install the packs in the correct location?
DeleteHi! I wanted to ask if anyone else seems to have this problem but I downloaded the new dlc unlocker since anadius retired. But I kept the dlc from the old unlocker and just transferred it to the new one. (If that makes sense, sorry english isn't my first language.) Do I need to download the DLC from this website specifically? Because all the content from the packs while downloaded shows up visual glitchy. Thank you for making this possible though, much respect!
ReplyDeleteSul Sul! As a fellow non-native English speaker, I believe I understand what you’re describing. Did you download the packs from SimsHub? If so, I recommend using the newer DLC Unlocker for better compatibility.
DeleteIf the packs were downloaded from a different source, it’s still worth switching to the latest DLC Unlocker, especially since you’re experiencing visual issues with the older version.