When someone shares a Sims 4 house with you, they’ll usually give you a .zip file that contains multiple Tray files. These files must be placed in the correct folder for the game to recognize them in your Library.

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Step-by-Step: Install a House from Tray Files

1. Download and extract the files

• Download the .zip or .rar file.

• Use a tool like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or The Unarchiver (Mac) to extract it.

• Inside, you should see several files with extensions like:

  • .blueprint
  • .bpi
  • .trayitem

These are your Tray files — they represent the lot structure, metadata, and images.

❗ Ignore .package files for now — those are custom content and must go in a different folder.

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2. Move Tray files into your Tray folder

Copy or move all the extracted .blueprint, .bpi, and .trayitem files into:

Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Tray

You can overwrite existing files safely if you’re reinstalling something. The game won't crash — it’ll just update the lot in your library.

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3. (Optional) Install Custom Content (CC)

If the house includes CC (.package files), do this:

• Place all .package files into:

  Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods
  

• Make sure Mods and CC are enabled in the game settings:

  • Go to Options > Game Options > Other

  • Check both:

    • ✅ “Enable Custom Content and Mods”
    • ✅ “Script Mods Allowed” (if needed)

  • Restart the game after enabling

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4. Launch the game and find the lot

• Open The Sims 4

• Click the Gallery (F4), then My Library

• If the house doesn’t appear, click the ⚙️ filter icon and enable:

  • ✅ “Include Custom Content” (if applicable)

• Look for the lot by name or thumbnail

• Place it into the world via Build/Buy Mode

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Troubleshooting

• Lot doesn’t appear: Make sure all Tray files were copied correctly and that filters are off.
• Game crashes: A bad .package file might be to blame — test without Mods first.
• Missing items: The house may have CC that you didn’t install. Try to find and install those .package files.