Oxygen - Not Included How To Install Mods Manually
To manually install mods for Oxygen Not Included (ONI), you must place the mod files into a specific "local" folder within your game data directory. This process is the same whether you use the Steam or Epic Games Store version of the game. 1. Locate the Manual Mod Folder
Mods are stored in your User Documents, not the game's installation folder. Navigate to the path for your operating system: Windows: \Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\local\
Mac OS: /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/mods/Local/
Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/mods/Local/
Note: If the local folder does not exist inside the mods folder, you must create it manually. 2. Download and Extract the Mod
Download your desired mod (usually as a .zip file) from a source like GitHub or Nexus Mods.
Extract the zip file. You should see a folder containing files like mod.yaml, mod_info.yaml, or various .dll files.
Place the extracted folder into the local directory discovered in Step 1. 3. Verify Folder Structure (Crucial)
A common mistake is "double-nesting" the folder, which prevents the game from seeing the mod. Your final path should look like this:.../mods/local/[ModName]/mod.yaml
If you see .../mods/local/[ModName]/[ModName]/mod.yaml, the mod will not load. 4. Enable the Mod In-Game Launch Oxygen Not Included. On the main menu, click the Mods button.
Look for your mod in the list. Local mods are often marked with a "local" or "dev" tag. Check the box to Enable it. Restart the game for the changes to take effect. Troubleshooting
Installing mods manually in Oxygen Not Included (ONI) is a straightforward process that involves placing mod files into a specific "local" directory. This is useful for players using the Epic Games Store or those who prefer downloading mods from GitHub or third-party workshop downloaders. 1. Locate the "Local" Mod Folder
Mods for ONI are stored in your user documents rather than the game's installation directory. Navigate to the following path based on your operating system: Windows: \Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\local\
macOS: /Users/[Username]/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/mods/Local/
Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/mods/Local/
Note: If the local folder does not exist inside the mods directory, you must create it manually. 2. Download and Extract the Mod
From GitHub: Download the mod as a ZIP file (often via the "Clone or download" button). oxygen not included how to install mods manually
From Steam Workshop (Non-Steam Users): Use a third-party tool like a Steam Workshop Downloader by pasting the mod's URL to fetch the files.
Extraction: Extract the contents of the ZIP file. Each mod should have its own subfolder inside the local folder. 3. Verify Folder Structure
Ensure your files are not "double-nested." The path should look like this:...\mods\local\[ModName]\mod_info.yaml A correctly installed mod folder typically contains: A .dll file (the main code). A mod_info.yaml file (metadata). A mod.yaml file. 4. Enable the Mod In-Game Launch Oxygen Not Included. Click on the Mods button in the main menu.
Find your manually added mod in the list. Local mods are often distinguished from Steam mods in this menu. Check the box to Enable it. Restart the game to apply the changes. Common Troubleshooting
Crashes: Ensure the mod is updated for your current game version (e.g., vanilla vs. Spaced Out! DLC).
Not Appearing: Double-check that the mod is inside a subfolder under local. The game will not recognize loose files placed directly in the local folder.
Manually installing mods for Oxygen Not Included (ONI) is a straightforward process, primarily used by players on the Epic Games Store or those troubleshooting Steam Workshop issues. By bypassing the automated workshop system, you gain more control over your mod versions and can use mods sourced from external platforms like GitHub or Nexus Mods. Step-by-Step Installation Guide
To manually install a mod, you must place the files in a specific "Local" folder within your game's user directory:
Locate the Mods Directory: Navigate to the following path based on your operating system:
Windows: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\
Mac: /Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/mods/ Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/mods/
Create the "Local" Folder: If it doesn't already exist, create a new folder named local (or Local for Linux/Mac) inside the mods directory.
Prepare Mod Files: Download your desired mod and extract its contents. Ensure the files (like mod.yaml and .dll files) are inside a dedicated subfolder for that specific mod.
Install: Move your mod's folder into the local folder you created. The resulting path should look like: .../mods/local/[ModName]/[ModFiles].
Enable In-Game: Launch the game, click the Mods button on the main menu, and ensure your local mod is enabled. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
To manually install mods in Oxygen Not Included (ONI), you must place them in a specific local subfolder within your game data directory. This method is essential for users on the Epic Games Store or those using mods from external sources like GitHub. 1. Locate Your Local Mods Folder To manually install mods for Oxygen Not Included
The folder location varies depending on your operating system. If the local folder does not exist, you must create it manually. Windows: \Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\local\
Mac OS: /Users/[Username]/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/mods/local/
Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/mods/local/ 2. Prepare the Mod Files
Download your desired mod (usually as a .zip file) from a source like GitHub or a Steam Workshop Downloader.
Extract the contents. You should see files like mod.yaml, mod_info.yaml, and often a .dll file.
Create a subfolder for the specific mod inside the local folder. For example: ...\mods\local\MyNewMod\.
Move the extracted files into this new subfolder. Avoid "double-nesting" (e.g., local\MyNewMod\MyNewMod\files); the game needs to see the .yaml files directly inside your named mod folder. 3. Enable the Mod in-Game How to install a mod with Epic Game Store
Step 3: Download the Mod Files
You can get mods from:
- Klei Forums (Mods section)
- GitHub (developer’s page)
- Steam Workshop Downloader (sites like steamworkshopdownloader.io – use at your own risk)
Make sure you download the correct game version (e.g., “U52” for “Frosty Planet” update).
A manual mod zip typically contains:
mod.yaml(mandatory – tells the game mod name, version, authorship)- A
.dllfile (if it’s a code mod) strings/folder (for translations)elements/,animations/, etc.
Use a Mod Manager
For manual mod users, installing Mod Manager (by PeterHan) is a game-changer. It lets you reorder mod load priority, disable/enable mods without restarting, and view detailed errors. Install it manually like any other mod.
Step 3: Copy to Correct Subfolder
Inside your Documents/Klei/OxygenNotIncluded/mods/ directory, create these two folders if they don’t exist:
local– For manually installed mods.dev– For mods you are developing (same format, but game treats them as “developer” mods).
Best practice: Place your manually downloaded mods inside the local folder.
Final path example:
Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\local\MyAwesomeMod\
Inside MyAwesomeMod, you should see mod.yaml and mod.dll.
Step 2: Understanding the Folder Structure
Once you are in the Oxygen Not Included\mods folder, you will notice two subfolders. It is vital to understand the difference: Step 3: Download the Mod Files
You can get mods from:
| Folder Name | Purpose | Use Case |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Steam | Automatically managed by Steam Workshop. Do not touch this folder for manual installs. | Steam users. |
| Local | For manually installed mods. This is where your files go. | All manual installations. |
If the Local folder does not exist, create it now. Right-click > New > Folder and name it exactly Local (case-sensitive, no spaces).
Conclusion
Manually installing mods for Oxygen Not Included is straightforward once you understand the folder structure. It gives you control over mod versions and is essential for non-Steam players. However, always remember: with great power comes great responsibility. Manual mods can break your colony saves if not managed carefully.
When in doubt, use the Steam Workshop for ease. But for those times you need a specific, outdated, or custom mod – manual installation is your lifeline.
Now go forth and optimize those duplicants – modded to perfection.
Have a mod that still won’t install? Visit the official Klei forums or the ONI Modding Discord, providing your game log file from Documents/Klei/OxygenNotIncluded/logs/.
To install mods manually in Oxygen Not Included (ONI), you must place the mod files into a specifically created folder within the game's user data directory . This method is essential for users on the Epic Games Store or those using mods from external sources like Nexus Mods 1. Locate or Create the Mod Folder
The directory for manual installation varies by operating system. Navigate to the following path: \Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\
/Users/[USERNAME]/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/mods/ ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/mods/ Klei Entertainment Forums Crucial Step: Inside this folder, you create a new folder named exactly (lowercase) if it does not already exist. 2. Prepare the Mod Files Download the Mod: Obtain the mod files (usually a archive) from a source like
or use a Steam Workshop downloader for Workshop-exclusive mods. Extract the Files: Unzip the downloaded file. Check the Structure:
Ensure you have a folder containing the mod's core files, typically including a mod_info.yaml Avoid "double-nesting" (e.g., local/ModName/ModName/files
). The files should be directly inside the mod's named subfolder within 3. Install and Activate
3. Locating the Mod Directory
The mod folder location depends on your operating system. Manual mods are not placed in the game’s installation folder.
| Platform | Path |
|----------|------|
| Windows | %LocalAppData%\..\LocalLow\Klei\Oxygen Not Included\mods\ |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/mods/ |
| Linux | ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/mods/ |
Note:
%LocalAppData%typically expands toC:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local.
TheLocalLowdirectory is insideAppData.
Advanced: Installing Mods from GitHub
Many cutting-edge or abandoned mods live on GitHub. Here is how to install them manually:
- Go to the mod's GitHub repository.
- Look for Releases (on the right sidebar). Do not download the source code.
- In Releases, download the file named
ModName.zip(notSource code.zip). - Extract and install using Method A above.
Pro Tip: Some GitHub mods are in "development" (pre-release). Look for a mod_info.yaml file inside the folder. If it's missing, the mod will not work.
7) Quick checklist before asking for help or reporting issues
- Is the mod intended for your ONI version? (check mod page/update notes)
- Did you extract the zip so the mod folder is not double‑nested?
- Is the mod placed in the correct location for the loader you're using?
- Checked the game log for errors and noted any stack traces or filenames?
- Tested with only that mod enabled?