Where Does Factorio Store Mods and Settings?
Where Factorio keeps mods, mod-list.json and mod settings.
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Factorio keeps mods as zips in a mods folder with mod-list.json recording enables and mod-settings.dat holding per-mod options. Saves sit beside in saves, separate from the mod tree.
Paths follow the platform: Roaming Factorio on Windows, ~/.factorio on Linux, Application Support on Mac. Steam and standalone share the layout. Sync mods for multiplayer or version mismatches desync joins.
Where Factorio stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\Factorio\mods\
Mod zips plus mod-list.json and mod-settings.dat. Saves live in the sibling saves folder. Keep mod versions identical across multiplayer clients.
~/.factorio/mods/
Same mods tail under home on Linux and Mac. Enable mods in-game rather than hand editing the list. Back up mods plus settings plus saves.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install a Factorio mod?
Drop the zip into the mods folder and enable it in-game under Mods. The game writes mod-list.json itself; hand editing it while running gets overwritten.
What must I back up for a modded run?
Copy the mods folder plus mod-settings.dat together. Settings reference mod names that must exist at matching versions or the game disables them on load.
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