¶ Welcome
Sim Settlements 2 give you an expanded settlement system involving Plots - workshop buildable squares that settlers can build their own structures on. As well as City Plans (let settlers build entire settlements), more in-depth settlement mechanics, and an optional huge new story to play along-side the base game!
Getting started can be intimidating as there are just so many files out there related to Sim Settlements 2. So this guide is here to help!
If you just want to jump ahead to the downloading and skip most of the reading, here are some links (follow the green check box sections like this one): PC Players click here and Xbox Players click here.
¶ Sim Settlements vs Sim Settlements 2
The biggest confusion new users tend to have is Sim Settlements versus Sim Settlements 2 (SS2 for short). They are different mods (made by the same people), with different addons available.
SS2 is what you should play and SS1 is largely kept online for legacy players.
All of the links below will be for downloading Sim Settlements 2 content so that you don't have to worry about accidentally grabbing the wrong things.
¶ Downloads
¶ PC
If you're new to modding on PC, or just want a quick and easy way to jump into Sim Settlements 2 - we highly recommend the Sim Settlements 2 Starter Collections!
¶ Starter Collections
If you're new to Collections, simply install Vortex from nexusmods.com and click one of the links below to grab a one-click installer for a whole pile of Sim Settlements 2 mods.
Vortex works best with a NexusMods.com subscription, but is still available for free! The download speed and install process is a bit slower for the free version, but you still will get all of your mods very easily with this program. This is the ideal solution if you are brand new to playing with mods!
Pick One Below And Jump In!
Sim Settlements 2 Starter
This collection includes most of the Sim Settlements 2 related content created by the original development team, as well as a couple of frameworks needed to maximize the experience.
Sim Settlements 2 Starter+
This is Sim Settlements 2 Starter, plus a bunch of add-on packs to expand the player's collection and give them a feel for what the community is offering.
Sim Settlements 2 Starter+ F4SE
This is Sim Settlements 2 Starter+, the Script Extender (F4SE), and some additional content that having the extender allows - such as tons of additional City Plans and a Mod Configuration menu on your pause screen to make it easier to change settings.
New to Vortex? Check out this quick vid on getting it installed and setup:
If you decide you want to upgrade later, each of the Starter Collections works seemlessly with the previous one so you can simply add the more advanced one without needing to uninstall the previous!
If you still haven't had enough after that - head on down to the Ready for More section below!
¶ Direct Download Links
If you'd rather not use a Collection, below are the links to the mods included in the Sim Settlements 2 Starter pack. These will get you up and running with the core experience so you can see if you enjoy SS2. From there, if you want more, hit the Ready for More section below!
¶ 
Nexusmods.com
Nexusmods.com is one of the most trusted modding websites in all of gaming, with a massive player and mod author base centered around Bethesda Games Studios titles - including Fallout 4.
This is the recommended place to download Sim Settlements 2!
Sim Settlements 2: All Chapters Pack - Includes SS2, Both Chapters, and the Extended Content
HUDFramework - Allows for custom HUD elements.
Workshop Framework - Expands what mods can do with settlements.
Sim Settlements 2: Rise of the Commonwealth - Loads of additional City Plans built by the SS2 team.
¶ 
Bethesda.net
If you don't want to use Nexusmods.com, no problem - we also host them on the Bethesda.net page so you can download them directly from inside the game.
To make that easier, you'll want to click these links, log into your Bethesda.net account, and Favorite these so they show up on your in-game Creations menu under a special Favorites section.
Sim Settlements 2
HUDFramework - Allows for custom HUD elements.
Workshop Framework - Expands what mods can do with settlements.
Sim Settlements 2: Chapter 2 - First story expansion
Sim Settlements 2: Chapter 3 - Second story expansion
Sim Settlements 2: Rise of the Commonwealth - Loads of additional City Plans built by the SS2 team.
¶ 
Xbox
Yes, Sim Settlements 2 is available on Xbox!
You'll want to download the following to get started - if you log into your Bethesda.net account using these links, you can favorite them and see them listed on a Favorites menu when you launch the game's Creations menu on Xbox!
Follow the three links below, hit the Favorites button for each, then jump onto your Xbox and download them in the Creations menu under the Favorites section!
Sim Settlements 2
HUDFramework - Allows for custom HUD elements.
Workshop Framework - Expands what mods can do with settlements.
Note that with the limited space available, you may want to start with just the core Sim Settlements 2. Adding the two Chapter story expansions will take up the majority of your mod space.
If you are ready to do a full story playthrough and are OK committing all of your mod space to it - you can find the Chapter story expansions here:
Sim Settlements 2: Chapter 2
Sim Settlements 2: Chapter 3
As of this writing, there is a bug with Fallout 4 on XBox that prevents downloading all of the Chapters at once for most players. It is recommended you simply start with the base Sim Settlements 2 for now. This page will be updated to remove this warning, and a notice will likely go out via the official Sim Settlements X.com account once it is know that this bug is resolved - it is expected to be resolved in the next few Fallout 4 patches.
Bethesda has mentioned an update is coming to Xbox (at least the Series S/X) to allow for up to 100GB of storage space. Once the details of this are revealed, we'll be looking into releasing some of the SS2 Extended content for Xbox players as well!
Due to the space limitation, there are far less community made Addon packs for Xbox than on PC - though that doesn't mean none!
¶ I'm Ready for More!
Once you're comfortable with the gameplay of Sim Settlements 2, there are TONS of community made add-on packs that expand options for designs, add new tools, and even some new mechanics!
¶ The Addon Database
Your first stop should be Samutz's incredible addon website which has a searchable database of all of the various community made, and base mod content available for Sim Settlements 2! Here you can find exactly the type of content you're looking for to expand your Sim Settlements 2 experience.
¶ Addons for Experienced Players
There are many great addons not included in the Starter Collections if you are looking for specific themes or advanced functionality. Check out the links to some of them below:
¶ Themed Packs
Baseline Plots Brotherhood by mac92
From the Author
A Sim Settlements 2 Plot Pack that adds 99 BOS-themed building plans to SS2 - At least one for each type of building plan. This add-on is built for players who like to use the settlement system for roleplay by building themed settlements.
Baseline Plots Raiders by mac92
From the Author
A Sim Settlements 2 Plot Pack that adds 110 Raider-themed building plans to SS2 - Aiming to provide at least one for each type of building plan. This add-on is built for players who like to use the settlement system for roleplay by building themed settlements.
Enclave Here by choochoo1
From the Author
Adds several new plots, a new world repopulation cell, and a new radio station for FO4.
Tech Settlements by Argyuile
From the Author
Concrete, Steel and High Tech Plots for your Settlements.
¶ Advanced Packs
IDEK's Logistics Station 2 by IDontEvenKnow
From the Author
Adds a system to automatically manage supply lines, improve the efficiency of inter-settlement resource sharing, and adds a handful of minor convenience features.
Industrial Revolution of the Wasteland by Stragest
From the Author
Get those lazy settlers to work with 25 new industrial production and conversion plots for Sim Settlements 2! (Requires All DLCs)
¶ Tools and Functionality
Sim Settlements 2 Settlement Management Terminal by cbrgamer
From the Author
A constructible terminal that can give you information about your SS2 settlements, including who is assigned to what plots or workshop objects, the status of plots and settlers and more.
SS2 Settlers UI by LyraAST
From the Author
Settlers UI is a mod that adds a user interface that allows you to manage the settlers in your current settlement.
¶ Addons with Additional Requirements
Some addons require additional mods to use, check out their linked pages for a list of other mods you'll need to get these working.
Nora's Commonwealth Reconstruction Project by VetGamerBoceifus
From the Author
5 1x1 Single Settler Bedrooms, 5 1x1 2 Settler Bedrooms, 1 2x2 Single Settler Home, 1 2x2 Two Settler Home
¶ Join the Communities
Sim Settlements Forums - If you're looking for answers to specific problems, want to join in building contests, share fan art, or post suggestions - this is the place to be!
We Are Builders Discord - This public, community run Discord focuses on building in Fallout 4 (and sometimes other games) and has a strong core of Sim Settlements 2 fans and content designers.
Patreon Discord - If you are interested in supporting the continued development of Sim Settlements 2, there is a special Discord available for Patreon supporters.