Bonelab Sideload [ Must See ]
While historically for flat-screen games, Nexus has a growing Bonelab section. It is excellent for texture replacers and model rips (e.g., Master Chief, Garfield).
Bonelab’s stock physics can feel floaty. This mod (a simple DLL) adjusts mass and friction values to make weapons feel heavier. Night and day difference.
| Aspect | Sideloaded Mod | mod.io Mod | |--------|----------------|-------------| | Install method | ADB/manual file copy | In-game download | | Code execution | Full (if using Marrow SDK hooks) | Sandboxed (JSON/asset-only for Quest) | | Multiplayer | Breaks unless all players have identical mods | Works if mod is multiplayer-tagged | | Update mechanism | Manual | Automatic via mod.io | | Anti-cheat | None – can be flagged in modded lobbies | None explicitly, but mod.io filters exist |
Critical limitation on Quest standalone: The Android build of BoneLab does not support runtime-compiled C# mods (only PC does). Sideloaded mods on Quest must still be asset-only (.marrowmod bundles) unless you’re using a custom libil2cpp.so patch (advanced, often breaks with game updates).
Sideloading = installing user-created content (mods, maps, weapons, scripts) into your local Bonelab game files rather than getting it through an official in-game store. It unlocks: bonelab sideload
Expect major variety: from polished “total conversion” mods to quick prototypes and playgrounds for physics experiments.
Assuming you want a direct, usable path—these are the common, general steps most modders and users follow. Exact folder names can differ by platform/build; adjust accordingly.
Find and download a mod:
Extract and inspect:
Locate the game’s mod or user data folder:
Install:
Start the game and test:
Manage conflicts and updates:
Thunderstore is the standard for mod managers. It hosts thousands of code mods including the famous Lune (scripting engine) and Labworks. Download the "r2modman" manager to automate sideloading for you.
Sideloading in Bonelab means using tools like Mobile VR Station, SideQuest, or direct file transfer to add custom content (maps, avatars, weapons, plugins) into the game’s Mods folder. This bypasses the limited built-in mod browser.
Before diving into the technical "how," it is critical to understand the "why." When you boot up Bonelab, the "Mods" menu connects to Mod.io. This is fantastic for one-click installs of basic maps and avatar re-skins. However, you are hitting a glass ceiling if you stick to this method.
Here is what you gain by choosing to sideload mods: While historically for flat-screen games, Nexus has a