Manually installing mods in Oxygen Not Included requires a bit more effort than clicking "Subscribe" on Steam, but it unlocks the full potential of the game—especially for non-Steam users or those who love tinkering.
To recap the golden rules:
With these skills, you can now explore the vast universe of ONI mods, from the essential "Pliers" and "Blueprints" to total conversion mods that add new planets, elements, and creatures. Just remember to back up your saves, and don't be afraid to experiment—you can always delete a mod folder to revert changes.
Now go forth and optimize that colony, with or without the yellow warning icons. Happy modding!
How to Manually Install Mods for Oxygen Not Included While the Steam Workshop is the easiest way to manage your colony's upgrades, players using the Epic Games Store
version or those who prefer manual control can still install mods easily. This guide walks through finding your local directory and getting your mods up and running. 1. Locate the Correct "Local" Folder
Oxygen Not Included (ONI) looks for manual mods in a specific
folder within your user data directory. You may need to create this folder if it doesn't already exist. %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\local
~/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/mods/local ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/mods/local 2. Prepare the Mod Files
Manual mods must be placed in individual subfolders to load correctly. your desired mod from a source like
or use a third-party tool to download files from the Steam Workshop. Extract the ZIP file. You should see files like mod_info.yaml , and often a Create a subfolder inside the directory named after the mod (e.g., .../mods/local/TrueTiles/ Move the files
into this new subfolder. Avoid "double-nesting" (e.g., ensure it isn't .../local/TrueTiles/TrueTiles/mod.yaml 3. Enable the Mods In-Game oxygen not included how to install mods manually
Simply placing the files in the folder won't activate them; you must enable them through the game's UI.
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. Manually installing mods in Oxygen Not Included requires
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
To manually install mods for Oxygen Not Included (ONI), you must place the mod files into a specific "local" folder within your user documents. This method is essential for users on the Epic Games Store or those who want to use mods not available on the Steam Workshop. 1. Locate the Manual Mods Folder
The manual mod directory is located in your system's user data folder, not the game's installation directory. Windows: \Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\local\ Mac: /Documents/Klei/OxygenNotIncluded/mods/local/ Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/OxygenNotIncluded/mods/local/
Note: If the local folder does not exist inside the mods folder, you must create it manually. 2. Prepare the Mod Files
Download and Extract: Download the mod files (usually a .zip or archive) from a source like GitHub or Nexus Mods.
Check Folder Structure: Open the extracted folder. It must contain the mod's core files directly, such as a .dll file, mod.yaml, and mod_info.yaml.
Avoid Double-Nesting: Ensure you do not have a folder inside another folder with the same name before reaching the files, as the game will fail to recognize the mod. 3. Install the Mod
Copy the Folder: Move the entire extracted folder (e.g., BiggerCameraZoom) into the local folder you located in Step 1.
Final Path Example (Windows): Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\local\YourModName\mod.yaml. 4. Enable in Game Launch Oxygen Not Included. Select Mods from the main menu.
Find your manually added mod in the list and click the Enable button. Restart the game to apply the changes. Community Tips
“I downloaded it from the steam workshop, then copied the mod into my mods/local/ folder. Once i have the mod in there, the translation shows up... as expected.” Reddit · r/Oxygennotincluded · 2 months ago With these skills, you can now explore the
“You create a Local folder in your mods folder and put your mods there.” Reddit · r/Oxygennotincluded · 3 years ago
What specific mod are you trying to install? I can check if it has unique requirements or known compatibility issues with the latest ONI update.
Installing mods manually for Oxygen Not Included (ONI) is a straightforward process, but it requires navigating through your computer's hidden folders. This guide will walk you through the steps for both the Steam and Epic Games versions of the game.
Oxygen Not Included (ONI) by Klei Entertainment is a deep, complex colony simulation game. While the base game offers hundreds of hours of challenging gameplay, the modding community has taken it to another level. From quality-of-life improvements (like the "Pliers" mod) to complete overhauls, mods can drastically change your experience.
Most players use the Steam Workshop for one-click installations. However, there are several reasons you might need to install a mod manually:
This guide will walk you through every step of the manual installation process for Oxygen Not Included.
Manual mods do not auto-update. You must periodically check the mod's source (GitHub, Discord, forums) for new versions, especially after a major game update.
The location of your mods folder depends on your operating system and which platform you are using.
| Type | File extension | Installation method |
|------|----------------|----------------------|
| Local Mod | Whole folder with mod.yaml | Place directly into mods folder |
| Steam-style Mod | *.mod file (rare) | Place into mods/Steam subfolder |
Most manual mods today use the Local Mod format.
(If your OS/store location differs—Epic, GOG, custom—replace the Steam game path accordingly; per‑user local mods folder under Documents/Klei is still used for builtin loader.)
C:\Program Files\Epic Games\OxygenNotIncluded\Mods