Where Are Factorio Mods Stored And How To Find The Mod Folder

Factorio is renowned for its vast modding ecosystem that allows players to expand factory automation, introduce new logistics systems, and rebalance core gameplay mechanics. While the game features an in-game mod portal, knowing where files are saved locally is essential for troubleshooting, installing third-party modifications, or managing configuration settings. Accessing these files directly gives players full control over their active game modifications.

Locating the Default Mod Directory on Windows

On Windows operating systems, Factorio stores installed modifications inside the AppData directory associated with your user profile. You can quickly open this location by pressing the Windows Key along with R, typing %appdata%Factoriomods, and pressing Enter. This shortcut automatically navigates directly to the folder containing all downloaded zip files and mod configurations.

If you prefer navigating manually through File Explorer, you need to ensure hidden items are visible in your view settings. Navigating to C:UsersYourUsernameAppDataRoamingFactoriomods reveals every active and inactive mod archive. Keeping this location bookmarked helps when managing multiple mod lists for dedicated multiplayer sessions.

Finding Factorio Mods on macOS and Linux Systems

Mac users can locate their Factorio modifications stored within the hidden Library folder inside their user home directory. Opening Finder and choosing Go to Folder allows you to enter ~/Library/Application Support/factorio/mods to reach the destination immediately. This directory houses all mod archives and config files required for your single-player or multiplayer campaigns.

Linux users will find their installation files located within the standard user configuration path. The directory is typically found at ~/.factorio/mods for native installations or within specific Steam Compatibility folder paths if running under Proton. Checking this folder allows Linux enthusiasts to easily edit configuration files using terminal text editors.

Locating Mods for Portable Builds and Steam Installations

Players using portable standalone versions of Factorio will find their modifications stored directly within the main game directory. Instead of using system user folders, portable builds maintain a dedicated subfolder named mods alongside the main executable file. This self-contained structure makes carrying your custom setups on external drives simple and efficient.

While Steam manages game updates automatically, mod storage locations remain identical to standard standalone installations. Downloads from the internal mod manager are transferred directly into the standard AppData or Application Support directories. Knowing this distinction prevents confusion when checking why modifications do not appear in Steam's local game files directory.

Managing Mod Files and Troubleshooting Issues

Inside the mod directory, files are stored primarily as zip archives alongside a file named mod-list.json. Opening the JSON file with any basic text editor allows players to manually enable or disable specific modifications without launching the game client. This capability is exceptionally helpful when a corrupted mod prevents Factorio from starting up properly.

When upgrading or migrating to new game versions, backing up your mods folder preserves your exact mod combination. Deleting outdated zip files directly from this directory frees up disk space and eliminates version mismatch errors during game loading. Maintaining a clean folder ensures smooth performance and reliable compatibility across complex automation projects.