How to Install Skyrim Special Edition Mods on PS4 and Xbox One

This page contains information on the mods available for Skyrim on PC, as well as Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Mods for the Special Edition.

Video Guide

With the release of Skyrim Special Edition, the way mods are now certified and implemented into both PC and Consoles have changed, and now work along the same line as Fallout 4. Use the following steps to download and enjoy mods from Bethesda's servers.

EditStep One: Create and Log in to Bethesda.net

In order to view, download, and play mods, you'll need to register your account to Bethesda.net. When prompted, enter your information and log in to proceed to the Mod Library.

You'll now be able to view an expansive selection of player-created mods. You can view the details of a mod, favorite for future use, download, rate, or report a mod by pressing A.

Much like a netflix style queue, the top row will list your current library of downloaded mods, while the row below will list current popular mods, and scrolling down will reveal more curated rows like ratings and categories on what the mod changes.

If you want to search for something more specific, you can also use the libraries search function too. Mods can run the gamut from spawning items, changing weapons, settlements, clothing, characters, and more - even cheats!

Note that upon choosing to install most of these, the game will create a copy of your save file with the mods, leaving your un-modded save files untouched. This is so if anything goes wrong with a mod you have installed, you'll still have a reference point before things went wrong. However - installing a mod that does this will also disable achievements.

Once downloaded, head to the page for the mod you downloaded (easily accessed from the My Library row in the search list, or pressing Y to bring up the order that mods will be loaded), and under "Favorite" there will be an option to "enable" the mod. This will ensure that the mod is active when you load up your new modded game.

Some - but not all mods - may be dependant on other mods to work. If this is the case, you will want to change the load order to have the primary mods at the top, with dependant mods lower on the list.

It is important to remember that the Xbox One can support 5 Gigabytes of mods at a time, and the PS4 only 1 Gigabtye. Additionally, Modders for the Xbox One can include external assets while the PlayStation 4 Mods can only use internal assets (meaning only being able to manipulate what is already in the game files).

You can check your capacity in the top right corner. If this becomes a problem, simply deactivate other active mods and swap them in to build a collection that reflects what you want to do with your game.

For lists of some of the many types of mods out there for classic Skyrim - see the following sections:

The Nexus Mod Manager, available via the Nexus Mods site, makes it easy to download and install many of the community's best mods with one or two clicks of a button. If you're a bit too apprehensive about diving straight into the Nexus method, a variety of great mods are also available via the Steam Workshop. Simply find the plugin you want to install and hit 'Subscribe' - the mods will automatically install the next time you launch the game.

(Note: the Steam Workshop may not be used for the Special Edition, relying instead on Bethesda.com)

WARNING: Mods for the classic edition of Skyrim may not work with the Special Edition's new 64 bit loading, including any mods requiring the Skyrim Script Extender, which will not be available at launch - please install carefully!

Additionally, new modders need to keep in mind the fact that the work isn't over once all of your shiny new mods are installed. The order that the mods are loaded in, or the "load order", is crucial to making sure one mod doesn't overwrite or conflict with another. Load order optimizers such as LOOT or BOSS are available to assist in organizing your ever-growing list of plugins.

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