Oxygen Not Included How To Install Mods Manually Guide

To install mods manually in Oxygen Not Included , you must place the mod files into a specific "local" folder within the game's directory. This process is useful for players using versions from the Epic Games Store or those who want to use mods not available on the Steam Workshop 1. Locate the Mods Folder

The manual installation directory varies depending on your operating system: \Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\

/Users/[Username]/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/mods/ ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/mods/ Steam Community 2. Create the "local" Directory If it does not already exist, create a new folder named inside the 3. Install the Mod Files Download and Extract : Obtain the mod (typically a file) and extract its contents. Create a Mod Subfolder : Inside the

folder, create a new subfolder specifically for that mod (e.g., local\MyNewMod\ Transfer Files

: Move the extracted files into this subfolder. You should see files like mod_info.yaml directly inside this subfolder. : Avoid "double-nesting" folders (e.g.,

Oxygen Not Included (ONI) is a popular space-colony simulation game that offers a lot of flexibility and customization options, including the ability to install mods. While there are tools and platforms like Steam Workshop that make mod installation straightforward, some mods might not be available there, or you might prefer to install mods manually for various reasons. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to manually install mods for Oxygen Not Included: oxygen not included how to install mods manually

Step 4: Enabling the Mod in the Game

Manually moving files is only half the battle. You must now activate the mod inside ONI.

  1. Launch Oxygen Not Included.
  2. From the main menu, click Mods (usually on the bottom left).
  3. You will see two tabs: Local and Steam. Click the Local tab.
  4. You should see your manually installed mod listed. It may show a yellow triangle warning if the mod is for a different game version.
  5. Click the Enable toggle for the mod.
  6. Crucial Step: Most mods require a restart to load properly. Click "Restart Now" or close and relaunch the game.
  7. After restarting, go back to the Mods menu. The mod should say "Enabled" with no red errors.

Option C: Extract from Steam (if you have a friend with the game)

If you own the game on Steam, subscribe to the mod, then find the downloaded files in: Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\457140\[mod_id_number]\

Copy the folder manually.

Step 1: Locating the Core Directory

Unlike some games that hide mods deep in system folders, ONI is respectful of your user data. Whether you are on Steam or GOG, the game saves its mod data in a unified location.

You need to find your ONI User Data Folder. To install mods manually in Oxygen Not Included

For Windows Users:

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type %USERPROFILE% and hit Enter.
  3. Navigate to: Documents > Klei > OxygenNotIncluded.

Alternatively, you can paste this path directly into your file explorer address bar: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded

For Mac Users: Navigate to: ~/Library/Application Support/unity.Klei.Oxygen Not Included/

For Linux Users: Navigate to: ~/.config/unity3d/Klei/Oxygen Not Included/

Once inside, look for a folder named mods. If you have never installed a mod before, this folder might not exist yet. If it doesn't, simply create a new folder and name it mods (lowercase is standard). Launch Oxygen Not Included

For Windows (Epic Games / Microsoft Store Version)

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Paste the following path: C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Documents\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods
  3. Look for a folder named Local. If it doesn't exist, create it.
    • Path: ...\Klei\OxygenNotIncluded\mods\Local\

3) Installing mods for ONI‑Modloader (third‑party modloader)

Use this only if you want features Harmony/C# mods require or if the mod author instructs ONI‑Modloader.

A. Install ONI‑Modloader

  1. Download the latest ONI‑Modloader release from its GitHub (e.g., Javisar/ONI‑Modloader).
  2. From the downloaded package copy ModLoader.dll (and accompanying Managed folder files) into the game Managed folder:
    • Windows: %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Steam\steamapps\common\OxygenNotIncluded\OxygenNotIncluded_Data\Managed\
    • macOS: OxygenNotIncluded.app/Contents/Resources/Data/Managed/
  3. Create a Mods folder in the game directory if not present:
    • Windows: %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Steam\steamapps\common\OxygenNotIncluded\Mods\
  4. Launch once and check Mod_Log.txt or the mod logs to confirm loader is active:
    • ...\OxygenNotIncluded\Mods\Mod_Log.txt or check game logs listed above.

B. Install a mod for ONI‑Modloader

  1. Download and extract mod; ensure correct folder structure.
  2. Copy the mod folder into the game Mods folder:
    • %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Steam\steamapps\common\OxygenNotIncluded\Mods[ModName]\
  3. Run the game and check logs:
    • Game logs (output_log.txt / Player.log) and Mods_Logs or Mod_Log.txt under the game folder.

Important: If you use ONI‑Modloader, do NOT also use the Steam builtin local mods folder for the same mod (conflicts possible). If ONI detects an external modloader it may bypass Steam Workshop; remove ModLoader.dll to use the Steam builtin loader.

Breathing New Life Into Your Colony: A Guide to Manually Installing Mods in Oxygen Not Included

Oxygen Not Included (ONI) is a deep, complex colony sim where failure is a learning experience. While the base game offers hundreds of hours of challenge, the modding community has created a wealth of additions—from quality-of-life tweaks (like the beloved "Pliers" mod) to entirely new buildings, critters, and world traits. While the Steam Workshop offers one-click installation, there are several reasons you might need to install mods manually: you own the game on a different storefront (Epic, GOG), you want to use a mod that isn't on the Workshop, or you need to troubleshoot a broken mod. This essay provides a clear, methodical guide to manual mod installation.

Step 3: Installation Procedure