How to safely use mods in Grand Theft Auto 5

Mods have become an integral part of the Grand Theft Auto games. Since most GTA games are strictly single-player and don’t usually have major additions like DLCs and expansions, mods give players another reason to jump back into their favorite games, whether it be oldies like San Andreas or the newest game in the series, GTA 5.

Speaking of GTA 5, we want to take a closer look at Grand Theft Auto 5 today. To be more specific, we want to detail how players can safely use mods in Grand Theft Auto 5. In addition to giving safety precautions like which mods allow players to use mods, we’ll expand on the steps players must follow to install and safely use mods to personalize their gameplay.

So, without further ado, here’s how players can safely use mods in Grand Theft Auto 5.

Which modes allow mods in Grand Theft Auto 5?

Rockstar allows players to use mods in the single-player mode for a fun experience. However, they are strictly prohibited in GTA Online. It is to ensure fair play and a balanced environment for all players. If you enjoy modding in the single-player mode, you must disable or remove mods before playing Online. If a player is using mods in GTA Online, it can lead to a permanent ban.

Tools like Mod Manager let you disable all mods before launching GTA Online. These also tweak your firewall settings so no mod-related files mess with your online gameplay. You can also use another method involving verifying the game files through Steam (if downloaded through it). This process restores the game files to its original state and removes any mods. Some mods are persistent and cannot be easily removed, so selecting and managing mods is key.

Steps to modding in GTA 5

Now that you know which game mode in GTA 5 you can use mods without any restrictions, here are the steps you must follow if you want to mod your game.

Protection from malware

Before installing a mod, you should ensure your system’s safety. It’s best to activate reliable anti-virus or anti-malware software, which will scan files you download for potential threats. We recommend using reputable sites like Nexusmods and GTA5-Mods, which scan uploads for malware. It’s also a good idea to check the comments section for reports of issues from other players. Malware risks can be higher with .asi and .dll mods.

Basic modding tools

The tools needed can depend on the type of mod, but there are some essential ones for safe and effective modding. Script Hook V is a tool that allows custom scripts that many mods need to function. Remember that custom scripts are disabled automatically in GTA Online.

OpenIV is another powerful tool for modifying .rpf files. Its features include storing mods in a separate folder and keeping your base game files untouched. This adds safety and keeps things manageable.

Lastly, the GTA V Mod Manager helps organize mods into a separate folder and lets you toggle them on and off. This ensures they don’t interfere with GTA Online.

Download and install mods

Start by downloading Script Hook V. Extract the files from the download, and move ScriptHookV.dll and dinput8.dll to your main GTA 5 directory. Optionally, you can add the NativeTrainer.asi file to enable cheats in the game.

You’ll need additional scripts to make things work. Install Microsoft .NET Framework, Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2019 (x64), and the Script Hook V add-on. You can skip this step if you already have these on your computer. You can check this by going to Programs on your Control Panel.

Next, move the following files from the Script Hook V add-on to your GTA 5 directory: ScriptHookVDotNet.asi, ScriptHookVDotNet2.dll, ScriptHookVDotNet3.dll. If your mods are LUA-based, copy the plugin files to the game’s directory.

Finally, add the mod files you downloaded to the game. Mods typically come with installation instructions on their respective websites, but there is a standard approach you can follow. For .asi mods, simply place them directly into the main game directory. For .dll mods, copy them into the scripts folder located within your GTA 5 directory.

Manage and configure mods

Enhance your modding experience with the Mod Manager. Assign unique keys to prevent conflicts, and use its Online Mode to safely disable mods for accessing GTA Online. This feature adjusts your firewall to keep mods separate from Online gameplay.

Performance considerations with mods

Installing mods in GTA 5 can impact game performance. Mods tend to increase CPU and memory consumption which can lead to slower frame rates and reduced smoothness. Check if you meet the system requirements before installing complex mods. These mods come with heavy resources or visual enhancements that could potentially exceed your system’s capabilities. If you regularly use mods, having enough RAM can make a huge difference. Ensure having 16GB for smooth performance and additional headroom for resource-intensive mods.

The best GTA 5 mods for beginners

Naturally, now that we’ve told you everything you need to know about starting your modding journey in GTA 5, the next logical step is to go through some of our favorite mods for the game. All of the below-listed mods are for beginners to enjoy and will amplify your gaming experience in some way. After using these, you can explore the fantastic world of GTA mods for yourself!

Realistic Guns Sounds

This one may sound like one of the more useless mods, but trust us, it’ll amplify your experience by a lot. Grand Theft Auto 5 has a heavy emphasis on guns, but the sound when firing those guns is tame, likely to ensure more players can enjoy the game without the scary sounds of realistic guns.

However, the Realistic Guns Sounds mod removes those training wheels. Installing it ensures that every single weapon in the game sounds like an actual gun when fired. These sounds are extracted from other military FPS games like the Call of Duty and Battlefield game series to ensure realism.

Gang and Turf Mod

One of the biggest appeals of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas was the ability to expand your gang’s members and turf. However, GTA 5 doesn’t have a similar minigame, likely because it wouldn’t fit any of the three playable characters in the game.

If you missed the minigame, you can always install the Gang and Turf Mod for GTA 5. When installed, this mod lets players recruit members to expand their game, battle it out against enemy gangs in San Andreas, and expand their turf to become the single-most dangerous gang in Los Santos.

Real California Architecture

Grand Theft Auto’s Los Santos is based on real-world California, that’s no secret. However, a lot of the known locations and landmarks from California are tweaked to ensure things remain fictional. Those who want to take their roleplaying to the next level will want to learn how they can add real California architectures to GTA 5.

Fortunately, someone had the same idea because the Real California Architecture mod does exactly what the name says. Installing it replaces the in-game landmarks with the real-world ones. From the iconic Hollywood sign to the AMC Theatre in Santa Monica, visiting Los Santos with this mod installed will make you feel like you took a flight straight to California.

Realistic Driving V

Driving is arguably the most important feature of Grand Theft Auto games. After all, that’s what the A represents. However, while GTA 4 had extremely realistic driving mechanics and gravity, GTA 5’s driving is anything but that. Cars are usually flying around and landing with little to no damage, and don’t even get us started on the bikes.

Those who want to experience what Grand Theft Auto 5 would be like if the driving was more realistic need only to install the Realistic Driving V mod. Through it, things feel more grounded and overall more realistic. What’s more, the performance of every single car in the game matches the performance of its real-life counterpart. A dream for car enthusiasts but a nightmare for those who rely too much on Franklin’s special ability.

Niko Bellic

After CJ from San Andreas, most players would agree that Niko Bellic is the most popular Grand Theft Auto protagonist. Being more realistic and relatable than most playable characters, Niko brought a unique charm to the franchise that hasn’t been seen since. Well, unless you download the Niko Bellic mod for GTA 5.

The mod does exactly what it says it does, which is to let players play as Niko Bellic in GTA 5. The Liberty City gangster has landed in Los Santos!