Basic guide to mods in GTA V
In Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), mods, short for modifications, have become an integral aspect of the gaming experience, offering players the ability to customize and enhance their gameplay beyond the confines of the original design. The modding community for GTA V has thrived, producing a diverse array of modifications that range from graphical enhancements to entirely new gameplay features. Players can modify the game to include realistic graphics, additional vehicles, custom missions, and even entirely new storylines.
These mods often showcase the creativity and skill of the GTA V modding community, allowing players to tailor their gaming experience to suit their preferences and unlock new possibilities within the expansive virtual world of Los Santos. However, it’s essential to note that while mods can enhance the gameplay for single-player modes, using mods in online multiplayer modes may violate the terms of service and result in consequences.
This article just presents the basic information for someone who doesn’t know anything about mods and code, so you can still understand how mods work in GTA V. Read on!

How many types of mods are in GTA V?
- Divided by type of mod: Map mods; Mod about Missions; Mod about Player (change skin color, clothes, way of walking and jumping in the game); Mods about Vehicles: mods for vehicles in the game, most notably the GTA V car mod; Weapon mods; Mod about Gameplay (change the way the character will play in the game. For example, if you shoot a police officer, you will be wanted, then when the mod comes in, you can do whatever you want); Mod about Graphics.
- Divided by language to write mods: When downloaded, your mod files will usually have the following basic extensions: .asi; .dll; .lua; .rpf, etc. Similarly, each tail will need one or more tools to support it; for example, Script Hook V; Script Hook V dotnet; LUAplugin; and OpenIV. Your first job is to download these tools if you want to play with mods in GTA V.

Ways to install mods in GTA V
- Method 1: Install directly. That is, after you download the mod, just copy the installation file and paste it into the game’s root directory. This method is often done with mods that contain .asi. However, doing so will directly interfere with the root directory, easily damaging the game. This method is not recommended unless it is necessary.
- Method 2: Install through an intermediate installation tool (Mod Manager, OpenIV). These two tools help you add another folder to play with MOD GTA V. Avoid spoiling the game and getting banned from R*.; Especially, using Mod Manager you can play with many mods at the same time. However, using multiple mods can lead to conflicts if two mods edit the same original file. So not all .rpf mods can be used at the same time.

Some other important notes
- If a mod has many different names, it means it is the same original mod. Don’t get confused or confused.
- Do not use mods in GTA Online to avoid an account ban when using mods in GTA V.
- There are no mods for Xbox/PS yet, only GTA 5 PC mods.
- The nature of modding is that you download an installation file and overwrite the original file. Therefore, you must back up the game before installing any mod.
- Each mod has different control keys and different versions. Specifically, modders have instructions in the readme.txt file.
- Downloaded mods may contain viruses, so be very careful.
Tools for modding in GTA V
When you need to download a particular mod, look in the description of the request on the mod download page. You will see the modder specifically stating what tools you need to run the mod. Here are some popular ones:
- Script Hook V: A library of scripts to play in the game. Native trainer is in the Script Hook V mod. Downloaded files often have the .asi extension
- ScriptHookV.Net: This is also a script library developed by another group called Crosire (Script Hook V written by Alexander Blade). Some mods will only need Script Hook V to run, some mods will need both (Simple Metric/Imperial Speedometer 2.1.3).
- Open IV: A tool to edit mods with .rpt extension
- GTA V LUA Plugin – LUA – : A language for writing games. When modders use this language to write mods, you will need this plugin to run your mod (most typically Ragdoll Mod). Mods download files that usually have the .lua extension
- Latest Microsoft .NET Framework
- Latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Normally, when you want to install a mod, that mod will require Script Hook V and Open IV.