GTA 5 modding guide: How to install mods on PC

A GTA 5 modding guide is helpful if you love modifying Grand Theft Auto games and want to mod the latest title. Although modding the popular game started almost immediately after its release on PC in 2015, many players have yet to get this experience. Console players are also deprived of it as third-party applications or scripts aren't allowed on officially supported devices. So, the PC is where you go to enjoy mods.

While mods for Grand Theft Auto 5 are available in abundance, Rockstar Games doesn't permit them to directly run on the game. One main reason could be that the 2013 title also comes with a multiplayer version that shares the same game files. Therefore, players use various third-party script runners to install mods.

This GTA 5 modding guide will help you understand how to install popular mod platforms like Script Hook V and OpenIV and run mods through them on PC.

Note: Some parts of this GTA 5 modding guide are subjective and only reflect the writer’s opinions. The author is not responsible for data loss or ban imposition from Rockstar Games.

GTA 5 modding guide: Understanding the basic requirements

Modding unlocks many new possibilities in the Grand Theft Auto 5 PC version (Image via Rockstar Games)

Modding means altering a few features to make the game more fun or useful. The Grand Theft Auto series titles are known to be some of the best games to mod where players have done some fascinating things. Before, modding the latest title, the GTA 5 modding guide advises players to own an official copy of the game on PC.

Most modders develop their mods to comply with the game's latest version. Although Rockstar Games has stopped releasing updates for the Grand Theft Auto 5 Story Mode, the game version changes every six months as the multiplayer version gets new DLCs. Therefore, it is always best to have a licensed copy so that the experience remains smooth.

While GTA 5 modding guide readers can still install mods on pirated versions, finding the same version of the mod(s) would be difficult.

GTA 5 modding guide readers can currently buy the PC version of the game from three digital stores:

Steam - 29.98 USD
Epic Games Store - 29.99 USD
Rockstar Games Launcher (or Rockstar Games Store) - 29.99 USD

Keep in mind that these are the standard prices for the game. You can get it for cheaper during sales and holiday seasons.

Modding is one of the reasons why Grand Theft Auto 5 is still popular on PC (Image via Rockstar Games)

The GTA 5 modding guide also advises you to have at least a decent PC before going for mods. Despite being over a decade old, the game still requires some hefty specifications to run the official version. Since modding will add more elements to run, you must have decently powerful hardware.

The graphics mods are quite popular, and it goes without saying that they will require a more powerful PC. If your PC barely runs the game, this GTA 5 modding guide advises you to avoid mods; at least the graphics-related ones.

Considering you fill all the conditions, let us now discuss the Script Hook V and OpenIV mods. Script Hook V is a framework for mods to operate and run on the PC. As mentioned, Rockstar Games doesn't let you run mods directly. Therefore, you will have to use the Script Hook V platform.

OpenIV is a similar functioning framework that works in Grand Theft Auto 5 and supports Grand Theft Auto 4 and The Episodes from Liberty City expansion. Both frameworks are pioneers in their fields and are very user-friendly.

How to install Script Hook V mod in the Grand Theft Auto 5 PC version

The Script Hook V mod supports many other popular Grand Theft Auto 5 mods (Image via GTA5-Mods)

The Script Hook V mod can be downloaded from two different websites: GTA5-Mods and AB Software Development. Both of them are from the same developer (Alexander Blade). Follow these steps to install the mod as part of your GTA 5 modding guide:

Download the Script Hook V mod from GTA5-Mods or AB Software Development (http://dev-c.com/gtav/scripthookv).
Extract the file into a folder.
Open the bin folder inside the Script Hook V folder. You should get three files named dinput8.dll, NativeTainer.asi, and ScriptHookV.dll.
Open Grand Theft Auto 5’s installed folder on your File Explorer. This will differ for everyone depending on where you have installed the game.
Copy all three files from inside the bin folder and paste them directly into the Grand Theft Auto 5 folder.

Now the Script Hook V mod should be installed in your game and ready to be used.

How to install the OpenIV mod in the Grand Theft Auto 5 PC version

The OpenIV mod can also host a bunch of PC mods for Grand Theft Auto 5 (Image via Rockstar Games)

Like the Script Hook V mod, the OpenIV mod can be installed from two sources: the GTA5-Mods website and its official website. This GTA 5 modding guide offers the following steps to get the mod:

Download the OpenIV mod from the GTA5-Mods website or https://openiv.com.
The green download button should appear on top, click on it to get the file.
Extract the file into the OpenIV folder.
Double-click on the OpenIVSetup.exe folder. A setup window should appear.
Choose your preferred language (English or Russian) and click Continue.
It may require to download some additional files. Therefore, the GTA 5 modding guide advises you to keep your PC connected to the internet during the process.
Accept the End User License Agreement and click Continue.
Select the path you want OpenIV to be installed on your PC. It may download a new file again. After the download, the file will be installed automatically and the setup process will be completed.
Close the OpenIVSetup window.

The OpenIV base mod has been installed on your PC. Now, we will configure it with Grand Theft Auto 5. Follow these steps as part of the GTA 5 modding guide:

Open the newly installed OpenIV application.
Grand Theft Auto 5 should appear in the middle of the list. Click on the Windows button below the game name.
Select the game installation location and press Continue.
Click Continue on the backup warning. After a few seconds, the OpenIV mod application should be linked with your game.

Also read: GTA 5 100 percent guide

How to install the gameplay mods for Grand Theft Auto 5 on PC

The Grand Theft Auto 5 PC version is heaven for mods (Image via Rockstar Games)

The modding community for Grand Theft Auto 5 has developed a plethora of mods. Therefore, going through the installation process of each mod is practically impossible, This GTA 5 modding guide will discuss the installation process of some of the most popular PC mods such as the Chaos mod, FiveM, and the Natural Vision mod.

Steps to download and install the Chaos mod:

Download and install Script Hook V as mentioned in the GTA 5 modding guide above.
Download the Chaon Mod V file from the GTA5-Mods website (www.gta5-mods.com/scripts/chaos-mod-v-beta).
Extract the .zip file into a folder to access its contents.
Open the Grand Theft Auto 5 installation location.
Copy the Chaos mod folder and the ChaosMod.asi file and paste them into the game folder.

Steps to download and install the FiveM mod:

Go to the official FiveM website (https://fivem.net).
The Download Client button should appear on the front. Click on it.
Accept the terms and services to start the download process.
Double-click on the setup file.
It may require an update. GTA 5 modding guide readers should keep their PCs connected to the internet.
Once the download is finished, it will ask you to find the GTA5.exe file inside your game directory.
The FiveM application will try to verify the game content and update the local game data. The GTA 5 modding guide advises you to allow both promptly.
A new download screen should appear. Download it, the FiveM application will try to sign into the game.
When the Rockstar Social Club sign-in window appears, do it promptly to progress.
Once done with the process, open the FiveM application again to use its features.

Grand Theft Auto 5 looks more beautiful with graphics mods (Image via Rockstar Games)

Steps to download and install the Natural Vision mod:

Go to the Razed Mods website (www.razedmods.com).
Click on the Grand Theft Auto V option.
Click on the image beside the Natural Vision Evolved heading.
Click on the Download button.
On the gofile.io website, click on the Download button near the file NaturalVision Evolved - Single Player Beta Package.zip.
Extract the .zip file into a folder.
Open the Grand Theft Auto 5 installation folder and create a new folder named ‘mods’.
Copy the ‘updates’ folder from the game folder and paste it into the new mods folder.
Open the ASI Manager from the toolbar and install the following three: ASI Loader, OpenIV.ASI, and openCamera.
Click on the Edit Mode button and press Yes.
Open the extracted Natural Vision Evolved mod folder, copy the NaturalVision Installer Part One file, and paste it into the OpenIV window.
A small window should appear. Click Install and select the ‘mod’ folder as the location.
Once done, repeat steps 11 and 12 with the NaturalVision Installer Part Two file.
Close the Edit Mode on the OpenIV application.
Open the ENB (Required) folder in the NaturalVision Evolved folder.
There should be three settings folder named Ultra, Medium, and Low. Open any of the folders depending on your preference.
Copy all the files inside the folder and paste them into the Grand Theft Auto 5 game folder.

Next time you open Grand Theft Auto 5, it should launch with the NaturalVision Evolved mod.

Also read: GTA 5 strategy guide

Why backing up the game is necessary before installing Grand Theft Auto 5 PC mods

Using mods in Grand Theft Auto 5 can be risky at times (Image via Rockstar Games)

Since modding tools and scripts do not come from Rockstar Games officially, there is always a risk of your game getting crashed or files getting corrupted. Therefore, a crucial part of the GTA 5 modding guide includes backing up the game before installing third-party mods.

To create a backup of your entire game files, simply copy the entire Grand Theft Auto 5 folder (directory), paste it into a new location, and rename it as a backup. Keep in mind that the new folder will take around 150 GB of disk space.

If for any reason, the game crashes or gets corrupted during the modding process, you can always restore the required official files from the backup folder.

Can you get banned for using Grand Theft Auto 5 PC mods?

Rockstar Games has clearly defined the boundary for PC mods (Image via Rockstar Games)

To get the answer, those reading the GTA 5 modding guide must understand the context of using mods. Rockstar Games allows almost all kinds of third-party mods in Grand Theft Auto 5 Story Mode. Whether you install god mode mods, new cars mods, or a completely new map, the studio is very flexible with the single-player version. In an official Newswire published on May 7, 2015, Rockstar stated:

“We have always appreciated the creative efforts of the PC modding community…no one has been banned for using single player modifications, and you should not worry about being banned or being relegated to the cheater pool just for using single player PC mods.”

However, it does not mean you can use mods in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online. The statement further said:

“Our primary focus is on protecting GTA Online against modifications that could give players an unfair advantage, disrupt gameplay, or cause griefing. It also bears mentioning that because game mods are by definition unauthorized, they may be broken by technical updates, cause instability, or affect your game in other unforeseen ways.”

If you are following this GTA 5 modding guide, never use mods in the multiplayer version as it can and will get you banned.

Also read: GTA 5 Stock Market Guide

Edited by Angad Sharma