How to install GTA 5 mods safely in 2026 (Script Hook V, OpenIV, and not getting banned)

[ice]

The complete beginner setup, and the safety rules that keep your account alive.

Rule zero: mods are for single-player ONLY. Never load mods into GTA Online. Rockstar bans for it, and with GTA 6 coming you do not want your account flagged. The tools below have safeguards, but the responsibility is yours.

The core toolkit

1. Script Hook V (Alexander Blade) — the foundation. Lets .asi scripts run. It intentionally disables itself in Online. Note: it breaks after most game updates — wait for the updated version before launching modded after a patch day.
   
2. ScriptHookVDotNet — same idea for .NET mods; loads of mods need it.
   
3. OpenIV — the archive editor for texture/model/data mods. Use its "mods folder" feature so you NEVER touch original game files. Everything installs into /mods/, vanilla stays clean.
   
4. A trainer (Menyoo or Simple Trainer) — teleports, vehicle spawning, saving setups.
   

Install order that never fails

1. Back up your game folder (or at least know how to verify files)
   
2. Script Hook V → test the game launches
   
3. ScriptHookVDotNet → test again
   
4. OpenIV + create the mods folder
   
5. Add mods ONE at a time, testing between each. When something breaks, you'll know exactly what did it.
   

Where to get mods: gta5-mods.com is the main hub with actual moderation. Random YouTube-description zip files are how you get a miner on your PC.

Golden combo to start with: NaturalVision (graphics), LSPDFR (play as police — genuinely a whole second game), and World of Variety. That trio alone is hundreds of hours.