Guide: Updating Mods After GTA V Title Update

Step 1: Backup

• Essential Files: Before updating, back up your entire GTA V folder, especially the mods folder and key files such as `GTA5.exe`, `keys.ini`, `lspdfr.ini`, `visualsettings.dat`, `handling.meta`, and `gameconfig.xml`—only if they have been modified. For customized DLC vehicles like custom liveries, copy the relevant DLC packs from your mods folder to a separate backup location for easy access during mod reinstallation or you'll have to re-install the vehicle and then re-install the livery.

Step 2: Disable Auto-Updates

• Steam: Right-click GTA V in your Steam library, go to 'Properties', navigate to 'Updates', and set to ‘Only update this game when I launch it’.

• Rockstar Launcher: Access the settings in the Rockstar Launcher to toggle off automatic updates for GTA V. This prevents the game from updating unexpectedly and potentially disrupting mod setups.

Step 3: Update Game Manually

• Steam: Manually update the game by selecting 'Verify integrity of game files'.

• Rockstar Launcher: Update the game manually through the launcher when you're prepared, ensuring all mods and tools are ready for the new game version.

Step 4: Update Modding Tools

• Tools to Update: Get the latest versions of RAGE Plugin Hook and Script Hook V, ScriptHookVDotNet and RageNativeUI, checking their compatibility with your game version. You may have to wait a day or two for important files to be updated.

• Installation: Replace old versions in your GTA directory with these updates.

Step 5: Adjust Game Files

• Transferring update.rpf: Launch OpenIV into edit mode. When prompted by OpenIV, transferring the 'update.rpf' file essentially replaces the modded version with the updated vanilla file. This ensures compatibility with the new game version but will remove some visual mods and other configurations.

• Backing up visualsettings.dat: If you've installed any mods for better emergency lighting or visiual improvements, then make a backup copy of the 'visualsettings.dat' file before transferring 'update.rpf'. This file stores your custom graphics settings, and replacing it will reset those settings. You can restore your backup to maintain your preferred visuals, but check the mod's info/download page to see if there is an update needed. (probably not)

• Updating gameconfig.xml and dlclist.xml: Ensure the 'dlclist.xml' is modified to reflect any new DLC packs you're adding and verify the entries for your custom DLC packs. Now, after backing up the original, replace your custom 'gameconfig.xml' as long as it doesn't require an update, but this may need to be updated, so check.

Step 6: Update Mods

• Identifying Update Needs: Before diving into updates, assess each mod individually. Some, like the popular Emergency Uniforms Pack (EUP), ELS, or one of many callout packs, may not require updates at all. However, it's crucial to check the mod author's website or forum for specific instructions or last update date.

• Reinstalling vs. Updating: Depending on the mod, you might need a complete reinstall or just an update of specific files within the mod folder. Refer to the author's instructions to determine the appropriate method.

• Updating Manually with OpenIV: If manual updates are necessary, use OpenIV to carefully install the updated files into the corresponding directories within your mods folder that you have saved or from the install instructions. 

• Prioritizing Existing Modifications (DLC Mods): Pay close attention to DLC mods, especially those you've customized (like EUP with custom vests or uniforms).

• Here's where the order of reinstalling becomes crucial:

  1. Back Up Your Customizations: Before reinstalling any DLC mods you've modified, make sure to back up any custom files you added – in EUP's case, these might be custom vests or uniforms you added to EUP or similar packs.

  2. Reinstall DLC Mods (Selective File Restoration): While your custom DLC pack files aren't directly impacted by updates, you need to re-establish their presence in the game. To do this, edit the newly updated `dlclist.xml` file by appending `<Item>` entries from your backup `dlclist.xml`. Focus on adding only the entries for your custom DLC packs, not those from the base game, at the end of the list. You should also remember to follow this same selective method to reconfigure your vehicles.meta and handling.meta files with any changes you made to your previous file.

Remember: Don't replace the entire dlclist.xml, vehicles.meta, or handling.meta file with your backup!

Here's how to replace vanilla vehicles with your custom vehicles after a GTA V LSPDFR update:

GTA V updates modify game files, including those related to vehicles. This can overwrite your custom vehicle files placed within the MODS...\update.rpf archive when it is eventually overwritten when you copy over the new 'update' folder to your MODS...\.  It's extremely helpful to create 'Favorites' in OpenIV to all your replaced files.

When updating your `vehicles.meta` and `handling.meta` files, proceed with caution. Apply only the changes you made previously, and avoid replacing these files wholesale if they were not modified by your vehicle installations. This selective approach helps preserve any custom modifications you've made, preventing unnecessary overwrites. If there were no changes to these files in your earlier setups, you can ignore them.

What You'll Need:

1. Your Custom Vehicle Files: The vehicle files you want to use in-game (model files, textures, etc.)

2. Backup: Consider backing up the vehicles.meta file and relevant vehicle folders within MODS...\update.rpf before proceeding.

Steps:

1. Locate Your Custom Vehicle Files: Ensure you have your custom vehicle files readily available. These typically include model files (e.g., .yft), texture files (e.g., .ytd).

2. Open MODS...\update.rpf with OpenIV: Launch OpenIV and navigate to your GTA V directory. Open the MODS...\update.rpf archive.

3. Identify Vehicle Folders: Inside MODS...\update.rpf, locate the folders for the in-game vehicles you want to replace (e.g., police2, police3, sheriff).

4. Export Existing Vehicle Files: Backup each in-game vehicle you want to replace (e.g., police2), drag and drop them to a backup folder or desktop.

5. Drag and Drop Replacement: Drag and drop your custom vehicle files into the corresponding folders within MODS...\update.rpf that you have identified. If you don't remember the locations, refer to the original install instructions.

Step 7: Reinstall Mods

• Reinstalling Affected Mods: Focus on reinstalling any mods directly impacted by the update, particularly those located within the mods/update/update.rpf folder. When re-installing affected mods, Try to only replace the exact files affected by update. If you don't need to replace an .ini file in your 'Plugins' folder with your customizations, for example, don't. The mod author will usually tell you which files need replacing, usually the .dll or script. Sometimes, you may need to overwrite a file and then copy and paste in your custom text data from backup.

Step 8: Verify and Test

• Launch via RAGE Plugin Hook: Start the game using RAGE Plugin Hook to check mod functionality and game stability. Make sure you select your desired plugins to load, in the RPH menu. You can hold SHIFT while opening to access the menu.

Step 1: Backup

Back up your entire GTA V folder, especially the mods folder and essential modified files like `keys.ini`, `lspdfr.ini`, `visualsettings.dat`, `handling.meta`, and `gameconfig.xml`. Save customized DLC vehicles and liveries separately for easier restoration.

Step 2: Disable Auto-Updates

For Steam, adjust settings to update only on launch. For Rockstar Launcher, toggle off automatic updates to control when your game updates, avoiding unexpected mod breakage.

Step 3: Manually Update Game

Update through Steam or Rockstar Launcher only when your mods and tools are aligned with the new version.

Step 4: Update Modding Tools

Secure the latest versions of RAGE Plugin Hook, Script Hook V, ScriptHookVDotNet, and RageNativeUI. Check tool compatibility before updating in your GTA directory.

Step 5: Adjust Game Files via OpenIV

Update `update.rpf`, backing up and restoring `visualsettings.dat` to preserve graphics settings. Modify `gameconfig.xml` and `dlclist.xml` as necessary, integrating any new DLC packs.

Step 6: Update Mods

Evaluate each mod’s need for updates. Use OpenIV for precise file updates or reinstallation, and manage custom DLC mods sensitively to maintain your settings and additions.

Step 7: Reinstall Mods

Focus on mods in the `mods/update/update.rpf` folder. Replace only the files that are directly affected by the update, ensuring not to overwrite custom configurations.

Step 8: Verify and Test

Launch the game via RAGE Plugin Hook, checking the stability and functionality of all mods. Adjust as necessary to ensure smooth gameplay.