X-Plane Mobile does not accept desktop liveries, custom scenery or plugins. Learn what content works and when you need X-Plane 11 or 12.
No. X-Plane Mobile does not provide the desktop simulator’s folder-based add-on system, so you cannot install third-party liveries, custom scenery, aircraft or plugins in the iOS or Android app. You can only use aircraft, liveries and scenery that the mobile app itself supplies or downloads through its own interface.
What add-ons can X-Plane Mobile use?
X-Plane Mobile can use official content made available inside the app. The precise aircraft, liveries and scenery available depend on the app version, platform and content access attached to your account.
| Content | X-Plane Mobile | Desktop X-Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party aircraft | No | Yes, when compatible |
| Custom liveries | No | Yes |
| Custom airports and scenery | No | Yes |
| Plugins and scripts | No | Yes, subject to simulator and operating-system compatibility |
| Official downloadable content | Yes, through the app | Handled through the desktop installation |
Official scenery downloaded by the mobile app is not the same as a user-installed airport or orthophoto package. Likewise, an aircraft supplied inside the app may include selectable paint schemes, but that does not create support for imported livery files.
Why do X-Plane 11 and 12 downloads not work on mobile?
Desktop X-Plane downloads fail on mobile because the two editions use different installation and content systems. Desktop aircraft, scenery and plugins expect folders such as Aircraft, Custom Scenery and Resources/plugins; X-Plane Mobile does not expose equivalent supported add-on locations or loaders.
Copying files into an Android app directory, the iOS Files app or cloud storage will not make them appear in X-Plane Mobile. A scenery package may also depend on desktop libraries and scenery_packs.ini, while a plugin contains executable code compiled for a desktop operating system.
Our explanation of how X-Plane works on iPad and iPhone covers the wider differences between the mobile and desktop editions. For comparison, the desktop X-Plane mod installation process shows the folder structure that the mobile app lacks.
Can you install custom liveries in X-Plane Mobile?
No, X-Plane Mobile cannot import a desktop livery folder or a replacement texture image. Renaming an image, converting it to another format or placing it beside app data does not register it as an aircraft paint scheme.
If a mobile aircraft includes several liveries, select from those offered by the app. Simmers using X-Plane 11 or 12 on a computer can instead follow our desktop livery folder and selection instructions.
Does an import or share option support add-ons?
An operating-system import, file-sharing or “open in” option is not evidence of add-on support. Such controls may handle a supported data type, but they do not provide a general installer for aircraft, scenery, liveries or plugins.
A mistake we see often is unzipping a desktop download and expecting the mobile app to discover it automatically. It will not, and modifying protected app data can cause wasted storage, lost settings or a forced reinstall without solving the compatibility problem.
Which X-Plane edition should you use for mods?
Choose desktop X-Plane 11 or 12 if third-party aircraft, custom airports, orthophotos, liveries, plugins or scripts are essential. Choose X-Plane Mobile when portability and app-managed content matter more than an open add-on system; there is no supported conversion process that turns desktop add-ons into mobile content.