How do I install liveries in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

To install liveries in Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC, download the compatible package, extract it, and copy the folder containing manifest.json and layout.json into the Community folder. Restart the simulator and choose the repaint in the aircraft’s livery selector. Xbox users must install liveries through the in-sim Marketplace.

How to install an MSFS livery on PC

On PC, install a manually downloaded livery by extracting its package folder into the active Community folder.

1. Check the simulator version. Confirm whether the download is intended for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, or both. Do not assume that a package made for one release will work in the other.
2. Confirm the required aircraft. The livery must support the exact base aircraft and model variant you use. Matching the visible aircraft name is not enough when several developers offer different versions of the same type.
3. Extract the archive. Most liveries arrive in a ZIP or similar compressed file. Extract it to a temporary location; do not place the unopened archive in Community. If the download includes an installer, follow its supplied instructions instead of copying the files a second time.
4. Find the package root. Open the extracted folders until you find one containing manifest.json and layout.json at its top level. A livery pack can contain several such package folders, each of which may need to be installed separately.
5. Open the active Community folder. Its location depends on the simulator release, Store or Steam installation and any custom packages path you selected. Our instructions for locating the Community folder used by your installation cover the common arrangements.
6. Copy the complete package folder. The expected structure is roughly Community\publisher-livery-name\manifest.json. Do not scatter loose files in Community, leave the package inside an unnecessary wrapper folder, or manually install it in an Official folder.
7. Restart Microsoft Flight Simulator. Close the simulator completely before relaunching it so the package is scanned again.
8. Select the repaint. Open the supported aircraft in the aircraft selection or customisation screen and choose the repaint from its livery list. It will not normally appear as a separate aircraft.

The mistake we see most often is an extra folder level. If the extracted path resembles Community\download-name\actual-livery-package\manifest.json, move actual-livery-package directly into Community.

Does a livery need the exact same aircraft?

Yes: the base aircraft, developer and model variant must be among those supported by the livery.

A repaint is usually a texture package that references an existing aircraft; it does not supply the complete aeroplane. A livery for one developer’s A320, for example, will not automatically work with another developer’s A320. Engine, passenger, cargo, edition-specific and other model variants can also use different texture mapping or package references.

Before downloading, compare the stated simulator release, aircraft developer, product name and variant. Our guide to checking aircraft compatibility when choosing airline liveries explains these requirements in more detail.

If the repaint depends on an aircraft you do not own or have not installed, add and test that aircraft first. Follow our separate instructions for installing the required base aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator; the livery cannot work without its dependency.

Can MSFS 2020 liveries be used in MSFS 2024?

Only use a livery across simulator releases when its description or updated documentation confirms compatibility.

Some simple repaints may remain compatible, but aircraft packages, model definitions and texture materials can change. An incompatible livery may be absent, attach to the wrong variant or display black, blank or chequered textures. The two simulators also use separate package locations unless you have deliberately configured them otherwise, so copying a livery into an old Community folder will not install it in the other simulator.

Why is my livery not showing in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

A missing livery is usually caused by the wrong Community folder, an unextracted or nested package, or a mismatch with the installed aircraft.

• Wrong Community folder: Reinstallations, multiple simulator releases and custom package paths can leave several folders named Community. Make sure you are using the one read by the simulator you launched.
• Archive not extracted: MSFS will not load a ZIP file placed directly in Community.
• Extra wrapper folder: Place the folder containing manifest.json and layout.json directly under Community.
• Incorrect aircraft or variant: Recheck the developer, package, engine or model specified by the livery author.
• Missing base aircraft: Install and enable the required freeware, payware or edition-specific aircraft before testing its repaint.
• Simulator still running: Restart it after adding, removing or replacing packages.
• Safe Mode: Community packages are disabled when MSFS is running in Safe Mode. Relaunch normally before deciding that the livery is broken.
• Wrong selection screen: Look inside the supported aircraft’s livery selector rather than expecting another aircraft tile.
• Old or duplicate package: Remove previous copies of the same repaint. Aircraft updates can also make an older livery incompatible until its package is revised.
• Pink, chequered or blank textures: These usually indicate missing or incompatible texture references rather than a selection-menu problem. Reinstall the correct livery version instead of moving loose texture files between packages.

To isolate a conflict, remove the livery, verify that its base aircraft loads correctly, then reinstall only that repaint and its stated dependencies. If it works with other Community add-ons removed, restore those packages in batches until the conflicting package is identified. If it still fails on its own, redownload it and recheck the aircraft and simulator compatibility.

Can you install liveries on Xbox?

Xbox supports Marketplace liveries, but it does not provide access to a Community folder for manually downloaded packages.

An Xbox cannot use a freeware ZIP copied from a PC or external drive; the livery must be offered through the in-sim Marketplace for that platform and simulator release. PC users can choose either route, but Marketplace content should remain under the simulator’s own management rather than being moved into Community. Our overview of the practical differences between Marketplace and manual installation explains when each option makes sense.