How do I install liveries in MSFS 2020 and 2024?

To install liveries in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024 on PC, extract the download and place the package folder containing manifest.json and layout.json directly in the active Community folder. Restart the simulator, select the matching aircraft, then choose its repaint. Consoles can install only liveries distributed through the simulator.

How to install a downloaded MSFS livery on PC

A standard manually downloaded livery belongs in the Community folder used by that specific Microsoft Flight Simulator installation.

1. Check compatibility. Confirm that the livery supports MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024 or both, plus the exact aircraft developer, product and model variant. Two aircraft with the same visible name may use completely different packages and textures.
2. Close the simulator. Adding a package while MSFS is running can prevent detection until the next full restart.
3. Check the supplied format and instructions. Standard packages come in ZIP, RAR or 7z archives, but installer-based and PMDG liveries use different methods. Files from our MSFS aircraft and livery downloads may include a readme describing any special handling.
4. Extract the archive. Unpack it to a temporary location. Do not place the unopened compressed file in Community.
5. Find the package root. Open the extracted folders until you reach the folder containing manifest.json and layout.json at its top level. A livery pack may contain several separate package folders, each of which must be installed individually.
6. Open the active Community folder. Its location depends on the simulator release, PC storefront and any custom packages path selected during installation. Use the simulator's command to open Community where available. On installations containing UserCfg.opt, the InstalledPackagesPath entry identifies the package root beneath which Community sits.
7. Copy the complete package folder. The expected structure is roughly Community\publisher-livery-name\manifest.json. Do not merge it into the base aircraft, move only its texture files, scatter loose files in Community or install it manually under Official.
8. Start MSFS and select the repaint. Choose the supported aircraft, then use its livery, appearance or paint-scheme selector. Most repaints do not create another aircraft tile, although a few add-ons are packaged as separate variants.

A mistake we see constantly is an unnecessary wrapper folder. If the path resembles Community\download-name\actual-livery-package\manifest.json, move actual-livery-package directly into Community. Also check that you have not used an abandoned Community folder left by a reinstall, a drive move or the other MSFS release.

Which livery installation method should I use?

The download format determines whether the livery belongs in Community or must be handled by another tool.

Does a livery need the exact same aircraft?

Yes. The livery must support the installed base aircraft, its developer and the specific model variant you intend to fly.

A repaint is usually a texture package that references an existing aeroplane; it does not include the complete aircraft. A livery made for one developer's A320 will not automatically fit another developer's A320. Engine options, passenger and cargo models, product revisions and edition-specific variants can also use different texture mapping or package references.

Install and test the required base aircraft before adding its repaint. If that aircraft is absent, disabled or belongs to another simulator edition, the livery cannot work.

Can MSFS 2020 liveries work in MSFS 2024?

Use a livery across simulator releases only when its description or updated documentation confirms compatibility.

Some simple repaints may work, but aircraft definitions, model variants and texture materials can change. An incompatible package may be missing, attach to the wrong model or display black, blank, pink or chequered textures. Our explanation of how MSFS 2020-to-2024 livery compatibility works covers safe testing and the reasons packages fail.

MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 normally use separate package locations. Installing a repaint in the older simulator's Community folder does not add it to the other release unless both were deliberately configured to share that location.

Why is my installed livery not showing?

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

• Wrong Community folder: Confirm that the folder belongs to the simulator release and installation you launched.
• Archive not extracted: MSFS does not load a ZIP, RAR or 7z file placed directly in Community.
• Extra wrapper folder: Put the folder containing manifest.json and layout.json immediately under Community.
• Wrong aircraft or simulator: Recheck the developer, product revision, engine, model and supported MSFS release.
• Missing base aircraft: Install and enable the required freeware, payware or edition-specific aircraft first.
• Simulator still running: Close and restart it after adding, replacing or removing packages.
• Safe Mode: Community packages are disabled in Safe Mode. Relaunch normally before testing the repaint.
• Wrong selection screen: Check the supported aircraft's livery selector and, for packages supplied as separate variants, the main aircraft list.
• Old or duplicate package: Remove obsolete copies rather than keeping two versions of the same repaint. An aircraft update can also make an older livery incompatible.
• Pink, chequered, black or blank textures: These normally indicate missing or incompatible texture references. Reinstall the correct version instead of moving loose texture files between packages.

To isolate a conflict, remove the repaint, verify that the base aircraft loads correctly, then reinstall only that livery and its stated dependencies. If it works with other Community add-ons removed, restore them in batches until the conflict returns. Our fuller diagnostic checklist for liveries that do not appear covers the remaining folder, dependency and texture checks.

Can I install downloaded liveries on Xbox or PlayStation?

No. Console editions do not expose a Community folder for arbitrary packages downloaded on a PC or copied from an external drive.

Xbox Series X|S users must obtain liveries through the simulator's supported in-game Marketplace and library systems. The same restriction applies to MSFS 2024 on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released on PlayStation.

Can I rename or organise livery folders?

You can usually rename the top-level folder of a manually installed Community package, but its internal files and directory structure should remain unchanged.

Be cautious with installer-managed packages because their updater or removal tool may expect the original folder name. Keep inactive liveries outside Community rather than placing active packages inside category folders that introduce another directory level.