Linux User's Guide to Beat Saber Mods

Quick and easy guide for getting mods set up on Linux!

Why mod?

Modding allows you to get a lot more customization, control and even content out of your game. There are mods for improving the camera, removing visual clutter, adding extra functionality to custom levels, quality-of-life fixes, and more. Most mods have little to no performance impact so there's no reason not to check them out!

Image: Custom level Midnight Lady[beatsaver.com] running with Noodle Extensions and Custom Sabers

Using BeatSaberModManager

BeatSaberModManager[github.com] is a graphical mod installer for Linux. It is the easiest way to install Beat Saber mods on Linux and keep them updated.

To use BeatSaberModManager:

1. Make sure you have launched Beat Saber in VR at least once.
   
2. Download the latest release of BeatSaberModManager (click)[github.com]
   
3. Extract the zip and run the executable (you may need to mark it as executable through right click > Properties)
   
4. Right-click on the game in your Steam library, go to Properties > Local Files > Browse...
   
5. Copy the path of the directory and paste it where prompted in BeatSaberModManager.
   
6. Ensure BeatSaberModManager is set to the correct, latest version of Beat Saber.
   
7. Check each mod you want and install.

This process can be repeated at any time to add additional mods or to update your current ones.

Extra notes:

• Not all mods will work perfectly! Personally I haven't had any issues with mods in Linux but keep in mind that most mods are not tested for use in Linux.
  
• Game updates will break mods! Most content/fix updates will cause mods to stop working. This is at no fault of the game's developers since mods are not officially supported in the game. When this happens, check BeatSaberModManager periodically for any updates, the mod list should automatically get updated when mod developers put out releases for the new game version.
  
• Check back every so often for new updates! As mentioned earlier, the mod list in BeatSaberModManager will get updated if new releases of mods are published, so to ensure the best stability and feature set, make sure your mods are updated.

Installing Mods Not Listed in BeatSaberModManager/BeatMods

BeatSaberModManager will be able to install the more popular/core mods, but there are many other mods available for use from places like the Beat Saber Modding Group.[discord.gg]

To install these mods:

1. Make sure you have downloaded and used BeatSaberModManager (or have installed BSIPA).
   
2. Download the mod's DLL file.
   
3. Right-click on the game in your Steam library, go to Properties > Local Files > Browse...
   
4. Navigate to your Plugins folder and copy-paste the DLL.

Extra notes:

• Read the mod's description! Some mods require certain dependencies to work properly, so make sure you read the mod's description in order to make sure it works properly.

Installing Custom Songs

There are two main methods of installing Custom Songs.

In-Game:

The easiest way to install Custom Songs is through the in-game browser.

1. Install the BeatSaverDownloader mod.
   
2. Go to the game's main menu.
   
3. Look left to the "mods" panel and click "More songs".
   
4. Search for the song you want and click Download!

Manually:

To download a custom song manually:

1. Download the song's ZIP file.
   
2. Right-click on the game in your Steam library, go to Properties > Local Files > Browse...
   
3. Navigate to Beat Saber_Data > CustomLevels
   
4. Extract the custom song's folder into the CustomLevels directory.

Extra notes:

• Some songs require extra mods! Most commonly these are Chroma, Mapping Extensions and/or Noodle Extensions. If you can't load a song, you can check what mods it needs by selecting the "?" in the top right of its panel.
  
• Some great sites for finding songs are BeatSaver[beatsaver.com] and BeastSaber.[bsaber.com] BeatSaver offers a more specific search than the in-game one while BeastSaber has Curator Recommended songs that are great for finding something new.

Conclusion

I hope this guide was able to help you. If it did, a rating would be very appreciated! If you have any questions:

• Consult the BeatSaberModManager[github.com] documentation.
  
• Ask the lovely users of the Beat Saber Modding Group[discord.gg] (although this is most likely only helpful for non-linux specific questions)
  
• Leave a comment on this guide, myself and others will be able to help you.

Special Thanks

affederaffe[github.com] - for developing BeatSaberModManager and keeping it updated!
muffn - for their beautiful MS Paint art!
You - for reading my guide!

[yao mtc]

Thanks for the guide, I'll try it out. Also I would suggest mentioning something about keeping/installing a previous version of the game when an update releases and inevitably breaks mods

[clav]

https://github.com/affederaffe/BeatSaberModManager/
this should be used instead of beatroni

[Maria D.B.]

SaberFactory is used for custom sabers as of writing. Last time I checked it wasn't in any mod managers yet so you'll likely have to install it into your Plugins folder manually.
https://github.com/ToniMacaroni/SaberFactory/releases
Hope this helps

[WinterStorm]

which mod is custom sabers? was not in the list

[sczie]

I've had good luck with https://github.com/Zingabopp/BeatSync for syncing songs based on bsaber bookmarks or follows.