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If you are having trouble installing our Football Manager Transfer Update or any other Football Manager Database then please read everything below.
The guide is split into two sections, the basic installation instructions, which should be very simple for 99% of users and some common mistakes and issues. Please make sure to read the guide in full and check you're not making any of the common mistakes before commenting asking for help.
Extra: What to do if you're missing January transfers like Ronaldo, Enzo Fernandez etc
If you're missing transfers from January that means your copy of FM isn't up to date. Update it through Steam or whatever other platform you're using. When starting a new save make sure that it says 23.4 in the top right.
If you are using a cracked or pirated version of FM our update will not work, there is no way to make it work, do not ask for help with a cracking or pirated version you will be banned.
How to download and extract the Football Manager Data Update
- First download the Data Update. You will then be presented with a “zip” file to save somewhere on your computer
- Extract the zip file
- Mac: Usually you can just double click on it.
- Windows: Right click on the file and click “Extract All”
- You should then be presented with a folder that contains files named “.fmf”. In some cases you might be presented with just a single “.fmf” file not in any folders.
- Move the “.fmf” files to your “editor data” folder. See below for where this folder is located on different systems
- Make sure to put the “.fmf” files themselves directly in the “editor data” folder. You cannot have any sub folders within the “editor data” folder.
Windows: Where to put Football Manager Data Updates on Windows
The default path on Windows is:
Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data
Obviously change the year to whatever version of the game you're playing.
Mac: Where to put Football Manager Data Updates on Mac
The default path on Mac is:
/Users/yourname/Library/Application Support/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data
Obviously change the year to whatever version of the game you're playing.
This can be difficult to find on Mac using Finder, use the following steps to easily find this folder:
a) Open Finder
b) Click “Go” from the menubar and select “Go to Folder” (alternatively press Shift+CMD+G)
c) Copy in the following: ~/Library/Application Support/Sports Interactive/
d) Open the folder for you game e.g: “Football Manager 2023”
e) Open the “editor data” folder (or create it if it doesn't exist)
f) Move the “.fmf” files into the ”editor data" folder
By default in Finder the path is not shown. Click “View” > “Show Path Bar” in Finder and the full path will now be shown at the bottom of every Finder window.
How to find and change your “editor data” folder in Football Manager
Below you will find the default paths, but not everyone's installation is the same. The easiest way to be sure is to check in Football Manager itself.
- Open Football Manager and click “Preferences”
- Search “Location” at the top and you should see a path, stupidly FM has bad UI and you can't read the whole path.
- Click “Change Folder” and click the dropdown at the top and it should display the whole path.
- If you do wish to change the location you can do so here, but if you're struggling to install a file and asking for help this may confuse the situation.
- There is a reset button to the right of where it says “Change Folder” click this if you're unsure if you've changed it.
Common Mistakes
Not extracting the zip
The “.zip” file should not be in your “editor data” folder. You must extract the zip file. If you are seeing a .zip file in your editor data folder instead of .fmf files then you're doing it wrong.
Do not use sub folders
Your “editor data” folder should never have sub folders.
Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data/new leagues/France.fmf BAD
Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data/France.fmf GOOD
Sometimes when you download a file it will be organised in sub folders like “Football Manager 2023/editor data” already. Make sure to copy just the “.fmf” and not all the sub folders.
Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data/Football Manager 2023/editor data//Data Update.fmf BAD
Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data/Data Update.fmf GOOD
Having “public” folders
For some reason some people have duplicate folders under a parent folder called “public”. I'm not sure why this is, but sometimes it can cause problems. Check if you have the files under a folder folder called “Public” or “Public Documents” and move them to the correct path instead.
Here's some examples.
Windows
Users/Public/Public Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data BAD
Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data GOOD
Mac
/Users/yourname/Public/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data BAD
/Users/yourname/Library/Application Support/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2023/editor data GOOD
- Date Created
- 07 Feb 2023 08:37:48
- Date Updated
- 18 Aug 2023 15:24:10
- Last Comment
- 01 Jun 2026 18:58:49
Comments
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Brad Newton
im having the exact same issue. Started a save with spurs and madison, kulesevski and others contracts expire straight away
triangularchism
Same issue here.
Footygamer
Your screenshot doesn't show the folder they're in, but my guess would be it's the wrong one.
You can use View > Show Path Bar to show the path at the bottom
Pottsy07
hi, I have tried two different sites now to update new transfers etc for fm23 and they never show. not sure what I am doing wrong. please see below where I have copied and pasted the files
zadip04foReal
Same problem, impossible to use the update in the game, it's not even offered when I launch a new career. Whereas, for example, there's no problem with jersey or logo packs.... I've tried everything, if anyone has any ideas please let me know.
asmith161
Having same issues as above. .fmf files no longer showing when starting a new game. Files are in application support folder as above. Never had issue with these before. Seems to have changed since 23.5 update. Any ideas?
C Wheeler
Hi there, I wondered if anyone knows what problem I am having with downloading the FM23 data update. I have moved the files into the correct location and set the preferences but, it does not update in game.
Footygamer
It looks like you've already read this thread
Did you try the “How to find and change your “editor data” folder in Football Manager” section?
You said you set the preferences but didn't provide a screenshot.
Your Finder screenshot also doesn't show the path, you can enable it via View > Show Path Bar and it will appear at the bottom.
When asking for help it's best if you provide as much information as possible to make it easier for the people trying to help.
C Wheeler
Updated files, this is showing the path bar in the file and also the preferences set, provided in two screenshots because Mac doesn't seem to show the whole path on FM23
C Wheeler
Everything seems to be in the correct place but it doesn't show when it comes to the actual game?
AYWAN SULEIMAN
won't work for me - nothings showing up and they're all fmf
Moke Kokic
Anyone else having issues with game asking to choose only one league file…? I have Dave Around the Globe installed and some countries have red mark to indicate you should choose only one file. While others don't have that…
Ben0404
I already have the around the globe pack installed as well as increased realism megapack, and the licensing and real name fix alongside other graphics packs.
Can i download the fm23 data update and put all fmf files into editor data without problems? will everything work together? I downloaded all packs/graphics from sortoutsi
thanks a lot in advance
kalifornia
why?????
ariesbcn
me aparecen equipos como el bayern y el barcelona y otros…jugando las rondas clasificatorias de la champions o de la conference
Ignorey
in the latest update Ligue 1 only has 16 teams instead of 18 and liege 2 either.
Zoul
You will need to remove some files. Remove these:
Then you will also have to decide between some of the realism files or data update files. You will see which files are getting the warning triangle. Either choose the league files (correct promotions/relegations) or the optimized files (faster game speed). Same thing with the Italy rules fix file. Just untick the ones you don't prefer over the others.
For me I also have to untick Belgium League and Iceland optimized files, even though they don't have any warning. Otherwise those leagues are not playable.
Hope this helps! 🙂
Bené Onizuka
Can't also choose any editor data when I start new game. See a lot have the same problem on Mac. Any solution?
Ben0404
thank you very much for your answer. Where from do i have to delete those files? when choosing files inside the game before starting a save i don't see “ Missing players and staff” and “Player age 1 year & contract length" do i have to delete them in the files that they are located in inside my file manager on my mac?
Zoul
@Ben0404 Delete them from C:\Users\your username\Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2023\editor data (this is on PC, so find the equivalent path on your Mac). You can untick them instead of deleting, if you find them when setting up the game.
The exact file names are:
“sortitoutsi.net FM23 Data Update - Missing Players & Non-Players”
“sortitoutsi.net FM23 Data Update - Updated Ages and Contracts by 1 year”
Ben0404
thank you so so much.
micettozuccherino
non so più dove scrivere la mia richiesta…..cosa vi costa una risposta….. perché i contratti dei giocatori….pur iniziando il 12 giugno 2023…. hanno scadenza 30 giugno 2023…..vi sarò antipatico evidentemente
Naeem Muadhin
Hello, Urgent
It doesn't show anything in the 23.4.0 update thingy, nothing pops up there. I am on a Macbook, please help
bilge2610
Will Mason Greenwood be added to the game?
bazz8food
Has anyone found a fix to as why the data update isnt showing when starting a new career?
Tolulope Adeyemi
after pasting the .fmf files to the right folder, i can't select a new database
sonfecifultz
Zach Azeau
Hello, no one knows why kolo muani and eric bailly are still at Franckfort and ManU respectively? When I look at the content of the updates on the website, I see that the changes should have taken place. Thx in advance.
jaques ballmont
hello can somebody help me to install database ? I downloaded some database with new transfers and put them in the editor fold but in the game I can't choose them every time I try too see them in new career the game shows me that There are nothin
playboiyanni
Hey, Mario Vuskovic from Hamburger SV is banned for 2 years since the end of Nov. ´22. Is there a way for you to implement this ban?