diff --git a/pylib/anki/collection.py b/pylib/anki/collection.py
index 6ee215c08..ee025adca 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/collection.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/collection.py
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ class Collection:
     ls = property(_get_ls, _set_ls)
 
     # legacy
-    def setMod(self, mod: Optional[int] = None) -> None:
+    def setMod(self) -> None:
         # this is now a no-op, as modifications to things like the config
         # will mark the collection modified automatically
         pass
@@ -322,7 +322,6 @@ class Collection:
             if check and not hooks.schema_will_change(proceed=True):
                 raise AnkiError("abortSchemaMod")
         self.scm = intTime(1000)
-        self.setMod()
         self.save()
 
     def schemaChanged(self) -> Any:
@@ -655,11 +654,9 @@ class Collection:
             return default
 
     def set_config(self, key: str, val: Any) -> None:
-        self.setMod()
         self.conf.set(key, val)
 
     def remove_config(self, key: str) -> None:
-        self.setMod()
         self.conf.remove(key)
 
     def all_config(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
@@ -670,14 +667,12 @@ class Collection:
         return self._backend.get_config_bool(key)
 
     def set_config_bool(self, key: Config.Bool.Key.V, value: bool) -> None:
-        self.setMod()
         self._backend.set_config_bool(key=key, value=value)
 
     def get_config_string(self, key: Config.String.Key.V) -> str:
         return self._backend.get_config_string(key)
 
     def set_config_string(self, key: Config.String.Key.V, value: str) -> None:
-        self.setMod()
         self._backend.set_config_string(key=key, value=value)
 
     # Stats
diff --git a/pylib/anki/exporting.py b/pylib/anki/exporting.py
index 269839a14..6a9d7fc9a 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/exporting.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/exporting.py
@@ -296,7 +296,6 @@ class AnkiExporter(Exporter):
         self.dst.crt = self.src.crt
         # todo: tags?
         self.count = self.dst.cardCount()
-        self.dst.setMod()
         self.postExport()
         self.dst.close(downgrade=True)
 
diff --git a/pylib/anki/models.py b/pylib/anki/models.py
index 3b6a25222..c585c1b61 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/models.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/models.py
@@ -166,7 +166,6 @@ class ModelManager:
 
     def setCurrent(self, m: NoteType) -> None:
         self.col.conf["curModel"] = m["id"]
-        self.col.setMod()
 
     # Retrieving and creating models
     #############################################################
diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser.py b/qt/aqt/browser.py
index a0b3cb468..808585388 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser.py
@@ -855,13 +855,11 @@ QTableView {{ gridline-color: {grid} }}
             if type == "noteFld":
                 ord = not ord
             self.col.set_config_bool(Config.Bool.BROWSER_SORT_BACKWARDS, ord)
-            self.col.setMod()
             self.col.save()
             self.search()
         else:
             if self.col.get_config_bool(Config.Bool.BROWSER_SORT_BACKWARDS) != ord:
                 self.col.set_config_bool(Config.Bool.BROWSER_SORT_BACKWARDS, ord)
-                self.col.setMod()
                 self.col.save()
                 self.model.reverse()
         self.setSortIndicator()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/preferences.py b/qt/aqt/preferences.py
index 00dd9eaf8..aacd48a1d 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/preferences.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/preferences.py
@@ -165,8 +165,6 @@ class Preferences(QDialog):
 
         self.mw.col.set_preferences(self.prefs)
 
-        d.setMod()
-
     # Network
     ######################################################################
 
@@ -209,7 +207,6 @@ class Preferences(QDialog):
         )
         if self.form.fullSync.isChecked():
             self.mw.col.modSchema(check=False)
-            self.mw.col.setMod()
 
     # Backup
     ######################################################################
diff --git a/qt/aqt/previewer.py b/qt/aqt/previewer.py
index 0e6a1dc98..26a55ff77 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/previewer.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/previewer.py
@@ -222,7 +222,6 @@ class Previewer(QDialog):
     def _on_show_both_sides(self, toggle: bool) -> None:
         self._show_both_sides = toggle
         self.mw.col.set_config_bool(Config.Bool.PREVIEW_BOTH_SIDES, toggle)
-        self.mw.col.setMod()
         if self._state == "answer" and not toggle:
             self._state = "question"
         self.render_card()