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I linked my Xbox account onto my EA account onto my MacBook download the EA onto the MacBook yet the 46 added one have on xbox series s console isn’t showing up on my MacBook EA app isn’t that it’s supposed to do that what’s the point of linking my Xbox account onto it? So do I have to double buy all 46 items because that’s ridiculous and expensive should make one has all them for fans affordable just like one time have them all a bundle of everything who’s gonna sit there and spend a couple thousand dollars to get each add-on you guys add to the game don’t get me wrong love the sims grew up playing sims 2 and the Og sims castaway Sims busting out is always part of my childhood grown-up, but I don’t feel like paying double
Issue: Sims 4 not loading to main menu screen, stuck on black screen.
Since last night, I've been having an ongoing issue of trying to play the sims 4. Whenever I try and open the game, the game loads the title screen and the first plumbob loading, but after that the screen turns black and plays the main menu music. I've tried removing my mods folder, updating my mods, repairing the game, testing a clean game, uninstalling and reinstalling the game, and nothing works. I would also like to note that when I tried a clean save, the game didn't force create a new folder, so I have no clue where to go from here. Please help! For Reference (if needed): MacOS: Sonoma 14.5 Memory: 16 GB Year: 2024 Model: Macbook Air Storage Available: 724.09 GB of 994.66 GB
🛠️ Creating a symlink in macOS to store the Sims 4 folder on an external drive
➡️ This is not to be confused with installing the actual Sims 4 game on an external drive. The game installation location is determined in EA App and there is no need to use a symlink for this. As internal storage gets smaller we're forced to use cloud based solutions to store files and folders or resort to a trusty external drive. Cloud based only storage is not an option for the Sims 4 folder that contains all your saves, Mods, Library items and other user data because the game only looks in one place for your data: Macintosh HD > Users > [your user account] > Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 If there is no Sims 4 folder in that location the game will create a new one. There is no way around this default Sims 4 folder location unfortunately, it is hard coded into the game. Because of this the only option to store the Sims 4 folder on an external drive is to create a symbolic link, otherwise known as a symlink. Creating the symlink is relatively easy provided you understand the concept of what a symlink is and why you are creating it. You should also be familiar with Terminal on your Mac and the security and permission systems in place in whichever version of macOS you are running as these dictate the ability for the game to access the external drive and whether your Mac user account has permission to grant the necessary access. You should also make sure you are using a good quality, fast external drive. You get what you pay for and if you bought a cheap drive, with low quality cables, you will most likely struggle to get the symlink to work because it will be too slow. For help buying an external drive and what to look out for read this guide. I am not going to write step by step instructions here, the post will be far too long. Instead, you can read the detailed and comprehensive guide I wrote several years ago here https://bluebellflora.com/saving-your-sims-4-folder-to-an-external-drive/ If your symlink is not working it is down to user error. It really is that simple. macOS is a Unix based operating system and as such uses Unix commands which are all provided in the above linked guide. This thread is for consolidating all posts related to the Mac symlink process here at Answers HQ. If you're a Windows user read Crinrict's excellent guide here https://crinrict.com/blog/2020/02/moving-windows-documents-folder-to-external-drive-via-symbolic-link.html. What I have provided below are a few of the common issues people face as a result of not entering the commands correctly or having the correct permissions in place. Common issues reported and the solution: Always check your external drive has the correct name in Disk Utility: open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities) change View to Show All Devices then click on the drive in the left sidebar the Mount Point shows the name of your drive. If there is a number added to the drive name it means the drive has not been properly ejected multiple times Close Disk Utility and eject the drive In Finder click on Go in the menu bar then Go To Folder. Enter /Volumes in the input field and hit return in the /Volumes location, trash the folder(s) that has the same name as the external drive Close Finder, plug the drive back in, open Disk Utility again to check the drive name in the Mount Point. If it matches try to create the symlink In addition to checking the external drive mount point above, the following may also be helpful: Terminal states my access/permission is denied check your Mac user account is an Administrator account and not a Standard account. check that Terminal has access to external drives, also known as Removable Volumes, and your Documents folder. I'm constantly getting "Unable to start... Cannot start because the below file appears to be corrupted" error message make sure the external drive is correctly formatted as either APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). If it isn't, reverse the symlink, reformat the drive in Disk Utility and start again. check your Mods actually aren't corrupted by downloading a compatible version from the creator. I keep getting the error message "Unable to start... The Sims 4 is already running" make sure the external drive is correctly plugged in and mounted. check EA App has access to the external drive in System Settings > Privacy & Security. Give it Full Disk Access if necessary. disable iCloud Drive if the symlink folder in Documents is a white page instead of a folder with the little arrow the symlink has broken. Trash it and attempt to recreate the symlink. Check the Mount Point in Disk Utility shows your exact external drive name and doesn’t have a number added to the drive name. If it does this means your drive has not been properly ejected multiple times. To fix it: eject the drive in Finder click on Go in the menu bar then Go To Folder enter /Volumes in the text field and hit Enter/Return in the Finder window that appears you should see a folder, not a drive icon, with the same name as your external drive. Trash it. plug the drive back in, check the mount point in Disk Utility is the exact drive name with no appended numbers, then try to create the symlink again. if the mount point is still showing a number you have problems with your drive. Consider reformatting it, trying different connector cables, or getting a better drive. Terminal tells me No such file or directory did you copy and paste the command from the guide and correctly substitute the name of your external drive? If you didn't copy and paste you may have used the wrong letters in the command. Copy and paste from the guide. Does the folder you are trying to move or create a symlink to exist in the location you are stipulating in the command? Terminal tells me Directory not empty in Step 1 Is there already a folder on the external with the same name as the folder you're moving? i.e. have you already copied over the Electronic Arts folder? If there is already a folder with the same name as the folder you're moving, Terminal will return this result. Terminal tells me File already exists in Step 2 of the guide Did you correctly complete step 1 or is there still an Electronic Arts or Sims 4 folder in your Documents folder? If the folder is still there you have not correctly moved it in Step 1. If you have iCloud Drive enabled to store your Documents folder in the cloud and Optimise Storage enabled, it will cause issues with the symlink. I strongly advise to disable this iCloud feature otherwise you will have issues, especially if you use Mods. As a reminder, creating this symlink is aimed at people storing their Electronic Arts/Sims 4 folder locally. Using iCloud Drive stores your folder in the cloud and locally. For help with iCloud see this thread https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/READ-FIRST-Saves-CC-Mods-or-Library-items-disappeared/m-p/10242133
Sims 4 does not launch, just go back to EA App
I have an issue where The Sims 4 will not launch on my Mac. When I click Play in the EA App, the preparing game message appears, then after 1-2 minutes the app reopens and the game never starts. No error message. This started today. The game worked fine yesterday. I do not use mods and tested with a clean Sims 4 folder. The issue still happens. MacBook, macOS Tahoe 26, latest EA App. I tried reinstalling, clearing cache, repair the app, and give all the permissions, but nothing worked. I even did the thing of starting with a clean The Sims 4 folder (saving in another location the old one with my households) and it created. But still not launching. This seems like a broader issue, possibly from a recent update.
Purchased Expansion Pack Not Appearing in Game – The Sims 4
Hello, I have an issue with The Sims 4. I purchased an expansion pack, but it doesn’t show up in the game. I have reinstalled it, updated the game, launched as administrator, but the cities from the expansion are still unavailable. Could you please advise what else I can try or what might be causing this?
Graphic Glithing
Hello, I'm experiencing a flickering graphic glitch in The Sims 4. While playing in an apartment (City Living), the outside world appears inside the apartment, and the interior appears in the exterior view. The graphics flicker rapidly, with elements of the outside world (such as streets, water, or fog) flashing through the apartment space. This makes the game visually unstable and hard to play. Screenshots: (Attached) You can clearly see parts of the outside world bleeding into the interior, and it flickers in and out as I move the camera or the Sim.
Washer and dryer stop working after one use
Mac laptop, OS Tahoe 26.3.1 (a) I've replaced countless washer and dryers. They work one time and then the next time I only get the options to upgrade or do inspection and maintenance. I can upgrade fine, but it still doesn't give me an option to actually wash or dry clothes. (also 'inspection and maintenance' doesn't appear to actually DO anything) If I tell a sim to 'do laundry' from a pile of clothes, etc., it tells me there is no washer. I don't have any CC or mods.All my packs gone
Helloooo nothing else was working so im trying this. I had a bunch of packs installed, then I stopped playing for a bit, and I just recently reloaded and they're all gone. they're not showing up in my manage add ons or the marketplace collections thing, but they're in the dlc folder? i tried everything, restarting the app, doing the cache thing, deleting the user thing, but nothings working..plz help and tell me the hundreds of dollars i've spent in this game didn't just go in the trashHorse Ranch Pack Not Showing in Game
I recently bought the horse ranch pack. Before fully launching the Sims, it shows that it is fully installed; however, when I go to play the game, it doesn't show up. In the "travel" section, it shows up, but it faded, saying I own it, but it isn’t installed. What should I do? It's been days, and I've repaired the game multiple times and have uninstalled and reinstalled the pack.The Sims 4 DLC purchased via Steam not accessible on Mac
Hi everyone, I’m posting here regarding an issue with my DLC access in The Sims 4. I have purchased multiple expansion packs and additional content through Steam on Windows. My Steam account is properly linked with my EA App account, and synchronization between the accounts is active. On my MacBook, all DLC appear as owned both in the EA App and in-game. The content is visible, including the worlds, but everything is greyed out and labeled as “Available on Windows,” which prevents access and use. When I go to marketplace in the game , then my packs , I am able only to install the kits, the packages and etc. are staying in gray and are not to be clickt.. I have already gone through all standard steps such as reinstalling the game, repairing it, clearing cache files, and reconnecting my accounts. The behavior remains unchanged. At this point, I’m looking for clarification or guidance from anyone who has experienced a similar situation or has insight into how this can be resolved. Thanks in advance.
Game Closing Unexpectedly
I can't tell you how long this has been going on for but it was even before the most recent update. My game will randomly close, without warning, every so often. It's getting more and more frequent. Nothing in particular seems to trigger it, it will just happen and I will lose everything. I am now having to save every 2 seconds because I never know when it is going to happen. I play on Mac, game is up to date, I have not done the latest Mac update so I have no idea if that is why it's happening but it shouldn't be. I have all major packs apart from a few kits and stuff packs.
My packs aren’t showing up in game at all
I’m on a Mac, and they’re being showed as owned/downloaded, but they’re not showing up In game. This probably has something to do with my folder is sitting on my desktop, but I’m unsure where it would go. I tried going users->applications but ts4 isn’t showing up as an application ☹️Game crashing or not loading especially after updating? Post here.
If your game is crashing or not launching after recently updating it please try the two most basic and fundamental steps to resolve it before posting: Repair the game in EA App Test a new clean game. Don't just cherry pick a few files and folders you think you should remove, such as just the Mods folder, or a few random Mods, or any old cache file, or a couple of screenshots, test a completely new, clean, vanilla game. Full instructions here - [INSTRUCTIONS] How to troubleshoot and test a broken game | EA Forums - 11864548 If your game successfully launches with a new Sims 4 folder you then need to figure out what is causing the crashing/failure to load. Again, instructions are in this link - [INSTRUCTIONS] How to troubleshoot and test a broken game | EA Forums - 11864548 . Only you can do that and it can take some time. if the cause is Mods head over to the Mods forum for further help - The Sims 4 Mods & Custom Content | EA Forums if the cause is one or more particular save files, upload them to a file sharing site and post the link here (tag me) or PM me and I can test in my game If your game will not load after repairing it AND testing a completely clean Sims 4 folder please uninstall and reinstall the game through EA App then test, still using the clean Sims 4 folder the game created from the previous step. If you're still having an issue post here with the specs of your Mac. You can find these in Apple > About This Mac: model, e.g. M4 MacBook Pro year, e.g. 2024 macOS version, e.g. Sequoia 15.3.2 (yes, the FULL version is important, with all numbers) memory, e.g. 64GB storage available, e.g. 1.5 TB of 2TB. This info can be found in System Settings > General > About or More Info... in the About This Mac window. Please also post a screenshot showing the contents of the new Sims 4 folder in Finder: make sure the files are in list order in Finder with Dates and Size clearly visible. make sure all files and folders in the TS4 folder are showing, don't cut off the screenshot have the path bar clearly showing in the screenshot: with the Finder window open and selected click on View > Show Path Bar in the menu bar at the top of your desktop. The screenshot should look something like this: Make sure to add a full description of what exactly is happening and what you have tried to fix it in your post. Be constructive to help us help you 🙂 The following are a few examples of short replies that are not constructive: "my game won't work" "my game has broken and I hate EA" "my game only works without Mods and I'm refusing to remove my Mods" "fix it" "my sister's friend's brother's aunty has the same computer and her game works" "I've tried EVERYTHING and NOTHING works"Infinite loading after cas
Hi, I installed the game last week on a mac (M4) but whenever i try to start a sim (new game) the game let me complete the cas but then it goes into infinite loading. I don’t have any cc or mods. What I’ve already tried: uninstalling the game (3 times), adding my video card ( at the beginning it wasn’t recognized but now on the config.log, graphic it says found 1 supported 1), Play offline, update my mac to macOs Tahoe 26.4, Lower the graphic quality in the settings, Delete the saves and cache, Repair the gameLost saved game and pack
I recently bought the cottage living pack and actually played with it, I stopped for a month and when I went back in to play with it I had all my packs except the cottage living one. I then watched a few videos on YouTube to try and get it back into my game and now I have lost my saved games. Please help!!! I know it has something to do with the files but im so lost and confused [CM edit - CAPS in title]Unable to start: The Sims 4 is already running - Mac only
If you're experiencing this error message it doesn't mean your game is already running, the actual message itself is incorrect. It means The Sims 4 cannot access the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder to load your user data when you attempt to launch the game. This is essentially a permissions issue which can be resolved based on your setup: - If you have just installed or reinstalled the game - If you have iCloud Drive enabled and it is syncing your Desktop & Documents folders - If you have recently updated your Mac or the game - If you have moved your Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder to an external drive and created a symlink in your Documents folder ______________________________________________________________ If you have just installed or reinstalled the game: You would have been prompted to allow The Sims 4 permission to access the Documents folder, this is security built into macOS. This is so it can access the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder in your Documents folder, if one already exists, or create a new one if it doesn't exist. If you clicked Don't Allow when prompted the game cannot read and write to the Documents folder, resulting in the error message. Fix - Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders (you will need to use an Mac Administrator account to access this) and enable access to the Documents folder by clicking the toggle on: If you do not see this option open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access (you will need to use a Mac Administrator account to access this). Click the + in the bottom left corner, below the list of apps. A Finder window will open to the Applications folder. Navigate to where your game is installed, by default this is Applications > EA Games, click on it and then click Open. It will now be added to the Full Disk Access list. Make sure it is toggled on. Whilst giving the game Full Disk Access isn't ideal, and shouldn't be necessary, it is a quick and easy solution to fixing the error message and the game is signed and notarised by Apple. ______________________________________________________________ If you have iCloud Drive enabled and it is syncing your Desktop & Documents folders: This is a really common cause of this error message and is as a result of your Mac storage being full resulting in iCloud pushing the entire Documents folder to the cloud. The game cannot see the Documents folder and its contents because it is not local on your machine, therefore it cannot access the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder to load user data at launch. Fix - Open System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Drive and disable the Desktop & Documents folders syncing. Be aware of the effect this will have if you use multiple Apple devices to access these folders: ______________________________________________________________ If you have recently updated your Mac or the game: Sometimes permissions can go awry after updating the OS or you have been prompted to change settings after updating and inadvertently clicked the wrong thing. Fix - check all of the applicable settings in the instructions above ______________________________________________________________ If you have moved your Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder to an external drive and created a symlink in your Documents folder: There can be multiple reasons for the error message when a symlink has been set up but they are all caused by the game not being able to access the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder: your external drive is not plugged in and properly mounted. Check the drive is plugged in and showing in Finder/on your Desktop. your symlink is broken. This can be checked by looking at the symlinked folder in your Documents folder. If the icon is a white file and not a folder it is broken. Trash it and recreate the symlink in Terminal. If you have further issues refer to the dedicated symlink thread opening post. the game does not have access to Removable Volumes (external drives) in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders. You would have been prompted to give permission when launching the game for the first time after successfully creating the symlink and maybe denied it. Give the game access: you have iCloud Drive syncing your Desktop & Documents folders to the cloud which does not work well with the symlink. Disable it (see above for further instruction). your external drive has not been ejected properly multiple times resulting in the OS changing the mount point. Check Disk Utility and rectify, see the dedicated symlink thread opening post for further instruction. ______________________________________________________________ If you're still stuck a really quick and easy way to resolve this is to create a new Administrator account on your Mac and play the game in that account. When you first launch the game in that account you will be prompted to give all the necessary permissions for the game to access the Documents folder - make sure you allow it 😊
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