Re: [CURRENT ISSUE] Sims 4 saves/user content disappearing (PC)

Hi there, thank you so much for making a detailed post on how to troubleshoot this OneDrive issue. I have read your post but it seems that my case is a little bit unique so I have some follow-up questions.

Situation:

- I just migrated from a MacBook to a brand new Windows device. Before migrating, I forgot (yes, this is my bad) to back up my saved files and CC from my MacBook to any cloud storage. I have deleted all data in my MacBook and I have no access to the device anymore.

- After the migration, I downloaded The Sims 4 files from EA to my OneDrive (I had never used OneDrive to save The Sims 4 files before). Then, when I played it for the first time in Windows, my game progress was reset to zero.

Questions:

- Can I still restore my game progress and CC from my MacBook by downloading the files from EA?

- Does the downloaded data from EA include my saved game progress?

- I tried the "Restoring missing saves" to find the slot_ file, but it was nowhere to be found. Is it because my device is brand new and I have never installed The Sims 4 before?

- I tried to do the "I want OneDrive to keep syncing my files" steps but my saved game progress is still not appearing. Is it because it's my first time using OneDrive to save the game's files?

- Does deleting the files in OneDrive and reinstalling my game from EA to the Windows Drive C work to restore my saved game progress?

I appreciate your help, thank you.

4 Replies

puzzlezaddict
Hero+
2 years ago
@haninb EA doesn't support cloud saving for Sims 4. So your saves, mods, custom content, etc. are only stored locally, which means if you don't have access to the data from your old device, it's gone, unfortunately. OneDrive isn't finding your data because there's nothing left to find. No amount of maneuvering can change that.

I hope you haven't installed Sims 4 into a folder that OneDrive syncs. The user files can and will be in Documents, and that's fine, although I'd suggest unlinking OneDrive if you don't have a specific use for it—the service causes more problems than it solves. But the game's program files should never be synced. If you want to double-check where you've installed the game, go into the EA App game library, click Sims 4, select Manage > View properties, and you'll see the location there:
haninb
2 years ago
Thank you for your answer. I will just cope knowing that I won't be able to restore my saved games from my old device 😞
So you suggest that it's better to save the game installation files locally rather than in OneDrive, right? I can see the current location of my installation files is in OneDrive. Do you have any suggestions on how to change the installation location efficiently?
Also, for future notes on device migration, should I back up the saved games and installation files into a cloud storage then download them and save them locally in the new device?
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
2 years ago
@haninb I personally don't let OneDrive anywhere near my critical data. I created a separate Windows account to write this guide just to be safe. So yes, I would suggest getting rid of OneDrive or at least stopping it from syncing Documents. You can still use it online if you want, and if it's running but not automatically syncing your files, you can upload them manually when it's convenient.

The first post on page one has sections for both options: "I don't want OneDrive to sync my files" and "I want to get rid of OneDrive." The instructions are meant to be thorough, but if you're stuck on any particular step, just let me know which one and which option you've chosen to pursue.

I also personally prefer an external drive to cloud storage, but cloud storage is also fine in most cases. If you're uploading any Sims data, I'd suggest zipping the folder it's in first, both to make it smaller (shorter upload times, more free storage left over) and to protect the files themselves from being altered during the process. However you proceed, you will need to back up your data manually—I don't think EA will ever have any interest in hosting Sims players' somewhat-large saves, let alone their giant piles of custom content, on its servers.

I'm sorry you've lost your saves and other data, and I wish I had a better answer for you.
haninb
2 years ago
@puzzlezaddict I got it, I feel so reassured by your detailed answer. I will check your guide on removing OneDrive and let you know if I face any blockers.
No worries about my data, it's a shame that I can't continue using the CC I've gathered up until now but I can always look for them again online. After all, CC shopping and creating new households are some of the processes that I really enjoy while playing the Sims 4. Once again, thanks a lot for your help! 🙂