Re: Unable to start: The Sims 4 is already running - Mac only

4bb56fae-7ab7-483a-b26c-d38a02d2a38d

My Sims 4 game won’t launch on Mac — the EA App just opens, flashes, then nothing happens. Sometimes it says “The Sims 4 is already running,” even though it’s not.

Here’s absolutely everything I’ve done: updated my Mac (macOS Monterey 12.7.6), restarted many times, uninstalled both EA App and The Sims 4 completely, deleted every leftover EA and Sims folder from Applications, Documents, and Library (including Electronic Arts, EA App, EA Services, EA Games), and emptied the Trash. Reinstalled EA App from EA’s official website and The Sims 4 cleanly through EA App. Changed install location several times (Applications / EA Games / Documents). Repaired The Sims 4 through EA App multiple times, cleared EA App Cache, restarted both EA App and my Mac. Tried launching from EA App → Library → Play (never opens), starting directly from Applications → The Sims 4.app, and running manually from Terminal using open -a "The Sims 4" and /Applications/The\ Sims\ 4.app/Contents/MacOS/The\ Sims\4. Checked Full Disk Access in Security & Privacy and gave EA App and The Sims 4 full permissions. Force quit all EA-related and Sims processes in Activity Monitor (EA App, EABackgroundAgent, EAClientHelper, The Sims 4). Tried “App Recovery → Clear Cache” inside EA App Help menu. Deleted old cache and support files manually in ~/Library/Application Support/Electronic Arts/EA App. Uninstalled and reinstalled The Sims 4 again (install location: /Applications). Tried “Show Package Contents → Contents → MacOS → The Sims 4” and manually launched. Verified all packs show “Owned” and “Installed” in EA App, but the game never launches.

 

I’ve done every possible fix — updating, restarting, clearing cache, uninstalling, reinstalling, repairing, changing install path, granting permissions — but The Sims 4 still won’t launch. Please help me reset the installation path and properly link the game again. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on Sims and just want to play again! I have already sent in this to EA Error Reporter in the EA app! Please help me EA!