Re: Sims 2 MAC: how to install custom content

Hello I was wondering if you could please help me. I have the sims 2 super collection (mac) and I did everything where I found the right folders and created a downloads one in the Sims 2 folder (never downloaded CC before). So i'm trying to use this custom skin i downloaded from modthesims, it ends in .package and i have both the body shop and the package installer, but I'm not sure what the next step is. I've enabled custom content in the game menu and ran it again but I don't see the skins at all. I'd really appreciate your help, thanks in advance!

@bobizkewl 
You might have the same issue I had before, the initial folder that everyone is talking about to go, for me never worked. Try deleting that downloads folder u initial made. And follow my steps:

home screen go to GO top left corner, when you click on it hold down OPTION key on ur keyboard then go to CONTAINERS folder, then look for a folder called com.aspry.sims2.appstore, the. DATA, LIBRARY, APPLICATION SUPPORT, ASPRY, THE SIMS 2, then create that downloads folder and try putting ur cc in it. And starting the game see if it in it. And make sure cc content is enabled on the game.
This is the steps I followed to add CC in mu game I hope it works for u. Let me know if it does or not. 

*note that I’m not a professional and I do not work for EA, I’m just a regular fan who is trying to help out*

@bobizkewl , when you download CC for Sims 2, the CC (unless otherwise noted by the creator) should show as the following formats ("CC name.sims2pack" or "CC name.package"). When you have the Aspyr Package Installer program loaded make sure it points directly to your Downloads folder in your Sims 2 folder. The Sims 2 files for the Mac are hidden in your Library folder instead of in the Documents folder.

To find your Library folder, click on your Desktop, find the "Go" command at the top in the Finder, hold your cursor button over Go and press the Option key on  your keyboard and Library will show when you do that. Scroll through the Library folders until you find one called "com.aspyr.sims2.appstore" and open the folder. You should see two files in there and open the Data File. From there, locate another file named "Library" and then in that file you should should find another Aspyr folder which when opened will reveal the Sims 2 folder (exactly like the original game and on the Windows side). From there check to see if you have a folder named "Downloads" and if you do not, simply create one. This is where all your CC and Mods will be stored.

My advice is to organize your CC into categories within this folder once you get it up and running.

If your CC has the ".sims2pack" extension, you will have to use the Package Installer to "uncompress" the file to now show the ".Package" extension. All CC in the game must have the ".package" extension to run.

Please let me know if this works for you. I copy and pasted this from the first page of this thread. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask.

Hi thanks for helping out! I did those same steps already like I was able to locate that Sims 2 folder using that command in Go from Finder, I made the downloads folder and added the four skins that end in ".package". They're in there and like I booted up the game and went to the menu to enable CC but I don't get a startup message that I have CC, I don't even know if that is something that should happen, I went to CAS to see if they showed up and nothing. How does one check if they're successfully added in game? Or what should I try to ensure that they are? 

@bobizkewl , once you enable the CC option, you need to quit out of the game and then restart it for the changes to take affect. Start you game up and see if you get the message about having CC installed and you should see the option to enable has been checked.

I restarted my game after enabling CC and nothing shows up. 

@bobizkewl , can you take a screenshot of your Downloads folder showing the contents? 

Sure thing! 

@bobizkewl , looks like everything is good to go there. Next, I'd like for you to go into CAS and look at the skin tones available. If they have a "*" by them, then those are your skin colors that you added to the game and you're good to go.

Hi took another screenshot, I see the symbol for CC and the regular skins that come in the game, I don't see the other ones?

@bobizkewl , I think these skin tones are default replacements which means they "overwrite" the Maxis ones in your game. I can't remember if they will show up as CC or not. Just to be sure, download something else like curtains or furniture to see if they show up in game. Make sure they are new items and not a default replacement just so we can test. Don't remove these current pieces of CC just yet.

Hi once again! I did get a furniture item and it appeared in the game just fine, with initial pop up message upon starting the game, not only that but I did also realize that the skins are back to normal, it was just the one family i was playing that still has that issue but that's ok, I imagine it's because they weren't made with that skin replacement. So all in all I think it's all good now, thank you so much for your patience and your help! 🙌 

@bobizkewl , you are most welcome. 🙂 

This really helped me!!! Thank you so much!!! This way worked for my Mac!

@sasazy3 , most welcome. 🙂

NOTHING IN THE FOLDER!!!!!!!!!!

My com.aspyr.sims2.appstore foler in library is totally empty and has no files. I have opened both the body shop and the package installer multiple times and have been playing the game itself for months. I'm not sure what to do.

@toyotacamri98 , so you've been playing the game and none of those folders have generated? That's odd. Have you tried a different neighborhood to see that might make those folders generate?

I've tried but nothing seems to have changed. Will anything happen if I make my own folders?

@toyotacamri98 , it shouldn't hurt to add folders. Try it and let me know what happens. I've other players say the same thing and I want to check and see what happens.

Hi Tremayne, I have read all the instructions you gave so far. However, I came up with some issues that are totally different from what other members have mentioned and it's been driving me crazy. 

1. I downloaded the sims 2 extras including Package Installer and Body Shop. However, when I clicked to install, they both showed “The Sims™ 2: Body Shop AND Package Installer” cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified". 

2. I already followed your guidance on how to find "The Sim 2 folder" in the Library but the problem was when I accessed the "com.aspyr.sims2.appstore folder", it didn't have the DATA FILE in the folder as you mentioned (I attached a screenshot for a better view). So I just created a new folder "Downloads" and put in some CCs downloaded from modthesim, the file format is .package so I think it's appropriate. However, when I came back to the game, there's nothing in it. I already click "enable" in the game, I even logged out and logged in to see changes but it didn't. 

I'm so desperate right now. I hope this reach you. Thank you in advance.

Btw, I'm using iMac with MacOS Big Sur in case you wanna know.

Hi Tremayne, I have read all the instructions you gave so far. However, I came up with some issues that are totally different from what other members have mentioned and it's been driving me crazy. 

1. I downloaded the sims 2 extras including Package Installer and Body Shop. However, when I clicked to install, they both showed “The Sims™ 2: Body Shop AND Package Installer” cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified". 

2. I already followed your guidance on how to find "The Sim 2 folder" in the Library but the problem was when I accessed the "com.aspyr.sims2.appstore folder", it didn't have the DATA FILE in the folder as you mentioned (I attached a screenshot for a better view). So I just created a new folder "Downloads" and put in some CCs downloaded from modthesim, the file format is .package so I think it's appropriate. However, when I came back to the game, there's nothing in it. I already click "enable" in the game, I even logged out and logged in to see changes but it didn't. 

I'm so desperate right now. I hope this reach you. Thank you in advance.

Btw, I'm using iMac with MacOS Big Sur in case you wanna know.

@annbui36 , in regards to "the developer cannot be verified" message are you running any kind of anti virus or firewall programs? Aspyr is most certainly a trusted developer and it sounds like perhaps one of your permissions may be set to blocking them. 

Have you been able to start the game at all and let it generate the information in the Sims 2 folder? I remember that if you've never gone into a neighborhood at all yet there was a message that said that files were generating. Not the messages like "Adding Weather" or "pets" ones. It was in a white window. 

Hi Tremayne, after hours of struggling I've finally found ways to add CC as well as run the body shop and package installer thanks to your suggestions about app blocking. And about the the sim 2 folder, it's actually not a folder but kind of an app (but it functions as a folder lmao) and I just clicked into it and found the downloads folder. OMG!! there's no words can express my gratitude to you, thank you so much for helping me. I'm enjoying this game very much. Thanks again Tremayne. Wish you all the best XOXO