64-bit Sims 3 for macOS Questions/Troubleshooting

If your question isn't answered in this post, feel free to ask in the thread, and we'll try to answer.

If you have an issue that isn't listed, or the game is consistently crashing, please report it in the Sims 3 Mac section of Answers HQ. This is where all the current issues are being tracked and organized, so it would help for all affected players to chime in and say the issue matters to them.

Major Install issues

Everyone who owns Sims 3 content should also be able to access the 64-bit version of that content. If you are missing the 64-bit version of the base game or one or more packs, please contact EA customer support for help.

https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/

Explain to the support rep that you need the "entitlements," as they're called, specifically for the 64-bit version of whatever you're missing. If the support rep can't or won't do what you ask, or doesn't understand the issue, feel free to ask for a supervisor.

Error: Your The Sims 3 base game is incompatible with the current Sims 3 expansion pack

Go into Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 and delete Version.tag. (Thanks to @BluebellFlora for this one.)

Game downloads but won't install

If you've ever had the 32-bit version of Sims 3 installed on this computer, you may need to do a clean uninstall of that one before installing the 64-bit version.

Please also make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements for the 64-bit version of Sims 3.



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Minor install issues

• Origin Play button now says Finalizing: Run the Origin reset tool for macOS.
  
• "Can't find server" error in Launcher: It's irrelevant, ignore it.
  
• Store content/cc installing issues: Please see this thread for suggestions.
  
• Icons along the bottom of the launcher are grayed out. Please see below.
  

Error downloading content {0} or Critical system failure

This is caused by a missing .plist file within the hidden Library files on your system. Without this file present, the base game icon along the bottom of the launcher will be grayed out. Store and Exchange content will not install, and already installed store items won't load.

To recreate the missing file, please do the following:

• Open a Finder window, click Go at the top of your screen, hold down the optn (alt) key, and select Library.
  
• Open Application Support > Origin, and create a folder called Installer Data (exactly that, no variation).
  
• Open your Origin game library, right-click (or hold crtl and click) on the Sims 3 icon, and select Repair.
  

This currently only recreates the base game plist file, which is sufficient for Store and Exchange content to work. Hopefully this issue will be addressed in a future Origin update.

Please keep in mind that running the Origin reset tool will remove this .plist file along with the Origin folder it's in, reintroducing the same issue. So you'll need to open Origin once and then redo the above steps to fix it again.

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Gameplay issues

• Red flashing: Please post your specs in this thread, and list the lot(s) where you see it happen.
  
• Shiny/pixellated hair, borked eyelashes: Please click Me Too and post screenshots in this thread.
  
• No interactions on open water: Please click Me Too in this thread, and post if you notice other missing interactions.
  
• Keyboard commands don't release: Please click Me Too and post in this thread.
  
• Terrain paint can't be applied: Please click Me Too in this thread.
  
• Can't collect insects or nanites: Please click Me Too in this thread.
  
• Sculpture blocks are not rendered properly: Please click Me Too in this thread.
  

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Questions

What patch level does the game have?

1.70.292.024017

Do I need to update my mods?

No. Your mods should work as well or as poorly as they do in other fully patched versions of Sims 3.

I can't open the cheats console?!

The key combo is now, for some inexplicable reason, cmd-shift-C, not crtl-shift-C.

When is problem X getting fixed?

We have no idea, sorry. When an issue has been addressed, the relevant Answers HQ thread will be updated; if you subscribe, you'll get notifications for new posts and marked solutions.