Issues with Sims 3 64-bit & Metal

Go to Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3

Rename that folder to something like The Sims 3 (old) — this backs up your saves and mods.

Start the game again — it will create a brand-new, clean Sims 3 folder with no mods or downloads.

See if the plumbob issue still happens.

If the game runs fine, the problem’s in your old folder (mods, CC, or cache). You can then move content back in small batches to find the culprit

It is because of Mac Sequoia update, I have just posted a list of issues I found since that update. This is one I forgot to include.

Hi Monstamunch72, I have tried this to see if it helps to resolve the issue.
Unfortunately, it still happens with the new clean Sims 3 folder without mods or downloads. I have also tried evicting and placing the Sims back on the same lot, as suggested by Puzzleaddict in a similar post made by another user a few years ago. I have noticed that it also can happen if you switch between Sims, go to Map View or enter a rabbithole. 

Hi Apptastic1, I'm relieved to hear that I'm not the only one dealing with this issue. Hopefully it will get fixed soon.

nessatay2223
It definitely sounds like this is part of the new Mac 64-bit issues since the Sequoia 15.6.1 update. A few players have confirmed the same problems — launcher crashing on the Downloads/Installed Content tabs, world address text showing up (DOT10_World/Empty), and plumbobs disappearing after a short play session — even on completely clean installs.

At this point, it looks to be a compatibility issue between the current Sims 3 64-bit build and the latest macOS update. EA are aware and it’s likely we’ll see a patch soon to address it.

For now, the best steps are:

Keep your The Sims 3 folder backed up.

Clear the game’s cache files regularly.

Avoid reinstalling store content until the launcher fix arrives (since that’s what’s crashing right now).

It won’t damage your game, but you may see some minor visual or data oddities until the update rolls out. Hopefully we’ll get confirmation from EA soon.