Launcher crashes when I open the downloads tab in Sims 3

I can see my installable content on the downloads dashboard but it still tries to open launcher when I click to install. any bypass for this?

Jul_Biss​  That's odd; it shouldn't happen like that, at least not enough to crash the launcher.  Do you have any issues downloading content from the Store?  I'm wondering if there's an issue where your ownership isn't being recognized.  And to be clear, are you downloading the items from the Downloads Dashboard, or are you downloading them from the Store site and only then trying to use the Dashboard?

I was trying to download solely from the downloads dashboard. it basically said "downloading", loaded launcher which then crashed right afterwards. I will say, my main menu manages to stay open and functional, but when i go to downloads dashboard again it says "queued to download".

Should i try downloading from store then opening in the downloads dashboard?

Jul_Biss​  Typically, it works best when the items are downloaded through the Dashboard, but you can try the other way too.

If that doesn't work, open Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 and either delete the Downloads folder, or if you have other downloads you want to keep, at least move the folder to the desktop.  Clear Safari's cache (whether you use Safari or not).  Open Keychain Access, in Applications > Utilities, search for sims3 , and delete the entries that show up.

The idea here is to clear all data related to the downloads and your Sims 3 login, then try again.

For anyone reading this who may actually know who to send me to or how to correct the issue, please read and help me!

I bought Monte Vista (on 11.24.2025) and Roaring Heights Gold edition (on 02.13.2026) through the EA App, redeemed the codes through the Sims3 website and have downloaded them. It get's to a point where is says download pending on the start-up screen. But then I get download error or just nothing every single time. Then if I click install, it will crash the start up page and the bottoms fade out (see attachments). I then have to force quit and reopen the app because it stays frozen. 

Additional important info: I'm using MacBook Pro, yes I have enough space on my computer, I have repaired the game multiple times, I have manually deleted all cache in my Sims 3 folder, and yes I have great internet. I also have exited and reopened the game many occasions, shut off the computer, and turned back on.  I also have gone in and deleted the download files in the folder, but it's clear they aren't actually downloading. I also moved the entire downloads folder completely out of the Sims 3 folder. I am not sure what is causing this issue and have read many different forums on here and on Reddit and have followed all the advice I could.

When I reached out to EA Help and spoke to an actual advisor, they were not helpful at all. It got escalated once, and then that person only asked for my information (purchase codes, email, etc.) and then directed me to download the game and install like I've done a thousand times. Asked if it worked, and even rudely asked me if I'm sure I'm using a Mac, as if I'm not on my MacBook while messaging them. Then said the issue would be escalated to the "concern team" where I won't actually get contacted by anyone, the issue is just put into a queue. I asked who I can contact about it and they would not provide contact information. I also requested a refund since no one seems to be able to help me and they said that the concern team would investigate into that as well. 

helloashnicole​  I've merged your post with the master thread for the launcher crashing when the Downloads tab is opened, specifically in macOS.  You're already trying the usual workaround, but I have a couple suggestions in my last post before this one if you want to keep troubleshooting.

The underlying issue can't be solved on the user side.

Did this work for you?

I bought sims 3 hidden springs the world a few months ago, all of my other expansion packs like late night and pets work, except this world would not download or show up. In the ea app on my macbook pro it shows up as 'in game content' but when I previously tried the download page would go invisible and everything I hovered would turn invisible and freeze as well. Now when I am attempting to even press the downloads button in my launcher the game crashes, usually the sims 3 crashes anyways when I load up my game, but its just the launcher and doesnt affect actual gameplay, but I am still unable to install hidden springs even after getting a new mac, m4 2024 i believe. If I do it through the download dashboard it says it is downloading, loads it into the download in the launcher, and then on the download dashboard it says queued for download, once again crashing my game if i click in download, and still not showing up in the worlds page. Please help as I really want to use hidden springs and I cant find any fix for this.

Hello i was having this issue as well, I understand this is a old post from 9 months ago but I tried your advice for hidden springs and on my macbook running macOS Tahoe 26.2, it does ensure that the downloads tab doesnt crash, but when I hit the install button for hidden springs, it makes all the buttons that my mouse hovers over go invisible and freezes the launcher, not installing my world.

I think a lot of us have had issues with the launcher crashing. I've contacted EA customer service myself with no help. they sent me help articles for Playstation (no joke). I was able to get store content to load by actually pressing play to open the game in the launcher. The launcher crashes but the game boots up anyway. 

In the main menu for the game, where you choose a save, there is a button in the bottom left with three dots (...) click that and choose "open downloads dashboard", you can install each store download one at a time. It sucks and the window will look like it closes after you click each one but it will install.  This only works for store downloads for some reason. I can't install my cc. but this message board is full of people having the exact same issue.