@HannahLynn98 The reason you're still getting the unknown error is that a regular install, either a straight deletion or the kind done through the uninstaller that comes with TS3, doesn't remove the game's hidden library files. You'll need to uninstall the base game again and then manually clean out those files. Here's how:
https://bluebellflora.com/how-to-do-a-clean-uninstall-and-reinstall-on-a-mac/
Then install the base game only, and run the Super Patch (digital download version) to manually patch the game to 1.67. The launcher doesn't do a good job of patching on its own.
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-manual-super-patch-for-mac-1-67/
If you still get an unknown error at this point, let me know. Otherwise, you can start installing your packs. There are four that don't install correctly (Ambitions, Late Night, Fast Lane, and Outdoor Living), and they need two workarounds, applied together, to fix the problem. The first is simple: create an alias for each pack that doesn't already have one in Applications, alongside the alias for the base game.
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-packs-not-showing-as-installed/
The second fix is to copy a folder for each of those affected packs into the folder for your newest pack by the date EA released it. (So that would be Into the Future if you have it, otherwise you can look up the release order.) This video shows you exactly what to do:
If you have any questions or would like further explanations, please feel free to ask. It would be helpful to know which packs you're installing though, so I can describe the steps more specifically.
@puzzlezaddict Thanks so much for the help!
I got the base game launcher to work, and then the High-end Loft Stuff Pack by following the "alias" steps in the third link you provided, but when I try to repeat the same steps for Supernatural, I keep getting the error.
I tried following the accepted solution provided here, but my "thumbnail" when I try to launch the game is Supernatural, which obviously already has the Supernatural folder in it, so I don't really know where I'm supposed to go from here.
@HannahLynn98 That's strange that Supernatural would be throwing the error; it isn't one of the packs that's affected. (And you shouldn't have to make an alias for either it or HELS; the install process is supposed to take care of that.) What other packs have you installed so far this time around? Have you uninstalled any since the clean uninstall?
Nope, I just downloaded them on Origin - no install yet aside from the two mentioned.
@HannahLynn98 Neither pack should need any workarounds; they're both supposed to install correctly. So it's strange that you're getting an unknown error again. Try restarting your computer and then launching TS3 directly from Applications, without opening Origin at all. If that doesn't help, try bypassing the launcher. Here's how:
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-how-to-bypass-the-launcher-on-a-mac/
If that doesn't help, do another clean uninstall, and then create a new user account (make it an admin) and install the game there instead. Again, install only the base game, then run the Super Patch, and test. If it works, you can install HELS and Supernatural and test again, without applying any workarounds.
