Sims 3 'launch in an external application' instead of installing to HD[Mac]

Hi

I would advise you to follow the clean uninstal instructions below to make sure that all traces of the game are removed from your Mac. Also delete Origin.

Then download a new copy of Origin, look under the Preferences and delete the TS3 installer files. Log out of Origin then log back in. That should then allow you to recommence downloading the game.

Once you have the game installed, patched and working again, let us know if you see any other Launcher errors so that we can see if they can be fixed without you having to uninstall the game.

Good luck!

Caspin

Clean uninstall/reinstall instructions

When you uninstall TS3 games on your Mac using the uninstaller, the game leaves behind stray files and isn't completely removed from your computer. These files may conflict with future installations. It is best to completely remove them. BluebellFlora's website provides a guide on how to do this:

http://bluebellflora.com/the-sims-3-on-a-mac/how-to-do-a-clean-uninstall-and-reinstall-on-a-mac/

After cleanly uninstalling, install the base game and patch it up to date. If you cannot update via the Launcher, download and apply the latest cumulative manual patch (called the superpatch) for Mac.

Check that your game works properly. Then install any EPs and SPs that you own, in order of release date.

To download and install games through Origin

Download and install the Origin client for Mac and make sure it is up-to-date. If you already have Origin on your Mac but are having problems with downloading or installing games, delete the client and download a new copy (this sometimes fixes issues with downloading). The latest version can be downloaded from here: http://www.dm.origin.com/mac/download

Additional advice on how to download games (thank you Tremayne for this tip):
When downloading from Origin, do NOT use the first install icon. Move your cursor over the game cover and click on the information (letter i) and then click on the install button from there. For some reason, downloads from Origin frequently become corrupted. Using the i reduces the chance of your download being corrupted. If you have already been unfortunate and have a corrupted download, then it is important to remove all traces of this before trying again, by doing a thorough, clean uninstallation first.

Are you running anti-virus software or any clean-up applications? If so, disable these, as they might be deleting files that Origin needs. A fast, stable internet connection will also help you.

Hiya,

thanks for your response.

Unfortunately this doesn't work; I'd tried it already (deleting all com.transgaming etc files & deleting Origin), but tried again just for the sake of it, deleting any stray files that I'd missed the first time, with no result. The only option that I'm getting on hovering or selecting TS3 basegame is still 'play', rather than install (needless to say, it's not installed anywhere on the mac). If it were installed but not working then this I could work with, but it's just not giving me any options whatsoever.

The first time I installed the games from Origin everything ran perfectly; it's just since uninstalling that I've had these issues.

Yup, 'fraid so. Twice, as if it'd help more the second time.

Edit: I should say, Pets has reverted to 'Download' rather than install; it's just the basegame that remains unchangingly at 'play'.

@Slumpinz  If you're having issues installing Sims 3 on a Mac, it would be best to start a new thread in the Mac section, since this thread is quite old.

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/bd-p/the-sims-3-technical-issues-mac-en

Please list your version of macOS as well as the packs you'd like to install, and any error message you get.