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ChrissyV2704's avatar
ChrissyV2704
Rising Rookie
2 months ago

Help: Sims 4 Won’t Start on Mac – Game Installed Externally

Hello,
I recently got a MacBook (previously had an HP laptop) and wanted to install my Sims 4 games on it. However, I could only install them on an external hard drive because I don't have enough space on the MacBook itself.
I did this, but when I try to launch the game, I get the following error message:

"Unable to start:
Cannot start because game data is missing or damaged. Try repairing or reinstalling the game via Origin. [85262c58:29f00e76:00000000:00000000]"

What I’ve already tried:

  • Restarting the MacBook
  • Repairing The Sims 4 via the EA app (in the game library)

Can someone please help me?

For clarity: The game is installed on an external hard drive. I created a custom folder there which contains the following:

  • The Sims 4 (with the icon)
  • EA app
  • Blue folder “Electronic Arts”
  • Blue folder “The Sims 4 Packs”
  • Blue folder “The Sims 4.app”
external drive
launching

14 Replies

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  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    31 days ago

    ChrissyV2704​ 

    That isn't the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder I was referring to. I was referring to the one that stores your user data such as saves etc (stored in your Documents folder) and I think this is the problem. The Sims 4.app is the actual name of the base game and the Electronic Arts folder is the contents of the base game. Basically that Sims 4.app folder you have is a duplication of the base game and the Electronic Arts folder a duplication of the contents of the actual base game package. I would trash these two folders then repair the game then try to launch it again.

    Hard drive looks great :)

  • ChrissyV2704's avatar
    ChrissyV2704
    Rising Rookie
    31 days ago

    I also read the info in the link you sent me, and my SSD meets the requirements.
    Would it be best to erase everything and try again?

    Bluebellflora​ 

  • ChrissyV2704's avatar
    ChrissyV2704
    Rising Rookie
    31 days ago

    Hi, thanks for your message!

    The hard drive is brand new. It's a Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD 2TB.
    It's connected directly to the Macbook via USB-C (the SSD itself also has a USB-C connection).

    I'm not entirely sure why that folder is there, but i did check de package contents. I'm adding a printscreen.

    The "electornic Arts" folder does indeed look like you described - it contains the "The Sims 4" folder.

  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    31 days ago

    ChrissyV2704​ 

    Is your hard drive fast enough? If it isn't of sufficient good quality and speed you may continuously get corrupted messages - https://bluebellflora.com/2023/11/26/choosing-an-external-hard-drive-for-your-game/ 

    Why do you have a folder called “The Sims 4.app”? What is the purpose of the folder and the contents?

    Does the Electronic Arts folder contain the Sims 4 folder? Have you created a symlink in Documents to the Electronic Arts folder on the external?

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