I have tried installing origin and sims 4 onto an external hard drive to save space on my mac. I have followed the forums and advice on how to install this however it does not seem to work. Initially I installed both origin and the sims 4 game onto the hard drive but it would not reload my saved games, it was just creating a new game each time. I even tried creating a symlink for the EA folder and cache but this did not work and would not let me open the game. I've installed origin back into my applications folder and downloaded the game onto the hard drive but the EA folder has stayed in my documents on my Mac. Every time I know open origin it has to re-install the Sims 4 and all the packs I own and now it wont open at all. I am not sure what i am doing wrong, I am not extremely tech savvy so anyone who could explain this simply, would be much appreciated.

Origin will now let me play, I thought there may possibly be a delay between origin recognising the drive as it was initially coming up with download. Do I have to go through origin to play? When the game was previously installed on my mac I just used to click on the application for it to run however it does not open if I try this when it is in the external drive. I am aware that the load up can be longer through the drive, however my general gameplay seems to be lagging and my fan sounds very loud on my mac. I thought this may have resolved when using the external drive? Sorry for asking so many questions, i really appreciate all the help you have given.

@devgriff98 The guide on installing the game on an external drive and the guide on creating the symlink are as simplified as they can be. If I were you I would: Uninstall the game via Origin Manually uninstall Origin https://bluebellflora.com/how-to-uninstall-origin-on-a-mac/ Re-download Origin https://www.ea.com/origin-for-mac Install Origin and do not enable automatic downloads/updates after you login Once Origin is downloaded and installed make sure your external drive is plugged in and change the Game Library location to the external drive. You will need this guide for the drive to show up - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/-Can-t-find-External-Hard-Drive-in-Origin-MAC/m-p/8686088#M26700 Once you have successfully changed the installation location download the game. Once you've successfully completed the above we can move onto the Sims 4 folder that contains saves etc.

@Bluebellflora Thank you.I have reinstalled origin. I am trying to install the game however, the folders for library/applications etc do not appear on my external drive so I am unsure where to install the game.

@devgriff98 Yes, that is step 5 above, you need to follow the link I provided for the fix.

@BluebellfloraI have followed the link. I am able to access the hard drive through origin. The hard drive is empty and there are none of the folders mentioned.Origin can locate the hard drive and has access, so I am able to download the game onto it. I was unsure whether there needs to be these folders before I install the game?

Issues with installing Sims 4 onto external hardrive

15 Replies

Bluebellflora
Hero+
3 years ago
@devgriff98

The guide on installing the game on an external drive and the guide on creating the symlink are as simplified as they can be. If I were you I would:

Uninstall the game via Origin

Manually uninstall Origin https://bluebellflora.com/how-to-uninstall-origin-on-a-mac/

Re-download Origin https://www.ea.com/origin-for-mac

Install Origin and do not enable automatic downloads/updates after you login

Once Origin is downloaded and installed make sure your external drive is plugged in and change the Game Library location to the external drive. You will need this guide for the drive to show up - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/-Can-t-find-External-Hard-Drive-in-Origin-MAC/m-p/8686088#M26700

Once you have successfully changed the installation location download the game.

Once you've successfully completed the above we can move onto the Sims 4 folder that contains saves etc.
devgriff98
3 years ago
@Bluebellflora Thank you.

I have reinstalled origin. I am trying to install the game however, the folders for library/applications etc do not appear on my external drive so I am unsure where to install the game.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
3 years ago
@devgriff98

Yes, that is step 5 above, you need to follow the link I provided for the fix.
devgriff98
3 years ago
@BluebellfloraI have followed the link. I am able to access the hard drive through origin. The hard drive is empty and there are none of the folders mentioned.

Origin can locate the hard drive and has access, so I am able to download the game onto it. I was unsure whether there needs to be these folders before I install the game?
Bluebellflora
Hero+
3 years ago
@devgriff98

What folders? You don’t need to create a folder on the external although you can if you like.
devgriff98
3 years ago
@Bluebellflora oh sorry. The post suggested I would see four folders - library, applications etc.

I have managed to download game onto the hard drive now. And I can see the game and a folder for packs.

Are you able to help with moving the EA folder/ saves/ mods onto the hard drive?
Bluebellflora
Hero+
3 years ago
@devgriff98

This is the thread you need to read for the symlink https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/-Creating-a-symlink-in-macOS-to-store-the-Sims-4-folder-on-an/td-p/12329439
devgriff98
3 years ago
@BluebellfloraWhen following the steps to move the Electronic Arts folder, i can see the folder on my external drive, but it still appears in my documents folder on my Mac.
For reference, my external drive is named Drive and I entered the following command into Terminal:
mv ~/Documents/Electronic\ Arts /Volumes/Drive/
Bluebellflora
Hero+
3 years ago
@devgriff98

Can you please post in that thread so all info is in one place. That thread is set up as the master symlink thread. I no longer reply helping people with the symlink process because if it is correctly followed it works 100% of the time. There are also explanations for the various common problems people encounter through user error in the process.
devgriff98
3 years ago
Hello,
I have created the symlink and I can see the Electronic Arts folder in my drive and the alias my documents folder.
However, I am unable to launch the game. I can start the application and it appears in my dock but then disappears.
I have connected the drive again and now origin asks me to download the game again.

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Issues with installing Sims 4 onto external hardrive

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