Loading Screen Hanging

I tried afresh today having noticed there was an update for the game. I read a bit more about the vertical sync issue so thought I would try the approach I read about ...

1. I copied the game file again under 'Documents > Electronic Arts' and started a fresh game.

2. I closed the game as soon as I was able and opened the Options.ini file and changed the value for verticalsync to 1.

3. I reopened the game and was able to play for around 5 minutes before the loading screen froze again.

4. I closed the game, and went to reopen and wasn't even able to reload the game.

What am I missing and doing wrong here? From everything I have read, Sims 4 should run beautifully on my setup. Is anyone able to offer me any advice at all? Is there some fundamental step I not doing? I would love to be able to play this beautiful game, but I am at the point of calling it a day. I have done so much research and troubleshooting and just cannot figure this out. Any help would be really appreciated.

c42a16dfafdd8157​ 

Yep, the game should run fine on your Mac with all settings on high. Have you tried setting up a new user account on your Mac and playing in that account? Keep the account as basic as possible, nothing running at launch, no iCloud, nothing. When you launch the game for the first time in that account make sure you go into game options at the main menu and enable vsync.

c42a16dfafdd8157 wrote:

I edited the text file in EA Games > The Sims 4 > Contents > res > Camera.ini to set the value for ClickDragEnabled to true under '[advanced]'.

Why did you do this? It is set to true as default in a new game installation.

c42a16dfafdd8157 wrote:

When I first start a new save, I get the 'Unrecognized Video Card' error (see attached screenshot). After seeing the message, I exit and then restart. From research, though, I understand this shouldn't be causing the error.

Correct, this doesn't cause the game to not function properly. If you can be bothered you can add your M4 to the GraphicsCards.sgr file to stop the error message every time you start with a new Sims 4 folder -  https://bluebellflora.com/2024/03/11/unrecognized-video-card-error-on-mac/ 

Thanks so much for your help.

I edited the setting for the advanced camera (Camera 3) to enable click drag. The setting for the simple camera (Camera 4) is set to true by default. I wanted the click drag capabilities of Camera 4 combined with the tilt and rotate objects functionality of Camera 3. In essence, a hybrid camera. I hope that makes sense!

Before receiving your reply, I managed to get the game working by enabling vsync after starting a new game via the Options.ini file AND by playing in offline mode.

OK, I tried the suggestion of setting up a new account on my Mac and playing with that account. Same thing happened. Immediately after creating the mandatory sim at the beginning of a new game and exiting CAS, the game got stuck on the loading screen, this is despite enabling the vsync option.

I was considering purchasing some expansion packs, but I really feel like I need to get to the bottom of this before I start investing cash in the game!

helppp i just downloaded sims 4 for the first time on mac, m4 chip. and ive js created a character and tried making a game, ive been stuck on this loading screen for 3 hours, i cant even turn off my macbook or restart it because it wont allow me due to sims being open. i have no mods or anything btw this is my first time playing.

I have exactly the same issue and I am convinced it is a bug with either Macs or the M4 specifically. You will find some options for trying to fix it here in the forum, but in my case, they have not worked. I hope the developers see these forums and see there is a problem and work to fix it. To get out of the loading screen, you can Command + Tab to switch to another screen and then select your apple icon in the top left corner. Select 'Force Quit ...' and then choose Sims 4. I have managed to get some game play by enabling vsync (just search for that here in the forum and you will find instructions) and playing in offline mode. However, when coming out of creating a sim or switching to another location on the map, the loading screen often hangs, at which point I use the force quit option and restart the game. I have learned to save before I go into different modes. This is an absolute pain I know so I hope this is fixed at some point in the future!