This thread concentrates on the latest version of macOS, including beta versions, and how Sims 3 and Sims 4 run. If you are running the latest version please take a minute to post your experiences. For an up to date list of current issues in Mojave please see the posts below under Sims 3 or Sims 4. Bear in mind that if you install the beta versions you will most likely have some sort of issues along the way. Operating systems are not supported in any form of beta by Maxis/EA. Please provide the following: Mac specs. Please provide ALL of the information listed here. Have you upgraded from a previous version of macOS or have you done a fresh install? Which game - Sims 3, Sims 4 or both A detailed description of the issue(s) Which Expansion/Game/Stuff Packs you have installed 10.12 Sierra posts start here. 10.13 High Sierra posts start here. 10.14 Mojave posts start here. 10.15 Catalina posts start here.

This issue is now fixed in patch 1.54.52. Happy Simming Catalina users 🙂 Edit - some users are reporting an error message stating that the game is already running When trying to launch the game. If you are experiencing this please read @dzm06‘s excellent instructions here for removing the file causing the issue - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/FIXED-Sims-4-does-not-work-in-macOS-Catalina/m-p/8277531#M20684 -

(Marked as the solution for visibility purposes - BluebellFlora) The other option you have if you have already upgraded to Catalina is to install Mojave on a separate drive. I've written a guide here on how to do this - http://bluebellflora.com/running-32-bit-apps-after-macos-mojave/ You should still be able to download and install Mojave through the App Store at this point. Also, EA are not obligated to fix this as Catalina is in beta. Running beta versions of operating systems is always a risk and should never be installed on your main machine.

Since updating my Mac to the lastest MacOS catalina sims has been unbable to open but was previously on MacOSMojave. an error box keeps popping up. origin is still able to open

@Bluebellflora I've just spent a bit of time poking this. What I found is that my Sims folder has a "UserData.lock" file in it that, for some reason, causes this problem. To get passed it on my machine I deleted the lock file from "~/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/".Try using Finder to go to your Documents -> Electronic Arts -> The Sims 4 folder and rename/delete/move UserData.log, then try relaunching. If you prefer the command line then open Terminal and try:rm -rf "~/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/UserData.lock"Then try to launch the game again.

@puzzlezaddict The error I am seeing isnew proc failed with errno: 0x56/Applications/The Sims 4.app/Contents/Frameworks/ActivationUI.app/Contents/MacOS/ActivationUI"I've tried every workaround and have even re-installed Origin.Running via terminal:$ ./ActivationUI-bash: ./ActivationUI: Bad CPU type in executableI'm assuming this is just due to Apple changing something major in macOS and we'll have to wait for an update. Unfortunately, I'm unable to install Photoshop/Premiere 2018 either. :\

macOS thread - updated to include 10.15 Catalina

278 Replies

Bluebellflora
Hero+
9 years ago
macOS Sierra 10.12

Issue:

The game will not load or the Unknown Error message is popping up since updating to Sierra 10.12

Try:

Dragging your Sims 3 folder from Documents > Electronic Arts onto the desktop and then relaunch your game. The folder will be recreated and your game will be free of all previous saves/downloads/CC/mods/settings etc.

Creating a new user account on your Mac, log into it and try playing the game

Last resort - properly uninstall and reinstall the game (making sure to get rid of ALL files and folders mentioned in the help article
XQueenPenguinX
9 years ago
Model: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

Processor: 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5

idk what RAM is sorry

Game: Sims 4

Issue: My create a sim is working just fine, but when I'm trying to actually play the game, the graphics turn really weird and then my game crashes.

I have no expansion packs.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
9 years ago
@XQueenPenguinX

What version of OS X did you upgrade from, El Capitan? Was it working fine then? Your issue is most probably your NVIDIA graphics. You will need to manually update the driver (which isn't normal practice on a Mac) as there is an issue with your NVIDIA graphics card and the game. Please read instructions here on how to do so - https://bluebellflora.com/manually-update-nvidia-geforce-graphics-drivers-in-os-x/
elelellen92
9 years ago
hey I have the sims 3 with all expansions up to island paradise (but no stuff packs), everything was working perfectly until I upgraded to OS Sierra from Yosemite. Now when I open the game and press the play button, the screen loads startup bit with the green diamond thingy, then turns to black and nothing happens after that ☹️

i have a macbook pro retina 15-inch, late2013,
2.3 GHz intel core i7 processor, 16gb RAM, and
intel iris pro 1536MB graphics
Bluebellflora
Hero+
9 years ago
@elelellen92

Your Mac's Intel graphics are not supported in the game but it is interesting that you could play before in Yosemite. Please try editing the files as per the instructions in that linked thread. If that doesn't work do a complete uninstall then reinstall the base game, then manually patch and load the game to see if it works. Install each subsequent EP, testing to see if the game works after each one. You may find that you can play again but Late Night and Ambitions may make the game unplayable.
Anonymous
9 years ago
I have a 2014 MacBook air (1.5 GHZ i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD) which was able to run Sims 3 just fine on El Capitan. I update to macOS Sierra and now my Sims 3 and Sims University add-on refuse to run. The initial start screen with the gem and the 3 show up, but it never boots past that. Just stays on that screen no matter how long I wait.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
9 years ago
@KatieReneeClark

Have you moved out your Documents > Electronic Arts > Sims 3 folder onto your desktop and tried loading the game?

Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the game?
Anonymous
9 years ago
iMac 27-inch Mid 2011

2,7 GHz Intel Core i5

20GB 1333 MHz DDR3

AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512 MB

Installed: Sims 3 and Pets expansion pack

I did not play this game in years, but my daughter got excited and I wanted to start the game for her.

No luck, I get into this menu where I can log in but no further, the menu just dissapears and I have to force quit.

Once or twice I got to the diamond thingy but it also stopped after that and I again had to force quit.

I deinstalled and reinstalled, same issues. Then started googeling and deinstalled while also deleting all the cache, preference etc files.

Reinstalled and used a 'super patch' I found online. Same result, very frustrating!

I used an original DVD with verification code.
Anonymous
9 years ago
By the way it did work before on this Mac but I don't remember which OS it was running on.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
9 years ago
@Vavloe

Did you get rid of all the files?

Uninstall again then install just the base game, manually patch it to 1.67, then load and see if it works. Don't bother trying to install the EP until you have the base game working.