Forum Discussion

Bluebellflora's avatar
Bluebellflora
Hero+
8 years ago

Re: Unable to start: The Sims 4 is already running - Mac only

@Munteax

If you have created, or attempted to create, a symlink to store your Electronic Arts/The Sims 4 folder on an external drive head over to this thread instead - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Mac/-Creating-a-symlink-in-macOS-to-store-the-Sims-4-folder-on-an/m-p/12329439

Go to System Preferences/Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders and make sure the game has access to the Documents folder. If your game is installed on an external drive it also needs access to removable volumes. Or System Preferences/Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access and give the game full access.

If you're really stuck, set up a new user account on your Mac and make sure you allow all accesses when prompted by the OS.

17 Replies

  • aestes71's avatar
    aestes71
    6 years ago

    I'm getting the same message. I was able to play it under a different username. Why is that the case? And how can I fix it to play under my main/admin username? Thanks in advance!

  • idab0008's avatar
    idab0008
    6 years ago

    I have the same problem! You probably have to put that username to use for only playing

  • HammyTheHybrid's avatar
    HammyTheHybrid
    Seasoned Newcomer
    6 years ago
    @Bluebellflora wrote:

    Ok. Let's try one more thing... Can you set up a new user account on your Mac and see if you can play in that account?

     @Bluebellflora This worked and I appreciate it very much, but is there a way to not have to do this every time I want to play the sims? It just makes it more time consuming and sort of tedious to play.

  • katnylia's avatar
    katnylia
    6 years ago
    @SassyCassy420 If you move your EA folder to the trash and click play, starting the game should create a new EA folder. from there you can replace the mods and saves folder
  • melissasweetluv's avatar
    melissasweetluv
    6 years ago

    The folder will be replaced once you restart the Sims game. Then I closed the game and continued with the instructions above. 

  • JSimmersims's avatar
    JSimmersims
    6 years ago
    @SassyCassy420 Open the game first and then close it and when you open the sims 4 folder again another electronic arts folder should be there.

About The Sims 4 Technical Issues - Mac

Do you have technical issues with The Sims 4 on Mac? Get help from the community here!8,151 PostsLatest Activity: 12 minutes ago

Community Highlights