[READ FIRST] Sims 4 - Mac Help, Guides and Troubleshooting

Finding your Mac's specifications

Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your desktop and select About This Mac. You should see a window like one of the ones above, depending on model. Please provide the following information, of available (you may need to click on More Info depending on what operating system you're running). Do NOT include your serial number:

• Operating System (Version/macOS)
• Mac model
• Processor/Chip
• Memory (RAM)
• Graphics (if shown)
• 15" and 16" Intel only MacBook Pro users - click on System Report then Graphics/Displays in the left side list. If your Mac has dedicated graphics this will show up as either NVIDIA or AMD in the right side window, please list the specification here as well.

1. Are you running any antivirus or "cleaning" apps?
2. Have you tried to repair the game in Origin/EA App? Origin - right click on the game in your game library and select Repair. EA App - Click on the game in your EA App Library then Manage > Repair
3. Do you use CC/Mods? If so, have you tried removing them and trashing the localthumbcache.package file to see if that fixes your problem?
4. How much storage is available on your internal drive (or external if you are using one for your game)? About This Mac > More Info > Storage

Symptoms:

• Game not loading such as:
  • game app bouncing in Dock then disappearing
  • stuck on game loading screen before or after main menu
  • black game screen
• Frequent crashing such as:
  • during the intro screen before the main menu
  • during gameplay
  • after updating the game
• In-game performance and graphics issues

Read these instructions - [INSTRUCTIONS] How to troubleshoot and test a broken game | EA Forums - 11864548 

Mac specific Bugs:

Please see this separate thread for a compiled list of Mac specific bugs - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/Compiled-list-of-Mac-specific-issues/m-p/9346384#M36711

CC, Mods and Patching:

• For clear instructions on how to install CC and Mods on a Mac, read itsaprilXD's excellent guide. Remember that installing Mods and CC into your game is done entirely at your own risk. They must be moved out of your Mods folder before patching. Once patched check with the creator that the Mods/CC are compatible with the latest patch before putting them back into your game.

• Troubleshooting steps for custom content not showing up in-game can be found here.

• Read @Tremayne4260's suggestions here on what to do before patching.

• Removing all characters from CC filenames will improve game performance. You can manually edit them or download my Automator workflow or App to do it automatically.

• Turn off automatic updates in EA App - EA App > Settings > Download. This is especially important if you are using Mods in your game. Make sure you don't have EA App set to launch when starting up your Mac

• For help with CC and Mods in the game head over to the Mods/CC forum - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Mods-CC-Issues/bd-p/the-sims-4-game-issues-mods-en

Using the cheat console:

Using the cheat console is exactly the same on a Mac as it is in Windows. Hold down CTRL, Shift and C. Whereas we normally substitute the CMD key for the CTRL key, this is not the case in The Sims 4 (or The Sims 3).  If this is not working for you check your keyboard configuration in System Preferences > Keyboard > Modifier Keys and Input Sources. The cheat console is coded into the game, there is no reason why it shouldn't work unless the user has changed some settings or has software installed which may be conflicting with the keyboard settings. Check whether your CTRL key is faulty or broken. If all else fails:

• Try plugging in or bluetoothing another keyboard to your Mac. You may have a broken CTRL key(s).
• Check for 3rd party software that has changed the keyboard mapping, e.g. - screenshot software or video capture software.
• 3rd party software that is conflicting with the game. Close down any other apps that are running.
• User changes to the modifer keys in System Preferences. Has someone used your Mac under your user account and changed something without you knowing? Go into System Preferences > Keyboard > Modifier Keys and set another key as the CTRL key
• The Input Source in System Preferences > Keyboard has been changed to a different language. You could also try adding another language to see if this resolves the issue.

Further information here https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/-Opening-the-Sims-4-cheat-console-on-Mac/m-p/12043321#M53238

Graphics issues

If you have upped your graphics settings in game and are now having problems loading your game simply navigate to Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 and trash the Options.ini file. The game will recreate a new one and reset your graphics options to default settings.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum OS – macOS El Capitan (10.11) Metal compatible*
• CPU – Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz or better
• RAM – At least 4Gb RAM
• Hard Drive – At least 14Gb of free space with at least 1Gb additional space for custom content
• Video – NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro or better. Video RAM of 256MB or better.
• Input – Keyboard and Mouse
• Online Requirements: Internet Connection required for product activation

Recommended Requirements

• Minimum OS – macOS El Capitan (10.11) Metal compatible*
• CPU – Intel Core i5 or better
• RAM – 8Gb RAM
• Hard Drive – 18Gb Hard Drive space
• Video – NVIDIA GTX 650 or better
• Input – Keyboard and Mouse
• Online Requirements: Internet Connection required for product activation

*If your Mac is a 2011 or earlier model it is not Metal compatible and can therefore not launch the game.

Symptoms:

- Greyed out Play/Install button in Origin/EA App

- Game not updating in Origin/EA App

- Game bouncing up and down in the Dock but not loading

Steps to try:

1. In your Applications folder, or wherever you have the game installed to, right click on the Sims 4 app and select Show Package Contents.
2. Navigate to Contents > Mac OS.
3. Right click on The Sims 4 and select Move to Trash. Don't drag the file as it will only move an alias and leave the original in place.
4. Now open Origin/EA App, click on The Sims 4 in your  Library and then Manage > Repair.

Symptom:

Saved games not loading on Macs running macOS Sierra or later:

Cause and solution:

If you have iCloud Drive enabled your Desktop and Documents folders have probably been moved to the cloud during the setup process. This means that every time you load your game it creates a new Sims 4 user data folder as it cannot find the original due to it not being where the game is looking. Please go here for full instructions on how to change your iCloud settings and prevent this from happening. Links explaining iCloud Drive and how it works are also provided in the article.