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Bluebellflora's avatar
Bluebellflora
Hero+
10 months ago

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

If you're experiencing this error message it doesn't mean your game is already running, the actual message itself is incorrect. It means The Sims 4 cannot access the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 fold...
external drive
launching
arose4medusa's avatar
arose4medusa
2 years ago

I actually can't find it, which is strange—the only one I can find is where the packs are. If it's helpful context, I was playing the sims on a different admin user account for a bit? 

Bluebellflora's avatar
Bluebellflora
Hero+
2 years ago
@arose4medusa

Did you do a Finder search to look for it? If so it won't show up if it is in the correct place - Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 - because it is hidden from search results (no idea why, not normal practice). Please manually navigate to that location and check 🙂
  • arose4medusa's avatar
    arose4medusa
    2 years ago

    @Bluebellflora 

    I looked for the Sims 4 folder in my documents folder and it was there as a shortcut, which I then deleted after trying to open it and it giving me an error message. Then when I tried again it worked (!!), albeit with my saves gone. I only really play the game for CAS/dress up though so no huge loss. Thank you!

    • Bluebellflora's avatar
      Bluebellflora
      Hero+
      2 years ago
      @arose4medusa

      Had you created the symlink to store the Sims 4 folder on an external drive at some point? That would explain the alias/shortcut folder and the error message if the game cannot find the original folder. By trashing the alias you've forced the game into recreating the Sims 4 folder which has fixed it but yes, none of your previous content will be there. You must have the original Sims 4 folder somewhere.....
      • arose4medusa's avatar
        arose4medusa
        2 years ago

        @Bluebellflora 


        I found the folder in one of my back up files, it was on a different user account on my computer. Do you know how I sholuld go about getting my saves and other info back into the new Sims 4 folder?

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