[32-bit] Sims 3 - Mac Help, Guides and Troubleshooting
The Sims 3 is no longer updated to support macOS or the hardware Apple have used since 2013. Consequently this can result in a lot of issues when trying to get the game to work. Below you'll find various troubleshooting steps and links to all known issues and, where applicable, a workaround or potential fix. The 5-step guide to installing the Sims 3 on a Mac Jump to this post below Optimal gameplay tips Jump to this post below Information you should be aware of: The current version of the game is 32-bit and therefore will not work in macOS 10.15 Catalina. EA have announced that they are working on a 64-bit version but this has not yet been released. If you want to play The Sims 3 but have updated to Catalina please see your options here. The Mac version of the game is not natively written for macOS like Sims 1, Sims 2 and Sims 4 are. It is the Windows version of the game 'wrapped' using software called Cider which basically tricks the game into thinking it is running in Windows, an emulator of sorts. This is the root of most problems that users experience and why it is extremely difficult to diagnose and fix any errors in the game. There is a more detailed explanation here. The Mac version of the game can only utilise up to 2Gb RAM, as opposed to the 4Gb RAM the Windows version can use. This is because the LAA issue that was patched for Windows users was never addressed for the Mac version of the game. This 2Gb limit is why the Launcher causes so many crashes as it uses a large of amount of RAM just to load, especially if you have CC/Mods and Exchange items. The Mac game is patched to 1.67, not 1.69 like Windows users. Mac users do not have the ability to disable Expansion and Stuff Packs through the Launcher. Mac users do not need Origin to actually play the game. You need it to download a digital version of the game but that's it. Once downloaded an external installer will pop up guiding you through the installation process. Once the game is installed into your Applications folder you can load it directly from there without having to open Origin. It is not possible to repair or uninstall the game through Origin, no matter what EA customer support tell you. It is impossible as the option is not, and never has been, available. The only solution for a proper Simming experience on your Mac is to play it in Windows, the OS which the game was written for. For detailed instructions on how to install Windows on your Mac please read this thread: How to install Windows using Boot Camp Steps to try if your game will not load, crashes, or displays an error message: Navigate to the Electronic Arts folder, this time opening The Sims 3 folder. Trash the following files then try loading the game again: CASPartCache.package compositorCache.package scriptCache.package simCompositorCache.package socialCache.package Try a new game, without any CC, mods, saves etc. This will help figure out if your install is dodgy or you have corrupted data. Doing this is simple, open your Documents folder then open the Electronic Arts folder. You will see a folder in there called The Sims 3. Drag this to the desktop. DO NOT DELETE IT. This folder holds all your game data like downloaded content, saves and everything precious to your game. Now, start up your game (it regenerates the folder you just moved) and see if you can play with a new Sim in a new world. Make sure you open CAS and make sure you try out Build/Buy mode. Try playing for at least an hour or so. If that works then the installed game and EPs/SPs is fairly stable so the issue lies somewhere within the folder you moved out. The difficult part is figuring out where the problem is within the data. For an extensive explanation of the files and folders in the Sims 3 folder please read Crin's guide here. To put your game back to how it was (not working presumably if you had to just do that step!), navigate through to the Electronic Arts folder again and trash the Sims 3 folder the game just recreated. Put your old folder, the one you moved to the desktop, back in it's place. If you want to move back individual files or folders from your moved folder make sure to delete the newly created ones first. Properly uninstalling the game or an individual Expansion/Stuff Pack: If all else fails then be prepared to completely uninstall and reinstall your game in an effort to get it working again. Just using the uninstaller is not enough though as it leaves residual files behind which can cause issues with a new install. You must use the uninstaller, if available and not corrupted, and then manually remove the residual files. For full instructions on how to do this successfully please read this page. For uninstalling just an Expansion or Stuff Pack please read these instructions. Known and common issues: Click on the issue you are having to be taken to further help and instructions if available. Unknown Error - Base game only installed Unknown Error - Late Night, Ambitions, Fast Lane, Outdoor Living and macOS 10.11 El Capitan or later Expansion and Stuff Packs not showing as installed in the Launcher and Applications folder Store content not showing up Exception Raised/Debug error - RAM/Memory related Disc Authorisation/No disc errors Error Code 12 fix Installer stuck on a file during installation - Quit the installer, manually uninstall any files already installed for the Pack you are trying to install, run the Origin reset tool then re-download and try to install again. Connecting to server issues Error 327682:0 - Means you are trying to install the 32-bit version of the game in macOS Catalina or later. It won't work as Apple no longer support 32-bit apps.
An announcement for The Sims 3 players on Mac
Dear Simmers, If you currently play The SimsTM 3 on Mac, pay close attention to this announcement! Earlier this year, Apple announced plans to phase out support for 32-bit applications with their new macOS, Catalina. Due to this change, we will be releasing an updated version of The Sims 3 that will be compatible with the new macOS, The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal). We will also be making all DLC content available in this new format, as well. The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) will be available for download via Origin. We don’t have a release date for when Apple will release Catalina. However, if it occurs before The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) is out and you decide to update your Mac to macOS Catalina, you will not be able to continue playing The Sims 3 until after we release The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal). Once The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) is released, you will have to uninstall your current version of The Sims 3 and packs before re-installing, and you will not be able to patch your existing installation. We will post more detailed instructions when we make this update available. You will not lose your progress in the game and you will keep all the extra content you have acquired over time. The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) FAQ Where can I get The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition? If you are an existing The Sims 3 owner, we will have instructions on this page which will walk you through the steps to get your copy of The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition when it is released. When will 64-Bit & Metal Edition be available? This change is planned for early 2020. We will update you once we have a confirmed date. Will I be able to get the 64-Bit & Metal Edition through a patch to my current game? No. The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition will be its own version of The Sims 3 and carries significant changes from the currently available version. This means that the game will not be patched and will require the The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition and the packs to be installed like a new release through Origin. Will the minimum specifications be the same as The Sims 3? No. The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition will require the latest version of Origin which requires OSX 10.9 or later. Also, since the The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition adds 64-bit and Metal support, the minimum specifications will be adjusted accordingly. What if I can’t update my Mac? The Sims 3 and all the packs will be available in their current form for those players who choose not to or cannot update their Mac to Catalina. Will I need to buy The Sims 3 or my packs again? No. All The Sims 3 players who have registered their game and packs with Origin will have access to The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition when it releases. If you have the disc version of The Sims 3, you will need to redeem your code in Origin to access The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition in Origin. Will The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition release for Windows PC? There are no current plans to update the Windows PC version of The Sims 3. Version 1.6.9 is available to The Sims 3 players via Origin. What do I need to do to make sure my game is saved before I update to macOS Catalina? While updating macOS to a newer version should be straight forward, we recommend you backup your saves before updating to macOS Catalina. You can find The Sims 3 save files in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3. Simply copy the entire The Sims 3 directory somewhere safe like your cloud storage of choice (eg. iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.) or a USB flash drive. This will backup your downloaded content and your save files among other things.