Learn about transferring save files and other common tips to play The Sims 4 on Mac.
Redeeming a game code in new Origin.
Select Redeem Product Code. Log in with the EA Account where you want to add the game. Go to your computer's top menu to select Games and Redeem Product Code. The Sims 3 codes. Redeem codes for The Sims 3 on The Sims 3 website to play your games and get any additional bonus content. Learn about transferring save files and other common tips to play The Sims 4 on Mac.
Check out our system requirements and make sure you’re ready to play.
How to download The Sims 4 to your Mac
- Download Origin for Mac on Origin.com.
- Log in with the same EA Account that you use to play The Sims 4 on PC.
- An account is required to play The Sims 4.
- Select the My Game Library tab and click on The Sims 4.
- Click Download and The Sims 4 will start to download in your Origin Library.
Once the download is complete, you’ll be able to launch The Sims 4 and start playing.
How to add The Sims 4 on your Mac if you have a PC-only disc of the game
The Sims 4 for Mac is a digital-only release. The installation discs in all packaged editions of The Sims 4 are not Mac compatible, but players who buy a packaged PC-only version can still redeem the code in the box to access the Mac version through Origin.
- Download Origin for Mac on Origin.com.
- Create an EA Account or log in with an existing EA Account.
- Note: An account is required to play The Sims 4.
- Under the Games pull-down menu (top left), click Redeem Product Code.
- Input your product code, found within the packaging or insert.
When the code is redeemed, The Sims 4 will begin to download in your Origin Library.
Once the download is complete, you’ll be able to launch The Sims 4 and start playing.
If you need more help, you can review our Origin FAQ and our disc installation article.
Transfer saves files from PC to Mac
The Sims 4 doesn’t support Origin cloud storage, so game saves don’t automatically transfer between Mac and PC. You can transfer your save files using a USB device.
- On your PC, open My Computer and go to the Documents folder.
- Go to Electronic Arts, then The Sims 4 folder.
- Find and copy the entire saves folder onto a flash drive.
- Plug the same flash drive into your Mac.
- On your Mac, open Finder, go to Documents, Electronic Arts, then The Sims 4.
- Copy and paste the saves folder from the flash drive to the The Sims 4 folder on your Mac.
- If an existing saves folder is already in The Sims 4 folder, delete or rename it. Renaming an existing saves folder on your Mac lets you to keep it for later use.
- The Sims 4 folder will only show up in your documents after you first play the game.
Once complete, open The Sims 4 on your Mac and your save files will be ready to load!
How to make sure installed add-on content to the PC version of The Sims 4 shows up in the Mac version
- Log in to the Origin client using the same account that you use to play The Sims 4 on PC. An account is required to play The Sims 4.
- Select the My Game Library tab and click on The Sims 4 from your library.
- Click on the More Details button and scroll down to find the content in the appropriate sections (Game Packs, Add-Ons, Bonuses, and so forth.).
From here, you can select to download and install any add-on content you wish to play with on the Mac version of The Sims 4.
How to make sure purchasing add-on content shows up
- Log into the Origin client using the same account that you use to play The Sims 4 on Mac. An account is required to play The Sims 4.
- Select the My Game Library tab and click on The Sims 4 from your library.
- Click on the More Details button and scroll down to find the content in the appropriate sections (Game Packs, Add-Ons, Bonuses, and so forth.).
From here, you can select to buy and install any add-on content you wish to play with on the Mac or PC version of The Sims 4.
All purchases made on one system will be available to you on all systems as long as you log in using the same EA Account.
Mac OS Lion (10.7)
On October 3, 2019 we released a patch update that will no longer support The Sims 4 on that operating system. If you want to continue playing the game while running macOS Lion (10.7), you will need to disable automatic updates on Origin and stop taking any future updates. You’ll still be able to play as normal.
Here’s how you disable updates:
- Open Origin.
- Click Origin in the top left toolbar, then select Preferences.
- Scroll down to Client update.
- Toggle Automatically update Origin to OFF.
Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) compatibility issues
We’ve gotten reports from players having trouble playing The Sims 4 while running Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite). Some examples of issues that players are seeing include trouble connecting, not receiving updates, and not seeing games in their Game Library.
We have looked into these issues and found a couple of workarounds that might help:
Try using the Beta version of Origin
Not only does using the Beta version help with this issue, it also lets you test new Origin features early. Here’s how to turn it on:
- Launch and sign into the Origin client.
- Select Application Settings from the Origin menu.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Application tab and find the Client update section.
- Toggle the switch to On next to Participate in Origin client betas.
If you switch your settings from On to Off, uninstall and reinstall the Origin client to make sure you're running a non-beta version. If you switch from Off to On, all you need to do is restart the Origin client to let it check for beta updates.
Update to Mac OS X 10.12 (Sierra) or newer
You can update your Mac using the App Store.
Before you update, make sure you check your requirements.
- Some older Macs can’t update to the newest version because of their hardware. If your Mac is older, use the Beta version of Origin instead.
- Only the Legacy Edition will run on OS X 10.12 (Sierra) due to an issue with the v1 Metal drivers.
- OS X 10.11 (El Capitan), OS X 10.13 (High Sierra) and upwards, support the Metal drivers and the full version of the game.
- If you’re having issues with OS X 10.11 (El Capitan), try upgrading to OS X 10.13 (High Sierra) instead.
The Sims 4 display issues on Mac
Most display issues can be solved by resizing the window or going to windowed mode.
- Press Command + Enter + F on your keyboard.
If you’re using a Retina Display, try not to change to Retina mode and change Resolution at the same time.
Video capture tool availability
The in-game video capture feature isn’t currently supported on Mac.
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Learn about what you need to know about The Sims 4 on console: the difference between editions, what packs you can buy, and how to get started.
What’s the difference between The Sims 4 on PC and console?
The Sims 4 on console starts from scratch
It’s a separate version of the game. Your progress on PC or Mac is not shared.
This means your Sims, your lots, and your items won’t carry over. It’s a blank canvas, ready for you to start creating!
If you own The Sims 4 on PC or Mac, and you want to play on Xbox or PlayStation, you’ll need to buy the game for console.
It’s the same game though, right?
Not exactly. The console version of The Sims 4 doesn’t have all the features as the PC or Mac version. Because they work differently, we haven’t been able to include these features on PlayStation or Xbox:
- custom content support
- mod support
- live events (Easter Egg Hunt)
- in-game screen capture
- in-game video capture
- ability to tag memories
- ability to reminisce about a memory.
What are the different console editions?
Edition | Content |
The Sims 4 Deluxe Party Edition |
|
The Sims 4 Standard Edition |
|
Can I upgrade to the Deluxe Edition?
Yep! Turn your Standard into a Deluxe Edition on the PlayStation Network or Xbox Store.
What packs can I buy?
You can personalize your Sims with all of the Expansion, Game, and Stuff Packs available to PC players.
How do I redeem a code when I buy the game?
Learn more about redeeming codes to add games to your account here.
Need help with your game controls?
Try turning on the Controls Overlay Reminder. These controls normally come on by default, but here’s how you can toggle them off or back on.
- In Game Options, go to the Other menu.
- Disable the Controls Overlay Reminder.
- Uncheck Show Controls Legend.
Xbox
Use these controls to create your Sims, build their homes, live in their worlds, and apply cheat codes.
Cheat codes
- Press both the left and right triggers and bumpers (LT + RT + LB + RB) all at the same time to open the cheat codes console.
- Enter the cheat you want to use and press A.
- Close the cheat code console with the same four buttons you used to open.
Cheat not working? Type in testingcheats on in the cheat console bar, then press A.
Heads-up: If you use testingcheats, achievements will be disabled for the current save game.
PlayStation
Use these controls to create your Sims, build their homes, live in their worlds, and apply cheat codes.
Cheat codes
- Press L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 all at the same time to open the cheat codes console.
- Enter the cheat you want to use and press O (the circle button).
- Close the cheat code console with the same four buttons you used to open.
Cheat not working? Type in testingcheats on in the cheat console bar, then press O.
Heads-up: If you use testingcheats, achievements will be disabled for the current save game.
For more advanced controls, check out the PlayStation 4 manual.
We hope you don’t run into any issues while playing The Sims 4, but in case you do, we’re here to help.
![The sims 4 product code The sims 4 product code](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aTIrgkacv5o/maxresdefault.jpg)
Jump to: Missing content | Download and install | Manual install
I’m missing downloadable content (DLC) for The Sims 4: Deluxe Party Edition
The Main Menu on the console version of The Sims 4 is different from PC. To find downloadable content, go to the Manage game section.
Redeem your game code for your PlayStation or Xbox version of The Sims 4: Deluxe Party Edition and the game will download the following DLC content:
- Awesome Animal Hats
- Life of the Party
- Perfect Patio
- Up All Night
If you’re missing specific content from different DLCs, then follow these steps:
Missing Awesome Animal Hats
- Go into Create-a-Sim.
- Check the Hats section as you Create-a-Sim and you’ll see the Awesome Animal Hats content.
Missing Life of the Party or Up All Night
- Locate these items in Build Mode once you’re set up in a house or plot of land.
- Look under Objects by the Function section.
- Within Function, look under the Electronics section.
- View all Electronics or look under MISC. You’ll see the Let There Be Light Laser Show objects.
Missing Perfect Patio Stuff
You should find all your Perfect Patio Stuff in Build Mode.
Download and installation issues
PlayStation
- Check out how to download PlayStation Store content for PlayStation.
- Look at network connection help on Sony's support page.
Xbox
Check out Microsoft Support’s download and installation troubleshooting steps for Xbox.
Manually install your game
Digital copies should install to your system as soon as your download is done. If that doesn’t happen, try these steps to manually install:
PlayStation
- Open your Notifications from the home screen.
- Choose Downloads and find your The Sims 4 download file.
- Press the Options button and select Install.
Xbox
- Navigate to your Download History from the main Xbox Menu.
- Select the The Sims 4 file and press the menu button.
- Select Install.
If your installation freezes, gets stuck, or fails, your game file may have corrupted while downloading.
- We recommend deleting or manually uninstalling any files that made it through the installation process, then download and install your game again. Here’s how to uninstall games on Xbox and PlayStation.
- Once installed, restart your game or console. This makes sure your system checks for game updates.