If your question isn't answered in this post, feel free to ask in the thread, and we'll try to answer.
If you have an issue that isn't listed, or the game is consistently crashing, please report it in the Sims 3 Mac section of Answers HQ. This is where all the current issues are being tracked and organized, so it would help for all affected players to chime in and say the issue matters to them.
Major Install issuesEveryone who owns Sims 3 content should also be able to access the 64-bit version of that content. If you are missing the 64-bit version of the base game or one or more packs, please contact EA customer support for help.
https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/
Explain to the support rep that you need the "entitlements," as they're called, specifically for the 64-bit version of whatever you're missing. If the support rep can't or won't do what you ask, or doesn't understand the issue, feel free to ask for a supervisor.
Error: Your The Sims 3 base game is incompatible with the current Sims 3 expansion pack
Go into Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 and delete Version.tag. (Thanks to
@BluebellFlora for this one.)
Game downloads but won't install
If you've ever had the 32-bit version of Sims 3 installed on this computer, you may need to do a
clean uninstall of that one before installing the 64-bit version.
Please also make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements for the 64-bit version of Sims 3.
(Taken from
this origin.com page)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
OS: Metal required. macOS® X 10.13 (High Sierra)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Processor or better
RAM: At least 4 GB RAM
HARD DRIVE: At least 15 GB of free space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, AMD Radeon RX 560, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 or better
INPUT: Keyboard and Mouse
ONLINE REQUIREMENTS: Internet connection required for product activation.
RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS:
OS: macOS® X 10.13 or later
PROCESSOR: Intel Core i5 or better
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, AMD Radeon RX 560, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 or better
MEMORY: 8GB RAM
HARD DRIVE: 18 GB of Hard Drive space
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Minor install issues
- Origin Play button now says Finalizing: Run the Origin reset tool for macOS.
- "Can't find server" error in Launcher: It's irrelevant, ignore it.
- Store content/cc installing issues: Please see this thread for suggestions.
- Icons along the bottom of the launcher are grayed out. Please see below.
Error downloading content {0} or
Critical system failure [while installing store or custom content, respectively]
This is caused by a missing .plist file within the hidden Library files on your system. Without this file present, the base game icon along the bottom of the launcher will be grayed out. Store and Exchange content will not install, and already installed store items won't load.
To recreate the missing file, please do the following:
- Open a Finder window, click Go at the top of your screen, hold down the optn (alt) key, and select Library.
- Open Application Support > Origin, and create a folder called Installer Data (exactly that, no variation).
- Open your Origin game library, right-click (or hold crtl and click) on the Sims 3 icon, and select Repair.
This currently only recreates the base game plist file, which is sufficient for Store and Exchange content to work. Hopefully this issue will be addressed in a future Origin update.
Please keep in mind that running the Origin reset tool will remove this .plist file along with the Origin folder it's in, reintroducing the same issue. So you'll need to open Origin once and then redo the above steps to fix it again.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Gameplay issues
- Red flashing: Please post your specs in this thread, and list the lot(s) where you see it happen.
- Shiny/pixellated hair, borked eyelashes: Please click Me Too and post screenshots in this thread.
- No interactions on open water: Please click Me Too in this thread, and post if you notice other missing interactions.
- Keyboard commands don't release: Please click Me Too and post in this thread.
- Terrain paint can't be applied: Please click Me Too in this thread.
- Can't collect insects or nanites: Please click Me Too in this thread.
- Sculpture blocks are not rendered properly: Please click Me Too in this thread.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
QuestionsWhat patch level does the game have?
1.70.292.024017
Do I need to update my mods?
No. Your mods should work as well or as poorly as they do in other fully patched versions of Sims 3.
I can't open the cheats console?!
The key combo is now, for some inexplicable reason, cmd-shift-C, not crtl-shift-C.
When is problem X getting fixed?
We have no idea, sorry. When an issue has been addressed, the relevant Answers HQ thread will be updated; if you subscribe, you'll get notifications for new posts and marked solutions.
Comments
I wonder what is meant by "GO SOCIAL ALL NEW WAYS TO CONNECT"?
The Go Social message sounds like the one on disc copies of the Sims 3 base game that require Origin, as in, any copy manufactured after September 2012. I don't know if the message is random or has some meaning, but I would guess that anyone playing on a Mac will now be required to launch the game from Origin, which isn't necessary in the current version. Or maybe someone just borrowed some old cover art.
I don't have the game or one or more packs in my Origin library. What's going on?
New purchases aren't showing up for everyone and may not for a couple days. Some "entitlements," as they're called, are still being pushed out. Additionally, new purchases are lagging behind. Please see this post for more details.
If you see the old (32-bit) entry of Sims 3 in your library but don't see the 64-bit version, or you see a pack in the old Sims 3 entry but not the new one, please contact EA customer support and ask for help.
https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/
1.70.292.024017
I can't open the cheats console?!
The key combo is now, for some inexplicable reason, cmd-shift-C, not crtl-shift-C.
What is "Installation Verification Failure," and how can I make it go away?
We're trying to figure that out.
It would also be helpful to know the full specs of your Mac. Please list everything here, including operating system; be sure to leave out your serial number.
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/READ-FIRST-Sims-3-Mac-Help-Guides-and-Troubleshooting/m-p/4756624#M2878
> Hey, I have downloaded the sims 3 and the associated expansion packs but now when I try to load it from the launcher it just says "Unknown Error" when I try and load it from an Expansion Pack, and it says, "Base game is incompatible with your expansion pack, please update from the launcher" when trying to load it from the main game
>
me too :( i called EA support and they said that it's a glitch-type-thing on the sims' part, they might update soon?
The EA team thinks it's found the issue and will be able to fix it, hopefully soon enough.
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/the-sims-3-64-bit-amp-metal-release/m-p/9655800#M9771
Always "River McIrish" ...and maybe some Bebe Hart. ~innocent expression~
I have MacOS Catalina Version 10.15.7 (19H2)
Can anyone help!!
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/the-sims-3-64-bit-amp-metal-release/m-p/9652952#M8808
You can post here if you want, although there's not much to be done:
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/64-bit-Sims-3-content-not-in-Origin-library/m-p/9653314#M8830
@Hels Try running the Origin reset tool for macOS:
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/how-to-reset-origin-on-mac/
If that doesn't help, uninstall the game (open your Origin game library, right-click, or hold down crtl and click, on the Sims 3 icon, and select Uninstall), reset Origin, and restart your computer. Download the base game only, and see if it launches. You'll probably get an error at the Main Menu, but that's a whole other issue, the same one from earlier in the thread.
If the game loads at least to the Main Menu, download one pack and install it, then see whether the error shows up again. Let me know either way. If not, you can keep adding packs.
I have the sims 3 installed but have not been playing it as it did not play well so I have my mac partitioned and paly the games on the Windows side.
1) Will I have to uninstall the sims 3 from the Mac side and install the 64 bit version or it will automatically "update"
2)Will I still be able to play the game as it is now on my Windows partition?
3)I don't have Catalina OS. Will I still be able to download 64 bit version.
Sorry for this questions I am technically dumb so I am getting a bit confused.
1 - It's a different game install, and yes the older TS3 for Mac version would need to be uninstalled first. Personally, I wouldn't bother trying the new version yet until we get a green light from EA that the incomplete install error problem has been solved. But it's not going to harm anything by trying if you already have another way to play.
2 - Yes, the Windows version has not changed and Bootcamp provides a different operating system for use. There's no connection between programs installed on your macOS partition and those on the Windows side.
3 - Catalina is not required for the new Mac version, the min requirement is High Sierra. But your hardware does need to be able to run the Metal API. Which exact Mac make and model do you have (from About This Mac under the Apple Menu)?
FAQ: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/An-announcement-for-The-Sims-3-players-on-Mac/m-p/9636105#M8517
NRaas has moved!
Our new site is at http://nraas.net
I had my very old iMac OS changed just a year ago, to High Sierra before that, I think it was Leopard (this Mac is from 2010 nearly as old as me! So I should be all right with the OS. It has 16 Gb memory but it uses 8 Gb on each side (that might be a problem?)
Otherwise it's a great computer and the partition is Windows 7 which is useful to have for some older games.
I will find all relevant technical info and will post it for you.
This is the requirement that it would probably not be meeting; what has it got for a graphics card?
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, AMD Radeon RX 560, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 or better
Thus, unless I'm missing something, that Mac will not be able to run the new version of TS3 for Mac (once the issues are cleared and we can actually run it) and Bootcamp really remains the better choice for TS3.
NRaas has moved!
Our new site is at http://nraas.net
Back from my Mac side soon!
version 10.13.6
iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
Processor 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 16 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Startup Disk Macintosh HD
Graphics ATI Radeon HD 4670 256 MB
Here it is, all the info I could find and yes it's an old lady, doing pretty well considering....but it might not be capable of handling TS3 64 bit @igazor
NRaas has moved!
Our new site is at http://nraas.net
If the scientists find a vaccine for that horrid bug doing its round at the mo.. and the sims 3 upgrade for Mac turns out to be good, I will treat myself to a new Mac (in celebration!) that will handle it properly. In the meantime I will follow developments on both parts. while playing The Game on Windows.
Unable to start game
Your The Sims 3 Base Game is incompatible with the current Sims 3 Expansion Pack. Please update your game via the game launcher.
(Thanks to @BluebellFlora for figuring that one out.)
Other major issues
Error: Your The Sims 3 base game is incompatible with the current Sims 3 expansion pack
Go into Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 and delete Version.tag. (Thanks to @BluebellFlora for this one.)
64-bit base game or packs are missing from Origin
This is a problem with "entitlements" not appearing for all players at the same time. For now, please be patient, and your content should (hopefully) appear in your game library sometime in the next few days (as of October 30). Please see this post for more information:
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/the-sims-3-64-bit-amp-metal-release/m-p/9652952#M8808
Game downloads but won't install
Please make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements for the 64-bit version of Sims 3.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
OS: Metal required. macOS® X 10.13 (High Sierra)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Processor or better
RAM: At least 4 GB RAM
HARD DRIVE: At least 15 GB of free space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, AMD Radeon RX 560, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 or better
INPUT: Keyboard and Mouse
ONLINE REQUIREMENTS: Internet connection required for product activation.
RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS:
OS: macOS® X 10.13 or later
PROCESSOR: Intel Core i5 or better
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, AMD Radeon RX 560, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 or better
MEMORY: 8GB RAM
HARD DRIVE: 18 GB of Hard Drive space
Minor issues