Sims 3 and Sims 4 not loading save games

If you are running macOS Sierra 10.12 or later and have iCloud Drive enabled then you may be having an issue with your saves. Is the game like new again every time you start it up and all your previous progress is gone? If so then iCloud has been set to move your Documents and Desktop folders to iCloud. Even though your Documents folder is being stored in the cloud, your Mac is also storing a copy locally so your game will keep loading your saves. If you have Optimise Mac Storage enabled in the System Preferences > iCloud settings, iCloud will store your Documents folder in the cloud where your game will not look for it when your internal storage starts filling up. So every time your game loads it is recreating a brand new Sims 4 user data folder because it cannot find the original.

You can get round this by freeing up space on your Mac so it starts storing the files locally again:

  • Open System Preferences > iCloud > iCloud Drive then click on the Options button and uncheck the box next to Desktop & Documents Folder.
  • Disable Optimise Mac Storage  so files are not automatically moved to the cloud when internal storage is getting full.

This means that your Documents folder will stay localised on your Mac and not be pushed to the cloud. Your game will then happily be able to load your previous save from your Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder.

If you have general space issues you can store your Sims 4 folder externally or in the cloud using alternate methods.

For issues with CC and Mods not appearing in-game the same instructions apply. There can also be other reasons which you can find here.

The following links explain iCloud Drive in more detail, including how to save your Documents folder contents back onto your Mac:

http://www.apple.com/uk/icloud/icloud-drive/
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT206985
http://www.imore.com/how-save-your-desktop-and-documents-folder-icloud-drive-macos-sierra

Understanding Desktop and Documents Folder Syncing

Sims 3 packs not downloading in Origin


Only applicable to the 32-bit version of the Sims 3


Since the update to Origin (v. 10) last week which gave it a new look and moved things around some Mac Simmers are reporting that they cannot download Expansion Packs anymore. When clicking on the Download button nothing happens. The issue is currently under investigation so hopefully it will be fixed in an update soon.

Meanwhile, here’s the workaround you can use until EA fix it:

Here’s the problem – the EP is downloading fine but Origin is not automatically launching the installer so you are not getting the Copy to Clipboard option for your product code before the installation process. The installer is located in the Origin Library folder, in Application Support so it can be opened manually. However, you will need to contact Customer Support for your product codes. Here’s exactly what you need to do:

  1. Download the EP as usual
  2. Once it has finished downloading click on Origin > Preferences in the menu bar
  3. Now click on Installs & Saves then Browse Game Installersorigin-downloads
  4. In the Finder window that opens, open the folder with the most recent date modified then double click on the installer for the EP you have just downloaded. It will be a file type .dmg and may have the EP title and/or number in it.
  5. The installer will open and ask for your product code. If you have this from a disc copy that you had of the game just enter it and go through the installation procedure. If you do not have it then you will need to contact EA Customer Support who can verify your account and give you your product code to enter.

They’ve also added the link to my AHQ solution in Origin, for anyone who’s missed it:

origin-sims-3-downloads

New Mac bug pages now up for Sims 3 and Sims 4

I’ve set up a couple of pages dedicated to Mac specific bugs for both Sims 3 and Sims 4. They will of course be eternal works in progress and regularly updated. If you have anything to add that I may have missed feel free to leave a comment.

Sims 3 Mac bugs: ts3-work bugs

 

Sims 4 Mac bugs: ts4-work bugs