Since the January 2025 patch it has not been possible to add a copy of the GraphicsRules.sgr file to the ConfigOverride folder in Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 (for ConfigOverride folder explanation see this post). Doesn’t matter if it’s a straight copy of the installation file or an edited version to tweak your in-game graphics, the game simply won’t launch and throws the following error:
This is only applicable to the GraphicsRules.sgr file. Having a copy of the GraphicsCards.sgr file and/or a copy of the Default.ini file is fine and causes no issues.
There is an easy workaround for this issue if you want to tweak the GraphicsRules.sgr file, simply edit the original file in The Sims 4.app > Contents > Resources. If you want to subsequently go back to the default file the game creates all you have to do is a game repair in EA App and it overwrites your edited file with the vanilla installation file.
Edit 29/05/25 – Thanks to user karoschmitz who has identified it is related to the Ts4CommonRules.sgr file also in the The Sims 4.app > Contents > Resources folder. If you place a copy of the Ts4CommonRules.sgr file in the ConfigOverride folder alongside the GraphicsRules.sgr file you can once again edit the file. Or open the GraphicsRules.sgr file and edit out the third line – include "Ts4CommonRules.sgr"
If you experience this error message at the main menu in The Sims 4 when launching the game, don’t panic! It’s nothing to worry about and won’t stop you playing the game.
It’s simply because EA haven’t updated the GraphicsCards.sgr file in the main game to incorporate your GPU. You can do one of two things to stop the message from appearing:
Download the updated GraphicsCards.sgr file I have uploaded here
Open your Downloads folder, right click on the downloaded file and select Copy
Open the ConfigOverride folder in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. Right click in the folder and select Paste item. That’s it.
Or:
Right click on the Sims 4 base game, wherever you have it installed (Applications folder by default) and select Show package contents
Navigate to Contents > Resources
Right click on the GraphicsCards.sgr file and select Copy
Open the ConfigOverride folder in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. Right click in the folder and select Paste item.
Open the GraphicsCards.sgr file you have pasted into the ConfigOverride folder. If prompted to choose an Application in Finder, choose TextEdit.
Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the file to the Apple bit and paste the following lines:
Close the GraphicsCards.sgr file, saving if prompted (you shouldn’t be)
It’s important to copy and paste the GraphicsCards.sgr file. Do not drag it to the ConfigOverride folder as it will only create an alias of the original file.
The lines above add all Apple Silicon models to the .sgr file. I think all previous Intel model Macs are covered but if you’re on an Intel Mac and getting the error, jump into my Discord support server for help.
This is not a Mod in the typical sense, it does not need to be in your Mods folder, it is a simple addition to a simple text file. For more info on the ConfigOverride folder see this article.
So after many months we’ve finally worked out the fix needed for all the incompatible graphics cards in Macs that EA have never bothered to support in The Sims 3. You have tmethei, the11thmoon and wendyp7 to thank for their time and effort spent on editing their own game files. Head over to their pages and give them a hug.
If your game does not launch past the blue screen with green plumbob and you’re on a 2013 or later model Mac then this fix is for you. It’s most likely that you have one of the following graphics cards in your Mac:
Intel Iris 5100
Intel Iris Pro 5200
Intel Iris 6100
Intel HD 6000
AMD Radeon R9 M370X
Go to this guide and follow the instructions, paying particular attention to obtaining the specific details for your Mac – Fix for incompatible graphics.
Good luck and please pass it on to any Mac users you know who have been struggling to get their games working 🙂
Bluebellflora 