September 2016 - last edited October 2019
This thread concentrates on the latest version of macOS, including beta versions, and how Sims 3 and Sims 4 run. If you are running the latest version please take a minute to post your experiences. For an up to date list of current issues in Mojave please see the posts below under Sims 3 or Sims 4. Bear in mind that if you install the beta versions you will most likely have some sort of issues along the way. Operating systems are not supported in any form of beta by Maxis/EA.
Please provide the following:
10.12 Sierra posts start here.
10.13 High Sierra posts start here.
10.14 Mojave posts start here.
10.15 Catalina posts start here.
September 2016 - last edited October 2019
macOS Sierra 10.12
Issue:
The game will not load or the Unknown Error message is popping up since updating to Sierra 10.12
Try:
October 2016
Model: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
Processor: 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5
idk what RAM is sorry
Game: Sims 4
Issue: My create a sim is working just fine, but when I'm trying to actually play the game, the graphics turn really weird and then my game crashes.
I have no expansion packs.
October 2016
What version of OS X did you upgrade from, El Capitan? Was it working fine then? Your issue is most probably your NVIDIA graphics. You will need to manually update the driver (which isn't normal practice on a Mac) as there is an issue with your NVIDIA graphics card and the game. Please read instructions here on how to do so - https://bluebellflora.com/manually-update-nvidia-geforce-graphics-drivers-in-os-x/
October 2016
hey I have the sims 3 with all expansions up to island paradise (but no stuff packs), everything was working perfectly until I upgraded to OS Sierra from Yosemite. Now when I open the game and press the play button, the screen loads startup bit with the green diamond thingy, then turns to black and nothing happens after that
i have a macbook pro retina 15-inch, late2013,
2.3 GHz intel core i7 processor, 16gb RAM, and
intel iris pro 1536MB graphics
October 2016
Your Mac's Intel graphics are not supported in the game but it is interesting that you could play before in Yosemite. Please try editing the files as per the instructions in that linked thread. If that doesn't work do a complete uninstall then reinstall the base game, then manually patch and load the game to see if it works. Install each subsequent EP, testing to see if the game works after each one. You may find that you can play again but Late Night and Ambitions may make the game unplayable.
October 2016
I have a 2014 MacBook air (1.5 GHZ i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD) which was able to run Sims 3 just fine on El Capitan. I update to macOS Sierra and now my Sims 3 and Sims University add-on refuse to run. The initial start screen with the gem and the 3 show up, but it never boots past that. Just stays on that screen no matter how long I wait.
October 2016
Have you moved out your Documents > Electronic Arts > Sims 3 folder onto your desktop and tried loading the game?
Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the game?
October 2016
iMac 27-inch Mid 2011
2,7 GHz Intel Core i5
20GB 1333 MHz DDR3
AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512 MB
Installed: Sims 3 and Pets expansion pack
I did not play this game in years, but my daughter got excited and I wanted to start the game for her.
No luck, I get into this menu where I can log in but no further, the menu just dissapears and I have to force quit.
Once or twice I got to the diamond thingy but it also stopped after that and I again had to force quit.
I deinstalled and reinstalled, same issues. Then started googeling and deinstalled while also deleting all the cache, preference etc files.
Reinstalled and used a 'super patch' I found online. Same result, very frustrating!
I used an original DVD with verification code.
October 2016
By the way it did work before on this Mac but I don't remember which OS it was running on.