July 2018
@lillyxwillemsen If you uninstalled and reinstalled at any point, it's best to do a clean uninstall and then reinstall from there. The uninstaller that comes with the game will miss some files that need to be removed. Here's a guide:
https://bluebellflora.com/how-to-do-a-clean-uninstall-and-reinstall-on-a-mac/
When you install Late Night, you'll need to follow the instructions in the embedded video on the first page of this thread. Specifically, you need to copy some files from Late Night's folder into the folder of your newest pack by release date. If you do everything the video says, you'll be fine.
You may also need to create an alias for Late Night, if one does not already exist in your Applications folder, alongside the alias for the base game.
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-packs-not-showing-as-installed/
July 2018
@sims3isasowme If you don't see an alias for Late Night, you can create one yourself. It's simple:
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-packs-not-showing-as-installed/
If you still get the unknown error message, just follow the instructions in the embedded video on the first page of this thread. Be sure to put LN's files inside the folder of your most recent pack by release date.
July 2018
Hi I cant even open the launcher I have tried everything I only have the base game now and it wont work my mac is a Early 2009 macbook and its never had that issues I moved to my Imac which is from 2015 and that dosen't work now either.... anyone know how to deal with it my launcher isn't even coming up...
July 2018 - last edited July 2018
@Sam_Spock_25 You most likely have a processor/graphics card combination that's incompatible with TS3. The way to address this is by editing the .sgr files in your game's program files. If you're not comfortable doing this, you're in luck—Bluebellflora (the author of the best and most comprehensive guides to getting TS3 to run in mac OS) is trying to gather information and refine her database of problem cards. If you could provide your imac's specs, including the card's device ID, she would be happy to help you edit the files.
Here's her recent post on the subject, along with a list of the information she needs to be able to help (look under "exact model of your mac"):
https://bluebellflora.com/2018/07/24/sims-3-mac-players-i-need-your-help/
July 2018
I’m not sure if this is even possible but did you update your older Mac book? They say that the newer Macs aren’t compatible with the sims 3 because it’s too old of a game. Read my replies below because they may be able to help you test some things out!
August 2018
It’s 2018 and I’m still playing the sims and just got ambitions. I just followed everything that you did & watched your video and it helped and fixed! Thank you so much!
August 2018
Thank you so much! You helped A LOT! Everything works now wow
September 2018
September 2018
Hi I just bought the MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar and Im trying Coreys instructions but I can't seem to follow, btw the one that doesn't work for me is University life.
September 2018
@pistolsgirl13 The instructions you're trying to follow are only necessary if you have one or more of the four packs that cause problems in mac OS: Ambitions, Late Night, Fast Lane, and Outdoor Living. It may appear that University Life is the problem, but really, it's that one of these other packs has not installed properly. (If you have none of the problem packs installed, try running the Super Patch, and if that doesn't help, please provide your macbook's specs as described in the last link.)
The idea of Corey's video is to copy files from each affected pack into the folder for your newest pack by release date. This will be University Life for you unless you have also installed (in order of release) Island Paradise, Movie Stuff, or Into the Future. Corey's video shows you exactly where to fine the relevant folders; you'll need to right-click to see options like "copy" and "show package contents."
The other step you'll need to take is to create an alias for each pack that doesn't already have one in Applications, alongside the alias for the base game. Doing so is easy:
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-packs-not-showing-as-installed/
By the way, you should also run the Super Patch (digital download version) if you haven't already. Even if the game thinks it's patched, it may not be, and the Super Patch won't hurt.
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-manual-super-patch-for-mac-1-67/
If you're still getting stuck, it would be helpful to know exactly which step is confusing, and what you're trying to do that isn't working. Please also list the packs you have installed and those you would like to install—it'll be easier to give more specific instructions.
If you complete these steps but still get an unknown error message, you may also need to edit the game's .sgr files. This is complicated, but luckily, Bluebellflora is happy to help. Just post your computer's specs here, along with the device ID of your graphics card, as described in the post below. If you're not sure whether this step is necessary, you can post your specs anyway, and we'll figure it out.
https://bluebellflora.com/2018/07/24/sims-3-mac-players-i-need-your-help/#Information