How to Install The Sims 4: Mac, PC, PlayStation, & Xbox

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Easily download and play The Sims 4 with this user-friendly guide
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Do you want to play The Sims 4 on your computer or gaming console? The Sims 4 is available for PC and Mac, as well as consoles like PlayStation 4, 5, and Xbox. To install The Sims 4 on a PC or Mac, you need to download the EA app (or Origin, if you’re using an older Mac). You can also download the game from The PlayStation Store or the Microsoft Store on Xbox. The base game of The Sims 4 is now free to download, but expansion packs and add-on content cost extra.

Downloading The Sims 4

  • On PC, you can get The Sims 4 via the EA app or Steam.
  • On Macs with macOS Catalina or newer, you must use the EA app.
  • You must use the Origin app on Macs with macOS Mojave or older.
  • On console, you can buy The Sims 4 from PlayStation or Xbox Store.
  • If you have a disc, insert it into your device to initiate installation.
Method 1
Method 1 of 7:

Using the EA App on PC

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  1. Go to https://www.ea.com/games/library/pc-download in your web browser. You can use any web browser on your PC. This is the website where you can download and install the EA app. Previously, EA used the Origin app to distribute their games online, but has since switched to the EA app. Note: If you already have the EA app, you can skip to step 6.
    • To install the Sims 4, these are the minimum specs for your PC:
      • Windows 10 or 11 (64 Bit)
      • 3.3 GHz Intel Core i3-3220 with 2 cores and 4 threads or better (Intel Core i5 with 4 cores recommended) or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz with 4 cores or better (Ryzen 5 or better recommended).
      • At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB of RAM recommended).
      • 25 GB hard drive space (50 GB recommended), plus 1 extra GB for custom content and saved game data.
      • DirectX 11
      • NVIDIA GTX 650 or AMD Radeon HD 7750 or better with 1 GB of video RAM recommended.
      • Internet connection
  2. It's at the top of the page in the upper-right corner. This downloads the EA app installer file.
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  3. Downloaded files can be found in your Downloads folder by default.
  4. It's the blue button at the bottom of the app. This will begin the installation process.
    • During this process, the EA app installer will create a new "EA Games" folder within your "Program Files" folder on your "C:" drive
    • If you want to change the installation location, click Customize Setup instead. Then click Change at the top of the page and select a separate folder to install the EA app.
  5. This authorizes the EA app installer to make changes to your computer system.
  6. You need to create an EA account to purchase and install The Sims 4. Enter the email address and password associated with your EA account.
    • If you don't have an EA account, click CREATE ACCOUNT at the bottom. Then follow the instructions to sign up for an account. Alternatively, click one of the options at the top to sign in with your Google, Facebook, Apple, Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox account.
  7. If prompted, click the checkbox next to "I have read and accept the User Agreement and EA's Privacy and Cookie Policy" and click Next . If you wish to read the user agreement or privacy policy, click the blue text to do so.
    • Note: You may not get this prompt. If you don't, you can skip this step.
  8. Click on the search bar at the top of the page, type "The Sims 4," and press Enter .
  9. It should be the first game that comes up in your search results. Click The Sims 4 game icon to purchase the game.
  10. To do so, click Select Edition , then choose the version of the game you want to install. The base game is now free, but you can purchase an upgrade. Enter your payment details and click Buy to buy the game.
    • Different versions of The Sims 4 come with different expansion packs.
    • If you've already purchased The Sims 4 you can skip this step.
    • Versions of the game that come with different expansion packs may require more installation space.
  11. It's next to the blue button at the bottom of the page.
  12. By default, The EA app will install The Sims 4 in the EA Games folder in your Program Files folder. If you wish to change the installation location, click Change below "Installation location." Then select where you want to install The Sims 4.
  13. If you want to change your language, click Change below "Language preference," then use the drop-down menu to select your language.
  14. It's the blue button at the bottom of the page.
  15. This begins the process of downloading and installing The Sims 4. It may take a while for the game to finish downloading and installing. Once the game finishes installing, you can launch the game from within the Windows Start menu or EA app. [1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 7:

Using the EA App on Mac

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  1. Go to https://www.ea.com/ea-app in a web browser. You can use any web browser on your Mac. This is the website where you can download the EA app for Mac. Previously, EA used the Origin app to distribute their games online, but has since switched to the EA app. Note: If you already have the EA app, you can skip to step 5.
    • To install the Sims 4, these are the minimum specs for your Mac:
      • MacOS X 10.11 (El Capitan) or higher.
      • 3.3 GHz Intel Core i3-3220 with 2 cores and 4 threads (Intel Core i5 with 4 cores or better recommended).
      • At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB of RAM recommended)
      • 25 GB hard drive space (50 GB recommended), plus 1 extra GB for custom content and saved game data.
      • Intel HD and Iris Graphics from the HD 4000 series or newer
      • Internet connection.
    • If you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, skip to our section on using Origin on Mac .
  2. Scroll down to the Download the EA app header. Click the black Mac button.
    • Buying Sims 4 on Mac also allows you to download the PC version of the game on a PC.
  3. By default, your downloaded files can be found in your Downloads folder. Double-click the EA app file in your Downloads folder or web browser.
  4. Once you open the DMG file, you’ll immediately be prompted to agree to the terms of the license. Click Agree , then drag the EA icon into the Applications folder. Locate the app in Applications and launch it, then follow the prompts to complete the installation.
    • If you get a security error when opening this file, close the window. Then, try opening it again by right-clicking the file and selecting Open . Enter your admin password when prompted to allow the installer to run. [2]
  5. You'll be prompted to do so after installing the EA app. Enter the email address and password associated with your account. You can also log in with a different account, such as Apple, Gmail, or Facebook.
    • If you don't have an EA account , click the button that says CREATE ACCOUNT at the bottom and follow the instructions to create an account.
  6. If you’re using the EA app, you should see The Sims 4 and related content right there on the main page of the dashboard.
  7. This will take you to the main page for the game. If you want, you can just download the base game directly for free, or you can build a custom bundle.
  8. If you want, change your install location and preferred language, then click Next . Then, click Download again to confirm.
    • If you’re buying a bundle or an expansion pack, click Purchase instead. Follow the prompts to set up your payment method and download the game.
    • If you've already purchased The Sims 4 you can skip this step.
    • The Sims 4 base game is now free to download and play. However, editions with expansion packs and add-on content still cost money.
    • Versions of the game that come with different expansion packs may require more installation space.
  9. It's in the menu bar to the left. This displays all the games you have purchased. Click The Sims 4 to check the status of your download. Depending on your internet connection speed, the download process may take a while.
  10. You can open it from within the EA app, or by going to Applications > EA Games > The Sims 4 on your Mac.
    • Depending on how you did the installation, you may be prompted to agree to the license agreement the first time you launch the game.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 7:

Using Origin on Mac (Mojave or Older)

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  1. 1
    Go to https://www.ea.com/origin-for-mac . If you're on macOS Mojave or older, you will need to use the Origin app to download The Sims 4. Note: After April 2025, Origin will be shut down completely. You will have to upgrade to a newer version of macOS and use the EA app to continue playing The Sims 4. [3]
    • To install the Sims 4, these are the minimum specs for your Mac:
      • MacOS X 10.11 (El Capitan) or higher.
      • 3.3 GHz Intel Core i3-3220 with 2 cores and 4 threads (Intel Core i5 with 4 cores or better recommended).
      • At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB of RAM recommended)
      • 25 GB hard drive space (50 GB recommended), plus 1 extra GB for custom content and saved game data.
      • Intel HD and Iris Graphics from the HD 4000 series or newer
      • Internet connection.
  2. 2
    Click Download Origin . Follow the on-screen instructions to save the installer for the Origin app.
  3. 3
    Open the Origin.dmg file that was installed. By default, downloads will be in your Downloads folder.
  4. 4
    Drag the Origin icon into your Applications folder in the DMG window. This will install Origin onto your Mac.
  5. 5
    Open Origin. You can do so from the Finder in the Applications folder, or by searching it in Spotlight.
  6. 6
    Click Open if your Mac asks to open the file. You may get a pop-up that says "'Origin' is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?" If so, click Open .
  7. 7
    Agree to the End User License Agreement. Click Agree to do so.
  8. 8
    Enter your password to install the helper tool. Origin will request to install a helper tool to manage your games. To install this tool, enter your password when prompted and click Install Helper .
  9. 9
    Sign in with your EA account. After finishing up the first-time setup, you can sign in with your EA account. If you don't have one, click Create an account at the top of the window and follow the on-screen instructions to create one.
  10. 10
    Search for The Sims 4. The search bar is on the left side of the window and says, "Search for games and more."
  11. 11
    Click on The Sims 4. It will be one of the first options.
  12. 12
    Download the game. The Sims 4 is now free, so you can download it without needing to pay any money. However, you can buy upgraded versions of The Sims 4 that include the free base game and some of the expansion packs. If you prefer to do that, purchase the pack that you'd like from the store.
  13. 13
    Install the game. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the game. The Origin app will walk you through the entire process.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 7:

Using Steam (PC only)

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  1. 1
    Go to https://store.steampowered.com/about/ . If you don't want to use the EA app, you can also use Steam to install The Sims 4. The base game and all of the expansion packs and DLC are available for download and purchase on Steam. Note: If you already have Steam, you can skip to step 5.
    • To install the Sims 4, these are the minimum specs for your Mac:
      • MacOS X 10.11 (El Capitan) or higher.
      • 3.3 GHz Intel Core i3-3220 with 2 cores and 4 threads (Intel Core i5 with 4 cores or better recommended).
      • At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB of RAM recommended)
      • 25 GB hard drive space (50 GB recommended), plus 1 extra GB for custom content and saved game data.
      • Intel HD and Iris Graphics from the HD 4000 series or newer
      • Internet connection.
  2. 2
    Click Install Steam . Save the file somewhere you'll be able to find it easily, such as your Downloads folder or desktop.
  3. 3
    Install Steam. Open the file you downloaded, and follow the instructions in the installation wizard to install Steam. [4]
  4. 4
    Sign in to your Steam account. If you don't have a Steam account, click Create a Free Account in the bottom-right corner of the sign-in window. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your account and use it to sign in to Steam.
  5. 5
    Search for The Sims 4. You can search on the Store tab using the search bar in the upper-right corner.
  6. 6
    Click on The Sims 4. It will show up in the dropdown on the search bar, and it should be the first option.
  7. 7
    Click Play Game . The Sims 4 is free, so you can install it without having to pay anything. You can also click Add to Library if you want to add the game to your games library without installing it right now.
  8. 8
    Choose an installation drive. If you only have one, you can leave it as the default.
  9. 9
    Click Install . Steam will begin installing the game immediately.
  10. 10
    Launch the game from your library. Click on Library at the top of the screen, then click on The Sims 4 in your list of games. Once the game installs, click Play to launch the game.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 7:

Using a PlayStation

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  1. The PlayStation Store has an icon resembling a blue shopping bag with the PlayStation logo.
    • The Sims 4 is compatible with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.
  2. To do so, select the icon that resembles a magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen. Then enter "The Sims 4" into the search bar. Then press "X" on the controller. Doing so will display a list of games that match your search results.
  3. The Sims 4 base game is now free to download and play. However, game packs that include expansion packs and add-on content must be purchased. Select whichever version of the game you want to download and install.
  4. If you are just purchasing the base game, go ahead and skip this step. If you are purchasing a game pack with add-on content, use one of the following steps to purchase the game.
    • Playstation 4: Select the game pack you want to buy and select Add to Cart . Then select Proceed to Checkout . View your cart and select Proceed to Checkout . Select a payment method, or select the option to add a PayPal, debit, or credit card and enter your payment information. Select Confirm Purchase . Then enter your PlayStation password and select Continue .
    • Playstation 5: Select the price tag on the information page. Then select Confirm Purchase . If you want to change your payment method, select the icon with three dots and select Change payment method . Select a payment method type and enter your payment information. Enter your PlayStation password and select Continue .
  5. If you are just downloading the base game, select Download on the game's title page. If you are purchasing a game pack, select Download when you are finished making your purchase. The game will download and install automatically. Allow several minutes for the game to finish downloading and installing. Once the game is finished installing, you can launch it from the cross-menu or from your game library. [5]
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Method 6
Method 6 of 7:

Using an Xbox

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  1. To do so, press the Xbox button in the center of the controller. Then navigate to the Microsoft Store icon and press "A". The Microsoft Store icon has an icon that resembles a shopping bag with a Windows logo on it.
    • The Sims 4 is compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Series S consoles.
  2. Select Search in the menu to the left. Then enter "The Sims 4" in the search bar and press "A." This displays a list of search results.
  3. It should be one of the first games in the search results. Select The Sims 4 game icon to view the game's title page.
  4. If you just want to download the base game, select Get . If you want to purchase a game pack, select Choose Edition . [6]
    • If you are purchasing a game pack, select the game pack you want to purchase and select Buy . Then select Checkout . Select a payment method or add a new payment method.
  5. Once you are finished making your purchase, select Install to install the base game or Install All to install the base game along with add-on content and expansion packs. Allow several minutes for the game to finish downloading and installing. Once the game is finished installing, you can launch it from your game library.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 7:

Using a Disc (PC/Playstation/Xbox)

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  1. 1
    Insert the disc into your device. If you have The Sims 4 on a disc, simply insert the disc into your device and follow the on-screen instructions to install the game. If you have any Sims 4 expansion packs on disc, you'll need to install those after you've installed the base game.
    • On PC, you will be prompted for the product code that was included with the disc.
    • You cannot install The Sims 4 on disc on a Mac.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Once I get the game, am I all set to play it?
    Community Answer
    If you've installed the game, then yes, you should be all set. You might need to adjust your graphics or gameplay settings, but other than that, you usually won't need to do anything.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
  • Question
    Can I download The Sims 4 for free?
    Community Answer
    Not unless you download it illegally. There was a promotion in 2019 that allowed you to get the base game for free, but that was the only time it's been free (as of July 2021). However, the game sometimes goes on sale for about $5.00 on both Origin and Steam, which is more affordable than the full price.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 4
  • Question
    Can I get The Sims 4 on ChromeOS?
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately, no. The computer version of The Sims 4 is only available for Windows and Mac. (And Chromebooks are designed for low-intensity tasks like writing papers or using the internet, so the game wouldn't run very well on one anyway.)
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://help.ea.com/en/help/the-sims/the-sims-4/the-sims-4-base-game-install/
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491
      3. ↑ https://help.ea.com/en/help/ea/ea-app/update-mac-operating-system-for-ea-app/
      4. ↑ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/099E-F5D1-8780-4778
      5. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/store/purchase-games-apps-ps-store/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltCSD1i7cYE

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Download Origin from http://www.origin.com/download .
      2. Install Origin.
      3. Log in with your EA Games account.
      4. Click the Origin menu.
      5. Click Redeem Product Code .
      6. Verify your code.
      7. Follow the on-screen instructions.

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