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

Do you want to play The Sims 4 on your computer or gaming console? The Sims 4 is available for PC, Mac, as well as consoles like PlayStation 4, 5, and Xbox. In order 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. This wikiHow article teaches you how to install The Sims 4 on your Windows PC, Mac, and PlayStation.

Downloading The Sims 4

Make sure you have a 3.3 GHz processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, and at least 25 GB of hard drive space.
Download the EA app.
Purchase, download, and install Sims 4 through the EA app.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows

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1
Check your PC specs. The Sims 4 requires the following specifications in order to properly run. Check your PC specs and make sure they meet the following requirements:^{[1]
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- 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 recommend) 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
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.
- EA previously used Origin as its digital distribution app. If you still have Origin installed on your PC, you can still use that to download and install The Sims 4.
- The Sims 4 is not available on Steam. It is only available on the EA app or Origin app. However, you can use your Steam account to create an EA account with the EA app.
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It's at the top of the page in the upper-right corner. This downloads EA app installer file.
Downloaded files can be found in your Downloads folder by default.
5
Click Let's Go. 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.
This authorizes the EA app installer to make changes to your computer system.
7
Log in with your EA Games account. You need to create an EA account in order 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.
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.
Click on the search bar at the top of the page and then type "The Sims 4" and press Enter.
It should be the first game that comes up in your search results. Click The Sims 4 game icon to purchase the game.
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Select an edition and purchase (if choosing a paid version). 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.
It's next to the blue button at the bottom of the page.
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.
If you want to change your language, click Change below "Language preference," then use the drop-down menu to select your language.
It's the blue button at the bottom of the page.
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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using a Mac

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1
Check your Mac's specs. You can check your specs by clicking the Apple icon, and then clicking About this Mac. The Sims 4 requires the following system requirements:
- 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
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.
- If you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, go to https://www.ea.com/origin-for-mac instead.
3
Click the Mac button on the download page. 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.
4
Double-click the "EA app.dmg" file. 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.
- On macOS Mojave or earlier, open the Origin.dmg file instead.
5
Install EA. 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’re installing Origin, you’ll be prompted to drag the Origin icon to your Applications folder. From there, open the app in your Applications folder, and then double-click the Origin app to start installing.
- 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]
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6
Log in with your EA Games account. You'll be prompted to do so after the EA app is finished installing. 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.
  - In the Origin app, you can find the CREATE ACCOUNT button at the top of the window.
- Once you’ve logged in, you’ll be taken to the EA or Origin dashboard, where you can search for and download games.
7
Search for The Sims 4. 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.
- To search in Origin, click the search bar in the menu to the left. Then type "The Sims 4" and press Enter. This displays a list of games as search results.
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.
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Click Download. 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.
- In the Origin app:
  - Click Get this game on the information page. Then scroll down and click Buy Now to display different editions you can purchase.
  - Click Buy Now below the edition you want. Then click your preferred payment method at the top and enter your payment information. Different editions come with different expansion packs.
- 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.
10
Click Library. 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. The download process may take a while, depending on your internet connection speed.
- In the Origin app:
  - After you have purchased The Sims 4, click the game icon in your library to view the information page. Then click the orange button that says Download.
  - By default, The Sims 4 will install in your Applications folder. If you wish to select a different location, click the button that says Change Location. Then select the folder you want to install The Sims 4 in. Click Next when you are ready to continue.
11
Launch The Sims 4. You can open it from within the EA or Origin 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.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using a PlayStation

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Open the PlayStation Store. The PlayStation Store has an icon that resembles a blue shopping bag with the PlayStation logo on it.
- The Sims 4 is compatible with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.
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.
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
Purchase the game (if needed). 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.
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. ^{[3]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using an Xbox

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1
Open the Microsoft Store. 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.
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.
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.
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Select Get or Choose Edition. If you just want to download the base game, select Get. If you want to purchase a game pack, select Choose Edition.^{[4]
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- 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.
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 the game from your game library.

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.

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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.

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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.)

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You can also download The Sims 3 using the EA app or Origin.

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Not finding the right expansion pack? Try adding mods and custom content to your game.

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Warnings

Purchasing The Sims 4 on Playstation or Xbox is not transferable to PC or Mac.

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You cannot use mods or custom content on Playstation or Xbox game consoles.

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