Can you play The Sims 4 on a Mac?
Yes. EA sells and supports a Mac version of The Sims 4. You get it through the EA app for Mac. The base game is free to download.
There is one limit. EA’s list of requirements names Intel Macs only. It does not name Apple Silicon chips such as the M1. This post gives the full list, the steps to install the game, and the points that we could not verify.
We opened the EA pages and the Steam page on October 5, 2026.
What are the Sims 4 system requirements for Mac?
| Part | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| System | macOS 10.15 (Catalina), with Metal support | macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-3225, 3.5 GHz (2 cores, 4 threads) | Intel Core i5 (4 cores) or better |
| Memory | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics | Intel HD 4000 or better | Intel HD and Iris graphics from the HD 4000 series or newer |
| Storage | 25 GB, plus 1 GB for custom content | 50 GB, plus 1 GB for custom content |
These values are from the EA system requirements page. The numbers are low. A Mac from the last few years has more than the minimum, but the list names Intel parts only.
Does The Sims 4 work on a Mac with an M1, M2, or M3 chip?
We could not verify this from EA. EA’s requirements list Intel processors. It lists no Apple Silicon chip. The EA app page says that the EA app for Mac is for macOS Catalina or newer. It does not name Apple Silicon.
Some sites say that the game runs on Apple Silicon. We did not accept them as a source, because EA does not say it on the pages that we opened. Players post lag reports for M-series Macs on the EA forums. We could not open those threads, so we cannot quote them.
Do this before you decide. Open the EA page for the game on your Mac. Read the requirements note next to the download button. Download the free base game and test it. The base game costs nothing. A test costs only disk space and time.
How do you install The Sims 4 on a Mac?
Step 1: Install the EA app for Mac
Open the EA page for The Sims 4. Choose the Mac download. The EA page lists “Download on EA app for Mac”. The EA app needs macOS Catalina or newer.
Step 2: Sign in with an EA Account
Make an EA Account if you have none. The game needs the account. The Steam page for The Sims 4 says the same: the game needs an EA Account, an internet connection, and the EA client software.
Step 3: Download the base game
Find The Sims 4 in the EA app. Choose Download. Keep at least 26 GB free. EA lists 25 GB plus 1 GB for custom content as the minimum.
Do not use Steam on a Mac
The Steam page lists Windows only for The Sims 4. It shows no Mac requirements. Use the EA app on a Mac. EA’s page also lists the Epic Games Store and the console stores. We did not check whether the Epic version runs on a Mac.
Is The Sims 4 free on a Mac?
The base game is free to download, on the stores that EA lists. The Steam page says: “The base game of The Sims 4 is free to download.”
The packs are not free. The Steam page lists DLC and expansion packs at prices from $3.99 to $39.99. A free base game does not give you the packs. We explain this in is The Sims 4 free?
We did not verify whether a pack bought on a Windows PC works on a Mac. EA’s page for the move between PC and Mac returned an error when we opened it. Read it before you move saves or mods.
What do you do if The Sims 4 runs slowly on your Mac?
These are general steps. EA did not give them on the pages that we opened. They are low risk.
- Close other apps. Browsers use much memory.
- Check your RAM. EA lists 4 GB as the minimum and 8 GB as the recommended amount.
- Keep free disk space. EA lists 25 GB as the minimum and 50 GB as the recommended amount.
- Lower the graphics settings in the game.
- Remove custom content and mods, then test again.
If the game is still slow, the Mac may be below what the game expects. The EA list is old and names Intel parts. Your Mac may not fit the list at all. Ask the EA help team and the EA forums for your exact model.
Which other life sims run on a Mac?
Three other games list Mac support. Each one needs an Apple Silicon chip. That is the reverse of the list for The Sims 4.
- Paralives: macOS Big Sur 11 or newer, with an Apple M2 at the minimum and 12 GB of RAM. It is in Early Access. Read Paralives system requirements.
- inZOI: macOS Sequoia 15.0 or newer, with an Apple M1 at the minimum, 16 GB of RAM, and 36 GB of storage. It is in Early Access.
- BitLife: macOS 14.0 or newer, and a Mac with an Apple M1 chip or later. The app is free, with in-app purchases. Read how to play BitLife on a computer.
The Mac lists differ by game. Check the page of each game before you buy. For more games, read games like The Sims.
Should you buy a new Mac for The Sims 4?
No. The base game is free, so test it on the Mac that you have. EA’s list asks for 4 GB of RAM at the minimum. Most Macs meet that number.
If the game runs well, you have lost nothing. If it does not, you have lost an hour. Buy a pack only after the test passes. A pack adds load to the game.
Do not spend money on a new computer for the game before you test the free version.
Where does LifeSim fit?
LifeSim runs in a browser. A Mac with a browser can open it. You install no app and no EA Account is needed. It is free.
It is not The Sims. You do not build a house. You live one life in a real city on a map of Earth, and you talk with the people there in open text. They remember what you say.
If you want build mode and packs, use The Sims 4. If your Mac is not on the lists above, or if you want to play now, read how to play LifeSim. We did not test it on every Mac model.
Questions
Can I play The Sims 4 on a Mac without Boot Camp?
EA lists a Mac version, so you need no Windows setup. We did not research Boot Camp.
Which macOS version does The Sims 4 need?
EA lists macOS 10.15 (Catalina) as the minimum.
Is The Sims 4 on the Mac App Store?
We did not find it on the EA page. EA lists the EA app for Mac.
Do Sims 4 mods work on a Mac?
We did not find a source that answers this. Read how to install Sims 4 mods.
Can I play The Sims 4 on a Chromebook or a phone?
We did not research this. EA lists PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox.