Maxis drops support for 32 bit operating systems and Non-Metal Mac OS machines

Update November 12th 2019

The update and the legacy edition are now live

Update June 11th 2019

The changes to Mac and 32 bit Windows systems and the legacy edition have been postponed for the meantime. The announced pack Island Living will be available to everyone.

EA/Maxis has announced that they will be dropping support for all Windows 32 bit operating systems as well as Non-Metal Mac OS Machines as of June 2019.

The following article is about the PC change only. Please check out Bluebellflora’s Blog: EA drops support for OpenGL and goes with Metal for the Sims 4 for information about the Mac side.

Since the Sims 4 doesn’t run well on 32 bit Operating systems, this change was in my eyes long overdue. As the game can only use 2 GB of RAM on 32 bit OS, the game will often crash on traveling because the memory use goes over that limit.

What does this mean ?

I can’t speak for Mac but for PC this means, you will either need to upgrade your operating system to 64 bit or switch to the Sims 4 Legacy Edition that’s coming out in June 2019.

Newer expansion packs like Cats & Dogs or Seasons already require a 64 bit OS, so for most, this will not have any influence.

Upgrading is still free for Windows 7 or 10 but you will need to reinstall the entire operating system. As long as your Windows 10 copy is registered with Microsoft, it doesn’t matter if you download the 64 bit version or 32 bit. Do make sure your computer fits the requirement and you have > 4 GB RAM.

You must perform a clean reinstall of the system. Please backup all your data before doing so and read up on or have someone help you with the process.

If you’re still using Windows XP I would recommend considering upgrading to Windows 10.

If you decide not to upgrade your operating system, you can download the Sims 4 Legacy Edition in June for free (if you already own Sims 4). You will be able to keep your saves and all the expansions you have but you will need to uninstall the current version and download the Legacy one.

Newer packs will not support this edition and you will also not receive any new patches.

More details can be found here: Sims 4 Legacy Edition

Click on Start –> Settings –> System –> About
On the right hand side under Device Specifications, system type will give you the info.

Choose Start and click on Computer with your right mouse button
Choose Settings
Under System, you’ll find the system type.

You will still be able to run the game in 64 bit mode. The game currently suggest 32 bit f you have 4 GB or less. You will still be able to play the game. I do recommend getting more RAM if possible though, especially if you have < 4 GB

Nothing. There will probably be a patch in June that removes the 32 bit version and your game will only be 64 bit from then on. You will probably not even notice the change.

No, the path where the game is installed doesn’t matter.

If you have 4 GB or RAM or more, you can download the 64 bit operating system from Microsoft with no costs (Exception: You run Windows XP or older). Download the 64 bit disc image (ISO File) version of your current operating system (Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10). You will need the key of your current 32 bit OS.

Please follow instructions given by Microsoft or get help as you will need to reinstall the entire operating system. Make sure to backup your data before doing this.

If you have less than 4 GB of RAM, I would suggest looking at your system to find out if it’s worth upgrading or if you should get a new computer instead.

Yes. The Sims 4 Legacy Edition will be a new game that you can add for free to your account if you currently own the normal Sims 4 edition. Once you switch to a 64 bit operating system you can just download the 64 bit version that’s already on your account.

Please post your current specifications at the Sims 4 AHQ Forum or the Sims AHQ Mac Forum. There’s lots of people that can help you and give you further instructions. You can also post there if you have further questions.