Mac compatibility
Can you play The Sims 4 on a Mac?
Short answer: The Sims 4 has an official Mac version through the EA app — that's the way to play it. The Steam listing is Windows-only and untested here.
What we know
EA publishes a Mac version of The Sims 4 and distributes it through the EA app for Mac. EA's own help pages cover switching a save between the PC and Mac versions, which is the usual reason people ask.
Steam's listing of The Sims 4 is Windows-only, so a Steam copy doesn't give you the Mac build. If your packs are tied to your EA account, the EA app route is the simpler one.
The Windows requirements list DirectX 11, which Grapple's DXMT layer translates to Metal. We haven't run the Windows version through Grapple, so anything about it here is an expectation, not a result.
Grapple settings
Nothing verified yet. Where to start, based on its DirectX version (in the app, the same options are in the game's settings):
- DirectX 10/11: a new install is set to Automatic, which picks D3DMetal or DXMT for you. If the game won't start or renders wrongly, naming a layer is the usual next try:
grapple set Steam graphics dxmt - To see frame rates, turn on the Metal HUD:
grapple set Steam hud on
Test record
None yet.
Played it on Grapple?
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FAQ
Can I play The Sims 4 on a Mac?
EA ships a native Mac version of The Sims 4 through the EA app for Mac — the base game is free. It is not on Steam for Mac: the Steam listing is Windows-only. Likely to work — not tested yet, but nobody has tested it with Grapple yet. That's what the game's published facts suggest, not a result. The page changes to Works once players report it working.
What might stop The Sims 4 from working?
There's a native Mac version too — this expectation is about the Windows version run through Grapple.
Which DirectX does The Sims 4 use?
The Sims 4's requirements list DirectX 11. Grapple starts it on D3DMetal, Apple's DirectX 11 and 12 translator, which Grapple includes and uses by default.
Is there a Mac version of The Sims 4?
EA ships a native Mac version of The Sims 4 through the EA app for Mac — the base game is free. It is not on Steam for Mac: the Steam listing is Windows-only.
Sources
Every factual claim on this page comes from these. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
- Steam store page — system requirements and supported platforms (checked 23 September 2026)
- EA — The all-new EA app for Mac (checked 23 September 2026)
- EA Help — The Sims 4: switching from PC to Mac (checked 23 September 2026)
Try The Sims 4 yourself
Grapple's Free plan runs one game, forever, so you can find out on your own Mac without paying. Then tell us how it went with the buttons above, so the next player knows.
The Sims 4 is a trademark of its owner and is named here only to identify the game. Grapple isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Maxis.