Can You Play The Sims 4 on Origin on Different Computers? Absolutely! Here’s How.

Yes, you absolutely can play The Sims 4 on different computers using your Origin account (now often accessed through the EA app since Origin’s phase-out). The key thing to remember is that while you can install the game on multiple devices, you can only be actively playing on one at a time. Think of it like a library book – you can check it out, but someone else has to wait until you return it. This article will delve into the specifics, addressing common concerns, and providing expert insights to ensure a smooth Sims 4 experience across your devices.

Understanding the Licensing and Login Limitations

The core concept revolves around your EA account and the licensing tied to it. You purchased a license to play The Sims 4, and that license is linked to your account. EA allows you to install the game on multiple machines – up to five, according to some reports – but you are only permitted to be logged in and actively playing on one computer at any given moment. Attempting to log in and play on a second computer while already logged in elsewhere will typically result in an error message or being prompted to log out of the first machine.

Managing Your Save Files Across Devices

One of the most common questions revolves around save files. How do you continue your Sim’s legacy when switching between computers? Here’s the lowdown:

Manual Save Transfer: The Traditional Method

The Sims 4 doesn’t automatically sync save files across devices through Origin or the EA app. Therefore, you’ll need to manually transfer your save files. Here’s how:

1. Locate Your Save Files: On the computer with the save you want to transfer, navigate to: DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 4saves.
2. Copy the Save Files: Identify the save files you want to transfer. They will have names like “Slot_00000001.save” and “Slot_00000001.save.ver0”. Copy these files.
3. Transfer to the New Computer: Use a USB drive, cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox), or a network share to transfer the copied files to the same location (DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 4saves) on your other computer.
4. Replace or Add: If you already have saves on the new computer, you can either replace them with the transferred saves (if you want to overwrite everything) or add the new saves alongside the existing ones. Be careful not to accidentally overwrite saves you want to keep.

Cloud Storage Solutions: A More Streamlined Approach

While not officially supported by EA for Sims 4 save syncing, you can use cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive to automatically sync your “The Sims 4” folder. This is a more advanced method and requires some initial setup.

1. Move the “The Sims 4” Folder: Move your entire “The Sims 4” folder from “DocumentsElectronic Arts” into your chosen cloud storage folder.
2. Create a Symbolic Link (Symlink): This step is crucial. You need to create a symbolic link that tells Windows to look for the “”The Sims 4″” folder in your cloud storage location instead of the default “”DocumentsElectronic Arts”” folder.
   • Windows: Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Use the following command