You’ll need to register these on The Sims 3 website, or redeem your codes for them in Origin.
The Sims 3 base game, Expansion Packs and Stuff Packs need to be redeemed on Origin. For any Worlds or additional downloadable items, use thesims3.com.
If you’re having technical trouble and want to reinstall your game, make sure you back up your saves first!
Always install The Sims 3 base game before installing any expansions, stuff packs, worlds or store content.
PC and Mac
Anything you buy through Origin is added to your download queue.
If you need to reinstall something, or something you’ve bought does not download automatically, find it in the Origin client and click Download.
If you’re playing on PC, use The Sims 3 expansion and Stuff pack manager to choose which expansions and Stuff packs you play with.
If you want the latest version of The Sims 3, download and install Origin, and it will update your game for you. If you're playing on disc (not through Origin) your game won't update past version 1.67.
When you’re installing from game discs, you need to type in your game code to install your game.
Make sure you have it ready before you start the installation.
PC
Put your game disc into your DVD drive and follow the instructions on-screen.
If the game installation doesn’t start automatically, double-click on your DVD drive in My Computer to start the installer.
Mac
Put your game disc into your drive, and follow the instructions on-screen. If installation doesn’t start right away, double-click on the drive to kick it off.
You do not need to install your expansions and Stuff Packs in any special order if you are installing them through Origin. Origin also keeps your game updated for you.
Don’t forget to activate the expansions you want to see in the game once they are installed. You can do this in The Sims 3 Launcher. Only the items marked active will show in game.
If you’re installing from disc, we recommend installing expansions and stuff packs in the order they were released.
From oldest to newest:
When you’re done, use the super-patcher to update your game to the latest version (Version number 1.67.62).
You should always launch The Sims 3 using the disc for the most recent game expansion or stuff pack you have installed, and you will need to use your disc every time you play.
Some Worlds are available to buy through Origin, on their own or as part of a bundle – others (including the free World, Riverview) are only available on TheSims3.com.
If you buy a World, or World Bundle, through Origin, we email you a code to redeem on TheSims3.com:
Once you’ve done that, The Sims 3 launcher will start up and install your world.
If it doesn’t start automatically, you can download your World from your Purchase History page on TheSims3.com.
You can also find any worlds you bought previously from thesims3.com on that same page.
When you click on a World in your Purchase History to download it, you may get a pop-up message asking permission to open a URL:
Click on Open URL:Sims3 Protocol.
The Sims 3 launcher will start up and install your world.
Once it’s finished installing, open the game and you’re all set to start a new household in your new world.
If you’re having trouble installing or launching your game, the first thing to check is that your system meets the minimum requirements for The Sims 3.
If you have installed any expansion packs, check the requirements for them in Origin as they need some extra computing power.
Here’s how:
