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Find out how to redeem your game code, download and install The Sims 3, its expansions, stuff packs and worlds.

Redeem your code Download and install your game in Origin Install from disc Expansion packs and Stuff packs Worlds Having trouble?

NOTE:

  1. You don’t need to follow the steps below if you bought The Sims 3, your expansion(s), or your stuff pack(s) through Origin – anything you buy on Origin is automatically added to your account.
  2. You still need to visit thesims3.com to buy and download Worlds or to redeem any bonus codes you have.
    • When you do this, make sure you use the same account email you use for Origin so everything is added to the same account.

I bought a disc copy of The Sims 3, or a The Sims 3 expansion or stuff pack on disc

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 already have an EA Account, click Login and log in to your account.
  • If you don’t already have an account, click Create an account and follow the instructions on-screen to register. When your account is created, log in to it.
  1. Click on My Page, then My Account.
  2. Click on Register a Game.

    Click on My Page to access My Account and register your game.

  3. Type your code into the box and click the Register button.
    • Your code should be 20 digits long, if it’s 16 digits, then it’s for bonus content and you need to redeem that in a different place:
      • Click on Store, then on My Store Account.
      • Click the + icon beside Redeem a code, then type your code into the boxes.
      • Check the box to agree to the Terms of Sale and Privacy Policy, and click Redeem.

    Click on My Store Account to redeem a code.

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.

PC and Mac

If you’re installing from disc, we recommend installing expansions and stuff packs in the order they were released.

From oldest to newest:

  1. The Sims 3
  2. The Sims 3: World Adventures
  3. The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff
  4. The Sims 3: Ambitions
  5. The Sims 3: Fast Lane Stuff
  6. The Sims 3: Late Night
  7. The Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff
  8. The Sims 3: Generations (May 31, 2011)
  9. The Sims 3: Town Life Stuff
  10.  The Sims 3: Pets
  11.  The Sims 3: Master Suite
  12.  The Sims 3: Showtime
  13.  The Sims 3: Katy Perry's Sweet Treats Stuff
  14.  The Sims 3: Diesel Stuff
  15.  The Sims 3: Supernatural
  16.  The Sims 3: Seasons
  17.  The Sims 3: 70's, 80's & 90's Stuff
  18.  The Sims 3: University Life
  19.  The Sims 3: Island Paradise
  20.  The Sims 3: Movie Stuff
  21.  The Sims 3: Into the Future

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:

  1. Log in to your account.
  2. Click on Store, then on My Store Account.
  3. Click the + icon beside Redeem a code, then type your code into the boxes.
  4. Check the box to agree to the Terms of Sale and Privacy Policy, and click Redeem.

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:

  1. Find the game tile for your expansion pack in the Store on origin.com or in the Origin client.
  2. Click on it to open the game details.
  3. Click on System Requirements to see the minimum requirements for both PC and Mac.

    Find the system requirements for your game or expansion pack in Origin

Still need help? Check out these articles:

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