You’re probably here because you want to download The Sims 5. If you’re looking for base games or expansion packs for PC, Mac, or console, you’ve come to the right place! On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know.
Where and how can you download The Sims 5 and expansions? How much do they actually cost? On what platforms is it available? And will there be a trial or demo version?
These are some of the most commonly asked questions in the Sims community. We’ll give detailed answers to these and other questions below.
On this page:
How and where can I download Sims 5 games?
You’re probably wondering where you can download base games or expansion packs of The Sims 5 for PC, Mac, or console.
We know it sounds a bit obvious, but since these games will probably not be offered for free, you will need to purchase them first as soon as they become available.
So, where can you buy Sims 5 games once they come out?
Even though the fifth generation hasn’t launched yet, we can already provide some details about where and how you can download it once it’s available.
Can I download Sims 5 in the EA app, Steam, Amazon, or other platforms?
We’re expecting that Sims 5 games will become available on a variety of platforms. First of all, it will be available in the EA app (formerly known as Origin) and probably on EA Play (EA’s subscription service) as well.
Besides that, we’re expecting the game to become available on Steam, Amazon, and other third-party sites and apps. Some third-party sites, such as CD key sites, usually provide cheaper ways to purchase Sims games. Examples of CD key sites are MMOGA, CDKeys, Instant Gaming, Gamivo, CJS CD Keys, SCDKEY, Allkeyshop, Eneba, G2A, HRKGame, and others.
Once you’ve purchased your game through EA’s or third-party platforms, you will receive a unique license key (also known as an activation key or serial code).
Before you can download The Sims 5 or its expansion packs, you will need to install the EA app (which was called Origin before). The EA app is always required for installing and playing the latest Sims games.
Within the EA app, you will have the option to redeem, activate, download, install, and play The Sims 5.
Aside from the EA app, Steam is the only other platform where you can legally download Sims games. However, you can’t just use Steam to play Sims games. The EA app is still needed to install and run these games.
In the following sections, we’ll share some more details about how you can download Sims 5 games in just a few easy steps.
How to download Sims 5 (a quick guide)
How can you actually download Sims 5 games onto your computer? That’s definitely one of the most frequently asked questions at this moment.
The honest answer is that the fifth generation is not available yet. So you can’t download the game just yet.
We know this is disappointing news. But as soon as we have more details, we’ll definitely share them with you here!
Once the fifth generation is available to download digitally, we will provide a thorough, step-by-step guide on how you can purchase and download base games and expansions the easiest way possible.
So where can you download The Sims 5 games when they become available?
The game will most likely be sold on many different platforms, including the EA app (formerly known as Origin), EA Play (EA’s subscription service), Steam, Amazon, and CD key sites. Some sites that sell CD keys include MMOGA, CDKeys, Instant Gaming, Gamivo, CJS CD Keys, SCDKEY, Allkeyshop, Eneba, G2A, HRKGame, and others.
Since October 2022, the fourth generation, The Sims 4, has been available for free.
Now you may be wondering if The Sims 5 and expansion packs will also be given away for free or not. This will probably not happen for the first few years after the release of these games. Offering the base game or expansion packs for free won’t help EA and Maxis reach their financial goals, as they need to make a profit from these games.
Since The Sims 5 won’t be out for a while, we recommend downloading The Sims 4 in case you haven’t done so already. Even when the fifth generation is available, it will take many years before some of the popular expansion packs come out.
The Sims 4 has numerous expansion packs available already. Moreover, the game will keep going for a few more years, which was confirmed by Catharina Mallet (Vice President and General Manager for Maxis) in 2022. Mallet said the following about this:
“As we look towards our future, continuing to create entertaining and unexpected content for The Sims 4 for years to come.”
– Catharina Mallet, Vice President and General Manager for Maxis
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Tips before downloading new games
Before buying and downloading an entirely new game, it’s always a good idea to check the game’s minimum system requirements. This way, you can figure out if your computer (PC or Mac) will be able to run the game smoothly.
The official minimum system requirements for The Sims 5 on PC and Mac haven’t been revealed yet, but we have already compiled some information about what they will probably look like. You can find more details about PC system requirements here and Mac system requirements here.
Download Sims 5 through the EA app (instructions for when the game is available)
When The Sims 5 becomes available, you can use the EA app to download it by following the instructions below. These steps are basically the same for PC (Windows) and Mac (MacOS). To download the game, you will need a stable internet connection, so you shouldn’t be offline during this time. Please note that some of the steps may change in the future.
- Visit the EA app site and download the EA app.
- After you’ve installed the EA app, simply open the app on your device.
- Use your EA account to sign in. Don’t already have an account? You can register for free here.
- Once you’re logged in, use the search bar at the top of the screen and search for “Sims 5”. The game should show up quickly. If you haven’t bought the game yet, you can purchase it here or through other online stores or gaming platforms.
- Now that you’ve bought the game, go to your game library and click the “Download” button. The download process may take some time. Once that’s done, the installation process will start.
- Finally, you can click the “Play” button. After that, the game will start, and you’ll be ready to go. Let the fun begin!
When can I download Sims 5?
You’re probably wondering when you can download The Sims 5’s base game or its expansion packs. You may also be wondering where and how to get these games.
We’ll answer these and other related questions in detail below.
Is it possible to download Sims 5 already? (In 2023)
The Sims 5 isn’t yet available to download in 2023. However, the good news is that the game has been officially announced.
In other words, it’s not possible to download the game anywhere right now. This may not be the most satisfying answer, but it is the only truth.
Please stay away from sites and people who say that the game is already available. This is definitely not true at all, so be careful when you see this.
Will the fifth generation come out in 2023, 2024, or even later?
So, when can we expect The Sims 5 to come out? And when will it be possible to download the full version on PC, Mac, and console? Will it be in 2023, 2024, or possibly even later?
These are some great questions! So let’s look into this topic a little more.
The latest and current version of The Sims, The Sims 4, was launched more than nine years ago. That’s very long for a Sims game in general. In other words, The Sims 4 is long overdue, so it’s about time for a follow-up game.
Despite the fact that nothing has been confirmed yet, it’s pretty certain that the fifth generation won’t be launched in 2023. Why is that, you may ask?
It’s because we still haven’t gotten any release date yet. Besides that, Grant Rodiek (Game Director for Project Rene, which is The Sims 5’s working title) mentioned that The Sims 5 is “Years away”, which means that it will take at least one or two more years before it comes out.
There is usually a period of at least six months to a year between when a whole new generation is announced and when it actually comes out. So, since there is no launch date yet, 2023 does not seem likely.
If the game is going to be announced in 2023, it probably won’t be released until at least 2024. In 2024, The Sims 4 also celebrates its 10th anniversary. This is the perfect time to launch a brand-new installment, in this case The Sims 5.
On the release page, you’ll find a more detailed explanation of when we expect the game to launch.
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When will Sims 5 be available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other markets?
Based on the information in the sections above, we expect The Sims 5 to come out no later than 2024 or 2025. That’s when you will be able to download the game. Keep in mind that EA and Maxis haven’t officially said anything about the official release date yet.
Different markets may have different release dates as well. So they usually vary a little bit.
The United States, Canada, and other North American markets are often the first to get a brand-new generation, followed by European markets, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand a few days later. After that, the rest of the world usually has to wait a little longer.
However, given that most games these days are released digitally, it’s possible that all markets will receive the game on the same day.
Release dates North America, UK, Australia, and New Zealand
The Sims 5 will most likely come out sometime in 2024 or 2025. Typically, English-speaking regions receive new Sims games first. These markets are in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.
Release dates European markets
The release of the fifth generation is most likely scheduled for 2024 or 2025 in European markets. These markets include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, and other countries.
Release dates Asia, Africa, and Russia
The game will likely come to other markets in Asia, Africa, and Russia later in 2024 or 2025.
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On what platforms will Sims 5 be released? (PC, Mac, and more)
As mentioned in the section above, The Sims 5 will be a cross-platform game. This means that you can play the game on several devices simultaneously.
Now you’re probably wondering what devices the game will be available on.
In January 2023, Grant Rodiek (Game Director for Project Rene, which is the working title for The Sims 5) confirmed that the fifth generation will be coming to PC and mobile. However, we’re expecting other platforms to be added to this list. The Sims 5 will probably be coming to:
- PC (Windows devices from different brands, this is confirmed)
- Mac (MacOS devices from Apple)
- Mobile (this is confirmed)
- PlayStation 5 (PS5)
- Xbox Series X and Series S
The Sims 5 is not likely to come to PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One (Xbox One). It also doesn’t look like a Nintendo Switch launch is very likely. EA usually only releases new games for the latest consoles.
Since the game will be coming to mobile, we’re expecting the game to be supported by the latest Android and iOS devices, including iPhones. Even though it hasn’t been confirmed yet, the game could also be coming to iPads, Android-based tablets, and perhaps even Chromebooks.
We’ll share more details on this site as soon as we know which other platforms will support The Sims 5.
Which editions can we expect for Sims 5?
Besides the Standard Edition base game of The Sims 5 for PC and Mac, there will most likely be some other editions available to download as well.
Even though nothing has officially been confirmed yet, there is a good chance that there will be a Limited Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, Premium Edition, or Collector’s Edition, similar to the editions that were available when The Sims 4 was released back in 2014. In addition to that, there may also be an Ultimate Collection or Complete Collection. Each version will come with some unique extras.
We just need to await official details to find out which versions will be coming.
How can I download Sims 5 for free?
Will The Sims 5 be available for free on PC, Mac, and console? And if so, where can you download the game for free?
These are some of the most commonly asked questions in the Sims community, especially now that the fourth generation, The Sims 4, is available for free.
At the moment (2023), The Sims 5 is not available yet. The base game and expansion packs won’t likely be offered for free for the first several years after the games are launched, at least not legally.
This is perhaps not the most satisfying answer, but we don’t want to give false hope.
Some sites and people claim that The Sims 5 can already be downloaded for free. Unfortunately, this simply isn’t true!
The fifth generation is not available at all. It hasn’t even been released yet, so you can’t play the game yet. Watch out for fake sites that offer free cracks or game downloads. You may be putting spyware and viruses on your computer without even knowing it.
There have also been talks about The Sims 5 becoming a subscription-based game, which would require a monthly payment or something similar. These discussions are just based on speculations. Simmers in the Sims 5 Facebook community have mixed feelings about subscriptions.
What do you think: Should The Sims 5 be available for free? Comment on this post in the Sims 5 Facebook community.
How much does it cost to download Sims 5 and expansions?
How much will The Sims 5 actually cost? And how much will the various base game editions and expansion packs actually cost?
These are some of the most frequently asked questions among Simmers.
Although official pricing information for the physical and digital editions has yet to be published, we can already estimate how much each pack will cost based on earlier Sims generations.
It’s pretty unlikely that The Sims 5’s base game will be offered for free during the first few years after its release, at least not legally.
How much will the different base game editions cost?
When we look at how much previous versions of The Sims cost when they came out, we can see that the base game of The Sims 4 cost between $40 and $100 USD (or €40 and €100) depending on the edition.
At launch, the Standard Edition was the cheapest version of the base game. It cost $40 USD (€40) at the time. Based on EA’s launch price, more expensive editions cost between $60 and $100 USD (€60 and €100).
We expect that The Sims 5 will also have a similar price structure.
It is important to keep in mind, though, that prices can change depending on a number of factors, such as the market and availability.
Here are the estimated prices for each version of The Sims 5’s base game:
- Base game (Standard Edition): $40 – $60 USD (€40 – €60)
- Base game (other editions): $60 – $100 USD (€60 – €100)
How much will expansion packs (DLC) cost?
Expansion packs will probably be a bit cheaper than base games. Each add-on is expected to cost between $15 and $40 USD (or between €15 and €40).
The prices are determined by what’s included in each pack. The more content and gameplay features they have, the more expensive they become.
Here are the estimated prices for the different types of The Sims 5 expansions:
- Big expansion packs: $30 – $40 USD (€30 – €40)
- Game packs: $15 – $20 USD (€15 – €20)
- Stuff packs: $10 – $15 USD (€10 – €15)
- Kits: $5– $10 USD (€5 – €10)
Save money on base games and expansions during sales
In addition, it’s helpful to know that you can save money on The Sims 5 games by taking advantage of the numerous sales that will be running both online and in physical stores.
We’re expecting that there will be sites that sell games at lower prices compared to the EA app and Steam.
Sims games typically also become cheaper over time. If you’re on a tight budget, it would be best to wait a bit before purchasing the latest games. After a few months or years, some expansion packs can be bought for a small fraction of what they cost when they were first released.
What are the cheapest ways to download Sims 5 games?
As we all know, Sims games aren’t always cheap, especially not at launch.
Looking at The Sims 4 and all its expansions combined, this will already cost you more than $700 – 900 USD (€700 – €900). That’s indeed a considerable amount of money!
So now you may be wondering where you can get The Sims 5 games cheaply. Even though nothing has been confirmed yet, the following is what we expect:
Periodic sales and deals all year round
First of all, there will be periodic sales where games will be available at a lower price. These sales usually happen around holidays and special days like Easter, Back to School, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
To put it simply, these are some of the best times to find good deals. These days are great for adding more expansion packs to your collection.
Besides the EA app, EA Play, and Steam, you can also buy digital game downloads through other platforms. Other popular online shops are Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and others.
In addition to that, you can also purchase digital games through CD key sites like MMOGA, CDKeys, Instant Gaming, Gamivo, CJS CD Keys, SCDKEY, Allkeyshop, Eneba, G2A, HRKGame, and others. They usually offer the cheapest games and it’s totally legal.
We’ll definitely share the best deals and special offers on this site! Soon you’ll also be able to compare prices here, so you’ll know where you can get games at a low price.
Will there be a downloadable Sims 5 demo or trial?
People often want to try something out before making a purchase decision. That’s why many Simmers wish to know if there will be a free trial version of The Sims 5 before or after the game comes out.
Even though nothing has been confirmed yet, there will likely be a demo or trial version of the game.
The fourth generation, The Sims 4, had a demo for Create A Sim (CAS). With the third generation, The Sims 3, you could try out both the base game and Create A Pet (CAP). For this reason, it’s likely that the fifth installment will also have a beta or demo version.
As soon as we have more information about this, we will definitely share it on this site.
Physical copies and digital downloads: What can we expect for Sims 5?
These days, most Simmers don’t use physical copies (including a hardcover box and CD/DVD) anymore. The transition to digital downloads is still going on. This is the same for PC games, Mac games, and console games.
Digital games are often a little cheaper, and downloading is easier.
Even though a physical copy of The Sims 5’s base game might be available at launch or shortly after, it’s very unlikely that expansion packs will be available in physical form.
This is already the case with The Sims 4, where many of the expansion packs can only be bought in digital format.
Due to low demand and rising costs of manufacturing, transporting, and storing physical copies, some smaller countries may no longer be able to get physical games.
Whether you like it or not, physical games are becoming less popular.
Will Sims 5 support custom content (CC) and mods?
Many Sims fans absolutely love custom content (CC) and mods. This topic is talked about a lot online, like in the Sims 5 Facebook Community group and Reddit.
Some Sims fans think the game would be bland if it didn’t have CC and mods. Others argue that it depends on the core game’s content, features, and add-ons. Some players refrain from modding altogether out of concern for the stability of their game, while others aren’t interested in user-generated material at all.
But will the fifth generation of The Sims also support user-created content and modifications?
The honest answer is that this hasn’t been confirmed yet. However, since modifications and custom content are a massive part of the Sims community and many Simmers won’t play the game without them, we do believe there is a good probability that the game will support them.
Looking at The Sims 4, the modding community is still very much alive and going strong!
Modders and content creators provide the community with a wide range of free and paid downloads. This includes houses, furnished rooms, build components, furnishings, clothes, accessories, hairstyles, skin tones, pets, worlds, patterns, and much more.
In January 2023, Grant Rodiek (Game Director for Project Rene, also known as The Sims 5) mentioned that The Sims 5 will have a lot of customization options built right into the game, allowing players to customize many things from the build mode and buy mode.
For instance, players will be able to change an object’s color, pattern, size, materials, and parts. This is even possible within the multiplayer mode. All creations can be shared, uploaded, and downloaded. User-generated content (UGC) is a vital part of this game.
The question that remains is whether or not fans’ mods and custom content will be supported. We just need to wait until EA and Maxis release official information about this. As soon as we know more, we’ll add it to the site.
What are your thoughts on this? Will you play The Sims 5 if it doesn’t support mods and custom content? Share your thoughts in the Sims 5 Facebook Community.
What are the minimum system requirements for Sims 5 on PC and Mac?
Before you buy and download Sims 5 games, you should check to see if your PC or Mac computer can run these games smoothly. Unfortunately, the game may not function properly on every device or platform. That’s why you should have a look at the minimum system requirements first.
The official recommended system specs for the fifth generation have yet to be released. However, based on the specifications for the fourth generation, we expect that they will be similar to the list below.
If your computer doesn’t meet the following system requirements, it might be time to upgrade to a new device. However, we strongly recommend waiting until EA and Maxis have revealed the official final specs. For now, please take this with a grain of salt.
Minimum expected system requirements for PC and Mac
PC
Minimum system requirements:
- OS: 64 Bit Windows 10 or Windows 11.
- CPU: Intel Core i5 or better, AMD Athlon X4 or better.
- VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 or better.
- RAM: 8 GB of RAM or more.
- HARD DRIVE: At least 30 to 50 GB of free disk storage space.
- ONLINE REQUIREMENTS: Internet connection required for product activation and using in-game online features.
Mac
Minimum system requirements:
- OS: Mac OSX 12 (Monterey) or later.
- CPU: Intel Core i5 or better.
- VIDEO CARD: M2 chip, M2 Pro chip, M2 Max chip, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 or better.
- RAM: 8 GB RAM or more.
- HARD DRIVE: At least 30 to 50 GB of free disk storage space.
- ONLINE REQUIREMENTS: Internet connection required for product activation and using in-game online features.
Can Sims 5 be downloaded without a disk?
Does The Sims 5 require a disk to download, install, and play the game? The answer is definitely no! You can do all of these things without using a disk (CD or DVD).
These days, fewer and fewer people use disks. Nowadays, the majority of laptops and desktop computers don’t even have disk drives anymore. This is definitely the case for the most recent Windows-based laptops and desktop computers, as well as for Apple’s MacBooks and iMacs.
When we look at The Sims 4, we notice that not all expansion packs are available on disk anymore. Some game packs, stuff packs, and kits can now only be bought digitally.
Whether you like it or not, this trend is likely to keep going. Currently, it’s not clear if there will be a disk version of The Sims 5 at all.
As soon as we know more, you’ll find it on this site.
Torrents and cracks: Why you shouldn’t download them
One quick Google search for “Download Sims 5”, “Download Sims 5 free”, or “Sims 5 crack”, and you’ll get dozens of results, many of which promise that the fifth generation of The Sims is available to download right now. Sometimes, sites may even offer fake license keys (sometimes called activation keys or serial codes).
It can be very tempting to click download buttons or links on sites like these. But the reality is that The Sims 5 isn’t even available yet.
Even though it might seem obvious, many of these sites are actually scams. There’s a big chance they will try to sell you something that doesn’t exist or that they will put malware or viruses on your computer, tablet, or phone.
The same counts for Torrent platforms. Viruses and malware are frequently found in Torrents. Do not download cracks, APK files, Zip files, or WinRAR files from unofficial, unauthorized sources.
Be careful whenever you come across sites like these. Even if you have installed anti-virus software, these sources probably aren’t safe. Besides that, downloading illegal games from these sites and platforms is probably not allowed either.
It’s simply best to purchase games from reputable platforms. For instance, the EA app (EA’s gaming platform), EA Play (EA’s subscription service), or Steam are all reliable platforms.
There aren’t really any other trustworthy sites where you can legally download Sims games.