There is no denying that The Sims 4 ranks among the most renowned simulation games in history. Despite being eight years old, its dedicated fan base remains substantial, largely owed to the continuous release of new DLCs. Moreover, in October 2022, EA made the game available for free download, which has significantly broadened the Sims 4 player base and tremendously enhanced the variety and richness of user-generated content within the game's community.

sims 4

However, while the free plan has injected a lot of new life into The Sims 4, how to backup Sims 4 saves is an immediate concern for these new players. Knowing how to back up Sims 4 files not only enables players to readily overcome various calamities of data loss but also facilitates transferring saved games to another computer, allowing them to continue playing seamlessly.

This article will provide you with step-by-step instructions to resolve this issue. Regardless of whether you are using a Mac, Windows PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, you can find the appropriate Sims 4 save backup method tailored to your device in this guide.

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The Significance of Backing Up Sims 4 Save Files

Here are some reasons why backing up your Sims 4 saves is essential: 1. **Avoiding Data Loss**: Just like any other game, The Sims 4 can sometimes encounter technical glitches or bugs that might mess up or delete your save files. Backing up ensures you've got a previous save to fall back on in case of trouble. 2. **Trying Out Different Options or Routes**: You might want to test out alternative choices or paths in the game without losing your current progress. Backing up your saves lets you experiment without impacting the main game. 3. **Dealing with Mods and Patches**: If you use mods or patches, they can occasionally cause save issues. Regular backups mean you can easily go back to a mod-free state after updates or removals, just in case. 4. **Sharing and Moving Your Progress**: Sometimes, you may want to share your game progress with friends or move between computers. Backing up saves simplifies sharing and transferring your game. 5. **Cloud Sync Issues**: Relying on cloud services like EA's Origin to sync your progress can lead to data loss due to network problems or service interruptions. Local backups act as a dependable backup plan. 6. **Computer Problems or Upgrades**: Hardware failures, OS upgrades, or reinstallations can mess with your game files. Backups let you swiftly restore your Sim world without getting sidetracked by these events. 7. **Preserving Your Investment**: Hours, even hundreds of hours, can be poured into The Sims 4. Backing up your saves secures all that time and effort, making sure your hard work isn't lost unexpectedly. In summary, frequently backing up your Sims 4 game progress is vital for protecting your gaming experience and preventing potential losses.

Data Loss

When your computer is infected by viruses or experiences hardware failures and system crashes, Sims 4 game files can become compromised, resulting in the inability to load saved games. Protecting your game data from loss is a crucial aspect for every gamer.

Install Mods and Custom Content in The Sims 4

Adding rich mods and custom content (CC) to The Sims 4 is one of the primary ways players enhance their gaming experience, significantly increasing the game's replayability. However, each time The Sims 4 receives an update or the developers introduce a new patch, your installed mods or CC might conflict with the game's code, potentially causing errors that prevent the game from running properly.

Regularly backing up your Sims 4 save games and mod files not only prevents save corruption but also enables you to promptly identify problematic mod files, ensuring the game runs smoothly.

You can read this post and learn how to install mods in Sims 4 by clicking on the link: How to Install Mods in Sims 4.

Transfer The Sims 4 to Another Device

When you wanna switch to a new device to keep playing The Sims 4, you gotta move your saved game files from your old gadget to the new one. It's a good idea to back up those Sims 4 files beforehand to an external hard drive, a USB stick, or even cloud storage. That makes the transfer real smooth.

Solutions to Backup The Sims 4 on Multiple Platforms

In the subsequent text, you will discover methods to back up Sims 4 saves on Mac, Windows PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Furthermore, we also present an optimal alternative backup plan for Sims 4 saves.

For computer users, the Sims 4 save file location remains consistent across platforms: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Saves. However, due to system variations, the navigation process differs slightly between Windows and Mac.

How to Backup Sims 4 Saves on Mac Backing up your Sims 4 saves on a Mac is essential to ensure you don't lose progress in case of any unexpected issues. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. **Find the Sims 4 Save Game Location:** - Open Finder and click on "Go" in the top menu bar. - Press the `Option` key, and the "Library" option will appear. Click on it. - Navigate to `Application Support > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Saves`. 2. **Create a Backup Folder:** - On your Desktop or in a preferred location, create a new folder named "Sims 4 Backups" or any other descriptive name. 3. **Copy Save Files:** - Inside the `Saves` folder, you'll find your game saves. Select all the save files (they have `.simssave` extensions). - Right-click and choose "Copy" or press `Command + C` to copy the files. 4. **Paste Save Files into Backup Folder:** - Navigate to your backup folder, and right-click in the empty space. Choose "Paste" or press `Command + V` to paste the copied save files. 5. **Optional: Sync with Cloud Storage:** - For added security, you can upload the backup folder to a cloud service like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. 6. **Regularly Update Your Backup:** - Remember to repeat this process periodically to keep your backups up-to-date with your latest game progress. By following these steps, you'll have a secure backup of your Sims 4 save games, ready to restore if needed.

Step 1. Open Finder and click on "Documents"

Step 2. Select Electronic Arts > The Sims 4

backup sims 4 saves on mac

Step 3. Select the saves file, then copy and paste it to another location as a backup.

How to Backup Sims 4 Saves on a Windows PC

Step 1. Open File Explorer and click on "Documents"

Open File Explorer

Step 2. Select Electronic Arts > The Sims 4

find the sims 4 folder

Step 3. Backup your save files by copying them using the Command Prompt to a different location.

backup sims 4 saves on windows pc

Tip
The Mods and Trays folders contain data for custom content such as clothing, hairstyles, accessories, Households, Lots, Rooms, and so on. If you want to continue your previous progress in The Sims 4 on another computer or safeguard against data loss, it's recommended that you back up these folders as well.

How to Backup Sims 4 Saves on PlayStation Backing up your Sims 4 saves on PlayStation is essential to ensure you don't lose progress in case of any issues with your console or game. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it: 1. **Access Your Game Library**: Turn on your PlayStation and navigate to the home screen. From there, go to the "Games" section. 2. **Launch The Sims 4**: Select The Sims 4 from your game library and start the game. 3. **Save Your Progress**: Before backing up, make sure to save your current game. Press the "Options" button on your controller while in the game, then choose "Save & Quit" to save your progress. 4. **Connect to PlayStation Network**: Ensure that you're signed in to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account. If not, go to "Settings," then "Account Management," and sign in. 5. **Enable Cloud Storage for Game Saves**: Go to "Settings" > "System" > "Back Up & Restore." Scroll down and select "Cloud Storage." If it's not already enabled, toggle the switch next to "Game & App Saves" to turn on cloud saving. 6. **Sync Your Saves**: Once cloud storage is enabled, go back to the main menu and quit The Sims 4 completely. Restart the game, and when it loads, your saves should automatically upload to the cloud. To force a sync, go to "Game Settings" within The Sims 4 and look for an option to "Upload Save." 7. **Verifying Backup**: To confirm that your save files have been uploaded, log into your PSN account on another device or browser, go to "Game Saves" under "Settings," and check if your Sims 4 saves are present. That's it! Your Sims 4 saves are now backed up in the cloud. If needed, you can restore them by downloading them from the same "Game Saves" section on your PlayStation or another device signed in with the same PSN account.

PS offers users both manual and automatic game backup options.

Automatic Backup

PlayStation does have the feature of automatically backing up game files; however, this service is exclusive to users who have subscribed to the PlayStation Plus membership (at a cost of $60 per year). With a subscription, you get 100GB of cloud storage space, which can be utilized to automatically back up your Sims 4 save data.

Here are the steps to activate this feature:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management

Step 2. Tap the Auto-Upload option and select Enable Automatic Uploads.

Step 3. Enable the PS system to back up your Sims 4 saves while in rest mode.

Please note that automatic backup requires your PS to remain online.

Manual Backup

If you don't have a PS Plus subscription, you can manually backup your Sims 4 save files. To do this, please navigate through these steps: Settings > System > Back Up and Restore > Back Up PS4. This will allow you to backup your Sims 4 data onto an external hard drive.

How to Backup Sims 4 Saves on Xbox

Unlike PlayStation (PS), Xbox does not require users to subscribe to additional services to enable automatic saving for all players. Xbox offers increasing cloud storage for your games, and it can synchronize your Sims 4 saves to the cloud for secure backup as long as you have an internet connection.

The Ultimate Alternative Backup Strategy for The Sims 4

The process of backing up Sims 4 saves is straightforward, but these saves will continue to evolve as you progress in the game.

Most of the above methods require manual operation. If you back up the save file every time after playing Sims 4, it might be too troublesome for PC gamers and those who don't subscribe to PS Plus. Let's introduce Todo Backup Home, the best backup solution for Sims 4.

Todo Backup Home is a professional and superb offline backup software that effortlessly accomplishes system, file, disk, and application data backup tasks. For gamers, these features make it the ideal assistant for gamers to backup their game saves.

    • Supports Automatic Backup (link)
    • Provides 250 GB of Free Cloud Storage
    • Supports Differential and Incremental Backups
    • Assists with System Image Recovery and System Restore
    • Can backup hard drives for game console users (link)

Here are simple steps to back up your Sims 4 save file using Todo Backup Home: 1. **Download and Install Todo Backup Home**: First, visit the official website of Todo Backup Home and download the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Install the software following the on-screen instructions. 2. **Launch Todo Backup Home**: Once installed, open the application on your computer. 3. **Create a New Backup Task**: In the main interface of Todo Backup Home, click on "File Backup" or "Smart Backup" to initiate a new backup task. 4. **Select Source Files**: In the next window, click on "Add File" or "Add Folder" to navigate to the location where your Sims 4 save files are stored. On Windows, this is typically in the following path: `C:\Users\\Documents\EA Games\The Sims 4\Saves`. If you have a custom save location, find the 'Saves' folder there. 5. **Choose Destination**: After selecting the source files, choose a destination location for the backup. You can opt for a local drive, an external hard drive, or even cloud storage if supported by Todo Backup Home. 6. **Schedule Backup**: If desired, you can set up a schedule for automatic backups. Click on "Schedule" and select the preferred frequency (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). This ensures your save files are backed up regularly. 7. **Configure Additional Settings**: You may also customize other options such as compression level, encryption, or notifications. These settings are optional but can provide added security and control over your backups. 8. **Start the Backup**: Finally, review your settings and click on "Start" or "OK" to initiate the backup process. Todo Backup Home will now copy your Sims 4 save files to the designated backup location. 9. **Verify Backup**: After the backup is complete, it's a good idea to verify the saved files by checking the contents of the backup location. By following these steps, you'll have a secure backup of your Sims 4 save game, ensuring you won't lose progress in case of any issues with your computer or the game itself.

Step 1. Initiate game data backup by clicking "Create Backup" and then selecting "Apps data".

Click Apps Data to start game backup.

Step 2. After navigating to the app's data backup section, locate the Game Saves category. Choose the Sims 4 game saves and configurations, then click "OK".

click Sims 4 data to backup

Step 3. Next, you need to select a backup location to store the game save data. You can use either internal or external drives to keep the backup. For security reasons, we highly recommend keeping an additional backup copy on a cloud service or NAS device.

Select a backup location for your game data

Conclusion

Learning how to back up Sims 4 saves is crucial. This article identifies the Sims 4 save file location and presents 5 backup methods suitable for various platforms. To alleviate backup hassles and enhance your gaming experience, we recommend utilizing Todo Backup Home to establish an automated backup plan for your game.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I transfer my Sims 4 save files to another computer?

Yes, you can. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Locate your Sims 4 save files: Go to 'Documents' > 'Electronic Arts' > 'The Sims 4' > 'Saves'. 2. Copy the save files: In the 'Saves' folder, select the save game files you wish to transfer and copy them. 3. Use a USB or external hard drive: Plug in your USB drive or external hard drive to your computer, create a new folder if needed, and paste the saved game files into it. 4. Transfer to another computer: Now, take the USB drive or external hard drive to the other computer, plug it in, and copy the saved game files to the corresponding 'Saves' folder within the Sims 4 directory on that computer. 5. Mods and Custom Content (CC) consideration: If you've installed any mods or custom content in The Sims 4, remember to also copy the 'Mods' and 'Tray' folders from the main game directory ('Documents' > 'Electronic Arts' > 'The Sims 4') to the same locations on the other computer. Note that mods and CC may not work properly if the other computer doesn't have the same versions or dependencies installed.

2. Does Origin back up Sims 4 saves?

No, Origin does not provide automatic backups for The Sims 4 save files. To back up your saves, you need to locate them manually at the following path: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Saves. Alternatively, you can use a professional backup software like Todo Backup Home to create automatic backups of your Sims 4 save games.