The Sims 4 can take up different amounts of storage because each player’s installed packs, saves and custom content differ. EA’s published PC and Mac requirements call for 25 GB of free space at minimum or 50 GB recommended, plus at least 1 GB additional for custom content and saved games. Those are free-space requirements—not a promise that the installed game occupies exactly 25 or 50 GB.
Why does The Sims 4 use so much storage?
The base game is only part of many players’ installations. Expansion Packs, Game Packs, Stuff Packs and Kits can add to what is installed, while saves and custom content take up space too. Because players choose different packs and accumulate different personal files, their totals can vary.
EA does not publish one current installed-size total that applies to every setup, or a storage figure for every individual pack. Updates may also affect an installation, but EA’s available requirements do not quantify their storage impact. A number reported for one player’s computer should not be treated as a universal size.
What storage space does EA recommend?
EA’s PC requirements list at least 25 GB of free space for the minimum specification and 50 GB for the recommended specification. Each figure has a further allowance of at least 1 GB for custom content and saved games. EA’s Mac listing gives the same figures. These are planning requirements for free space, not measured folder sizes. EA’s PC requirements and EA’s Mac requirements do not establish those numbers for console versions.
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How to check which packs are installed
In the EA app on PC or Mac
- Open Library and select The Sims 4.
- Choose Manage, then Manage add-ons.
- Check the installed add-ons separately from content you own but have not installed.
In The Sims 4
- Open Marketplace.
- Go to My Collection, then choose Manage Storage.
- Review the installation status shown for your packs.
These checks help distinguish content taking up space from content that is merely owned. EA lists the steps in its pack installation and management guidance.
Can turning off packs save space?
EA’s Pack Selection feature can unload packs from the game and may free resources, but EA does not specify a guaranteed amount of disk space saved. Do not assume that unloading a pack removes its files from the drive; the EA app’s add-on manager is the place to check installation status.
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Disabling a pack can affect existing saves because pack-specific content may no longer be available in that save. EA advises using Pack Selection when creating a new save to avoid losing content or progress. Back up important saves and read the in-game warning before changing your selection. See EA’s Pack Selection guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to work out what is using space on your computer
- Check installed add-ons in the EA app or the game’s Manage Storage view.
- Check the game’s user-content and save folders to understand how much space your personal files use; avoid deleting files unless you know what they contain and have a backup.
- Use your operating system’s storage view to see the game’s actual disk use on your own system. That figure is specific to your installation, not a universal size.
If your drive is genuinely short on capacity, adding storage may be an option, but verify that your platform supports installing or moving the game to the drive you choose. The PC and Mac requirements do not establish external-drive compatibility for every system.
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