How to Play The Sims 4 on Chromebook: 3 Methods That Actually Work

You have a Chromebook, you want to play The Sims 4, and the EA app will not install. That is expected: The Sims 4 is made for Windows and Mac, and there is no ChromeOS version. You can still play it, though. The easiest way is to stream it with Xbox Cloud Gaming in the Chrome browser, because the Xbox store lists The Sims 4 as cloud playable. If you already have the game on a Windows PC, you can also stream it from that PC with Steam Link. A third option, Steam for Chromebook (Beta), only works on some newer Chromebooks and is not a sure thing for this game. Old tricks like Wine in Linux or GeForce NOW do not work, and this guide explains why.

Sims 4 on Chromebook at a glance

Why a Chromebook cannot run The Sims 4 directly

According to EA’s official system requirements, the PC version needs 64-bit Windows 10, at least 4 GB of RAM, at least 25 GB of free space and a DirectX 11 compatible graphics card. The Mac version needs macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later. The EA app itself only exists for Windows and Mac. ChromeOS is neither, so there is nothing to install. Every method that works on a Chromebook either streams the game from another machine or runs it inside a layer that pretends to be Windows.

Method 1: Xbox Cloud Gaming (easiest)

Xbox Cloud Gaming runs the game on Microsoft’s servers and sends the picture to your browser. Your Chromebook only needs Chrome and a good internet connection. The Xbox store page for The Sims 4 lists Xbox Cloud Gaming as one of its platforms.

1. Open Chrome on your Chromebook and go to xbox.com/play.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
3. Connect a controller by USB or Bluetooth. The Sims 4 on Xbox is built for a controller, so this is the safest choice.
4. Search for The Sims 4 and open its page.
5. Choose the cloud play option. You need cloud playtime, which comes with a Game Pass plan or can be bought in the Xbox store.
6. Wait for the stream to start, then play as normal. Your progress is saved in the cloud.

A few things to know before you start. Xbox now counts cloud gaming in hours. At the time of writing, the Xbox Cloud Gaming page lists 5 hours a month with Game Pass Essential, 10 with Premium and 15 with Ultimate, and you can buy extra hours. What you can stream also varies by region, so check xbox.com/play where you live. This is the Xbox console version of The Sims 4. Packs you bought on PC or Mac do not carry over, and console players cannot use mods.

Method 2: Stream from your own PC with Steam Link

If you have a Windows PC that runs The Sims 4, you can play it on the Chromebook through Steam’s Remote Play. The PC does all the work, and the Chromebook just shows the picture and sends your clicks. This is the only Chromebook method that gives you your own save files, every pack you own, and your mods and custom content. The base game is free on Steam.

1. On your PC, install Steam, add The Sims 4 to your library and install it.
2. Leave the PC switched on with Steam open and signed in.
3. On the Chromebook, install Steam Link from the Google Play Store. This needs a Chromebook with Play Store support.
4. Open Steam Link, let it find your PC and follow the pairing steps on both screens.
5. Start The Sims 4 from the Steam Link screen and play.

It works best when both machines are on the same home network, ideally with the PC connected by cable. One note from Google: on Chromebooks that can run Steam for Chromebook (Beta), Google advises against installing Steam or Steam Link from the Play Store because of performance problems. On other Chromebooks, the Play Store app is the normal way in.

Method 3: Steam for Chromebook (Beta), for supported models only

Google offers Steam for Chromebook (Beta), which installs Windows games from Steam directly on the Chromebook. It only runs on select models with at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Google keeps a list of tested games, and The Sims 4 is not on it (The Sims 3 is). That means it may run, run badly or not start. The game also opens through the EA app, which adds another thing that can break.

1. Open the Launcher on your Chromebook and search for “Steam installer”.
2. If it does not show up, your Chromebook does not support the beta. Use method 1 or 2 instead.
3. Select Steam installer and follow the steps, then sign in to Steam.
4. Find The Sims 4 in the Steam store, add it to your library and install it. Make sure you have room, since EA asks for at least 25 GB.
5. Launch the game, sign in to the EA app when asked, and lower the graphics settings if it stutters.

Methods that do not work

• Wine in Linux: many old guides tell you to turn on Linux and install the game with Wine. Google’s own Linux help page says hardware acceleration, including the GPU, is not supported in Linux on a Chromebook yet. A 3D game like The Sims 4 needs the GPU, so this is not a real option.
• GeForce NOW: NVIDIA’s official list of supported games does not include The Sims 4, so you cannot stream it there.
• The Play Store: there is no Android version of The Sims 4. The Sims Mobile is no longer on the Play Store either. The Sims FreePlay is still there and runs on Chromebooks with Play Store support, but it is a separate, much simpler mobile game.
• Google Stadia: Google turned the Stadia servers off on 18 January 2023, so any guide that mentions it is out of date.

Something not working? Try this

• The cloud stream lags or looks blurry. Move closer to the router, use 5 GHz Wi-Fi or a USB network adapter, and close other tabs and downloads.
• The Sims 4 will not start on xbox.com/play. Check that you have cloud playtime left and that the game is offered for cloud play in your region.
• Steam Link cannot find your PC. Make sure the PC is on, Steam is open and signed in, and both machines are on the same network.
• “Steam installer” is missing from the Launcher. Google says this means your Chromebook does not meet the requirements for the beta.
• A “Vulkan shader processing” message appears in Steam. Google says you can skip it, but the game may run worse. Letting it finish is usually the better choice.
• No Play Store or Linux option at all. School and work Chromebooks often have both turned off by the administrator. Google points you to your administrator in that case.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an official Sims 4 app for Chromebook?

No. EA only lists Windows and Mac requirements for the computer version, and the EA app only exists for Windows and Mac. On a Chromebook you either stream the game or use Steam for Chromebook (Beta) on a supported model.

Can I play The Sims 4 on a Chromebook for free?

The base game itself is free. Streaming from your own PC with Steam Link costs nothing extra. Xbox Cloud Gaming needs cloud playtime, which comes with Game Pass or can be bought separately. Expansion, game and stuff packs cost money on every platform. Our Sims 4 packs guide lists them all.

Can I use mods and custom content on a Chromebook?

Only if you stream from your own Windows PC, because the mods live on that PC. The Xbox version used by Xbox Cloud Gaming does not support mods. If you set mods up on your PC first, our guide to a Sims 4 mod manager helps you keep them in order.

Do my PC saves and packs work in Xbox Cloud Gaming?

No. Xbox Cloud Gaming streams the Xbox version, which has its own saves and its own pack purchases. To play with your PC saves and packs, stream from your PC with Steam Link instead.

Will The Sims 4 run on any Chromebook through Steam?

No. Steam for Chromebook (Beta) only works on select models with at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Even then, The Sims 4 is not on Google’s list of tested games, so it is not guaranteed to run well.

Is The Sims FreePlay the same as The Sims 4?

No. The Sims FreePlay is a separate mobile game from EA with simpler building and shorter play sessions. It runs on Chromebooks with Play Store support, but it has none of The Sims 4’s packs or mods.