This means you launched the game's executable directly, but EA AntiCheat needs the game started through the EA app or your store client. Launching correctly fixes it. Jump to your situation below or work through the methods in order.
The This game must be started from the EA app error means the game was launched by running its executable directly (a desktop shortcut to the game's .exe, or the file in the install folder), but EA AntiCheat and EA's licensing require the game to be started through the EA app (or the store client that owns it, such as Steam or the Epic Games Launcher, which then hand off to the EA app). Launching the executable skips the EA app's start-up, so the anti-cheat refuses to run. The fix is simply to launch the game from the EA app or from Steam/Epic, and to fix any desktop shortcut so it points at the EA app or the store client rather than the game exe. If launching correctly still shows the error, repair the EA app and make sure it is installed, signed in and up to date, since a broken EA app cannot complete the hand-off. Once the game is started the proper way, EA AntiCheat initializes and the game runs.
EA AntiCheat and EA's licensing require the game to start through the EA app, which sets up the anti-cheat and verifies your entitlement. This error means the game was launched directly by its executable, bypassing the EA app, so the anti-cheat will not run.
Launching from the EA app, or from Steam or Epic which hand off to it, fixes it. Fixing a desktop shortcut so it points at the launcher rather than the game exe prevents it recurring, and repairing the EA app handles a broken hand-off.
“This one is almost always a shortcut. People make a desktop shortcut straight to the game's exe because it is quicker, but EA AntiCheat has to be started through the EA app, so launching the exe directly gets you this error. Launch from the EA app, or from Steam or Epic if that is where you bought it, and they hand off to the EA app. Fix the shortcut to point at the launcher. If it still complains, the EA app itself needs a repair.”
.exe.The game must be started from the EA app error means you launched the game exe directly. Start the game from the EA app, or from Steam or Epic which hand off to the EA app, rather than running its executable. Fix any desktop shortcut to point at the launcher, and repair and update the EA app if the error persists.
If the game still insists on the EA app after launching correctly and repairing it, reinstalling the EA app and then verifying the game files restores the launch link between the store client and the anti-cheat. You can also submit your error to us for a tailored fix.