Welcome, Simmers, to the ultimate guide on mastering cheats in The Sims 4! Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to spice up your gameplay or a newcomer wanting to bypass some of the game’s more tedious grinds, using cheats is a fantastic way to tailor your Sims experience. Far from being a forbidden practice, cheats are a developer-intended feature designed to give you god-like control over your virtual world. This guide will walk you through every step, from opening the command console to executing the most powerful cheats on any platform.
Using cheats can transform your game. You can instantly build your dream mansion with unlimited funds, max out a Sim’s skills to tell a specific story, or simply fix a bugged-out object that’s ruining your day. Think of them not as ‘cheating’ in the traditional sense, but as a powerful set of creative tools at your disposal.
The First Step: How to Open the Cheat Console
Before you can bestow riches upon your Sims or bend the rules of construction, you must first open the cheat console. This is a simple command line interface where you’ll type all your cheat codes. The method for opening it varies slightly depending on your gaming platform.
For PC and Mac Players
Opening the cheat console on a computer is straightforward. Simply press the following keys simultaneously: Ctrl + Shift + C. For Mac users, the command is the same: Command + Shift + C. This action will cause a slim white bar to appear at the top of your screen. This is the cheat console, ready for your commands.
For PlayStation Players (PS4 & PS5)
If you’re playing on a PlayStation console, you’ll need to press all four shoulder buttons at the same time. The combination is: L1 + R1 + L2 + R2. Press and hold them for a moment, and the cheat console will pop up at the top of the screen.
For Xbox Players (Xbox One & Series X|S)
Similarly for Xbox players, the command involves all four shoulder buttons. Press and hold the following combination simultaneously: LB + RB + LT + RT. This will summon the same text input box at the top of your screen.
The Master Key: Enabling ‘testingcheats true’
Once the cheat console is open, your first and most important command should almost always be this: testingcheats true (or testingcheats on). Type this exact phrase into the console and press Enter. This command is the master key that unlocks a vast majority of the more advanced and powerful cheats, including the incredibly useful Shift-Click interactions.
After entering the command, you should see a confirmation message in the console that reads ‘Cheats are enabled.’ This confirms you’ve done it correctly. Now, you’re ready to input specific cheat codes to alter your game.
A crucial note for console players (PlayStation and Xbox): Enabling cheats for the first time on a save file will permanently disable achievements and trophies for that specific save. The game will warn you about this before you proceed. If you care about earning trophies, it’s best to use cheats on a separate save file.
The Most Popular & Useful Sims 4 Cheats
With cheats enabled, a world of possibilities opens up. Let’s explore some of the most common and beloved cheats that players use to enhance their gameplay.
Unlimited Money Cheats
- kaching: Instantly adds §1,000 to your household funds.
- rosebud: An alternative command that also adds §1,000. A nod to classic Sims games!
- motherlode: The most famous money cheat, providing a generous §50,000.
For more precise control, you can use the Money cheat. For example, typing Money 1000000 will set your household funds to exactly §1,000,000. This is perfect for setting up a specific scenario.
Unlocking Your Inner Architect: Build Mode Cheats
- bb.moveobjects: This essential cheat allows you to place objects anywhere, ignoring grid placement rules. You can merge items and create incredibly detailed and realistic builds.
- bb.showhiddenobjects: Unlocks a vast catalog of hidden debug items that are used in the world but not normally available for purchase, like collectibles, plants, and environmental decor.
- bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement: Instantly unlocks all career-specific rewards and aspirations in the Build/Buy catalog without your Sims having to earn them first.
Become a Master of Everything: Skill Cheats
Need your Sim to be a master chef or a virtuoso pianist right now? The skill cheat is your best friend. The format is: stats.set_skill_level . The skill level is typically 1-10 for major skills and 1-5 for minor skills (like Toddler or Vampire skills).
For example, to max out the Homestyle Cooking skill, you would type: stats.set_skill_level Major_HomestyleCooking 10. The skill name must be precise. A quick search online for ‘Sims 4 skill cheat names’ will give you a complete list.
Playing Cupid: Relationship Cheats
You can manipulate the relationships between any two Sims. The syntax is a bit long but powerful: modifyrelationship .
The amount can be a positive or negative number (e.g., 80 or -50). The RelationshipType is either LTR_Friendship_Main for friendship or LTR_Romance_Main for romance. For example: modifyrelationship Bella Goth Mortimer Goth 90 LTR_Romance_Main would significantly boost their romance bar.
Climbing the Corporate Ladder: Career Cheats
Give your Sim a career boost without any of the hard work. You first need to know the career’s code name (e.g., ‘Astronaut’ or ‘SecretAgent’).
- careers.promote : Gives your Sim an instant promotion in their current career track.
- careers.add_career : Instantly gives your Sim a job in the specified career at level 1.
- careers.demote : Demotes your Sim by one level.
The Power of the Shift-Click: Advanced Cheats
Once ‘testingcheats true’ is active, you gain the ability to Shift-Click on Sims, objects, and even the ground to access a powerful secret menu of options. This is where the true god-mode power lies. (For console, press X+O on PlayStation or A+B on Xbox to simulate a Shift-Click).
Shift-Clicking on Sims
- Modify in CAS: Opens the Sim in Create-A-Sim to change their appearance, traits, and clothes.
- Cheat Need > Make Happy: Instantly fills all of that Sim’s needs and gives them a Happy moodlet.
- Cheat Need > Disable Need Decay: Freezes their needs so they never decrease.
- Add to Family: Instantly adds the selected Sim to your current household.
Shift-Clicking on Objects & The Ground
This works on almost anything. Shift-clicking an object allows you to Reset Object (Debug), which is fantastic for fixing stuck Sims or bugged items. You can also make objects instantly clean or dirty. Shift-clicking on a patch of ground gives you the option to Teleport Here, instantly moving your selected Sim to that spot.
Troubleshooting & FAQ: When Cheats Go Wrong
Sometimes, a cheat just doesn’t work. Here are some common issues and their solutions.
Why aren’t my cheats working?
This is usually due to one of a few simple reasons. First, double-check for typos. Cheat codes must be spelled perfectly. Second, ensure you have enabled testingcheats true first, as many cheats depend on it. Finally, make sure you are using the correct syntax, especially for complex cheats like skills and relationships.
Do cheats disable achievements and trophies on console?
Yes, absolutely. The first time you enable cheats on a console save file, the game will present a pop-up warning that achievements and trophies will be permanently disabled for that save. This cannot be reversed. If you want to earn trophies, create a separate save file specifically for playing with cheats.
How do I turn cheats off?
If you want to disable the advanced ‘testingcheats’ functionality, simply open the cheat console again and type testingcheats false. This will turn off the Shift-Click menus and other advanced options.
Conclusion: Cheat Your Way to a Better Story
Cheats are an integral part of The Sims 4 experience for millions of players. They provide the freedom to overcome challenges, speed up gameplay, fix bugs, and, most importantly, tell the exact stories you want to tell. From building the perfect home with bb.moveobjects to crafting a dramatic storyline with relationship cheats, the power is in your hands. So open that console, enable cheats, and start creating your perfect virtual life.
