How do you do things in The Sims 4?
Sims 4 how-to guides
Step-by-step answers to 50 common Sims 4 questions, with the keys for PC and Mac and the buttons for PlayStation and Xbox. Each guide starts with a short answer, then the steps, the common problems, and the cheats, checked against our Sims 4 cheat list.
Build mode
- Base gameHow to make objects biggerMake objects bigger in Sims 4: in Build Mode hold Shift and press ] (Shift and [ to shrink). On console hold L2 + R2 or LT + RT and press D-pad up.
- Base gameHow to raise and lower objectsRaise objects in Sims 4: type bb.moveobjects on in the cheat console, select the object in Build Mode, then press 9 to move it up and 0 to move it down.
- Base gameHow to move objects freelyMove objects freely in Sims 4: hold Alt while you place an object to go off the grid. Type bb.moveobjects on to place objects anywhere, even overlapping.
- Base gameHow to make a basementMake a basement in The Sims 4 with the Basement Tool in Build Mode. Add stairs, then press Page Down (Fn + Down Arrow on Mac) to see the level.
- Base gameHow to build a houseBuild a house in The Sims 4: press B for Build Mode, drag rooms, add doors, windows, stairs and a roof, then furnish. Page Up and Page Down change floors.
- Base gameHow to go upstairs and build a second floorGo upstairs in The Sims 4 with Page Up (Fn + Up Arrow on Mac) or the floor arrows at the top right. Build a second floor with stairs, walls and floor tiles.
- Base gameHow to enable free buildEnable free build in Sims 4: open the cheat console with Ctrl + Shift + C and type bb.enablefreebuild to edit locked lots like the hospital and dorms.
- Base gameHow to exit Build ModeExit Build Mode in Sims 4: click the Live Mode button at the top right of the screen or press F1. On console, select Live Mode in the same top corner.
Also: How to rotate objects.
Create a Sim
Cheats
- Base gameHow to unlock all itemsUnlock all items in Sims 4: type bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement for career rewards, then bb.showhiddenobjects and bb.showliveeditobjects.
- Base gameHow to reset a SimReset a stuck Sim in Sims 4: press Ctrl + Shift + C (Cmd + Shift + C on Mac), type resetsim Firstname Lastname, or Shift-click the Sim and pick Reset Object.
- Base gameHow to get rid of moneyRemove money in Sims 4: press Ctrl + Shift + C, type testingcheats true, then money 0 or any amount. The money cheat sets household funds to that number.
- Base gameHow to age down a SimAge down a Sim in Sims 4: type cas.fulleditmode (Ctrl + Shift + C), edit the household and pick a younger age. What the Potion of Youth really does.
Also: How to turn on cheats (every cheat), how to use motherlode, how to cheat relationships, how to cheat skills.
Mods and custom content
- Base game (CC and mods work on PC and Mac, not console)How to make custom content (CC)Make Sims 4 CC with Sims 4 Studio: clone an EA item, recolor it or swap the mesh in Blender, save a .package file, then test it in your Mods folder on PC.
- Base game (mods work on PC and Mac only)How to find broken modsFind broken Sims 4 mods: move your Mods folder out, test, then add mods back in halves (the 50/50 method). Better Exceptions and lastException help too.
Also: How to install mods, how to download and install custom content, how to use MC Command Center.
Gameplay
- Base gameHow to take screenshotsTake screenshots in The Sims 4 with the C key on PC and Mac. Press Tab for camera mode, V to record video. Files go to Documents > Electronic Arts.
- Base gameHow to publish a bookWrite a book on the computer, then use the mailbox to Self-Publish (Writing level 2) or Sell to Publisher (level 5) in Sims 4 and earn daily royalties.
- Base gameHow to rotate the cameraRotate the camera in Sims 4: hold the right mouse button and move the mouse. With The Sims 3 camera, hold the mouse wheel. On console, use the right stick.
- Base gameHow to play The Sims 4: a beginner's guideLearn to play Sims 4: make Sims in Create a Sim, move in, meet needs in Live Mode, build skills and careers. P pauses, 1, 2 and 3 set speed, Esc cancels.
- Get to WorkHow to get abducted by aliensGet abducted in Sims 4 with Get to Work: join the Scientist career, use Contact Aliens or Search for the Truth, and stay home from 10 PM to 4 AM.
- Base gameHow to make a toastTo make a toast in Sims 4, have both Sims stand with a drink in hand, then click the other Sim and choose More Choices, Friendly, Make a Toast.
- Base gameHow to lose weightLose weight in Sims 4 with cardio: treadmill, jogging and swimming, plus low-calorie food. Or use cas.fulleditmode and Modify in CAS to edit the body.
- Base gameHow to sell a houseSell a house in Sims 4 by moving the household out: in Manage Worlds pick the household, click More, then Move Household and choose Sell Furniture.
- Base gameHow to go into first personGo into first person in Sims 4: press Shift + Tab on PC or Mac in Live Mode. On console, hold the right stick (R3 or RS). Do the same again to exit.
- SeasonsHow to change seasons and weatherChange seasons in The Sims 4 (Seasons pack) with the weather control device or testingcheats and seasons.set_season. Set season length in Game Options.
- Base game (bikes: Discover University and other packs; horses: Horse Ranch)How to get a carThe Sims 4 has no drivable cars. Cars are decoration and Sims travel with the phone and map. Bikes come with Discover University, horses with Horse Ranch.
- Base gameHow to start a fireStart a fire in The Sims 4 by cooking with low Cooking skill or placing objects near a lit fireplace. Stop fires with testingcheats and fire.toggle_enabled.
- Base game (more sources in packs)How to get inspiredGet the Inspired emotion in Sims 4: take a Thoughtful shower, paint, mold clay, admire art or drink an Inspired potion. Creative Sims get inspired more often.
- Base game (grocery shopping needs Cottage Living)How to buy groceriesIn Sims 4 the fridge is always stocked and charges per meal. With Cottage Living, order Grocery Delivery from the phone or fridge, or shop the Finchwick stall.
- Base gameHow to make AmbrosiaMake Ambrosia in Sims 4 with Cooking 10, Gourmet Cooking 10, an Angelfish, a Death Flower and a Potion of Youth. It brings a ghost back to life.
Also: How to make money, how to write a song, how to get a cow plant, how to pay bills, how to become a ghost.
Family and household
- Base gameHow to age up a SimAge up a Sim in Sims 4: cook a cake, add birthday candles, blow them out. Infants, newborns, lifespan settings and the cas.fulleditmode cheat.
- Base gameHow to get a birthday cakeGet a birthday cake in Sims 4: click the fridge or stove, choose Cook, pick a cake, then Add Birthday Candles. Blow them out to age up or throw a party.
- Base game (hospital birth needs Get to Work)How to speed up pregnancySims 4 pregnancy lasts about three days. Speed up time, keep the Sim home, then pick Have Baby or the hospital (Get to Work) when labor starts.
- Base gameHow to add a Sim to a householdAdd a Sim to a household in Sims 4: Ask to Move In, Manage Households transfer, or a new Sim in Create a Sim. Max 8 Sims. Plus the Add to Family cheat.
- Base gameHow to move a Sim out of a householdMove a Sim out in Sims 4: Manage Households, Transfer Sims Between Households, Create New Household. Also the phone Split from Household and Move option.
- Base gameHow to delete a SimDelete a Sim in Sims 4: open Manage Households, edit the household with the pencil icon and click the X on the Sim's portrait. Deleting is permanent.
- Base gameHow to hire a nannyHire a nanny in Sims 4: phone, Household, Hire a Service, Nanny. She costs §60 plus §10 an hour and cares for babies, infants, toddlers and children.
- Base game (Tiered Cake); My Wedding Stories for more cakesHow to get a wedding cakeGet a wedding cake in Sims 4: cook the Tiered Cake at Gourmet Cooking 5, or with My Wedding Stories use Cook Wedding Cake or order one on the computer.
- Vintage Glamour StuffHow to hire a butlerHire a butler in Sims 4 with Vintage Glamour Stuff: phone, Household, Hire a Service, Butler. It costs §175 plus §12 an hour. Fire them from Management.
Also: How to have a baby, how to have twins or triplets, how to get married, how to get a pet, how to move house, how to bring a Sim back to life.
Careers and school
- Base game (active careers need Get to Work, Get Famous, Life & Death or Dream Home Decorator)How to go to workSend your Sim to work in Sims 4: wait for the shift or click Go to Work. Follow them in active careers like Doctor, Detective and Scientist from Get to Work.
- Base gameHow to do homeworkDo homework in Sims 4: open the child or teen's inventory, click the homework book and pick Do Homework. Plus Help with Homework, extra credit and lost books.
- Base gameHow to quit a jobQuit a job in Sims 4: open the phone and select Business > Quit Job, or use the computer: Career > Quit Job. Then confirm. Also the careers.remove_career cheat.
- Base gameHow to write an articleWrite an article in Sims 4: interview a Sim with Interview about Life, then use the computer: Write > Write Positive Article or Negative Article. Base game.
- Base gameHow to study opponentsStudy opponents in Sims 4: click the computer and pick More Choices > Web > Study Opponents, or click a TV and pick Study Opponents. Athlete career, base game.
- Base gameHow to browse intelligenceBrowse intelligence in Sims 4: click a computer and select More Choices > Web > Browse the Intelligence Database. A Secret Agent career task in the base game.
Install and fix the game
- Base gameHow to repair The Sims 4Repair Sims 4 in the EA app (Manage > Repair) or Steam (Verify integrity of game files), then clear the cache, update the game and reset your Sims 4 folder.
- Base gameCan you play The Sims 4 on an iPad or Chromebook?The Sims 4 has no iPad or Chromebook version. It runs on PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox. On iPad you can stream it from your own PC with Steam Link.
- Base game (free since October 18, 2022)How to download The Sims 4Download The Sims 4 free: search for it in the EA app or Steam on PC, the EA app on Mac, or the PlayStation Store or Microsoft Store. Packs cost extra.
- Base gameHow to save The Sims 4 when the game is frozenSims 4 has no force-save key. Wait, press Esc and try Save in the Options Menu. Still frozen? Force quit with Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Cmd + Option + Esc.
- Base gameHow to uninstall The Sims 4Uninstall The Sims 4: back up Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4, then use Manage > Uninstall in the EA app or Manage > Uninstall in Steam.
Also: How to install packs, how to play on a Mac, how to play offline, how to install and back up save files.
In the Sims 4 database
Questions
Do these guides work on PlayStation and Xbox?
Yes. Each guide gives the console buttons where they differ from the keys on a computer. Some things, like mods and custom content, work only on PC and Mac.
Are these guides made by EA?
No. LifeSim wrote them from EA Help, the official Sims site, the Sims wiki and other guides, and lists the sources on each page. LifeSim is not affiliated with Electronic Arts.