So you wanna know how to open cheats in Sims 4? I get it. We've all been there - stuck with a tiny budget while dreaming of a mansion, or frustrated watching our Sim take forever to master cooking. That's why I've played around with cheats since Sims 2 days. Honestly? Sometimes they save the game from becoming a chore.
Why Bother with Sims 4 Cheats Anyway?
Look, I used to be a "play fair" purist until my Sim burned her third grilled cheese. Cheats aren't just shortcuts; they're creative tools. Want to build that epic castle without grinding for Simoleons? Need to fix a glitchy pathfinding issue? That's where enabling cheats saves hours. But fair warning: once you start teleporting Sims across worlds, normal gameplay feels slow. Personal experience talking.
The Absolute Basics: Opening Cheat Console
Getting to the cheat console isn't rocket science, but each platform has quirks. I'll never forget the first time I tried this on Xbox - took me 30 minutes to realize I had controller drift messing up the button combo.
| Platform | How to Open Cheat Console | Little Details Most Guides Miss |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Windows) | Press Ctrl + Shift + C | Must use standard keyboard layout (non-English keyboards sometimes need different keys) |
| Mac | Press Command (⌘) + Shift + C | If using BootCamp, use PC shortcut instead |
| PlayStation 4/5 | Hold R1 + R2 + L1 + L2 together | Press all four triggers before loading save file - menu won't appear otherwise |
| Xbox One/Series X | Hold RT + RB + LT + LB simultaneously | Keep holding until white text box appears top-left (takes 3-5 seconds) |
Pro Tip: Can't see the cheat box on console? Try zooming camera all the way out. The UI sometimes hides it when zoomed in.
Must-Know Cheat Codes After Opening the Console
You've got the console open? Great! Now the real magic begins. But typing random codes is messy. Here's what I wish someone told me when I first learned how to open cheats Sims 4.
Essential Cheats Everyone Uses
These are the bread and butter - the ones I use weekly:
- testingcheats true - Enables advanced cheats (required for 90% of other codes)
- motherlode - Instantly adds §50,000 Simoleons
- bb.moveobjects - Lets you place furniture anywhere (even floating)
- cas.fulleditmode - Change everything about Sims in Create-a-Sim
Funny story: I once typed "motherload" instead of "motherlode" and spent 20 minutes thinking the game was broken. Spelling matters!
Power User Cheats You'll Love
Beyond money cheats, these transform gameplay. My personal favorite? ResetSim. Fixes so many stuck Sims.
| Cheat Code | What It Does | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| stats.set_skill_level Major_Fishing 10 | Maxes fishing skill instantly | Replace "Fishing" with any skill name (Logic, Cooking etc.) |
| careers.promote Careers_Adult_Business | Promotes your Sim in their career | Works for all careers - check career names in game files |
| sims.fill_all_commodities | Fully restores all needs | Perfect when your Sim is exhausted but needs to finish a project |
| headline effects on/off | Toggles thought bubbles above Sims' heads | Essential for clean screenshots or streaming |
Warning: Overusing "fill_all_commodities" drains challenge from the game. I limit myself to emergencies only now.
Beyond Basic Cheats: Advanced Techniques
So you've mastered how to open cheats Sims 4 and entered basic codes? Let's dive deeper. These require testingcheats enabled first.
Hidden Object Spawning Tricks
My favorite underused feature! Type bb.showhiddenobjects then search "debug" in Build Mode. Suddenly hundreds of hidden items appear - from magical plants to debug scenery. Perfect for unique builds.
- Debug Items: Unused development objects (weird textures, placeholder items)
- Live Edit Objects: Interactive items normally inaccessible (like the Grim Reaper's scythe)
- World Specific Decor: Unique items from Sulani, Mt. Komorebi etc.
Honestly? Some debug items look janky. But they add character to fantasy builds.
Teleportation and Movement Hacks
This changed how I play. With testingcheats on:
| Action | Steps | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Teleport Any Sim | Shift-click destination → "Teleport Here" | Escaping crowded venues instantly |
| Add Any Sim to Household | Shift-click Sim → "Add to Family" | Recruiting rare NPCs like Father Winter |
| Reset Objects | Shift-click item → "Reset Object" | Fixing glitched appliances that trap Sims |
I abused teleportation so much my Sims forgot how doors work. No regrets.
Platform-Specific Headaches Solved
Each system has unique quirks when enabling Sims 4 cheats. After testing on all platforms, here's what nobody tells you:
Console Players: Bypassing Keyboard Limits
No physical keyboard? No problem. Use these workarounds:
- Auto-Complete: Start typing "mother" then press Right D-pad to cycle suggestions
- Symbol Trick: For § symbol, hold Triangle (PS) or Y (Xbox) while typing
- Copy-Paste: Use console browser to copy codes → paste into cheat box
Yeah, typing "testingcheats true" with a controller sucks. But it builds character.
PC/Mac Troubleshooting
If cheats won't activate:
- Disable mods temporarily (outdated UI Cheats Extension often breaks consoles)
- Check keyboard language settings (non-English layouts remap keys)
- Run game as administrator (fixes permission issues)
My worst moment? Accidentally enabling testingcheats during a legacy challenge. Suddenly deleted grave markers reappeared. Spooky.
Cheat Code Reference Tables
Bookmark this section. I keep a printed version near my gaming setup.
Top 10 Most Used Cheats
| Cheat | Input | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Money | motherlode | +§50,000 household funds |
| Free Real Estate | freerealestate on | Move into any lot for free (enter before loading household) |
| Max All Skills | stats.set_skill_level Skill_AdultMajor_Logic 10 | Change "Logic" to any skill name |
| Instant Career Promotion | careers.promote Careers_Adult_Astronaut | Replace "Astronaut" with career name |
| No Build Restrictions | bb.moveobjects | Place objects anywhere (even overlapping) |
Emotion Control Cheats
Ever need a Sad Sim for storytelling? These help:
| Emotion | Cheat Code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Energized | sims.add_buff Buff_Energized | 4 hours |
| Flirty | sims.add_buff Buff_Flirty | 2 hours |
| Angry | sims.add_buff Buff_Angry | 3 hours |
Real Talk: Cheat Risks and Limitations
After 500+ hours using cheats, here's the unfiltered truth:
Save Corruption Risk: Spawning too many debug items can bloat save files. I lost a 100-hour legacy save this way. Backup regularly!
Other frustrations:
- Trophy/Achievement blocking (PS/Xbox disable trophies when cheats active)
- Unpredictable bugs (teleporting Sims sometimes breaks routing permanently)
- Balance destruction (easy money ruins economic gameplay long-term)
Still worth it? Absolutely. Just use responsibly.
Your Sims 4 Cheats FAQ Answered
Q: Can I get banned for using cheats in Sims 4?
A: Absolutely not. Maxis designed these cheats intentionally. Mods are different though!
Q: Why don't my cheats work after entering testingcheats true?
A: Did you type "true" not "on"? Common typo. Also ensure no space after "testingcheats".
Q: Do cheats disable achievements on PC?
A: Nope! Only consoles block achievements when cheats are active.
Q: How to open cheats menu Sims 4 on Steam Deck?
A: Press STEAM + X to open keyboard, then Ctrl+Shift+C. Map these to back buttons for easier access.
Q: Can I use cheats in Sims 4 rental properties?
A: Mostly yes, but money cheats won't affect rental business funds - only household funds.
Q: What's the cheat to remove all ugly townies?
A: No direct cheat, but enter cas.fulleditmode then shift-click any Sim to edit them.
Final thought? Learning how to open cheats Sims 4 feels like getting developer superpowers. Start small - maybe just bb.moveobjects for better builds. Before you know it, you'll be tweaking skills like a pro. Happy cheating!
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