Cheats & Secrets
Cheats & Secrets for The Sims 4
This guide covers all known cheat codes, secret commands, hidden features, Easter eggs, and developer-intended hidden content in The Sims 4 across PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. Cheats are enabled on PC/Mac by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C (or Cmd+Shift+C on Mac) to open the console, typing the cheat, and pressing Enter. On consoles, hold all four bumper/trigger buttons (L1+L2+R1+R2 on PlayStation; LB+LT+RB+RT on Xbox) simultaneously to open the console.
> Important: Many cheats disable achievements/trophies until you restart the game without cheats. Always save before using cheats to avoid unintended consequences.
Basic Cheat Activation
| Platform | Method |
|---|---|
| PC/Mac | Press Ctrl+Shift+C (or Cmd+Shift+C) |
| PlayStation 4/5 | Hold L1+L2+R1+R2 |
| Xbox One/Series X | S |
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Money & Needs Cheats
| Cheat | Effect |
|---|---|
| `kaching` | Adds §1,000 to household funds |
| `rosebud` | Same as kaching (legacy cheat) |
| `motherlode` | Adds §50,000 to household funds |
| `Money X` | Sets household funds to exactly §X (e.g., `Money 500000`) |
| `fillmotive motive_Bladder` | Fills a specific need (replace with Bladder, Hunger, Energy, Fun, Social, Hygiene) |
| `fillmotive motive_all` | Fills all needs for the currently selected Sim |
| `fill_all_commodities` | Same as fillmotive motive_all |
| `disable_motive_decay` (or `fillmotive motive_all` repeatedly) | Stops need decay temporarily (use with `testingcheats true`) |
Building & Object Cheats
| Cheat | Effect |
|---|---|
| `bb.moveobjects on` | Allows free placement of objects (no grid snap) – use `bb.moveobjects off` to disable |
| `bb.enablefreebuild` | Enables building on locked lots (e.g., apartments in City Living) |
| `bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement` | Unlocks all career rewards, debug items, and hidden objects in build/buy mode |
| `bb.showhiddenobjects` | Shows hidden debug objects in the catalog (type `debug` in search after enabling) |
| `bb.showliveeditobjects` | Shows objects used in world editing (e.g., street decorations, trees) – also type `liveedit` in search |
| `FreeRealEstate on` | Makes all residential lots free (useful for moving into any house) |
| `FreeRealEstate off` | Reverts lot costs to normal |
| `headlineeffects on/off` | Toggles thought bubbles and plumbob (off hides UI elements) |
| `Effects.LightingState darkest` | Changes lighting to a dark, moody state (experimental) |
| `Effects.LightingState daytime` | Resets to normal |
Create-A-Sim (CAS) Cheats
| Cheat | Effect |
|---|---|
| `cas.fulleditmode` | Enables full editing of any Sim (name, traits, body, etc.) in CAS – must be entered before entering CAS |
| `traits.equip_trait [TraitName]` | Adds a trait (e.g., `traits.equip_trait trait_Ambitious`). List all traits with `traits.list_traits` |
| `traits.remove_trait [TraitName]` | Removes a trait |
| `stats.set_skill_level [SkillName] X` | Sets a skill to level X (e.g., `stats.set_skill_level Skill_Fitness 10`) |
| `stats.set_skill_level Skill_Mischief 10` | Max mischief skill |
| `aspirations.complete_current_milestone` | Completes the current aspiration milestone |
| `careers.promote [CareerName]` | Promotes Sim in a career (e.g., `careers.promote Painter`) |
| `careers.demote [CareerName]` | Demotes Sim |
| `careers.retire [CareerName]` | Retires Sim from career |
| `SimSpawner` | Opens a debug menu to spawn service Sims (maid, butler, etc.) |
Relationship & Pregnancy Cheats
| Cheat | Effect |
|---|---|
| `modifyrelationship [Sim1] [Sim2] X LTR_Friendship_Main` | Changes friendship level (X = value, e.g., 100 for max) |
| `modifyrelationship [Sim1] [Sim2] X LTR_Romance_Main` | Changes romance level |
| `pregnancy.force_offspring [Sim1] [Sim2]` | Forces pregnancy between two Sims (must be in same household) |
| `pregnancy.force_offspring_count [Sim1] [Sim2] X` | Sets number of babies (1-3) |
| `sims.add_buff buff_Pregnancy_Trimester1` | Starts pregnancy for selected Sim |
| `sims.remove_buff buff_Pregnancy_Trimester1` | Cancels pregnancy |
| `relationships.create_friends_for_sim` | Spawns random friends for the selected Sim |
| `satisfy_need [Command]` | Fills need for all Sims in household (use with `fillmotive`) |
Debug & Hidden Features
#### The Debug Menu (Live Mode)
With `testingcheats true`, Shift+Click on any Sim or object to reveal hidden options:
- Sims: Make Happy, Make Needs Static, Teleport, Add to Family, Modify in CAS, etc.
- Objects: Cheat Motives, Set Object Ownership, etc.
- Mailbox: “Make all Sims happy” or “Unlock all hidden objects” (if mod is installed, but base game includes some).
- Sylvan Glade (Base Game): In Willow Creek, behind the large tree with a rope swing. Click the tree repeatedly to enter. A hidden forest location with collectibles and a pond. Also accessible via the “Map” cheat: `ocean_OasisSprings_ChallengeMap_SylvanGlade` (not a direct teleport, but a known debug marker).
- Forgotten Grotto (Base Game): In Oasis Springs, near the park lot. Find the large rock and examine it to unlock a secret cave. Contains rare metals and crystals.
- Sixam (Get to Work EP): A hidden alien world. Travel to the wormhole in the night sky using a rocket ship or by collecting all four alien artifacts. Or use `traits.equip_trait trait_sixam_visitor` to allow travel via the secret portal (debug).
- Batuu (Journey to Batuu GP): Hidden in the normal world list; not truly secret but DLC-based.
- Will Wright Statue: In the base game library, there’s a small statue of Will Wright (creator of The Sims) hidden in the debug catalog (search `will`).
- SimCity 2000 Easter Egg: A reference poster in some worlds.
- Hamilton References: In Get Together, the club system allows creating a “Hamilton” club with specific outfits.
- “Dude, Where’s My Car?”: A random event where a Sim loses their car (though cars aren’t functional).
- Death by... Mouse: If you spam the “Tend Garden” interaction without a cowplant, there’s a rare chance a mouse can kill a Sim (urban myth but partially true with debug).
- Grim Reaper Interactions: If you befriend the Grim Reaper (using cheat to add to family or with high charisma), he can be romanced and even married. He wears a formal outfit and has unique dialogue.
- The Mother Plant (StrangerVille GP): A secret alien plant that controls the town. Complete the mystery to unlock a secret lab and a special aspiration.
- Llama References: Many in-game items (paintings, statues) reference the llama, a franchise mascot.
#### Hidden Objects in Build/Buy
After enabling `bb.showhiddenobjects`, search for `DEBUG` in the catalog. You’ll find hundreds of developer items: placeholders, test objects, cut content, and functional items like the Omiscan (a hidden skill-building machine), The Cowplant (if not already in normal catalog), and the Freezer Bunny statue (Easter egg from Sims 2).
#### Secret Lots & Worlds
#### The Tragic Clown
A hidden NPC that appears if a Sim has the “Tragic Clown” painting (found in debug). The clown will randomly show up and make Sims sad. A developer Easter egg referencing The Sims 3’s tragic clown.
#### The Cowplant
A plant that can eat Sims. It spawns a “cake” that lures Sims. If eaten, the Sim dies (unless they have high enough gardening skill to escape). Found in debug or through normal gameplay (rare).
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Easter Eggs & Pop Culture References
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Career & Aspiration Unlocks via Cheats
| Cheat | Unlock |
|---|---|
| `careers.promote Astronaut` | Space missions, alien interactions |
| `careers.promote Doctor` | Access to hospital lot and medical items |
| `careers.promote Detective` | Unlock police station and crime-solving abilities |
| `aspirations.complete_current_milestone` | Complete any aspiration milestone immediately |
| `traits.equip_trait trait_immortal` (debug) | Makes Sim unaging (needs testingcheats) – not official but works |
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Console-Specific Cheats
On PlayStation and Xbox, the same cheats above work (using the console). Additionally:
- Hold L1+L2+R1+R2 (or LB+LT+RB+RT) opens console at any time.
- Enter cheats using on-screen keyboard or USB keyboard (recommended for easier typing).
- No exclusive console cheats exist, but the `bb.moveobjects on` cheat is especially useful on console to improve building.
- Free Skill Books: Skill books can be expanded from the inventory (click “Read” then “Store” to get a new copy? No, but you can read them multiple times). Not a cheat, but useful.
- Clone Sims: With `testingcheats true`, shift-click a Sim and choose “Add to Family” to clone them (if you have the same household funds). Not a true clone but a duplicate.
- Unlock All Items in CAS: Use `cas.unlockbypass` (works in some versions) to unlock all locked hairstyles and clothing. Better to use `cas.fulleditmode` and just edit any Sim.
- Golden Toilet: Unlock by reaching level 10 in the Handiness skill and crafting a golden toilet. Requires 12 gold ingots. Not a cheat, but an achievement.
- Burning Man Event: In City Living, a rare festival where Sims can set themselves on fire (controlled). Not cheat, just rare.
- The Omiscan: A debug machine that scans Sims and provides weird messages (“Your Sim is a llama”).
- Invisible Sim: If you create a Sim with all sliders set to extreme negative, the Sim may appear invisible or glitched. Not a cheat, but a visual Easter egg.
- The “Llama” Trait: A hidden trait that causes Sims to randomly spit on others. Can be added via `traits.equip_trait trait_llama`.
- Unicorn Horn: A debug item that when placed, a unicorn might appear (rare). Mostly from The Sims 3 nostalgia.
- The “Bear” Animal: In debug, there’s a bear costume that when worn, grants a “Bear” personality. Part of a scrapped expansion.
- Cheat Not Working?: Ensure you have `testingcheats true` active first.
- Console Not Opening?: On keyboard, try different regional layouts (US layout preferred). On console, make sure no controller disconnections.
- Cheats Disabled?: Some multiplayer events (like gallery downloads) disable cheats; restart the game.
- No Sound?: Cheats like `headlineeffects off` don’t affect audio.
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Reddit/Community Secrets (Exploit-Safe)
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Developer-Intended Hidden Content
Maxis deliberately left several items in the game files for players to discover:
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Troubleshooting Cheats
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Summoning NPCs via Cheats
| NPC | Cheat (with testingcheats true) |
|---|---|
| Grim Reaper | `sims.spawn Grim_Reaper` |
| Father Winter (Holiday) | `sims.spawn Season_EP01_FatherWinter` (requires Seasons) |
| Bonehilda (skeleton maid) | Place Bonehilda’s coffin from debug |
| The Tragic Clown | `sims.spawn tragic_clown` |
| The Gardener | `sims.spawn Gardener` |
| The Mailman | `sims.spawn MailCarrier` |
| The Burglar (cut content) | Not in base game but present in debug as `Burglar` – does nothing |
Disclaimer
While these cheats are developer-intended for debugging, using them excessively can break your save. Always backup your saves (located in Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/saves). Some cheats (like `bb.showhiddenobjects`) may clutter your catalog. Use responsibly.
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Last updated: October 2023. Always check the latest patch notes as cheats may change.