How to Enable Cheats in Sims 4 & Cheats You Need to Know

Ready to bend the rules in Sims 4? Learn how to enable cheats on any platform and unlock the best cheats for money, skills, relationships, and more.

Whether you're a seasoned Simmer or diving into The Sims 4 for the first time, cheat codes can completely transform how you play. From building dream homes without budget limits to instantly maxing out skills and relationships, cheats let you skip the grind and focus on the fun.

But before you can unlock these powerful shortcuts, you’ll need to know how to enable them, especially since the process differs by platform. We’ll walk you through how to turn on cheats in The Sims 4 and share the most essential codes every player should know.

Enabling Cheats

Almost all cheat codes in The Sims 4 need to be enabled before you can use them through the in-game cheat console. Depending on the platform you’re using, this process can vary slightly. Here’s how to enable cheats for each system:

PC & Mac

Open and load the game.
Once in your save, Press Ctrl + Shift + C on your keyboard to open the cheat console. This looks like a white bar at the top of your screen.
In the cheat window, type in: testingcheats true and press Enter.
After entering the code, you should see a confirmation message: “Cheats are enabled.”

Once cheats are active, you can begin entering any code you want, using that same window. Note: You can also use testingcheats on—both commands work the same.

How to Enable Cheats on Console (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)

Load your household in Sims
Press all four triggers at once: L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 (Playstation) or LB + LT + RB + RT (Xbox)
Then, within the cheat window, type: Testingcheats on and hit enter.

Keep in mind that enabling cheats on console disables achievements and trophies for that save file. You’ll see a warning pop-up to confirm this.

Tip: You Don’t Have to Re-Enable Cheats Every Time

Once you’ve enabled cheats during a play session, you can keep entering new cheats without having to retype ‘testingcheats true’. However, the setting will reset when you restart the game, so remember to re-enter the command each time you launch Sims 4.

Must-Know Cheats for Sims 4

Once you’ve enabled cheats, the real fun begins. Whether you're looking to rack up simoleons, max out skills, or build the mansion of your dreams, here are the most essential Sims 4 cheats – organized by category for easy use.

Money Cheats

Cheat Code	Effect
motherlode	Adds §50,000 to household funds
kaching or rosebud	Adds §1,000
money [amount]	Sets household funds to a specific number (e.g., money 50000)

Why it matters: Starting a new game with just §20,000 can be limiting, especially if building and customizing homes is one of your favorite parts of The Sims. These cheats let you skip the grind and focus on building or storytelling.

Skill Cheats

Cheat Code	Effect
stats.set_skill_level [skill] [1–10]	Sets your Sim's skill to the specified level

Why it matters: Maxing out one of your Sim’s skills can take a long time, especially as you increase their level in a certain skillset. Instead of spending in-game weeks to build a skill, these cheats allow you to unlock career paths and hobby interactions instantly.

Relationship Cheats

Cheat Code	Effect
modifyrelationship [YourSimFirstName] [TargetSimFirstName] [Amount] [Friendship_Main or Romance_Main]	Changes the relationship level between two Sims

Example: modifyrelationship Bella Goth Mortimer Goth 100 Friendship_Main

This gives Bella and Mortimer +100 friendship points.

Why it matters: Whether you’re looking to create drama, build dream couples, or just need two of your Sims to hit it off, this cheat saves you time on the relationship grind.

Needs & Mood Cheats

Cheat Code	Effect
fillmotive motive_[need]	Fills a specific need (e.g., fillmotive motive_hunger)
sims.fill_all_commodities	Fills all of your Sim’s needs instantly
sims.add_buff energisedhigh	Gives your Sim a temporary emotion boost

Why it matters: Keep your Sims productive and happy without constant micromanagement.

Career Cheats

Cheat Code	Effect
careers.add_career [career]	Adds a specific career to your Sim
careers.promote [career]	Instantly promotes your Sim in their current job
careers.remove_career [career]	Removes a career from your Sim

Example: careers.promote actor or careers.add_career techguru

Build/Buy Mode Cheats

Cheat Code	Effect
bb.moveobjects	Allows you to place items freely without grid restrictions
bb.showhiddenobjects	Unlocks hidden items like collectibles and debug items
bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement	Unlocks career rewards in Build/Buy mode

Why it matters: These cheats give builders the freedom to get ultra-creative with layouts and decor.

Using TestingCheats for In-Game Interactions

Once you’ve entered testingcheats true (or testingcheats on), you unlock a set of powerful right-click or shift-click interactions, no extra cheat codes needed. These shortcuts make it easy to manipulate Sims, objects, and even the environment with just a few clicks.

Note for Console Players: While you can enable ‘testingcheats on’ on PS4, PS5, and Xbox, the shift-click interactions only work on PC and Mac. Console versions do not support mouse-based commands like teleporting Sims or modifying objects with cheats.

Shift-Click on Sims

With TestingCheats enabled, hold Shift and click on a Sim to reveal these options:

Make Happy: Fills all needs and sets their mood to fine
Cheat Need → Disable Need Decay: Locks needs so they won’t drop
Add to Family: Adds any Sim to your household instantly
Modify in CAS: Opens full Create-a-Sim mode

Why it matters: These shortcuts are perfect for managing large households, storytelling, or fixing buggy Sims.

Shift-Click on Objects

Shift-clicking objects can give you options like:

Reset Object (Debug): Fixes broken or frozen items
Make Dirty/Make Clean: Useful for storytelling or testing
Set as Head: Places an object on your Sim’s head (don’t ask me why this is an option)

Why it matters: Object cheats are useful for builders and players who want full control over their environments or need to troubleshoot a glitch.

Shift-Click on the Ground

Teleport Sim Here: Instantly moves your Sim to that spot, no walking required

This is especially helpful on large lots or when filming machinima or creating stories.

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Tip: These options won’t appear unless testingcheats is active and typed correctly. If nothing happens when you shift-click, re-enter the command and try again.

Cheat Not Working? Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes cheat codes don’t work as expected, and it’s not always your fault. If you’re having trouble enabling cheats or getting them to function properly, try these easy fixes:

Double-Check the Basics

Did you enable cheats? Make sure you've entered testingcheats true (or testingcheats on) before using other cheats.
Typing matters. Cheats are not case-sensitive but must be spelled correctly with proper spacing. Even one extra space can break them.
Are you using the right syntax? Some cheats, like relationship or skill cheats, require names, career paths, or skill names to be entered exactly.

Cheats Still Not Working?

Mods interfering: Some mods can block cheats from working correctly or override cheat behavior. Try removing or updating mods if you notice issues.
Game not up to date: Cheats can break with certain patches. Make sure your game is updated to the latest version through Origin, Steam, or EA App.
Console limitations: If you’re playing on PS4, PS5, or Xbox, remember
- Some PC cheats (especially shift-click interactions) won’t work
- Achievements and trophies are disabled once you enable cheats

TestingCheats Not Responding?

If shift-click commands aren’t appearing:

Reopen the cheat console (Ctrl + Shift + C)
Re-type: testingcheats true and press Enter again
Try shift-clicking on a Sim or object

Tip: On some keyboards or laptops, you may need to use Fn + Ctrl + Shift + C if the default key combo doesn’t open the cheat console.

Bonus: Cheat Mods Worth Exploring

If you love using cheats in Sims 4 and want even more control, mods can take your gameplay to the next level. These popular mods add easy-to-use interfaces or new cheat features that save time and unlock possibilities beyond the base game.

MC Command Center (MCCC)

What it does: MC Command Center is one of the most powerful mods for Sims 4. It offers a comprehensive menu to manage your Sims’ lives—everything from automated pregnancy and population control to detailed career, relationship, and money cheats.
Why players love it: You can tweak nearly every aspect of the game without typing commands. It’s perfect for storytellers and players who want granular control.
Where to get it: Download from Deaderpool’s official site.

UI Cheats Extension

What it does: This mod lets you click on the UI (needs, money, skills, relationships) to instantly change values. No more typing long cheat codes!
Why players love it: It’s incredibly user-friendly and speeds up gameplay, great for those who want to cheat without memorizing codes.
Where to get it: Available on major Sims mod sites like ModTheSims.

Other Popular Mods

Basemental Mods (expanded social and gameplay features)
Slice of Life (enhanced Sim emotions and interactions)

Important: Mods can sometimes conflict with game updates or other mods. Always back up your saves and keep mods updated.

Using mods requires downloading from trusted sources and occasionally updating them after game patches. But if you want cheats that do way more than the vanilla game, mods are the way to go!

It’s Not Cheating – It’s Part of the Fun!

Cheat codes in The Sims 4 aren’t just a way to save time – they’re a tool for creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving. Whether you’re using a quick money boost to build the perfect home, leveling up skills for a career fast-track, or experimenting with relationships and emotions, knowing the right cheats can open up a whole new level of gameplay.

And if you want even more flexibility, mods like MC Command Center and UI Cheats Extension make managing your Sims easier than ever. Just remember: with great power comes great Sim responsibility – use your cheats wisely, and most importantly, have fun!

Sims 4 Cheats: FAQs

Do I need to enable cheats every time I play The Sims 4?

Yes. Cheats reset when you close and reopen the game. You'll need to re-enter testingcheats true (or testingcheats on) each time you launch The Sims 4.

Why aren't my cheats working in Sims 4?

If cheats aren't working, double-check that you've enabled them with testingcheats true. Also, ensure your syntax is correct; many cheats are case-insensitive, but incorrect spacing or typos can cause them to fail. Mods or outdated game versions may also block cheats.

Can I use cheats on console (PS4, PS5, Xbox)?

Yes, you can enable cheats on consoles by pressing all triggers (L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 on PlayStation or LB + LT + RB + RT on Xbox). However, note that enabling cheats will disable achievements and trophies for that save. Also, some PC-exclusive cheat interactions like shift-clicking do not work on console.