Learn how to use the free build cheat and edit your Sims 4 lots anytime you want!
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You’ve probably noticed at one time or another while playing The Sims 4 that there are occasions when Buy/Build Mode is disabled. It’s usually not a big deal, but every now and then you may find yourself in a situation where you need to get out of Live Mode when the game won’t let you. Players can work around that game limitation though, thanks to a simple Free Build cheat.
Using the Free Build Cheat
This is a cheat that can be used by computer and gaming console players alike and will make Buy/Build mode selectable in situations when it normally isn’t available.
- Open the cheat console
- For computers, hit CTRL/CMD + Shift + C at once
- For consoles, hold down L1 + R1 + L2 + R2 at the same time
- Enable using cheats by entering “testingcheats on” into the cheat bar
- Re-open the cheat bar if necessary after enabling cheats
- Enter the cheat “bb.enablefreebuild“
If done correctly you will notice that the once dimmed-out Buy/Build icon will reactivate and can be selected as usual.
More on SNOOTYSIMS: Do you enjoy building in Sims 4? If you do, then you must try some of these build challenges!
Why Enable Buy/Build Mode?
You really don’t need an excuse to use the Free Build cheat (beyond just wanting to), but maybe you’re asking yourself why you’d ever need to learn it. Honestly, it’s a pretty useful cheat to know because it might end up saving you some major trouble during regular gameplay.
For starters, you may be in a situation such as an Active Career or an Event where your sim must interact with a specific object or perform a specific task that relies on a certain item being available. Sounds simple enough, but what if the item was destroyed by a Werewolf, or stolen by a Kleptomaniac, or stuck by lightning? You can use the Free Build cheat to get into the Buy catalog and acquire a replacement object.
Did you place an object while using the Move Objects cheat that seemed fine, but now that your sim is throwing a party you’ve realized your guests can’t reach the object to interact with it? The Sims 4 can sometimes be picky about items placed with Move Objects; some examples include putting too many items on a desk which causes your Sims to have trouble using the computer, or placing a ceiling fan/light near a doorway or staircase that your sims now cannot use. Activate the cheat, fix the error, and get back to playing!
The same logic applies to realizing that you’ve forgotten something necessary at a time when the game won’t normally let you build, like forgetting to put a door to the bathroom or something. A lot of times the cheat is helpful to have just for little finishing touches like that.
Lastly and maybe most importantly, the Free Build cheat makes it so that you can modify and replace normally uneditable locations such as Sylvan Glade or Willow Creek Hospital. Use the cheat to add new amenities where they’re lacking or replace a default lot with an even better version that somebody else created!
Streamline The Process With The Always FreeBuild Mod
TwistedMexi is known for making incredible script mods that fundamentally change the gaming experience for users. Many of their bigger mods have lots of features built-in, but they’ve also created several standalone options for those who don’t need any extraneous features. Always FreeBuild does just what it says, and makes it so the Free Build cheat is always active.
Because this is a script mod it can break when The Sims 4 has a major update, but you can always check TwistedMexi’s Master List for the most up-to-date version of their mods.
Don’t Break Anything!
Before you go traipsing through your neighborhoods with the Free Build cheat enabled, keep in mind that there are items that are required for certain lots to function correctly and they will not work if you delete those items in Buy/Build Mode. This primarily includes the tools and equipment in Active Career lots, but in general, it’s best practice to only remove items you’re going to replace or just don’t remove those important items at all. If you delete a needed item without making sure it’s replaced, you could render a location useless which makes for very disappointing gameplay!
Conclusion
While it might seem innocuous enough, the Free Build cheat proves to be a useful and quite powerful tool in any The Sims 4 builder’s arsenal. It’s a helpful cheat to know for fixing minor blunders or mishaps with objects but also gives you the means to fully replace otherwise uneditable locations with something more to your liking. Don’t be afraid to give it a try, and if you make a huge mistake you can exit your game without saving. We hope you have fun with it!