Sims 4 Basics: How to Open the Cheat Bar

If you’re a new player to The Sims 4—eager to take in all the game has to offer, but you don’t know where to start—a simple place to begin is learning to open the cheat bar.

Since going free-to-play in October 2022, The Sims 4 has seen a significant increase in the player base. In its first 6 months alone the game gained 16 million new players! Though many of us are seasoned simmers who know the ins and outs of the game, there are lots of people who have only recently joined the community that are unaware of even the simplest things that the rest of us might take for granted.

Open The Cheat Bar (and the door to possibilities!)

Cheats in The Sims 4 can do all sorts of amazing things, but before you can use them you need to know where to put them! The game is available on multiple platforms, each of which has their own way to open the cheat bar.

How to open the cheat bar on PC

If you want to begin using cheats on PC, hold down CTRL + Shift + C on your keyboard to open the cheat bar. A white bar will appear at the top of the computer screen where you can type or paste your cheat codes.

How to open the cheat bar on Mac

If you want to begin using cheats on Mac, hold down CMD + Shift + C on your keyboard to open the cheat bar. This might be a little tricky for you if you’ve played the games on PC previously, but you should get used to it in no time!

How to open the cheat bar on Xbox

If you want to begin using cheats on Xbox, hold down L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 at the same time. A text input box will come up where you can type your cheat codes—if you plan on using them often consider getting a keyboard to attach to your controller.

How to open the cheat bar on Playstation

If you want to begin using cheats on Playstation, hold down L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 at the same time just like you would with the Xbox. A connectable keyboard for your controller will likely come in handy if you plan on using cheats frequently.

Basic Cheats to Get You Started

The game comes with a plethora of them, but there are a few core cheat codes you’ll want to learn first.

• Though it’s not necessary for every single cheat, it’s good to learn the TestingCheats code first. This cheat code will enable use of many of the other cheats out there, and if you’re trying a cheat that isn’t working it might be because the cheat needs this one active to work:

TestingCheats On

• Another popular and incredibly useful cheat is MoveObjects. This cheat lets you put objects in places that you might otherwise not be able to place, such as extra objects on surfaces or a wall painting over furniture that the game would normally prevent. This cheat is:

bb.MoveObjects On

• If you want to get started in a prebuilt house that’s outside of your sims’ budget you’ll love the Real Estate cheat. This is a cheat you will want to enter from the neighborhood screen when you’re trying to move a household—they’ll be able to move into any lot at no cost!

FreeRealEstate On

These are just a few of the many cheat codes available for The Sims 4. Keep exploring SnootySims to learn about more of them—we have a whole section dedicated to cheats!

Cheats not working? Let’s troubleshoot.

Closing Thoughts

If you happen to be a fresh player to The Sims 4 there’s a chance that cheating is a new concept for you. The idea of “cheating” might sound scary but in a game like The Sims 4 that’s single-player, using cheats doesn’t hurt anybody else and it can actively make your game better. In fact, many of the cheats available are more quality-of-life improvements over anything else. Now that you know how to open the cheat bar, there’s nothing stopping you from trying them out! Give a few of these cheats a go, and have fun. Happy simming!

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