To tilt the camera in The Sims 4, switch on the Sims 3 camera first (press Ctrl + Shift + Tab, or Cmd + Shift + Tab on Mac). Then hold the middle mouse button (the scroll wheel) and drag. With the default Sims 4 camera you can pan, zoom and rotate, but you can’t freely tilt the view up and down. That is the reason most players think tilting “doesn’t work”.
Quick answer: all the ways to tilt
| What you want | How |
|---|---|
| Turn on the Sims 3 camera | Ctrl + Shift + Tab (Mac: Cmd + Shift + Tab), or Options > Game Options > Controls & Camera |
| Tilt with a mouse | Hold the middle mouse button and drag (Sims 3 camera) |
| Tilt without a middle button | Hold Ctrl and scroll, or hold Ctrl and use the arrow keys |
| Tilt on a laptop trackpad | Hold Ctrl and use W, A, S, D |
| Free camera for screenshots | Press Tab (camera mode), press Tab again to leave |
| First person view | Shift + Tab |
| Top down view | T |
Why the default camera won’t tilt
The Sims 4 ships with its own camera style, built to also work on touch screens. It lets you drag to pan and scroll to zoom, but it locks the up and down angle. The older Sims 3 camera style is still in the game and unlocks that angle. Nothing is wrong with your mouse or your game if tilting does nothing in the default mode.
How to turn on the Sims 3 camera
- Press
Escand open Game Options. - Go to Controls & Camera.
- Tick Sims 3 Camera and apply the change.
The faster way is the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Tab (Cmd + Shift + Tab on Mac). It toggles between the two camera styles, so press it again to go back.
Tilting with mouse, keyboard or trackpad
- Mouse with a scroll wheel: hold the wheel down and drag up or down to tilt, left or right to rotate.
- Mouse without a middle button: hold
Ctrlwhile you scroll, or holdCtrland use the arrow keys. - Laptop trackpad: hold
Ctrland useW,A,SandD. A cheap USB mouse makes building much easier.
Camera mode (Tab) for screenshots
Press Tab to hide the interface and fly the camera freely. Use W, A, S, D to move. Most players use Q and E to lower and raise the camera. If those keys do something else on your setup, check the key list under Game Options > Controls & Camera. Press Tab again to get the interface back. Stuck in it? See how to exit free camera mode.
For a Sim’s eye view, press Shift + Tab to enter first person mode. Our guide to first person mode has the controls.
Other camera shortcuts worth knowing
ZandX(or the scroll wheel): zoom in and out.T: top down view, handy for floor plans.Page UpandPage Down: move between floors in Build mode.HomeandEnd: raise and lower the walls.C: take a screenshot.- Right click a Sim’s portrait to make the camera follow that Sim.
Tilting still doesn’t work? Check this
- Make sure the Sims 3 camera is on. Press
Ctrl + Shift + Tabonce and try again. - Test the middle mouse button in another program. If it is dead, use
Ctrlwith scroll or the arrow keys. - On a trackpad, use the
Ctrl + W/A/S/Dmethod, not gestures. - If the camera broke after a patch or a new mod, take mods out for a test. Our broken mods guide shows how.
FAQ
Can you tilt the camera without the Sims 3 camera?
Not freely. The default Sims 4 camera locks the up and down angle. Camera mode (Tab) and first person (Shift + Tab) give you other angles, but for normal tilting while you play or build, switch to the Sims 3 camera.
What is the Mac shortcut for the Sims 3 camera?
Cmd + Shift + Tab. You can also tick Sims 3 Camera under Game Options > Controls & Camera.
Does camera tilting work in Build mode?
Yes. With the Sims 3 camera on, you can tilt in both Live and Build mode. It helps a lot when you rotate furniture or resize objects.
How do I get the camera back to my Sim?
Click your Sim’s portrait in the bottom left corner to jump the camera back to them. Right click it to make the camera follow the Sim.
Do I need a mod for better camera angles?
No. The Sims 3 camera, camera mode and first person cover almost every angle. Try them before you install anything.