In the world of The Sims 4, managing the lives, stories, and relationships of your Sims is at the heart of the gameplay. Sometimes, however, players may encounter situations where they want their Sims to relive the joys of youth or even revert to an earlier life stage. Whether it’s for storytelling purposes or simply to experiment with different life stages, learning how to age down Sims in The Sims 4 is an invaluable skill. This ultimate guide will walk you through all the available methods—from cheats to potions, and even unconventional techniques like using Cow Plants—to help you gain ultimate control over your Sims’ ages. Let’s dive into this comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know about the Sims 4 age down cheats and other age-related mechanics.

How to Use Sims 4 Cheats to Age Down Your Sim

Step-by-Step Guide – Enabling Cheats and Full Edit Mode

The most common and effective way to age down Sims in The Sims 4 is by using cheats. Here’s how you can unlock the power of cheats to accomplish this:

  1. Access the Cheat Console:
    • PC and Mac: Press CTRL + Shift + C to open the cheat console.
    • PS4/PS5: Hold L1 + L2 + R1 + R2.
    • Xbox One/Series X: Hold LB + LT + RB + RT.
  2. Enable Cheat Mode:
    • Type testingcheats true into the cheat console and press Enter. This will enable cheat functionality.
  3. Enable Full Edit Mode:
    • Type cas.fulleditmode in the console and press Enter. Full Edit Mode grants you unrestricted access to your Sims in Create-A-Sim (CAS).
  4. Modify Your Sim’s Age in CAS:
    • Shift-click (on PC/Mac) on the Sim you want to age down. For console players, hold the Circle button and press X (PS4) or B and press A (Xbox).
    • Select the “Modify in CAS” option, which will take you to Create-A-Sim.
    • In CAS, click on the age marker in the top-left corner, and select the desired, younger life stage for your Sim. After making your edits, save your changes.

Direct Age Down Cheat

If you’re looking for a simpler alternative and want to skip the CAS menu, you can use the direct age down cheat:

  • After enabling cheats (testingcheats true), type sims.age_down in the cheat console, and your Sim will instantly age down by one life stage.

While this method is effective, it doesn’t offer the flexibility of choosing specific stages, so Full Edit Mode may be more suitable for advanced edits.

Alternative Methods for Aging Down Sims in The Sims 4

The Potion of Youth – Unlocking the Fountain of Youth

Another in-game, non-cheat method to reset your Sim’s age is by using the Potion of Youth. Here’s how to get it:

  1. Open the Rewards Store from the Aspiration menu.
  2. Purchase the Potion of Youth for 1,500 aspiration points.
  3. Have your Sim drink the potion, which will reset their age to the beginning of their current life stage.

While the Potion of Youth won’t change life stages, it’s a great way to prolong your Sim’s current stage without alterations to their story arcs.

Craftable Potions and the Age-Away Serum

  • Potion of Regeneration: This potion can be crafted by spellcasters at Level 10. Be warned—it may fail!
  • Age-Away Serum: Created by Scientists at Level 10 in the Scientist Career track, this serum serves a similar purpose to the Potion of Youth.

Milking the Cow Plant – Rewind Time with the Essence of Life

If you’re looking for an unconventional approach, try using the Cow Plant. Here’s how it works:

  1. Feed your Cow Plant until it’s fully grown.
  2. Allow your Sim to get eaten by the Cow Plant twice (Don’t worry—they won’t die).
  3. Milk the Cow Plant after the second “meal” to obtain the Essence of Life item.
  4. Have your Sim drink the Essence of Life to reset their age to the start of their current life stage.

This method is fun and quirky, making it a favorite among players who enjoy storytelling in The Sims 4.

Disabling and Customizing Ageing

Turn Off Automatic Ageing

For those who prefer to manually manage their Sims’ life stages, disabling automatic ageing is the way to go:

  1. Go to Game Options via the menu.
  2. Click on the “Gameplay” tab.
  3. Under “Auto-Age (Played Households),” select “No.”
  4. Click “Apply Changes.”

This will ensure that Sims will only age if you manually trigger the event, such as a birthday celebration.

How-To Guide – Age Down a Sim from Start to Finish

  1. Enable cheats in your game by pressing CTRL + Shift + C and typing testingcheats true.
  2. Enable Full Edit Mode by typing cas.fulleditmode.
  3. Shift-click your Sim, select “Modify in CAS,” and change their age manually in CAS.
  4. Alternatively, use the direct cheat sims.age_down, or acquire the Potion of Youth for 1,500 aspiration points.
  5. If you’re feeling creative, use the Cow Plant or craft an Age-Away Serum for an unconventional approach.

FAQ – Your Sims 4 Age Down Cheat Questions Answered

How do I enable cheats in Sims 4?

To enable cheats, open the cheat console using CTRL + Shift + C (PC/Mac) or hold all four shoulder buttons on consoles. Then, type testingcheats true.

Can I age down any Sim using cheats?

Yes, you can age down any Sim in your household by using the Full Edit Mode cheat or the direct age-down command.

Can I reverse a Sim’s ageing after drinking the Potion of Youth?

Unfortunately, you cannot reverse the effects of the Potion of Youth, but you can use cheats to manually adjust their age.

What is the quickest way to age down in Sims 4?

The quickest method is using the sims.age_down cheat, but for custom edits, Full Edit Mode is recommended.

Does the Potion of Youth change life stages?

No, it only resets your Sim’s current age to the beginning of their life stage.

Are there risks with the Cow Plant method?

If a Sim is eaten by a Cow Plant multiple times without safeguarding, they could die, so proceed with caution.

Do age cheats work on NPC Sims?

No, most age cheats only work on Sims within your active household.

Can I disable ageing for specific Sims?

Yes, go to Game Options and modify the ageing settings for played households to disable ageing.

Are there mods for better ageing controls?

Yes, there are numerous mods available online that offer granular control over Sims’ ages and ageing mechanics.

Is there a cheat to make a Sim immortal?

While there’s no specific cheat for immortality, combining the “Disable Ageing” feature with regular aspiration points can effectively create an “immortal” Sim.

Conclusion – Take Control of Sim Time

The Sims 4 offers endless ways to customize and manipulate your gameplay, and aging down your Sims is a perfect example of that flexibility. Whether you prefer the simplicity of cheats, the immersion of potions, or quirky methods like the Cow Plant, there’s an option for every style of play. By mastering these techniques, you can take full control over time in your game, extending the life of your favorite Sims or rewinding the clock for storytelling possibilities. Now, it’s your turn to unleash your creativity and transform your Sims’ lives as you see fit!