The Sims 4 fans have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of weeks. The Adventure Awaits expansion pack is set to release on October 2, and the Forever Friends event begins next week. The event and the pack both focus on major childhood moments, such as imaginary friends, playgrounds, and summer camp.
To prepare players for what is to come, the developers have released a free base game update for The Sims 4. In this guide, we’ll tell fans what the new features that have been added to their game with the September 2025 update.
Everything New in The Sims 4 Update (09/18/2025)
Here are the changes and new features that players will notice when they boot up The Sims 4 after installing the patch released on September 18, 2025:
Base Game
The Sims 4 now has a new lot type called the playground venue. When players set a lot as a playground venue, they will notice that it will mostly be visited by children and their caretakers after school.
Imagination is a big part of the Adventure Awaits expansion pack, and children can now nurture it with the Play Pretend interaction, which is available as a self-interaction or when interacting with another child. There are themed pretend activities; Sims can pick to play pretend fairy tale castle, house, island castaway, pirate adventure, or space explorer.
New color for the Slouch Beanie
The slouch beanie, a head accessory for Sims between the ages of teen and elder, now has a new color swatch in Create-a-Sim; players can now pick the off-white color Ecru for the beanie.
Memory Boost feature (Early Access)
The Memory Boost feature is an optimal setting that players can enable in The Sims 4. It will be released in early access on September 23, and gamers can activate it in the Game Options tab of the settings menu.
Once Memory Boost is enabled, recovery saves will be created for the player’s current save file, and the feature should improve game stability, prevent crashes, and reduce lag and frame drops.
Island Living Expansion Pack
Many occults in The Sims 4 have a special bassinet when they are born. This was not the case for mermaids – until now. Merfolk are now placed in a special bassinet when they get home from the hospital.
Life and Death Expansion Pack
Soul’s Journey Balance Adjustments
The Soul’s Journey system has been tweaked, and Sims will now receive Satisfaction Points for each milestone they complete.
The Sims 4 Update Patch Notes (09/18/2025)
Here are the bugs that were fixed in the latest Sims 4 update:
Base Game
Sims with the entrepreneurial trait no longer experience sudden jumps in career level. This fix will prevent this issue from occurring on any new saves.
The “Venue Info” icon in Build Mode will stop shining when there’s nothing new to display.
A Sim writing a book can now resume it properly after being interrupted by another Sim to socialize.
Sims will no longer always sit to drink water.
Interaction Progress (like cooking or writing) will no longer start from the beginning after loading.
Last Exception and Sim reset no longer trigger when exiting a Changing Table.
(ymBottom_SDX037Jeans_SolidPink) displays proper color swatch for Masculine Sims.
Duplicate Swatch no longer shown for (doorDoubleSliding2x1_SDX037BUILDERTileable3Tile_set1).
The Holiday menu no longer closes when switching between Sims.
Swatch shown for (shelfWallGFPlank2x1_01_set1) matches what is placed.
Diner outdoor sign is now glowing correctly.
The infant’s ‘bald’ eyebrow color swatches are now in order.
The following shower floors no longer flicker when zooming the camera in and out: Tranquil Waters Shower, Modern Grimpressions, Waterfall Shower, EZPZ Shower Stall, and It’s a Shower Trap.
Nail polish will no longer change color of yfBody_SP18DressShirt.
Mournful Memories Music Box no longer has a debug name and description on all except the main swatch. Curtains will now move when using DX11. Death can no longer be avoided by scheduling an off-lot Event via the calendar on another lot during the death sequence.
The ymShoes_AnkleOxford_TrueBlack variant of this shoe no longer changes shape compared to the other variants.
Affecting Multiple Packs
Skill cheats can now be used to lower skill.
Eyeglasses no longer look like sunglasses.
Some wall mailboxes no longer appear under Misc Appliances instead of Trash Cans & Mailboxes.
“Summon a Privy Bush” interaction is now available for Vampire and Fairy child sims.
Some fireplaces no longer project light from Fire Backwards.
Resolved a missing texture observed when applying yfTop_GP12SweaterVest with some bottom assets.
Texture defects are no longer observed when applying ymBottom_SP56CK001ShortsRuffles with several top assets.
The Undo button is no longer greyed out when using it to make changes for occult types in CAS.
Get to Work
Daring Hall Tree now properly categorized under the Displays category instead of the Decorations Misc category.
Cats & Dogs
Pets no longer get deformed when traveling to another lot after aging up.
Blue swatches for (stair_rail_EP04CAxFrame_set5) display the proper color when placed.
When selecting gray swatches for the object (sculptwall_EP02GENchalk2x1_set1) the proper color is placed.
Island Living
The Mermaid bassinet is now available in Buy mode like other bassinets.
Resolved flickering animation observed on water after the Sim performs a snorkel interaction on the buoys in Sulani.
Discover University
Bike pedals will now align with the Sim’s feet when riding the bike from this pack.
(ymBottom_EP08LeggingCropped_Solid Yellow) displays the correct color swatch for males.
Legal Case Files and Dr. Tyson’s Books of Learning are now properly categorized under the Clutter category instead of the Sculptures category.
Eco Lifestyle
Piercings from the Eco Lifestyle expansion pack now have the correct Bronze & Gold swatches displayed.
Growing Together
Smooth Sail Diaper Pail trash cans now snap to Lavish One’s changing station.
Starry Eyed Collection Banquet Table is now present in the Bars category instead of Dining Tables category.
For Rent
Tenant events are no longer resolved as a failure after the Property Owner fixes what’s needed on the Tenant’s lot.
Lovestruck
All color tags are now applied to Canopy Dreams and Drape Desires objects.
Life & Death
Modern Grimpressions Bathroom Sink and Modern Grimpressions Kitchen Sink objects can now be slotted at the top.
Nails paint no longer creates a texture glitch on T-shirts (yfTop_EP17ShirtGoth) and (ymTop_EP17ShirtGoth).
Child sim now show up as ghosts when they die due to overheating and freezing.
YmHat_EP17ToqueDouble no longer clips with ears if ears are extended outwards.
Sim no longer clips into the bar stools when read will interaction is performed in sitting posture.
Soul’s Journey Progression no longer grants too many points.
Sims will no longer remain in Ghost form after removing the Ghost molecule in CAS after using the Undo button.
Businesses & Hobbies
(Paint on Me!) wallpaper from the Business and Hobbies category now appears when filtered by color.
Enchanted by Nature
(ymHair_EP19Mullet_Auburn) hairstyle no longer clips with hats.
“Fertilize All Crops” interaction is now functional on oversized crop plants with oversized crop fertilizer.
Gnome brought to life for Upgrades and Repairs will no longer continuously upgrade toilets with Composting Container leading to toilets catching fire.
Vampires
Vampire Sims no longer constantly disappear and reappear during interactions
Paranormal
All the nail polish in the fingernail category color yfBody_SP18DressShirt
Outdoor Retreat
GP01GenFern plants no longer clip when placed on the roofs
Realm of Magic
Glass Top Stage Stairs is now properly categorized under the Decorations Misc category instead of the Surfaces Misc category.
(ymTop_GP08VestShirt) now displays correct swatches.
Werewolves
(yfHair_GP12MedWavy_Black) hair displays properly when zoomed out in game.
Backyard
(yfTop_SP08TeeBoatNeck) now displays correct swatches.
Greenhouse Haven
When selecting green/yellow swatches for the object (doorSingle1x1_SP40GENTileable3Tile_set1) the thumbnail now displays the proper color.
Sweet Slumber Party
Nails are now properly tagged for a masculine frame.
