The Sims 4 August 25 Update is now available across PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox, bringing a new Marketplace performance feature, free Create a Sim content, an afro-textured hairstyle and several important bug fixes. PlayStation players also receive a particularly welcome fix for one of the game’s most common crashes during launch.
EA released the Sims 4 August 25 Update as PC version 1.127.41.1030, Mac version 1.127.41.1230 and Console version 2.38. Unlike some recent patches that have focused heavily on bug fixes, this is also a free content update, with new clothing, Styled Looks and Starter Sims available in the base game.
| Sims 4 August 25 Update | Details |
|---|---|
| PC version | 1.127.41.1030 |
| Mac version | 1.127.41.1230 |
| Console version | 2.38 |
| New CAS clothing | 6 items |
| New Styled Looks | 5 |
| New Starter Sims | 5 |
| New hairstyle | Cosmic Coils afro-textured hair |
| Marketplace Image Cache | Added |
| PlayStation launch crash | Fix included |
| New Marketplace cache cheat | clearonlinethumbnailcache true |
What’s New in the Sims 4 August 25 Update?
The Sims 4 August 25 Update has two main focuses: adding more free Create a Sim content and improving the way the new Marketplace handles images.
Previously, Marketplace images were downloaded again whenever players browsed the Marketplace. The new system stores those images in a local cache after their first download, meaning subsequent visits only need to download images that are new or have changed.
EA says the change is intended to improve Marketplace loading times while reducing repeated image downloads.
The update also adds six free CAS assets, five Styled Looks, five Starter Sims and a new afro-textured hairstyle.
Sims 4 Marketplace Image Cache Explained
The new Marketplace Image Cache is one of the most significant technical changes in the Sims 4 August 25 Update.
Instead of downloading the same Marketplace images repeatedly, The Sims 4 now keeps previously downloaded images in a cache.
When you return to the Marketplace, only new or changed images should need to be downloaded.
For players who regularly browse Maker Packs and other Marketplace content, this should mean less unnecessary downloading and faster subsequent browsing.
| Before August 25 | After August 25 |
|---|---|
| Marketplace images repeatedly downloaded | Images cached after first download |
| Returning could require the same image downloads | Only new or changed images downloaded |
| No dedicated Marketplace image cache | Dedicated cache added |
| No cache-clearing cheat | New cache-clearing cheat available |
How to Clear the Sims 4 Marketplace Image Cache
EA has also added a new cheat specifically for the Marketplace cache.
If Marketplace images are missing, incorrect or otherwise causing problems, open the cheat console and enter:
clearonlinethumbnailcache true
EA says this manually clears the Marketplace image cache.
This is worth remembering because it gives players an official troubleshooting option rather than immediately repairing or reinstalling the entire game when Marketplace thumbnails misbehave.
On PC and Mac, the cache itself can be found at:
Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\onlinethumbnailcache
PlayStation and Xbox players cannot directly browse the cache files, but the caching system still applies on console.
How Big Can the Marketplace Cache Get?
EA has placed an upper limit of 250MB on the Marketplace image cache.
However, the developer says the amount of storage actually used will generally remain below that maximum.
The cache also maintains itself automatically. Fourteen days after your last Marketplace visit, unused images can be removed to free storage space.
| Image Cache | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum size | 250MB |
| Typical usage | Expected to be lower |
| Automatic maintenance | Yes |
| Maintenance timing | 14 days after last Marketplace visit |
| Manual clearing | Yes |
| PC/Mac folder accessible | Yes |
So there shouldn’t be any need to routinely delete the folder yourself.
Six Free CAS Items Added to The Sims 4
The Sims 4 August 25 Update also brings another free base-game CAS drop.
EA has added six new clothing assets designed with different Sim body shapes and sizes in mind.
The collection includes clothing across feminine and masculine frames, with EA confirming that the six assets cover a dress, tops, jeans, cardigans, shirts and slacks.
The designs focus on form-fitted clothing, patterns and pieces intended to create structure across different body shapes.
Because these are part of the free base-game update, you do not need to purchase an Expansion Pack, Game Pack or Kit to access them.
Five New Styled Looks Added
Those six new clothing assets have also been incorporated into five new Styled Looks.
Styled Looks provide complete premade outfits within Create a Sim, making them useful both as ready-to-wear outfits and as starting points for your own designs.
The five additions showcase combinations using the new August clothing.
That also gives players an easy way to see how EA intended the new pieces to work together without having to hunt through individual CAS categories.
Five New Starter Sims
There are also five new Starter Sims showcasing the new clothing.
The Sims appear within Create a Sim and are also being made available through the Gallery, allowing players to add them directly to their worlds and continue customizing them.
These are in addition to the culturally influenced CAS Starter Sims EA introduced during July.
New Cosmic Coils Hairstyle
The free CAS drop also introduces a new afro-textured hairstyle known as Cosmic Coils.
EA says Cosmic Coils was inspired by natural hair sculpting, with the design focusing on a more whimsical and exaggerated silhouette.
The hairstyle is another free base-game addition, so it should become available in Create a Sim after installing the Sims 4 August 25 Update.
| Free CAS addition | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Clothing assets | 6 |
| Styled Looks | 5 |
| Starter Sims | 5 |
| Cosmic Coils hairstyle | 1 |
Major Sims 4 PlayStation Crash Fixed
Console players also receive several important fixes, with the biggest specifically affecting PlayStation.
EA says the Sims 4 August 25 Update addresses one of the top PlayStation crashes occurring during game launch.
The developer thanked PlayStation players who submitted additional information through the console’s crash-reporting system, which helped the team investigate the problem.
EA does not say that every possible Sims 4 PlayStation crash has been fixed, so it would be inaccurate to claim the update completely eliminates PS4 or PS5 crashing.
It does, however, directly fix one of the most frequently reported launch crashes.
Marketplace Controls No Longer Get Stuck on Console
Two additional console fixes target the Marketplace.
Using the Right Stick to scroll could previously cause controls to become stuck when browsing the Marketplace through Create a Sim.
The same problem could occur while viewing Marketplace Pack Details pages.
Both issues are fixed in the Sims 4 August 25 Update.
| Console issue | Status |
|---|---|
| Major PlayStation launch crash | Fix included |
| Right Stick stuck in CAS Marketplace | Fixed |
| Right Stick stuck on Pack Details | Fixed |
These changes should make Marketplace navigation considerably less frustrating for players using a controller.
Marketplace Pages After Quick Buy Fixed
The update also contains a Marketplace fix affecting all platforms.
Marketplace pages could display incorrectly when players entered the Marketplace from Create a Sim after installing a new pack using Quick Buy.
The layout should now display correctly following the update.
Mean Girls and Clueless Kits Launch August 27
The Sims 4 August 25 Update also prepares the game for two new Capsule Kits arriving this week.
The Sims 4 Mean Girls Capsule Kit and The Sims 4 Clueless Capsule Kit both launch on August 27, 2026.
Mean Girls focuses on Y2K-inspired fashion based on the movie, while Clueless brings 1990s looks including the franchise’s recognisable plaid styling.
Neither Kit is included free with the August 25 update. They are separate releases arriving two days after the patch.
Do You Need to Remove Mods for the Sims 4 August 25 Update?
As with any Sims 4 update, players using mods and Custom Content should be careful before loading important saves immediately after patching.
The August 25 update changes Marketplace functionality and adds new CAS content, but EA’s published patch notes do not provide a definitive list of third-party mods affected because EA does not maintain individual community mods.
Back up important saves before updating, check your mod creators for compatibility information and avoid assuming a mod is safe simply because The Sims 4 successfully reaches the main menu.
If a mod has not yet been confirmed compatible, temporarily removing it is the safer option.
Is the Sims 4 August 25 Update Free?
Yes.
The game update itself and its new base-game CAS additions are free.
That includes the new clothing, Styled Looks, Starter Sims and Cosmic Coils hairstyle. EA describes the new hair and six CAS items as part of a free content release.
The Mean Girls and Clueless Capsule Kits launching August 27 are separate paid content.
Sims 4 August 25 Update FAQ
What version is the Sims 4 August 25 Update?
PC is version 1.127.41.1030, Mac is 1.127.41.1230, and consoles are on 2.38.
What free content was added?
The update adds six CAS clothing assets, five Styled Looks, five Starter Sims and the Cosmic Coils afro-textured hairstyle.
What is the new Marketplace Image Cache?
Marketplace images are now stored after their initial download so The Sims 4 only needs to download images that are new or have changed.
How do I clear the Marketplace cache?
Open the cheat console and enter clearonlinethumbnailcache true.
Where is the Marketplace cache on PC?
It is stored in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\onlinethumbnailcache.
Does the update fix Sims 4 crashing on PlayStation?
EA has fixed one of its top reported PlayStation crashes occurring during game launch. It has not claimed that every possible PlayStation crash is fixed.
When are the Mean Girls and Clueless Kits released?
Both Capsule Kits launch on August 27, 2026.
The Sims 4 August 25 Update Brings More Than Bug Fixes
The Sims 4 August 25 Update is a relatively compact patch, but there is quite a bit packed into it. Marketplace browsing now uses a dedicated image cache, players have an official cache-clearing command when images misbehave, console Marketplace controls have been fixed and one of the major PlayStation launch crashes has been addressed.
The free CAS content makes the update considerably more interesting, with six clothing assets, five Styled Looks, five Starter Sims and Cosmic Coils all joining the base game ahead of the Mean Girls and Clueless Capsule Kits on August 27.
