The Sims Team introduces us to the first features coming with The Sims 4 Update on February 3rd, 2026.
The Sims Team has just released a brand new official blog talking about the upcoming Sims 4 Base Game Update and the next feature changes. Including improvements to Family Trees interface, additions to Stair Tools and a fresh coat of Nails!
Take a look at the new changes coming to The Sims 4 Base Game for FREE on February 3rd. You can tune in and find out when the update is dropping on our Patch Countdown page section!
The Sims 4 Base Game Update Additions for February 3rd, 2026
New Stair Tools
It’s time to look at some new and exciting base game updates coming to The Sims 4. Add instant grandness and personality to any build with a new railings and flared stairs functionality. Select railings and use the drop down in sliders to customize your built.
Family Tree Updates
The updated family tree helps you keep track of more family dynamics. You can now recognize a whole host of new family relationships like half siblings and step parents.
Additional Royalty & Legacy Features
Access your Sims family tree through the symbology panel. The family tree will have additional functions in the royalty and Legacy Expansion Pack. Here, you’ll be able to explore lineage history through the tapestry object, fine tune relationships using hide or forge connections, and trace generational stories with the family book.
New CAS Tags
Back to the base game. The curly and afro textured hairstyle tags have been updated and reorganized to make finding the right look easier than ever.
Also, check out the new africana style tag. Africana is an academic term describing styles rooted in African culture and tradition.
New Nails
And for creative sim lovers, enjoying new nail designs across a full range of swatches. All these features arrive February 3rd in The Sims 4 Base Game Update.
Full Trailer Preview
You can watch the latest Sims 4 Base Game Update preview trailer down below:
On top of that, EA has also issued a warning for The Sims 4 players who use Mod content. Stating that their tests have shown that mods that change core systems in the game will trigger complex issues further in the game if left in game files without proper updates. Mentioning issues such as missing relatives, unexpected relationship changes and even the game not launching.
Important Warning for Mod Players
As this update will change core systems, our testing has shown this will affect mods that extend or interpret that data. This could impact your game in a range of ways; from missing relatives, unexpected relationship changes, or in a few cases, the game not launching.
If you use mods, we strongly recommend removing them before February 3 and waiting until the creators confirm compatibility. You can also check out The Sims 4 Mods & Custom Content forums for additional information from the community.
Thank you for your patience and for giving mod authors the time they need to update their work, helping ensure your Sims’ family stories continue smoothly.
Looking forward to the next Sims 4 Base Game Update? Make sure you’ve prepared all your in-game saves and CC / Mods in time for the Patch release with this handy official guide.
What are your first impressions of the new changes coming in tomorrow’s patch release? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned on Sims Community to be the first to know when the upcoming Sims 4 Update drops!
Is the base game family tree update retroactive? I noticed my sims step mom doesn’t even show up in his family tree at all :/
the update comes out tomorrow, so nobody will really know until then. 🙂
They’ll do anything to stairs but make them spiral lol
I think they mentioned why won’t add them, they got rarely used in previous Sims so they didn’t see the need in bringing them over.
Rarely used? When they added spiral stairs in ts3 they were almost exclusively the only stairs I used because they took up less space! The ladder wasn’t functional for me (still isn’t) and regular stairs took way too much space. As much as I love the modular stairs we were given, I’d still use spiral more often if they finally gave them to us. If there isn’t a more realistic reason they’re just copping out. I have so many builds I get frustrated with because I want spiral (without a mod) that work like they did in ts3.
Huge fan of the curved stairs!! this will defiantly help with builds on the grander side of my sims game. Family trees are also really nice to get updated just wish we could change the background of the family tree with like custom world backgrounds or stuff like that.
With the family tree update, I wonder if we’ll finally be able to select relationships such as aunt, uncle, or cousins in CAS.
When i go to adjust the rail settings on my stairs the option doesn’t appear 🙁