The Sims 4 is getting an AutoSave feature, Save Reminders, and a performance upgrade called Memory Boost in a free base game update on July 21, 2026. The Sims Team announced the changes alongside a handful of bug fixes and a preview of what's coming in September.
AutoSave and Save Reminders
AutoSave runs in the background and creates save points at moments you choose. In Game Save Settings, you can configure it to save after traveling between lots, after a set period of playtime, or at gameplay milestones.
If you prefer manual saves, the new Save Reminders system sends periodic notifications (including a grumpy gnome prompt) to nudge you into saving at a frequency you set. Both features are optional and customizable, so players who want full control over their save timing can keep it.
The update arrives on PC, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation on the same day.
Memory Boost hits all platforms
Memory Boost, which improves how The Sims 4 handles memory during play, is rolling out to Mac and console players alongside the July 21 patch. According to the Sims Team, players should see:
- Reduced lag and performance slowdowns
- Better frame rates and responsiveness
- Shorter loading times
- Lower risk of memory-related crashes
- Greater stability during long sessions
The biggest differences should show up during extended play, in large households, on heavily decorated lots, and in older save files. The team also noted that Memory Boost helped resolve some save corruption issues during testing, particularly one involving lots disappearing in saves with many Residential Rentals, though it is not positioned as a dedicated save-repair tool.
Bug fixes in this patch
The July 21 update also addresses a few specific issues:
- A new Festival Notification toggle for Nordhaven Hobby Meetups has been added to the Options menu, expanding on the notification controls introduced in June.
- Roof pieces that disappeared or showed only edges when viewing upper floors in Build Mode now render correctly.
- Corrupted lots in saves with many Residential Rentals can no longer be reproduced with Memory Boost enabled.
The team acknowledged that fewer individual bug fixes shipped this month because development time went toward AutoSave, Save Reminders, and Memory Boost.
September: Sim autonomy overhaul
The next major quality-of-life update is scheduled for September and will focus on general Sim autonomy. The goal is to make Sims behave more intelligently and consistently during everyday gameplay. More details are expected closer to that release.
A Dev Q&A is also happening today (July 14) in The Sims Discord, where the development team will answer questions about these updates live.
Source: Sims Community