Electronic Arts Announces The Sims Mobile Shutdown on January 20, 2026

Electronic Arts (EA) has delivered somber news to the mobile gaming community, confirming that The Sims Mobile will officially cease operations. The servers for the popular life simulation title will be permanently shut down on January 20, 2026, at 1:59 PM UTC, marking the end of a nearly eight-year run for the game. This move, which comes after over 50 updates and years of content, is a significant development for players who have invested countless hours and resources into their digital lives.

The announcement confirms this will be the final update for The Sims Mobile (TSM), a decision that has sparked widespread discussion across gaming news outlets and among the dedicated player base. For fans of the franchise, this server closure raises questions about the future of mobile gaming within the Sims universe, especially in light of the upcoming cross-platform development, codenamed Project Rene, which is widely considered the next generation of The Sims.

Key Dates and Final Preparations for Players

EA has outlined a clear timeline for the game’s winding down, offering players a final few months to enjoy their Sims and complete long-standing projects. These dates are crucial for all existing users of the application:

• October 20, 2025: The final game update was released. From this date, players can no longer purchase packs or spend real money within the TSM application. However, any existing in-game currencies—SimCash, Simoleons, or Tickets—will remain usable until the final shutdown date. Crucially, the final update also grants all players unlimited energy, a major quality-of-life improvement intended to help users maximize their remaining playtime.
• October 21, 2025: The Sims Mobile was officially delisted from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. New users can no longer download the game. Players who have the game installed or have previously downloaded it can still re-download or update the application from their ‘My apps & games’ or ‘Purchases’ library.
• January 6, 2026: In a farewell gesture, EA will unlock all Build Mode and Create A Sim (CAS) items for everyone. This allows players a final, unbridled opportunity to build their ultimate virtual homes and design their Sims’ perfect looks before the game’s closure.
• January 20, 2026, at 1:59 PM UTC: The servers for The Sims Mobile will be completely shut down, and the game will become inaccessible and unplayable. As an online-required title, there is no offline mode, meaning the game will be permanently retired.

No Refunds and The Final Events Roadmap

A point of contention for some players is the announcement regarding in-game purchases. EA has confirmed that unspent currency will not be eligible for a refund after the January 20, 2026 shutdown. This decision is standard practice for many online games reaching their end-of-life but is nonetheless disappointing for those who have spent a significant amount of high CPC keywords like virtual currency or in-app purchases on the title.

To celebrate the game’s legacy, the development team has scheduled a series of final in-game activities. The roadmap includes 14 events over the next few months, such as Limited Time Quests and Treasure Hunts, allowing players to engage with the content one last time. This final stretch is a testament to the community that has built homes, started careers, and raised families in the mobile world of The Sims.

• Focus on Events: Players can expect a rapid-fire succession of popular events like Sweet Treat Showdown and Wumple’s Wishlist quests throughout the final months.
• Unlimited Energy: The provision of unlimited energy is a direct response to player feedback, offering a last chance to complete tasks that previously required time-gated energy regeneration or purchases.

The Context of the Shutdown: Project Rene and Industry Trends

While EA did not explicitly state the reasons for the shutdown, industry analysts and the gaming press widely link the decision to the broader strategic shift within the franchise. The focus on Project Rene, which is designed to be a cross-platform experience including robust mobile integration, suggests a consolidation of development efforts. Maintaining a separate, legacy mobile title like The Sims Mobile likely no longer aligns with the long-term vision of a unified, interconnected Sims gaming experience.

Furthermore, the timing of the announcement coincides with ongoing discussions about the potential $55 billion acquisition of EA by an investor consortium, including the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). While not directly cited as the cause, such major corporate transactions often lead to a review and rationalization of product portfolios and operational costs. The closure of an older title like The Sims Mobile and the previously announced shutdown of Anthem (January 12, 2026) are symptomatic of the company focusing resources on newer, more profitable ventures like The Sims 4’s ongoing DLC strategy and the development of Project Rene.

The shutdown is a sober reminder of the ephemeral nature of live service games and online-only titles. When the servers are switched off, all the digital creations, progress, and purchases are permanently lost. This reinforces the value proposition of games like The Sims 4 which, despite requiring online activation, maintain substantial offline gameplay. The legacy of The Sims Mobile will now transition into the hands of the community content creators who archived their stories and builds, ensuring the memories of their mobile Sims live on long after the final server goes dark.