How to play co-op multiplayer in Stardew Valley

1 month ago 8

While playing the hit farming and life simulator Stardew Valley alone is a worthwhile experience, trying to take care of a growing farm all by yourself can be difficult. Luckily, if you have one or a few friends who love Stardew Valley just as much as you, starting a farm in a multiplayer co-op mode is available. It's never been a better time to start a farm with your friends, as the huge 1.6 update introduced tons of new features for players new and old to enjoy.

The only caveat is that it may not be as simple as you thought, depending on which platforms you and your friends have, or whether you want to play it through couch co-op instead of online. Even if you know all the tips and tricks, playing and running a co-op farm in Stardew Valley can be vastly different than playing alone.

Stardew Valley player overseeing their farm.

Cross-platform console limitations

While multiplayer is available for players on PC and console, it is not accessible for mobile users. Also, Stardew Valley does not offer cross-platform support. This means that you can only have an online farm together if you own the game on the same system.

PC players must stick with other PC players, and the same goes for PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch users. Also, all players must be on the same update. Once the 1.6 update releases for consoles and mobile, console players will be able to play online with the latest version of the game.

How to start an online co-op Stardew Valley game

As a reminder, one to eight players can can play on one co-op Stardew Valley farm together. Also, you must all be playing the game on PC or all on console.

Step 1: Have one player, the host, select the Co-Op option from the Stardew Valley main menu.

Stardew Valley co-op button on main menu.

Step 2: Select the Host tab, then choose the Host New Farm option.

Stardew Valley Host New Farm option in menu.

Step 3: Create your character, then add more cabins depending on the players playing on this co-op save file. You can also change your cabin layout, profit margin, and whether money will be shared or separate.

Stardew Valley co-op character creation menu.

How to start a local co-op Stardew Valley game

Only four players can play Stardew Valley together through split-screen mode. Local co-op is available for both PC and console players. As a note, you can also join local co-op with LAN. To do this, just select Co-Op from the main menu, then choose the Join LAN Game option, and enter the IP address.

Step 1: Create or load a multiplayer world like normal, as the previous section explained. Ensure that you've built or started with enough cabins for all players.

Step 2: Connect a controller for each player joining. If you're playing on PC, the host will use the keyboard and mouse, but extra players can connect controllers using USB cords.

Step 3: Head to the Options tab through the in-game menu. Under the Multiplayer section, select the Start Local Co-Op button.

Stardew Valley Start Local Co-op option in menu.

Step 4: Press the start button on your controller to connect and create/play your character.

how to play co op stardew valley multiplayer connect controller

How to join an online co-op Stardew Valley game

If you're not the host but the player joining an online Stardew Valley game, there are a few different ways to go about it. This depends on your system, since PC players can use an invite code or simply invite through Steam itself.

How to join on PC

Have the host send you an invite code. It'll appear in the chat box upon starting the game, but you can copy it by going to the in-game Options menu, then scrolling down to the Multiplayer section and selecting Show Invite Code.
If you're friends with the host on Steam, you should see the game pop up under the Join tab of the Co-op screen from the main menu.

How to join on Nintendo Switch

If you're friends with the host on your Nintendo Switch account, you'll see the game pop up under the Join tab of the Co-op screen from the main menu. You must have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for this to work.
If you and your friends don't have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can connect locally if Switches are near each other.

How to join on Xbox One/Series X|S

If all players have a Game Pass subscription and you're friends with one another, you should be able to see the game under the Join tab of the Co-op screen from the main menu.

How to join on PlayStation 4/5

If all players have a PlayStation Plus subscription and are friends with one another, you should be able to see the game under the Join tab of the Co-op screen from the main menu.

How to turn a single-player Stardew Valley save into co-op

Do you already have a long-running Stardew Valley farm that you want to turn into a co-op game? No big deal, you can make this happen!

Step 1: Enter your single-player Stardew Valley game and visit Robin's Carpenter's Shop.

Step 2: Speak to Robin and select the Construct farm buildings option.

Stardew Valley Construct Farm Buildings option in Robin's shop.

Step 3: Find the cabin building and spend 100 gold to build one of seven cabin types. They take up a 5x3 plot of land, and don't take any time to build.

Stardew Valley build a cabin option in Robin's shop.

Where to find Stardew Valley multiplayer save file location

Who has the save files for your multiplayer world, and how can you get access to them? Luckily, you can find the Stardew Valley co-op save files on the host's PC. On console, it's all within the device of the host too, but it's only accessible on PC as the host through File Explorer.

Step 1: Hold the Windows and R key, then type "%appdata%" and select OK.