SDV Almanac

Verified for game version 1.6.x

Stardew Valley PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile all run the same core game; the update timing, mod support, and co-op options differ by platform. This guide helps you pick and understand what you get.

Where it runs

Update parity

All current platforms run the 1.6.x content update. Historically PC led, consoles followed weeks later, and mobile arrived after that, but the gameplay is now the same once updated. If a friend is missing a feature (a 1.6 festival, a new farm map), they likely have not updated yet — check the version on the title screen before assuming a bug.

Mods are PC-only

This is the biggest differentiator. SMAPI, the mod loader, requires a file system and runtime that consoles and mobile do not expose. So mods, expansions like Stardew Valley Expanded, and automation tools exist only on PC/Mac/Linux. If modding is why you want the game, buy it on PC. The mods guide covers the setup. Console and mobile players get the vanilla experience, which is still massive.

Co-op across platforms

The co-op guide has the full rules, including the “everyone needs the same mods” requirement that only matters on PC.

Controls and feel

Save files and transfers

Saves live locally per device. PC saves are plain files you can back up or move; console saves are tied to the account and cloud storage. Cross-platform save transfer is not officially supported, so do not expect to start on Switch and continue on PC without third-party tooling.

Which edition to buy

Performance notes

The game is light and runs well even on older hardware and the Switch. Very large modded farms with hundreds of automated machines can chug on the Switch or mobile, where the host’s weaker CPU matters in co-op. Keep the host machine reasonably strong for big shared saves.

Price and sales

All versions are priced similarly; the PC version goes on sale most often. The mobile version is sometimes a one-time purchase with no in-app paywall for content.

Saves, clouds, and transferring

Saves are stored locally on each device. On PC they are plain folders you can copy, back up, or edit; on consoles they live in the platform’s cloud storage tied to your account. Official cross-platform save transfer does not exist, so you cannot start on Switch and seamlessly continue on PC. If you think you might switch devices later, the PC version is the most portable because the files are yours to move.

Controller versus touch

Console and PC players use gamepads or mouse-and-keyboard; mobile uses a touch interface built for thumbs. The mobile port adds a few conveniences like auto-select and a simplified toolbar, which some desktop players wish they had. For long inventory sessions, a gamepad or mouse is faster, but touch is perfectly serviceable for daily chores.

Why there are no console mods

Mods need a loader that can read and patch game files at runtime. Consoles lock down their software, so SMAPI cannot run there. Console players get the official, hand-tuned experience and occasional free content drops, while PC players get the open mod ecosystem. Neither is “better” — they are different products wearing the same name, and your choice depends on whether modding matters to you.

A buying guide by situation

If you want the deepest, most customizable game, buy PC. If you want to hand the Switch to a partner on the couch, buy Switch. If your whole friend group is on PlayStation, buy PlayStation so you can play online together. If you commute and want to tend a few crops on the train, buy mobile. There is no wrong answer; there is only a mismatch between the version you buy and how you actually play.

Performance and the Steam Deck

Stardew Valley runs on the Steam Deck with no fuss and maps well to its controls. Heavy modded farms can strain the weaker CPU during co-op hosting, but vanilla play is smooth. The Deck is effectively a handheld PC, so it also gets full mod support if you install SMAPI on it — a popular choice for modded play on the go.

Next

New to the game? Start with the getting-started guide. If you bought PC, jump to the mods guide; if you play with friends, the co-op guide is your next read.

Sources & verification