How to access Stardew Valley multiplayer on Android and iOS

Players on mobile devices have finally had their wish granted with the 1.6.9 update to Stardew Valley: multiplayer mode. With this secret mode now available on iOS and Android, players of the hit farming simulator can team up on the go just like they do on PC and console. Mobile multiplayer isn't quite as straightforward as it is on those platforms, though. Learn how to unlock this feature with the help of this step-by-step guide.

How to play Stardew Valley online on iOS and Android

Below are the steps to activate a secret mode and access the multiplayer option in Stardew Valley for Android and iOS:

Press the button: Start the game on your mobile device and tap the leaves surrounding the "Stardew Valley" logo in the following order: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right (↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← ← ↏) on the title screen.

Click the "?" icon: In order to confirm that you have entered your code, click the "?" button at the bottom right of the screen. Then, the "Co-op" button, like in other platforms, will be enabled, and you can select Multiplayer.

By following these steps, you and your Stardew Valley friends will be able to join your farm on either iOS or Android device.

Connecting to other farms using IP addresses

Stardew Valley requires an IP connection once you enable multiplayer mode; to join a specific game, you'll need to provide its IP address. On a local network, such as a home Wi-Fi, this feature is generally at its best. Here's how you set it up:

Obtaining the IP address of the device housing the farm is necessary for connecting with friends when joining a farm. Simply enter this address, and you will have access to their farm 24/7 from any location.

Best setup: Joining a PC-hosted farm on your local network will greatly increase performance for high-end mobile devices. Other mobile devices can also join farms, but as noted above, Stardew's mobile multiplayer doesn't have a farm finding tool and you can only join specific games via IP.

With the long-overdue multiplayer option in Stardew Valley version 1.6.9, Android and iOS users will now be able to join their friends' farms over IP connection on local networks. However, this mode is actually hidden and only available for the most dedicated of followers because sometimes a specific code has to be inputted just to access it. It's little things like the fact that night illumination just makes the transition between indoor and outdoor lighting so much more fluid, which is only one of many ways the upgrade enhances quality of life and aesthetics beyond simple multiplayer. Data packet compression smooths out performance and makes multiplayer much more stable. Other tweaks include crafting requirements, NPC gift preferences, item prices, and game balance.

This rebalancing with the update means that some of the attacks that have wider areas of effect now include rare fruit saplings and cosmetic trinkets unlocked through random events. The good news for farmers is that animals are now happy when doors are closed at night. Grass will survive winter without spreading, though. New weapons getting random enchantments as extras, modifications to shop stock numbers, and XP changes in skills make the game more immersive in every way.

In short, the patch 1.6.9 enhanced the mobile and console playability and significantly enhanced the mobile Stardew Valley gameplay, especially for multiplayer. 

By following the steps mentioned above, you and your friends can enter the farm in Stardew Valley using any iOS and Android phone. Gather the crops ASAP and start multiplayer farming with your friends!