How to Save in Stardew Valley (A Guide for PC, Mobile, and Switch)

Since its release in 2016, Stardew Valley has gained a global following as a farm-life simulator, in which players can freely explore a valley and even develop romantic relationships with non-playable characters.

You can choose to get through the chores, build a mansion, or spend your days wandering around the town doing nothing. But what makes this game unique is how you save your progress in Stardew Valley. Read on to learn more.

The save file location for "Stardew Valley" on PC depends on the operating system you're using: For Windows: 1. Navigate to the following folder: `C:\Users\\Documents\My Games\StardewValley\SaveGames` 2. Here, you'll find your saved game files with numbers as their names. Each number corresponds to a different save slot. For macOS: 1. Go to the following directory: `~/Library/Application Support/StardewValley/Saves/` 2. Inside this folder, you'll see your save files named with numbers, representing each save slot. For Linux (Steam): 1. Locate the `Steam` folder, which is usually in one of these locations: - `~/.local/share/Steam/` - `/home//Steam/` 2. Inside the `Steam` folder, go to `steamapps/common/StardewValley/Saves/` 3. Your save files will be here, named with numbers. Keep in mind that if you're using a different distribution or installed the game outside of Steam, the save location might vary slightly.

If you're in a hurry to learn how to save in Stardew Valley, start by finding where the save files are located. Knowing the save location will make it easier to transfer your progress to another device when necessary.

By default, the path to Stardew Valley is:  

You can then paste that into the search bar of File Explorer to jump right to it.

How to: Recover Lost Save Files in Stardew Valley with Data Recovery Software

If you forget to save in Stardew Valley, or you know where your save files are and accidentally delete them, you can use a tool like the Data Recovery Wizard to try to get them back.

This powerful data recovery tool can help you recover lost game saves, and it comes in handy when your Stardew Valley save file won't load. With just three simple steps, you can recover your lost save files like this:

Tip: After the scan is complete, you can search for the game's name in the search bar to quickly find its save file.

Step 1: Select the disk location where you want to recover files and click on the “Scan” button to proceed.

Step 2: After the scan, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders from the left panel. You can then use the "Filter" feature or click on the "Search for File or Folder" button to look for your deleted files.

Step 3: Click the “Recover” button to save the recovered files to another location (preferably different from the original).

Don't forget to share this article with friends who may have accidentally deleted their save file in Stardew Valley:

How to Save Your Progress in "Stardew Valley" on Computer

Of course, you can use specialized tools to recover lost game saves, but it's better to know how to save your progress and back up your files regularly to avoid such mishaps. One peculiar thing about the PC version of this game is that it does not allow manual saving. The game autosaves only when the player goes to sleep, as follows:

Step 1: Go back to your house in the game, and then walk over to the bed.

Step 2: When prompted, tap “Yes” to confirm that you want to go to sleep.

Select “Yes” to save the game.

Step 3: Then, you can quit the game, and your progress will be saved.

Tip: You can manually save your game with mods like the Save Anywhere Redux Mod. However, third-party tools like these always carry a risk, so use them with caution.

How to Save Progress in Stardew Valley on Mobile and Switch

If you're playing Stardew Valley on the go with the Switch, saving manually is even more convenient.

How to Save in Stardew Valley on Mobile Devices

Step 1: From the game menu, click the controller icon.

Step 2: Choose the "Save Backup" option.

Step 3: When asked “Do you want to resume from your last save point?” click “Yes.”

2️⃣ How to Save Your Progress in Stardew Valley on the Switch

Step 1: Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds until the power menu appears.

Step Two: From the menu, choose Power Options and then choose Sleep.

Important: Make sure the player has opened their inventory in-game at least once, or progress may be lost.

Last Words

This article teaches you how to save and back up your progress in Stardew Valley on PC, mobile devices, and the Nintendo Switch. Save your game often and back it up to avoid losing your progress. If you accidentally delete your save file, use a data recovery wizard as a last resort.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saving in Stardew Valley

Here are some additional questions about saving in Stardew Valley:

In Stardew Valley, how do you save your progress?

Control your character to go to bed, and when prompted with "Are you ready to go to sleep for the night?", select "Yes."

Does Stardew Valley auto-save?

Unfortunately, no. Aside from using a third-party tool, there's no way to manually save your game. The game only saves automatically when the player goes to sleep.

What are the save file limits for Stardew Valley?

I heard that this account can have up to 30 of any type of farm.