The Ranchers Smartphone Apps Guide
My Garage, craft recipes, map pins, and the auction companion — Sunvale runs on your in-game phone.
Modern ranching in The Ranchers happens partly on your in-game smartphone. RedPilz designed Sunvale as a living open world where villagers text you, quests arrive as phone calls, and new apps unlock as you progress. Understanding each app early saves hours of wandering — especially after the June 2026 update added My Garage for full vehicle management.
Core apps at launch
Map app
Pin landmarks, track quest objectives, and view player-owned vehicle icons on the map (fixed in patch 0.8.10.420 when icons failed to display). Use map pins before driving across the 16 km² world — pair with the travel guide for subway stations and overnight parking.
Craft app
Download from an early story message. Starts with limited blueprints; expands as you discover recipes in the world. Most early crafting requires your physical workbench — the app is your recipe library, not a remote crafter. See getting started for workbench priority.
Messages and phone calls
Villagers and quest givers call with tutorials voiced in-game. Phone call text speed is adjustable in gameplay settings. Solo mode pauses while using the Feedback App or Settings App (Next Fest QoL patch).
Auction market app
Monitor player-driven prices and list goods from the companion iOS/Android app or in-game. Critical for the economy guide strategy of selling when demand peaks. Prices fluctuate with supply — check before bulk-selling crops or ore.
My Garage (patch 0.8.10.420+)
The June 9, 2026 Steam update introduced My Garage, the biggest vehicle QoL addition before Early Access:
- View every vehicle you own in one list
- Send broken, destroyed, drowned, or stuck vehicles to the mechanic for repair
- Repaired vehicles return to the nearest Car Pound parking location
- Recover impounded vehicles left outside your ranch or outside Overnight Parking zones
- Manage vehicles seized after improper parking
Important rules:
- Vehicles left outside the ranch or outside designated Overnight Parking (17 locations added across the map) get impounded
- Stolen vehicles need new license plates at AutoHue before My Garage management
- Stolen vehicles with forged plates parked illegally are permanently seized by police — no recovery
Full driving mechanics are covered in the vehicles guide.
Ranchers.ID removed
RedPilz removed Ranchers.ID in favor of Steam ticket authentication for all online features. Existing demo accounts migrated automatically — no manual action needed.
App unlock order (recommended)
| Stage | App | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Messages / calls | Story intro |
| Day 1–2 | Map | Settlement quests |
| Early | Craft | Link from villager |
| Mid | Auction | Town economy access |
| Mid | My Garage | After first vehicle purchase |
Settings accessible from ESC
Game settings moved to the ESC menu for faster access. ESC toggles open and close. Combined with simplified keyboard controls, phone-heavy workflows feel smoother on PC.
Co-op note
Each player uses their own phone UI locally. Coordinate auction listings and garage recoveries to avoid duplicate mechanic bills on shared ranch saves.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
What is My Garage in The Ranchers?
A smartphone app added in update 0.8.10.420 that lets you view, repair, recover, and manage all owned vehicles including impounded ones.
Can I craft directly from the phone?
No. The craft app shows blueprints; most items still require a workbench at your ranch.
Is the auction app available on mobile?
Yes. The Ranchers companion app on iOS and Android connects to the in-game auction market.
What happens if I leave my truck outside overnight?
It may be impounded and sent to the Car Pound unless parked at your ranch or an Overnight Parking location.