Age of Empires IV Patch 16.2.10884 brings a handheld UI switch and bug fixes

Age of Empires IV Patch 16.2.10884 arrived on June 18, 2026, and it puts handheld controls front and center. Players on devices like the ROG XBOX Ally and Steam Deck can now switch between the controller and KBM interfaces from the in-game options menu, while the rest of the build focuses on bug fixes.

The update follows patch 16.2.10604, which added controller support on PC and the handheld controller UI, and it now gives players an easier way to bounce back to the keyboard-and-mouse layout when they want it.

Patch Notes

The June 18 build is a small pass, but it lands in a useful place for handheld play and clears up a few troublesome edge cases in the Crucible and tech systems.

Please Note: As part of updating to this latest build, any saved games and observable matches made on previous builds will be unable to be loaded or replayed.

In our last patch (16.2.10604), we introduced controller support on PC as well as the controller UI for handheld devices like the ROG XBOX Ally and Steam Deck. Since then, we’ve heard from many of you that you’d like to be able to return to the KBM user interface or switch between the two with more ease. Starting today, you’ll be able to select between the two UIs in the in-game options menu on handheld.

General Bugfixes

• Fixed an issue where the Crucible Perk point maximum message was displayed in error.
• Fixed an issue that allowed the Armored Caravans and Medical Centers technologies to be researched multiple times.
• Fixed an issue that caused the City Planning technology to not be applied in some cases.

Investigation

Your reports continue being crucial to our prioritization and implementation of fixes and features in the game. Keep them coming!

For other known issues, please visit this page to see what’s being tracked!

Tell us what you think about the handheld UI toggle and the bug fixes in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.

Source: Age of Empires