Cities Skylines Saves & DLC Cross-Platform Transfer Guide
Yes, you can transfer Cities: Skylines saves between PC (Steam/Windows) and Mac, and between different PC storefronts like Steam and Epic, but you cannot transfer saves or DLC between PC and console (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch). This article explains exactly what moves, what doesn’t, and how to do it safely.
Background: Why Cross-Platform Transfers Are Tricky
Cities: Skylines is available on PC (Windows, Mac, Linux), and on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Each platform has its own file structure, save format, and DLC licensing. The game was developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive, but the console versions are ported by different studios (Tantalus Media for Xbox/PS, and others for Switch), which is why they behave differently.
The core issue is that PC saves use a folder structure with .crp and .cpk files, while console saves are stored in platform-specific cloud storage and use a different format. DLC is tied to the store account (Steam, Epic, Microsoft Store, PlayStation Network, Nintendo eShop), so a DLC purchased on one platform cannot be used on another without buying it again.
PC to PC: Steam, Epic, and Windows Store
Transferring saves between PC storefronts is possible because they all use the same save file format. The game stores saves in the same location regardless of which launcher you use:
- Steam:
Steam\userdata\[YourID]\255710\remote(or the game’s local folder if cloud saves are off) - Epic Games Store:
Epic Games\CitiesSkylines\Files(or the game’s install folder) - Windows Store (Game Pass):
Users\[You]\AppData\Local\Colossal Order\Cities_Skylines
To move a save, copy the .crp file (or the whole save folder) from one location to the other. Make sure the destination folder exists. DLC does not transfer—you must own the same DLC on the new store to load a save that uses it. If you load a save with missing DLC, the game will warn you and may remove or replace items from that DLC.
PC to Mac or Linux
PC saves are cross-compatible between Windows, Mac, and Linux because they use the same file format. The save location differs by OS:
- Windows:
C:\Users\[You]\AppData\Local\Colossal Order\Cities_Skylines\Saves - Mac:
~/Library/Application Support/Colossal Order/Cities_Skylines/Saves - Linux:
~/.local/share/Colossal Order/Cities_Skylines/Saves
Copy the .crp file between these folders. DLC ownership is tied to your Steam account, so if you own the DLC on Steam, it works on both Windows and Mac versions of the game (as long as you’re using Steam on both).
PC to Console: Not Possible
You cannot transfer saves from PC to Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch, or vice versa. The console versions use a different save format and are not compatible with PC saves. Even if you could copy the file, the console would not recognize it. DLC is also platform-specific—buying the “Cities: Skylines – Campus� DLC on Steam does not give you the console version.
Some players have asked about using the “Share� feature in the game (which exports a share code), but that only works within the same platform family (e.g., Steam to Steam). It does not work across PC and console.
How to Transfer Saves: Step-by-Step
Here is the general process for moving saves between PC platforms (Steam, Epic, Windows Store) or between PC and Mac:
- Locate the save file on the source platform (see paths above). The file will have a .crp extension, and its name is usually the city name.
- Copy the entire save folder or just the .crp file you want.
- Navigate to the destination platform’s save folder (create it if it doesn’t exist).
- Paste the file there.
- Launch the game on the destination platform and load the save from the “Load Game� menu.
If the save doesn’t appear, check that you placed it in the correct folder and that the game is fully closed when you copy files. Also, ensure you have the same DLC installed on the destination platform, or the save may fail to load.
Common Problems and Solutions
Here are issues you might encounter and how to fix them:
- Save not showing up: Wrong folder or the game is running. Double-check the path and close the game.
- Missing DLC warnings: The save uses assets from DLC you don’t own on the new platform. Either buy the DLC or remove those assets from the save (if possible).
- Corrupted save after transfer: The file was copied incorrectly or the destination platform has a different version of the game. Make sure both versions are updated to the same patch.
- Cloud saves overwriting: If you have cloud saves enabled, the game may sync a different version. Turn off cloud saves on both platforms before transferring.
DLC Transfer: What You Need to Know
DLC is tied to the store account, not to the save file. If you buy DLC on Steam, it works on the Steam version of the game on Windows, Mac, and Linux. If you buy DLC on Epic, it only works on the Epic version. There is no way to transfer DLC ownership between stores or to console.
If you own the game on multiple platforms (e.g., Steam and Epic), you must buy the DLC separately on each. Some DLC may be included in a “Season Passâ€� or “Deluxe Editionâ€� on one platform, but that doesn’t apply to other platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my save from Steam to Xbox?
No. PC and console saves are incompatible. You cannot move saves between PC and any console.
Can I use my Steam DLC on the Epic Games version?
No. DLC is tied to the store account. You must repurchase DLC on Epic to use it there.
Will my mods transfer with my save?
No. Mods are separate from saves. You need to install the same mods on the new platform, and they must be compatible with the game version.
Can I transfer saves from Windows to Mac?
Yes. Copy the .crp file to the Mac save folder. Ensure you have the same DLC and mods installed.
Why does my save load but shows missing items?
That happens when the save uses DLC or mods you don’t have on the new platform. The game will try to replace them, but some assets may be lost.
Can I transfer saves between PlayStation and Xbox?
No. Console saves are platform-specific and cannot be transferred between different console families.
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