ThisCalculator

Everyday

Palworld Save File Location & Backup Guide

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Palworld Save File Location & Backup Guide

Your Palworld save files are stored in a hidden folder on your PC, not in the game’s installation directory. For Steam players on Windows, the exact path is %LocalAppData%\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\<SteamID>\<WorldID>, where <SteamID> is your Steam account’s 17-digit ID and <WorldID> is a long alphanumeric string unique to each world. This guide explains the full location, how to back up and restore saves, and how to troubleshoot common save-related issues.

Why Palworld Saves Are Hidden

Palworld uses Unreal Engine 5, which follows a standard convention of storing player data in the AppData folder on Windows. This folder is hidden by default to prevent accidental modification of game data. The game writes your world files, player data, and settings here, separate from the executable files in your Steam library folder. This separation means that verifying game files or reinstalling the game won’t delete your progress, but it also means you need to know where to look if you want to back up or move your saves.

Exact File Path for Steam Players

On Windows, the full path to your Palworld saves is:

  • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\<SteamID>\<WorldID>

Here’s what each part means:

  • <YourUsername> – your Windows account name.
  • <SteamID> – a 17-digit number that Steam assigns to your account. It’s the same for all games.
  • <WorldID> – a long string of letters and numbers (e.g., 8A2F1C3E9B4D5F6A7C8D9E0F) that uniquely identifies your world. If you have multiple worlds, you’ll see multiple folders here.

Inside the <WorldID> folder, you’ll find files like Level.sav, Players/<PlayerID>.sav, and WorldOption.sav. The Level.sav file contains the world state, while the Players subfolder holds individual player data.

How to Find the Save Folder Quickly

Instead of manually navigating through hidden folders, you can use the Run dialog:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type %LocalAppData%\Pal\Saved\SaveGames and press Enter.
  3. This opens the SaveGames folder directly, where you’ll see your Steam ID folder.

Alternatively, you can enable hidden files in File Explorer: go to View > Options > Change folder and search options > View tab, then select Show hidden files, folders, and drives. After that, you can browse to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Pal\Saved\SaveGames.

Backing Up Your Saves (Step-by-Step)

Backing up your Palworld saves is essential to avoid losing progress due to corruption or updates. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Close Palworld completely.
  2. Open the Run dialog (Windows + R) and type %LocalAppData%\Pal\Saved\SaveGames, then press Enter.
  3. Copy the entire <SteamID> folder to a safe location, such as an external drive, cloud storage, or a different folder on your PC.
  4. To restore, copy the backed-up folder back to the same location, replacing the existing files.

It’s a good idea to back up after major play sessions or before installing game updates. You can also use Steam Cloud, but manual backups give you more control.

Common Problems and Fixes

Players often encounter issues with save files. Here are some common ones and how to resolve them:

  • Save not loading after update: If a game update breaks your save, try verifying the integrity of game files in Steam (right-click the game > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity of game files). This may restore missing or corrupted files.
  • World not appearing in the load menu: Check that the <WorldID> folder is intact. If you accidentally moved or deleted it, your world won’t show up. Restore from a backup if you have one.
  • Corrupted save file: If the game crashes on loading a world, the Level.sav file might be corrupted. Restore a previous backup. If you don’t have one, you may need to start a new world.
  • Missing Steam ID folder: If you don’t see a folder with a 17-digit number, you may have launched the game through a different account or the folder is hidden. Make sure you’re looking in the correct SaveGames folder.

How to Transfer Saves to Another PC

To move your Palworld saves to a different computer, follow these steps:

  1. On the source PC, back up the entire <SteamID> folder as described above.
  2. Copy the folder to a USB drive or cloud storage.
  3. On the target PC, install Palworld and run it once to create the necessary folders.
  4. Navigate to %LocalAppData%\Pal\Saved\SaveGames on the target PC. You should see a folder with the same Steam ID (if you’re using the same Steam account).
  5. Replace the contents of that folder with your backed-up files.

If you’re using a different Steam account, the Steam ID folder will be different, so you’ll need to copy the <WorldID> folder into the new account’s folder. However, note that the game associates saves with your Steam ID, so using a different account may not load your world correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same save on Steam and Xbox Game Pass?

No. Palworld on Steam and Xbox Game Pass use different save file formats and locations. The Steam version uses the AppData folder as described, while the Xbox version stores saves in the Xbox cloud and local app data for the Microsoft Store version. They are not interchangeable.

Does Palworld support Steam Cloud saves?

Yes, Palworld supports Steam Cloud, so your saves are synced to Steam’s servers. However, cloud sync can occasionally fail or overwrite newer saves. It’s still recommended to make manual backups, especially before long play sessions or if you’re about to uninstall the game.

What is the .sav file format? Can I edit it?

The .sav files are binary files used by Unreal Engine. They are not meant to be edited by players. There are third-party tools and mods that can edit these files, but they are unofficial and may risk corrupting your save. Always back up before trying any editor.

Why is my save file so large?

Save file size depends on the number of Pals, buildings, and world changes. As you explore and build, the file grows. A typical end-game save can be several megabytes. If the file becomes too large, it may slow down loading times, but this is normal.

How do I know which folder is my current world?

If you have multiple worlds, each has a unique <WorldID> folder. You can check the modification date of the folders in SaveGames to see which was recently updated. Alternatively, you can look at the WorldOption.sav file inside each folder, but it doesn’t contain a human-readable name. The best way is to note the time you last played each world.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.