How to Sync Game Saves Between Computers: Steam Cloud, Epic Games & Cloud Storage in 2024
Most games don’t require a local save file. For the ones that do, you can use cloud storage to access those files when away from home. Read on to learn how to sync game saves between computers in a few easy steps.
Written by Jason Stagnitto (Writer)
Reviewed by Valentina Bravo (Editor)
Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski (Fact-Checker)
Last Updated: 2024-06-20T18:37:06+00:00
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Before the internet and cloud gaming, having a local save file for your video game was standard practice. Some games still save a file with your game data, but that file is not connected to the cloud. If you want to access your saved files while on the go, we will show you how to sync game saves between computers.
In today’s gaming world, most saved game data resides on a publisher’s or developer’s servers, minimizing the need to keep saved files on your devices. However, a few games still create a local save file. Read on to learn how to access your game saves no matter where you are.
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06/19/2024 Facts checked
This article was rewritten to include updated processes on how to sync game saves between computers and other devices.
How to Sync Games Between Devices
There are several options to sync saved game files between devices depending on the platform. Typically, when you play on the device on which you downloaded the game, you don’t have to worry about your saved game files syncing. If you are traveling or find yourself away from home and want to play, you can use cloud storage to access your save files.
How to Sync Game Saves Between Computers (PC)
The best way to sync saved files between different devices is to use a cloud storage service. The simplest way is to create a copy of the save files in your cloud storage account. Doing so gives you access to them when you are away from home.
Before following the steps below, make sure you have a cloud storage account and that you’ve downloaded the accompanying desktop app. If you are unsure which one to choose, you can select one from our list of the best cloud storage services.
- Make a Folder
In your cloud storage sync folder, make a folder for your game saves. If you want to do this with multiple games, you can make subfolders for each one.
- Locate and Copy the Save File(s)
Locate your save files in the game publisher’s folder, which is usually found in the “documents” folder. You will usually see a folder titled something like “saved data.” Make a copy of the files you want.
- Paste to Cloud Storage
Paste the saved game file into your cloud storage account. You can do this with the sync folder on your device.
- Open the Command Prompt
To sync between your computer and the cloud storage saved game folder, open the command prompt by clicking “run as administrator.”
- Create a Symbolic Link
In the command prompt window, type in the following:
mklink /J “C:\Users\YourNameHere\Documents\My Documents\My Games” “C:\Users\YourNameHere\Cloud Storage Name\Game Saves\My Games”
You will need to verify that the paths are correct. The first path is the original save folder for your game, typically found in the „documents” folder. The second is the file path to the cloud storage folder you created for saved games, such as a Dropbox folder. It may be different from the above — just make sure to follow the command structure.
If you run into errors, such as a „cannot create a file when that file name already exists,” you can try to change the name of the saved game folder at the original location, or try /D instead of /J.
- Test the Link
To check that the synchronization worked, you’ll need to save the game on one computer and open the game on another PC. If you can access the file you saved in the game, you’re good to go.
How to Restore Game Progress From Game Center (iOS)
Until 2016, Apple’s Game Center was an app for Mac and iOS devices that had more features and functionality than it does now. Game Center can be found in the “settings” section of Apple devices and is mainly used to manage profiles.
Some games in the App Store still support Game Center for tracking challenges or playing games with others. If you notice an issue with your game and it has Game Center support, you can try the following to sync your data.
- Verify Game Center
If a game in the App Store has Game Center support, the “information” section of the game will indicate this.
- Uninstall the Game
One way to re-sync your data is to uninstall the game from your device.
- Reinstall the Game
Head back to the App Store and re-download the game. Doing so should help sync your saved data.
Where Are Your Saved Game Files Located?
Your saved game files may be located in different folders, depending on your device and how the game was installed. We will use two of the more popular storefronts in Steam and Epic to show you how to determine the location of downloaded game files and the accompanying saved games folder.
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How to Find Your Steam Game Save File Path
You can find your local download and save files by locating the Steam games in your account.
- Open the Library
Find the game you have downloaded in your Steam library and click on the gear icon. Hover over “manage” and then click on “browse local files.” This will open the location of your downloaded files.
- Navigate to Your Saved Files
The saved files for your game will almost certainly be located in the “documents” folder. For this example, the folders are “Electronic Arts,” “The Sims 4” and “saves.”
Where to Find Your Epic Games Store Save Files
Finding your Epic Games Store data is similar to the process for Steam.
- Open the Library
Find the game you want to see in your library and click on the three dots menu. Click on “manage,” then hover over the folder icon next to “installation” and click on it. This will open the location of your downloaded files.
- Navigate to the Saved Files
Games with local saves from Epic Games Store, like Steam, create a location in your “documents” folder. In this example, for ‘Football Manager 2024,’ the saved files are located in the “sports interactive” folder.
Final Thoughts
It’s not often you need to worry about local save files. However, if you play a game that has them, you can use cloud storage to gain access to your saved files no matter which device you use to play the game.
Do you play games with local save files? Do you often wish you could access your saved files no matter where you play? Let us know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: Sync Game Saves Between Multiple Devices
If you are having issues with syncing saved game data, achievements or challenges through Game Center, you can uninstall and reinstall the game to see if the data syncs.
The quickest way to sync and restore your ‘Solitaire’ data is to uninstall the game and reinstall it to see if it forces the data to sync.