Jumping between platforms, upgrading hardware, or simply dabbling in a new operating system should never mean losing your progress. Whether you are migrating from Windows to Linux, moving from Game Pass to Steam, or setting up a brand new PS5, this guide covers everything you need to know about transferring game saves. We will walk you through moving saves on PC across different launchers and operating systems, and handle PlayStation 5 scenarios from disc swaps to full console migrations. No more starting from scratch.
Moving Saves from Windows to Linux (and Vice Versa)
Switching to Linux does not have to mean abandoning your campaigns. Most PC games store their save data in well-known locations, and with a little know-how you can port those files over manually. The first step is locating the saves on Windows. Common spots include %USERPROFILE%Documents, %APPDATA%, or the game’s own installation folder. Once you have found them, you need to determine where the Linux version expects them. Native Linux ports often use paths like ~/.local/share or ~/.config. If you are running the Windows version through Proton, the game’s save folder lives inside the Proton prefix, typically under ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/<appid>/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/. Simply copy the Windows save files into the corresponding Linux location, and the game should pick them up.
Cloud saves can simplify the process, but they are not universally cross-platform. Steam Cloud, for example, may sync saves between Windows and a native Linux build of the same game, but that sync is often disabled when using Proton. You can check the game’s Steam Cloud settings; if a green cloud icon appears next to the title, cross-platform sync is likely active. For games with no official sync, manual transfer remains your best bet.
Steam-Specific Steps
If you play a game on Windows via Steam and want to pick up where you left off on a Linux Steam installation, follow these steps. First, on Windows, navigate to the game’s save location (check PCGamingWiki if unsure). Copy the entire save folder. On Linux, install the game through Steam, forcing Proton if it is not native. Then locate its compatdata folder using the app ID (found in the Steam store URL). Paste the copied save folder into the appropriate location within the prefix, matching the expected path. Launch the game, and your progress should be there.
Non-Steam Games: Epic, GOG, and Heroic
The question of whether cloud saves transfer from Epic Games to the Heroic launcher on Linux comes up often. Heroic does support cloud save synchronization for some titles, but the feature is not guaranteed to work seamlessly with Epic’s own cloud storage. In many cases, saves will not automatically appear. The solution is to manually move the save files. Windows Epic Games store saves in locations similar to other PC games; consult the game’s documentation or PCGamingWiki. On Linux, Heroic creates individual Wine prefixes for each game, usually found in ~/Games/Heroic/Prefixes/. Copy the save folder into the corresponding prefix’s drive_c/users/steamuser/ directory. This applies to GOG games launched through Heroic as well. For a smoother experience, consider using a synchronization tool like SyncThing to keep save folders mirrored between your Windows and Linux machines.
Transferring Saves Between Game Launchers on PC
Having games scattered across Steam, Epic, Game Pass, and GOG is common, but moving saves from one launcher to another is not always straightforward. Compatibility depends entirely on whether the game uses the same save file format and structure. Many AAA titles store saves in a consistent manner across storefronts, but there are notable exceptions, especially with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass.
Game Pass to Steam: The UWP Challenge
Games installed through the Xbox app or Microsoft Store are often packaged as Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications. These have tightly controlled, sometimes encrypted save locations that are not accessible to other versions. As a result, transferring a Game Pass save to the Steam version of the same title is rarely possible without third-party tools or developer-provided migration features. A handful of Xbox Play Anywhere titles may store saves in a shared cloud, but that typically syncs with the Xbox console ecosystem rather than Steam. Always back up your Game Pass saves before attempting any transfer, and check individual game communities for unofficial workarounds.
Cross-Launcher Transfers: Steam, Epic, GOG
For launchers like Steam, Epic, and GOG, the process is more forgiving. Most single-player games use the same save file directory and format regardless of where you bought them. To move a save, find the save folder on the original launcher, install the game on the target launcher, and copy the files into the corresponding folder. Some games even support in-game profile transfers or export features. Always verify file paths first; a quick search on PCGamingWiki can save you hours of guesswork. And as always, make a backup of the original saves before overwriting anything.
PlayStation 5 Save Data Transfers
The PS5 handles save data a bit differently, but moving your progress between discs, digital editions, or even entirely new consoles is well supported.
Switching from Digital to Disc (or Vice Versa)
If you originally bought a game digitally and later acquire a physical disc (or the other way around), your save data will work without any extra steps. PS5 saves are tied to your PlayStation Network account and the game’s unique title ID, which remains identical across digital and disc versions of the same game. Just pop in the disc and continue playing where you left off.
Moving PS5 Saves to a New Console
Upgrading to a new PS5 is a common reason to transfer saves. You have three main options:
- PlayStation Plus Cloud Storage: If you have an active PS Plus subscription, you can upload your save data to the cloud from your old console, then download it onto the new one. Navigate to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Upload to Cloud Storage. On the new PS5, go to the same menu and choose Download.
- USB Drive Backup: Plug a compatible USB drive into your old PS5, go to Settings > System > Backup and Restore > Back Up Your PS5, and follow the prompts to include saved data. Then connect the drive to the new PS5 and restore from the backup.
- System Data Transfer: This method moves everything, including games, saves, and settings, directly between two consoles over your local network. On the new PS5, during initial setup or later in Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer, you can initiate the process. Both consoles must be turned on and connected to the same network.
All methods require you to sign in with the same PSN account on both consoles to access the saves. Once transferred, your games will pick up right where you left off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Windows game saves to Linux for any game?
Most single-player games that store saves in standard, accessible folders can be transferred manually. You will need to locate the save files on Windows and copy them to the correct Linux path, which depends on whether you are running a native Linux build or using Proton. Some games may use Windows-only file formats or registry entries that complicate the process, but they are rare.
How do I transfer Steam saves from Windows to Linux?
On Windows, find the game’s save folder (often in Documents or AppData). On Linux, install the game through Steam and either let it run once to generate the Proton prefix, or locate the compatdata folder using the game’s app ID. Paste the save folder into the matching directory structure inside the prefix. Launch the game, and your saves should load.
Do cloud saves transfer from Epic Games to Heroic on Linux?
Heroic includes a cloud save feature that can sync with Epic’s servers for some games, but it is not 100% reliable. In many cases, you will need to manually move save files from your Windows Epic Games installation to the Heroic game’s Wine prefix on Linux. Always check Heroic’s per-game settings to enable cloud saves, and if that fails, fall back to manual copying.
Can I transfer my Game Pass saves to Steam?
Generally, no. Games from the Xbox app on PC often use UWP packaging with restricted save locations. Some games may have cross-save via Xbox Play Anywhere, but that usually syncs with Xbox consoles, not Steam. Check per-game guides on forums or PCGamingWiki to see if manual transfer is possible for a specific title.
Will my PS5 save data work if I switch from digital to disc version?
Yes. PS5 saves are tied to your PSN account and the game’s ID, which is the same for both digital and disc versions of the same game. You can seamlessly switch between formats without losing progress.
How can I transfer my PS5 data to a new PS5?
You can use PlayStation Plus cloud storage to upload saves from the old console and download them on the new one, or back up save data to a USB drive and restore it on the new system. An alternative is the system data transfer feature that moves everything over your local network. For any method, you must sign in with the same PSN account.
No matter the platform or launcher, a little preparation goes a long way. Always back up your save files before moving them, and you will never lose a minute of hard-earned progress.
