On Steam for Windows, the community save-tool documentation identifies %LOCALAPPDATA%\Subnautica2\Saved\SaveGames\. Confirm the profile and branch before copying files. Xbox saves use Microsoft-managed storage; Xbox Series relies on network synchronization and does not export standalone saves to USB.
Before restoring: Keep an untouched copy of the current files and check the save’s game build, branch, and account. A dated PC folder backup preserves an older version; platform cloud synchronization keeps devices in sync. For a manual cross-platform transfer, Subnautica 2 provides Save to Cloud and Import Save File using a generated code.
Xbox storage and official Save Code transfer guidance checked 2026-10-04. Patch-specific build and branch notes last checked 2026-09-04.
Using Steam Experimental? The preview branch stores saves separately and does not allow imports or exports between Experimental and the main Early Access build. Hotfix 1 records the branch in save metadata, but that does not make the files interchangeable. Back up your main folder before opting in, and do not use a long-term save as your test world.
Access: The community sn2-save-tools README documents savegame_N.sav files here for its Steam build 128456 baseline. Open the folder and confirm your existing profile and branch before copying files; do not create a replacement folder if the expected saves are missing.
Cloud: When Steam Cloud is enabled, wait for Steam to finish syncing after closing the game. Keep a separate dated copy for rollback; cloud sync can also propagate a changed or deleted save.
Epic Games Store (Windows PC)
Short path
Locate the existing save through the installed game
Resolved
Use Save to Cloud and Import Save File for cross-platform transfers
Access: Locate your existing save files through the installed game and launcher. Keep a backup of the active save before moving files.
Cloud: Check whether the Epic launcher exposes Cloud Saves for this installation. Do not assume that a local file has been uploaded without confirming the launcher sync status.
Xbox app on Windows PC
Short path
Microsoft-managed game-save storage
Resolved
Use the game and Xbox app save controls
Access: Leave save-container files and folder permissions intact; use the game and Xbox app to manage saves. A generic Packages/WGS path does not identify this game’s active save container.
Cloud: Automatic platform sync uses the Microsoft account. For a manual transfer to another platform, use Subnautica 2’s Save to Cloud code and Import Save File instead of exchanging protected files.
Xbox Series X|S
Short path
Not exposed to the filesystem
Resolved
Console-managed only
Access: Console-managed. The Manage game menu does not provide a standalone USB save export for Xbox Series games. Moving an installed game to external storage is a different operation.
Cloud: Saved games sync with the Xbox network when connected. Offline progress must finish syncing before you rely on the cloud copy or continue on another device.
How to back up
For accessible PC saves, keep a dated copy before updating or changing branches. On Xbox, confirm cloud synchronization instead of attempting to copy protected containers. A game-provided backup or export can be useful, but it does not prove that a separate platform-cloud or local-file backup exists.
Steam or Epic (PC)
Quit the game and wait for any launcher sync to finish. Open the save location and identify the existing files for the profile and branch you just used. Copy the entire save folder to a dated folder outside the game directory, ideally on another drive. Preserve the original files and record the game build and storefront alongside the copy.
Xbox app (PC)
Use the game’s Save to Cloud command if you need a code to import on another platform. For automatic Xbox synchronization, close the game while connected and let syncing finish. A synchronized save is not a dated rollback archive. Do not change Packages folder ownership or rename WGS containers to force a restore.
Xbox Series
For an in-game transfer, select the saved game in Subnautica 2’s main menu and choose Save to Cloud, then keep the generated code for Import Save File. Separately, stay connected after playing so Xbox platform synchronization can finish; its Game Hub shows sync status. There is no standalone USB save export. Do not use Delete everywhere or Clear local saved games as backup commands.
Restore an accessible PC save backup
For Xbox save-sync errors, use the official Xbox recovery instructions. The file-copy steps below do not apply to Xbox console saves or WGS containers.
Quit Subnautica 2 completely. Save files in use are locked and cannot be overwritten.
For a confirmed Steam local-file restore, wait for synchronization to finish and temporarily turn off Steam Cloud for this game in Steam Properties. These steps are for accessible PC save files, not Xbox-managed cloud containers.
Make a second copy of the current SaveGames folder before touching .bak files or replacing anything. Recovery attempts should be reversible.
Check that the backup belongs to the same storefront, profile, and compatible game build and branch. With both the current files and backup preserved separately, restore the copy into the confirmed active save location.
Launch and verify the expected world and progress. If the save does not load, stop and check profile, branch, build, and file placement before changing more files. Keep both copies for support; a missing slot alone does not prove the save is lost.
After checking the restored save, close the game before re-enabling Steam Cloud. If Steam reports a conflict, compare its timestamps and retain your separate backup before choosing a copy. Follow the launcher’s prompts rather than assuming the desired save uploads automatically.
sn2-save-tools backup instructions — community documentation for the Windows path and savegame_N.sav naming, with Steam build 128456 as its stated baseline. This source describes the Steam Windows build.
Transfer a save with an in-game code
Official Subnautica support confirms this manual route works across platforms. It is separate from automatic Steam Cloud or Xbox synchronization and does not require editing operating-system save folders.
From the main menu, open your single-player or multiplayer saved games.
Select the save you want to share and choose Save to Cloud. Copy the generated code.
On the destination platform, choose Import Save File in the bottom-left of the main menu and enter the code.
Keep your original save until you have loaded and checked the imported world. Follow any build or branch compatibility warning instead of forcing a file replacement.
Questions people ask
Where are Subnautica 2 save files on Windows?
For Steam, the community sn2-save-tools documentation records %LOCALAPPDATA%\Subnautica2\Saved\SaveGames\savegame_N.sav for its Steam build 128456 baseline. Confirm the active profile and branch before copying or replacing anything. For Epic, locate the existing save through the installed game and launcher; Xbox app saves use Microsoft-managed storage.
How do I back up my Subnautica 2 save?
For accessible PC saves, quit the game and copy the verified active save folder into a dated backup location. On Xbox Series, let Xbox network synchronization finish; the Manage game menu does not export a standalone save to USB. A game-provided backup or Save Code, platform cloud sync, and an operating-system folder copy are separate mechanisms.
Can I move my Subnautica 2 save between PCs?
Yes. Within Steam, finish Steam Cloud synchronization on the first PC before starting on the second. For a manual cross-platform transfer, official Subnautica support says to choose Save to Cloud for your saved game, copy the generated code, and use Import Save File on the destination. Keep Experimental and public branches separate; code sharing does not make incompatible builds interchangeable.
My save file disappeared after a patch — what happened?
Buddy System Hotfix 1 now records the build number and branch in save data and blocks incompatible loads. If a slot appears missing, confirm the public versus Experimental branch and the installed build first, then check for a cloud conflict. If that fails, look for backup or .bak files near the SaveGames path, but copy the whole folder somewhere safe before renaming or replacing anything.
Are Experimental branch saves compatible with the main Subnautica 2 build?
No. Unknown Worlds says Experimental and main-branch saves cannot be imported or exported between versions. The game stores them in separate locations, so keep a manual backup of your main SaveGames folder and use a disposable preview save.
The path uses backslashes — does that mean only Windows is supported?
The official platforms are Windows, Xbox Series, and Xbox on PC. There is no native macOS or Linux build. Steam Deck players run the game through Proton, which translates the Windows path to a Linux equivalent inside the Proton prefix — usually under .steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1962700/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/Subnautica2/Saved/SaveGames/. Steam Deck Verified status and performance tuning are tracked on the Steam Deck page.
Related
Save files only matter if you can also restore them — these pages cover the rest of the path.
