Game Save Location: Renpy
Where Are Your Ren’Py Saves? A Complete Guide Whether you are looking to backup your progress, transfer saves to a new computer, or clear out old data for a fresh start, finding where
games hide their save files can be tricky. Because the engine is cross-platform, the location changes depending on whether you are on a PC, a Mac, or a mobile device.
Here is exactly where to find your save files and persistent data on every major platform. Quick Summary of Locations Save Path Location %APPDATA%/RenPy/ or within the game’s own folder ~/Library/RenPy/ Android/data/com.domain.gamename/files/saves 1. Windows: The Dual-Folder System Ren’Py often stores saves in two places simultaneously, which can cause confusion.
Finding the Ren'Py game save location is essential for backing up progress, transferring saves to a new computer, or troubleshooting game errors. Depending on your operating system, the Ren'Py engine stores save data in specific system folders rather than just inside the game’s installation directory. Quick Summary of Save Locations Primary Save Path Windows %APPDATA%/RenPy/ macOS ~/Library/RenPy/ Linux ~/.renpy/ Android
/Android/data/[package.name]/files/saves or Documents/RenPy_Saves/ 1. Windows Save Location
On Windows, Ren'Py typically saves data in the hidden AppData folder. Standard Path: %APPDATA%\RenPy\ How to access: Press the Windows Key + R to open the "Run" dialog. Type %appdata% and hit Enter. Locate the folder named RenPy.
Inside, you will find subfolders named after specific games (e.g., GameName-1234567890) containing your .save files.
Note: Some older games or specific builds may also keep a secondary copy in the game/saves folder within the game's installation directory. 2. macOS Save Location
Mac users will find their Ren'Py saves tucked away in the user library. Standard Path: ~/Library/RenPy/ How to access: Open Finder.
Press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" window. Paste ~/Library/RenPy/ and press Enter. 3. Linux Save Location
On Linux, save data is stored in a hidden directory within your home folder. Standard Path: ~/.renpy/ How to access: Open your file manager (like Nautilus or Dolphin). Navigate to your Home directory.
Press Ctrl + H to toggle hidden files. Look for the .renpy folder. 4. Android & Mobile Locations
Finding saves on Android can be more complex due to varying file permissions. Standard Paths: /Android/data/[com.developer.gamename]/files/saves Internal Storage/Documents/RenPy_Saves/
Access: Use a high-level file explorer (like ZArchiver) to navigate to the Android/data folder. Note that newer Android versions (11+) may restrict access to these folders without specific permissions. 5. Steam Save Locations
If you are playing a Ren'Py game through Steam, the engine often utilizes Steam Cloud. renpy game save location
Local Backup Path: Steam usually still saves to the standard OS paths listed above, but it may also store metadata in your Steam installation directory:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[YourSteamID]\[AppID]\remote Why are there two save folders?
You might notice a saves folder inside the game directory and another in AppData. Ren'Py often creates a local game/saves folder for convenience, but the system AppData folder is the authoritative location used by the engine to ensure saves aren't lost if you delete or update the game folder.
Need help transferring saves between devices? Just let me know which platforms you're moving between!
Question about save location · Issue #4186 · renpy ... - GitHub
Ren'Py games store their save files in system-specific locations to keep them separate from the game's executable files. The exact path depends on your operating system and the game's configuration. Default Save Locations
By default, Ren'Py uses a subdirectory named after the game (set by config.save_directory in the game's code) within these standard system folders: Windows: %APPDATA%/RenPy/.
To find this, press Win + R, type %appdata%, and look for a folder named RenPy. macOS: ~/Library/RenPy/. Linux: ~/.renpy/. Secondary "Game Folder" Saves
Sometimes, you may find a saves folder directly inside the game's main installation directory (/game/saves/).
Development builds: During development, saves are often kept here for easy access.
Fallback: If the system's AppData folder is unavailable or the developer has manually changed the path, the game might use this local folder.
Confusion: Ren'Py may create this folder even if it is using the AppData location, which can lead to players deleting the "wrong" files. How to Identify the Folder Name
The is usually the name of the game followed by a unique timestamp or ID (e.g., MyGame-123456789). This prevents different games with the same title from overwriting each other's saves. Managing Save Files
Deleting Saves: You can delete saves directly from the Ren'Py Save/Load screen by hovering over a slot and pressing the Delete key. Where Are Your Ren’Py Saves
Changing Locations: Developers can change where a game saves by modifying config.save_directory in options.rpy.
Security Keys: Ren'Py saves include a security_keys.txt file. If you move saves between devices, you may encounter errors unless this key matches.
Question about save location · Issue #4186 · renpy ... - GitHub
Handling Android, iOS, Web
- Android/iOS: Saves are in the app's private sandbox (not user-accessible without root/jailbreak). Show a message: "Saves are stored inside the app and cannot be manually accessed."
- Web (Ren'Py 8+): Saves are in browser IndexedDB. Not user-accessible via file system.
You can detect platform:
if renpy.android:
text "Saves are stored inside the app (Android private storage)."
elif renpy.ios:
text "Saves are stored inside the app (iOS sandbox)."
elif renpy.emscripten:
text "Saves are stored in your browser's IndexedDB."
else:
text "Saves folder: [config.savedir]"
How to Back Up and Restore Ren’Py Saves
How to Access
- Open your File Manager.
- Press
Ctrl + Hto show hidden files (files starting with a dot are hidden by default). - Locate the
.renpyfolder in your Home directory. - Inside, you will find the game folder and the subsequent saves.
Troubleshooting
- I can't find the AppData folder (Windows): The AppData folder is hidden. Ensure you have "Hidden items" checked in the "View" tab of File Explorer, or use the
%APPDATA%run command method described above. - The game isn't saving: Ensure you have write permissions for the folders listed above. Running the game as Administrator (Windows) can sometimes resolve permission issues.
- Moving Saves: To transfer saves to a new computer, simply copy the specific game folder from the old computer and paste it into the
RenPyfolder on the new computer.
Where Are My Ren'Py Saves? A Guide to Finding Your Game Data Whether you’re playing a classic like Doki Doki Literature Club!
or a new indie visual novel, Ren'Py games usually store their data in one of two places: the game folder itself or a hidden system folder. If you are looking to back up your progress or use a save game editor
, here is how to find those elusive files across different platforms. 1. The "Base" Folder (Easiest to Find)
Many developers configure their games to store saves directly within the game’s directory. This is common for "portable" versions of games. How to find it:
Open the folder where the game is installed. Look for a subfolder named /game/saves/ What’s inside: You will see files ending in 1-LT1.save persistent file that tracks your overall unlocks and achievements. 2. The System "AppData" Folder (Most Common)
If you don't see a "saves" folder in the game directory, Ren'Py is likely using your computer's local application storage. This prevents save files from being deleted if you update or reinstall the game. The most common path is: %AppData%/RenPy/ Windows Key + R and hit Enter. Look for a folder named , then find the subfolder named after your specific game. On a Mac, Ren'Py typically hides files in the Library: ~/Library/RenPy/ key and click in the top menu bar. , then navigate to the For Linux users, check your home directory: (Note the dot, as it is a hidden folder). 3. How to Delete or Reset Saves
If you’re a player wanting to start fresh, you can simply delete the files in the However, if you are a developer testing your game, the Ren'Py Launcher
provides a "Delete Persistent" button. This is much safer than manual deletion, as it clears variables and achievements specifically for your project without affecting other games. Pro-Tip: The "Save Name"
If you are searching for a specific game's folder in your AppData, look for the save_directory defined in the game's options.rpy file. Developers often use a unique string (like MyGame-123456789
) to ensure their saves don't overwrite another developer's work. Handling Android, iOS, Web
Are you having trouble finding a specific game's directory? Let me know the name of the game you're playing and I can help you track it down!
Troubleshooting Common Save Location Issues
“I Have Two Save Folders – Which One Is Used?”
Some builds use saves/ directly inside the game’s installation folder (portable mode). If you see both, the game uses the one that was written to most recently. Check file modification dates.
Why This Matters
- Backup your progress before updating or uninstalling.
- Transfer saves between computers by copying the game’s folder.
- Debugging – if saves won’t load, check permissions or corrupted
.savefiles.
If you’re a player, simply copy the entire game‑named folder to back up all your progress. If you’re a developer, remember that changing config.save_directory mid‑project can orphan your players’ saves—plan ahead!
The location of game saves depends on your operating system and how the developer configured the project. 📁 Standard Save Locations Windows: %APPDATA%/RenPy/game_directory_name
To find this, press Win + R, type %APPDATA%, and look for the RenPy folder. macOS: ~/Library/RenPy/game_directory_name Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, and paste the path. Linux: ~/.renpy/game_directory_name This is a hidden folder in your Home directory. ⚙️ Alternative Locations
Sometimes developers choose to keep saves local to the game itself:
Internal Folder: Check the /game/saves folder inside the main game directory.
Steam Cloud: If playing via Steam, saves are often synced to Steam/userdata/[your_id]/[game_id]. 🛠️ How to Force a Specific Location
If you are a developer and want to change where your game saves:
Default Behavior: Ren'Py saves to the user's "AppData" or "Library" folder to ensure the game has write permissions. Change via options.rpy: Look for config.save_directory.
If you set this to None, the game will attempt to save in the game folder itself (not recommended for modern OS permissions).
Setting it to a unique string (e.g., "MyGame-12345") ensures it creates a specific folder in the system's RenPy directory. Since you mentioned "— story" in your query,
Help you recover a corrupted save for a specific visual novel? Explain how to transfer saves between different devices?
Where Are Your Ren’Py Game Saves? A Complete Guide to Finding, Backing Up, and Managing Save Files
If you’ve ever spent dozens of hours playing a visual novel built on the Ren’Py engine—such as Doki Doki Literature Club!, Katawa Shoujo, The Last Sovereign, or countless others—you know how precious your progress is. But Ren’Py doesn’t always store your saves where you expect. Unlike mainstream PC games that often place saves neatly in Documents/My Games, Ren’Py uses a more hidden, operating-system-specific approach.
This guide will answer the core question: What is the Ren’Py game save location? We’ll cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and even iOS, along with tips for backing up, transferring, and troubleshooting saves.