The Tool Desk
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How server transfers work
A Cross-ARK transfer moves a survivor from one eligible server to another. It is not a shared character that can be played on both servers at once. The usual process is to reach a transfer point on the source server, upload the survivor or choose the travel option, select an eligible destination, then join that server and download the survivor.
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Common transfer points include obelisks and Tek Transmitters. Some maps and modes offer alternatives, such as terminals or mission dispatchers. Available points and menu labels vary by game version, map, mode, and server setup. The ARK Official Community Wiki’s CrossARK Transfers guide describes the mechanics and map-specific options.
Which servers will accept your survivor?
Official servers
Official transfers are bounded by game mode; being an Official server alone does not make a destination eligible. Studio Wildcard described Official map transfers as separated by game mode in its Evolution Event: Cross ARK Transfers & More! announcement. That announcement is historical, not a complete live list of every current exception. Confirm that the destination is in a compatible mode and that transfers are currently enabled.
#1 Best Overall
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
Unofficial dedicated servers
For dynamic Cross-ARK travel, unofficial servers must be configured as a shared cluster. The server configuration guide identifies a matching cluster ID and a shared cluster directory as necessary: matching IDs alone are not enough. If servers have the same ID but separate storage directories, a destination may appear in the transfer list while downloads fail. Ask the administrator whether both servers share the same configured cluster and whether uploads and downloads are permitted. See the wiki’s Cross-ARK Data Transfer server configuration guidance.
Special networks and local play
Special networks can have their own temporary rules. For example, Studio Wildcard’s ASA Public Test Realm guide says transfers are disabled on PTR Official servers. Its Community Crunch 486 also gives a dated example of a scheduled transfer window for Isolated servers. Check the current announcement for the exact server rather than assuming those conditions are permanent.
Rank #2
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Single-player and non-dedicated play also have upload and download mechanics, but the available guidance does not establish every current platform-specific detail. If you are playing locally, check the instructions for your game version and setup rather than relying on dedicated-server steps.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Before you upload: check what transfers and what can go wrong
- Confirm eligibility and permissions. Check the destination’s mode, cluster membership, and transfer settings before leaving the source. Uploads and downloads can be disabled or restricted.
- Do not assume everything moves with your survivor. Survivor, item, and creature transfers are distinct processes with separate mechanics and restrictions. A survivor transfer does not automatically move your base, tribe, inventory, or every tame.
- Account for item and creature upload expiry. The community wiki documents a default 24-hour multiplayer lifetime for items and creatures uploaded to ARK Data; administrators can change the expiration settings. Treat 24 hours as a documented default, not a guarantee for every server.
- Allow for server rollback risk. The wiki warns that a rollback on the source server can leave a transferred character unavailable to download at the destination as expected. Transfers are not risk-free.
For mechanics, restrictions, and the expiry and rollback cautions, consult the CrossARK Transfers guide.
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Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Rank #3
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game. Run too far and not only will you be exhausted, but you will also quickly get hungry and thirsty. Weather effects are based on real-world climates, and so you'll need to hide out from rain and snow, while making the most of sunny days
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Gather Resources, Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes and style of everything from the walls of your home, to your character's armor, weapons and more
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout. Make your way to the final boss and figure out why you've been dropped into this Jurassic-era experience
If the destination will not let you download
- Verify the server relationship. On Official, confirm that the destination is compatible with the source’s game mode and that transfers are currently open. On unofficial servers, confirm with the administrator that both servers use the same cluster ID and shared cluster directory.
- Check transfer permissions. Ask whether survivor downloads are enabled on the destination and whether any current server restriction applies.
- Check the transfer type and data conditions. Survivor, item, and creature transfers have different rules. Do not assume an item or tame upload has the same status or lifetime as your survivor.
- Consult current server information. Special networks and temporary restrictions can change; use the destination’s current settings or announcement, not an old event notice.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
