Once Human is built around seasonal resets, and if you don’t understand how character importing works, it’s painfully easy to wipe hours of customization by clicking the wrong button. The good news is that the system is far more forgiving than most survival MMOs, as long as you know what the game actually treats as your “character” versus seasonal progression. Importing isn’t about preserving power; it’s about preserving identity.
At its core, character importing lets you carry your customized survivor into a new season or server while resetting the parts of progression that would break balance. Think of it like keeping your avatar, not your advantage. Once you grasp that distinction, the system makes a lot more sense.
What the Game Considers Your Character
In Once Human, your character is primarily your visual customization and base identity, not your seasonal progress. Your face, body type, hair, and cosmetic tweaks are saved to your account rather than the server. That’s why importing exists at all, instead of forcing a full remake every season.
Everything tied to power scaling lives on the server. Levels, weapons, mods, blueprints, base structures, and inventory are all seasonal data. When a season ends or you jump servers, that progression is intentionally left behind to keep PvE and PvP fair.
When Character Importing Is Available
You can only import a character during character creation on a new server or season. Once you finalize that screen, the choice is locked in. There is no mid-season import, no retroactive transfer, and no GM rollback if you skip it.
The import option appears after you select a new server and before you enter the tutorial. If you rush through setup on autopilot, this is where most players mess up. Slow down and read the prompts carefully.
How to Import Your Character Step by Step
After selecting a fresh server or season, the game asks whether you want to create a new character or import an existing one. Choosing import pulls from your account’s saved character data, not from a specific server. If you’ve played multiple seasons, you’ll usually see your most recently used customization.
You can still tweak your appearance after importing, but you’re starting from your previous template instead of a blank slate. Once confirmed, that appearance becomes locked to the new season unless you use in-game appearance change options later.
What Carries Over and What Gets Reset
Only cosmetic and identity data carries over. Your character’s appearance, name availability, and account-bound cosmetics remain intact. This ensures continuity without letting veterans steamroll early content.
Everything else resets. Character level, skill progression, weapons, mods, Deviants, crafting recipes, base plots, and stored materials all go back to zero. Even if you were a maxed-out DPS monster last season, you’re starting this one as a fresh survivor.
Server and Season Restrictions You Need to Know
Characters cannot be imported into servers that are already past their early-season phase if they’re marked as restricted. Some PvP or event servers also disable importing to maintain competitive integrity. If the option doesn’t appear, it’s usually because the server ruleset forbids it.
You also can’t merge progress across servers. Importing is a one-way copy of appearance data, not a transfer. Deleting an old character does not affect your ability to import, as long as the account still has saved customization data.
Common Import Problems and How to Avoid Them
The most common mistake is accidentally selecting “Create New Character” and finalizing it. Once that’s done, you’re locked into a fresh appearance for that season unless you spend resources or use limited change options later. Always double-check the selection before confirming.
If your character doesn’t appear in the import list, make sure you’re logged into the same account and region you originally played on. Import data is account-based, not platform-wide across different publishers or regions. When in doubt, back out to the main menu and re-enter character creation instead of forcing the process forward.
Prerequisites Before You Can Import a Character
Before the import option even shows up, Once Human quietly checks several backend conditions. Miss any of these, and the game will push you straight into fresh character creation with no warning. Think of this as the checklist you should mentally clear before clicking anything in a new season or server.
An Existing Character With Saved Customization Data
You must already have a character created on the same account with finalized appearance data. Drafts or abandoned creations that were never confirmed don’t count, even if you spent time in the editor. If you hit “Enter World” on that character at least once, the game has stored the template.
Deleting that character later does not remove the saved appearance. As long as the account has historical customization data, the import option remains available.
Correct Account, Region, and Publisher
Importing is strictly account-bound. If you’re logged into a different account, platform launcher, or region shard, your character will not appear. This is especially important for players who bounced between test servers, regional clients, or publisher versions during early seasons.
The system does not cross-sync appearance data between regions. NA, EU, and Asia clients each store character data separately, so make sure you’re launching the same version you originally played on.
A Server That Allows Character Importing
Not every server supports importing, even if it’s technically a new season. Competitive PvP servers, event-limited servers, or late-phase seasonal servers often disable importing to prevent uneven starting conditions.
If a server allows importing, the option appears during character creation automatically. If it’s missing, that’s a ruleset restriction, not a bug or missing file.
Entering During the Server’s Import Window
Most seasonal servers only allow imports during their early access window. Once the server progresses past a certain day threshold, importing gets locked out entirely. This keeps late joiners from bypassing early-season identity creation rules.
If you’re returning after a break, always check the server’s age before committing. Joining too late means you’ll be creating a brand-new appearance whether you like it or not.
No Character Finalized on That Server Yet
Importing only happens during initial character creation. If you’ve already finalized a character on that server, even one you barely played, the import option is gone. The game treats that slot as permanent unless you reroll using in-game systems later.
Backing out before confirmation is safe. Confirming the character is the point of no return, so take your time on the creation screen and verify the import toggle is active before locking it in.
Step-by-Step: How to Import Your Character During Season or Server Selection
Once you’ve confirmed the server rules, timing, and account prerequisites, the actual import process is straightforward—but only if you follow the flow exactly. The game doesn’t walk you through it, and one wrong click can lock you out permanently. Here’s how to do it cleanly, without triggering a forced reroll.
Step 1: Select Your Season and Server Carefully
From the main menu, enter the Season Selection screen and choose the season you intend to play. This is where most mistakes happen, especially during resets when multiple seasonal servers look nearly identical.
Before clicking confirm, check the server description panel. If importing is allowed, it will explicitly state that character appearance import is supported during creation. If the text isn’t there, stop and pick a different server.
Step 2: Proceed to Character Creation, Not Quick Start
After selecting the server, the game will prompt you to create a character. You must choose the full character creation flow, not any abbreviated or recommended setup options.
Quick-start paths skip the import hook entirely. If you don’t see the full customization interface, back out immediately before confirming anything.
Step 3: Locate the Character Import Option
On the character creation screen, look for the Import or Load Appearance option, typically positioned near the top or side of the customization UI. This option only appears if all prerequisites from the previous section are met.
Selecting it opens a list of eligible characters tied to your account for that region. These are pulled from previous seasons or servers where importing was enabled and finalized correctly.
Step 4: Choose the Correct Character Data
Each entry will show a preview of the character’s appearance. This is purely visual data—face structure, skin tone, hair, scars, and cosmetic sliders.
Select the character you want and confirm the import. Once applied, the customization sliders will update to reflect that appearance, and you can make minor tweaks if the server rules allow it.
What Carries Over and What Does Not
Only appearance data transfers. That includes facial geometry, body proportions, skin details, and cosmetic choices. Nothing tied to progression comes with you.
Weapons, gear, mods, blueprints, Memetics, Deviations, currencies, levels, and quest state are always reset. Treat importing as a cosmetic continuity feature, not a progression shortcut.
Final Confirmation Is the Point of No Return
After importing, you’ll move to the final confirmation screen. This is where the game permanently locks the character to that server.
Double-check that the imported appearance is active before confirming. Once you finalize, you cannot re-open the import menu on that server, even if you delete progress or barely played.
Troubleshooting: Import Option Missing or Empty
If the import button doesn’t appear, it’s almost always due to server rules, region mismatch, or a missed import window. Restarting the client won’t fix this.
If the menu opens but shows no characters, verify you’re logged into the same account and region where the original character was created. Test servers, publisher variants, and regional clients do not share appearance data.
Pro Tip: Test Before You Commit
If you’re unsure whether a server supports importing, back out before final confirmation and test another server in the same season. This costs nothing and prevents irreversible mistakes.
Veteran players always treat the creation screen like a boss fight: read everything, confirm the rules, and only lock in once you’re 100 percent sure the import applied correctly.
What Carries Over vs. What Resets When You Import
At this point, it’s critical to understand what importing actually does under the hood. Once Human treats character importing as a cosmetic continuity system, not a progression transfer. If you go in expecting gear, power, or late-game advantages, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
What Carries Over When You Import
Only your character’s visual identity transfers between servers or seasons. This includes facial structure, body proportions, skin tone, scars, tattoos, makeup, hair style, hair color, and all cosmetic slider values.
Think of it as cloning the character model, not the character itself. The game rebuilds your appearance on the new server using saved customization data, which is why the preview is visual-only with no stats attached.
What Absolutely Does Not Carry Over
Everything tied to progression is wiped clean. Levels, weapons, armor, mods, blueprints, Memetics, Deviations, currencies, quest progress, territory claims, and inventory are all reset to zero.
Even passive progression like unlocked crafting tiers or stat bonuses is server-specific. When you spawn in, you are functionally a fresh character with veteran drip, nothing more.
Why Once Human Resets Progress
This reset isn’t arbitrary; it’s core to Once Human’s seasonal design. Each season is balanced around a clean economy, controlled power scaling, and fresh PvE and PvP progression curves.
Allowing gear or Memetics to carry over would instantly break DPS balance, aggro tuning, and early-game difficulty. Importing visuals keeps player identity intact without undermining the seasonal meta.
Common Misconceptions That Trip Players Up
Cosmetic outfits, weapon skins, and mounts do not transfer unless they are account-wide unlocks explicitly labeled as such. If it was earned through gameplay on a specific server, it resets.
Deleting a character after importing does not refund the import or reopen the menu. Once the appearance is locked to that server, the import is consumed whether you play for five minutes or fifty hours.
Season and Server Rule Variations
Not every server allows importing, especially special-rule, hardcore, or event servers. Some seasons restrict imports entirely to maintain competitive parity or narrative progression.
Always check the server description before final confirmation. If importing is disabled, the option won’t magically appear later, even if you’ve imported on other servers before.
The Mental Model You Should Use
Treat importing like transferring a save file’s character creator preset, nothing else. You’re preserving your avatar’s identity while committing to a full progression reset.
Veteran players plan builds, early-game routes, and crafting priorities around this reality. If you approach a new server expecting a fresh grind with a familiar face, you’re playing Once Human the way it’s meant to be played.
Common Restrictions, Limits, and One-Time Import Rules
At this point, it’s critical to understand that importing your character in Once Human is intentionally restrictive. These limits aren’t UI quirks or missing features; they’re guardrails designed to protect seasonal balance and prevent irreversible mistakes.
If you treat the import like a casual toggle, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. This system expects deliberate choices, not experimentation.
One Import Per Character, Per Server
Each character can only be imported once per server. The moment you confirm the import during character creation, that appearance is permanently bound to that server slot.
There is no reset, rollback, or second chance, even if you immediately delete the character afterward. From the game’s perspective, the import has already been consumed.
Import Is Locked to Character Creation
You cannot import an appearance after finishing character creation. If you skip the import screen or choose to customize manually, the option is gone for that server.
There is no NPC, terminal, or late-game menu that reopens importing. This catches returning players off guard more than anything else, especially those rushing through early menus.
Account-Level Ownership Is Mandatory
Only characters that exist on your account can be imported. You cannot import presets from other players, shared files, or screenshots recreated in the editor.
If you previously played on a different account or platform region, that character is invisible to the import menu. Cross-account importing is not supported in any form.
What Carries Over Is Strictly Visual Data
The import includes facial structure, body proportions, skin tone, hair, eye customization, scars, and cosmetic sliders. That’s it.
Nothing tied to gameplay logic transfers, including stats, traits, Memetics, crafting unlocks, or hidden progression flags. Think of it as copying a 3D model, not a save file.
Seasonal and Server-Based Import Locks
Some servers disable importing entirely, especially PvP-focused, hardcore, or limited-time event servers. When this happens, the import button will be greyed out or missing during creation.
This is not a bug. If the server rules prohibit imports, there is no workaround, and customer support cannot override it.
Preset Compatibility Can Break Between Seasons
Major seasonal updates sometimes adjust character models, facial rigs, or slider ranges. When that happens, older imports may look slightly different once applied.
In rare cases, the game will force minor adjustments before allowing confirmation. Always rotate the model, check facial angles, and verify lighting before locking in the import.
Deleting Characters Does Not Restore Imports
Deleting an imported character does not refund the import attempt. The server still flags that character slot as having used an import.
If you want to experiment with different looks, do it on a test server or with a fresh character that you don’t intend to import later.
Common Import Errors and How to Avoid Them
If your character doesn’t appear in the import list, double-check that it exists on the same account and was created on a server that allows exporting appearances. Characters created during restricted seasons may not be eligible.
If the import menu fails to load, back out to the main menu and re-enter character creation instead of force-confirming defaults. Rushing through this screen is the fastest way to permanently lose your chance to import.
The Rule Veteran Players Never Break
Never confirm character creation until you’ve verified three things: the correct server rules, the correct character selected, and the final appearance preview under neutral lighting.
Once Human gives you exactly one shot to bring your identity forward. Treat that confirmation button with the same respect you give a high-risk PvP engagement with no respawns.
Character Import Use Cases: New Season, New Server, Returning Player
Once you understand the hard limits and one-shot nature of importing, the next question is when you should actually use it. Once Human treats character importing differently depending on why you’re creating a new character, and knowing those distinctions upfront prevents costly mistakes. These are the three scenarios where imports matter most, and where players most often mess them up.
Starting a New Season With the Same Identity
New seasons are the most common and safest use case for character importing. Seasonal resets wipe progression, gear, mods, and territory ownership, but your character’s visual identity can carry forward intact if the server rules allow it. This is purely cosmetic persistence, not a progression shortcut.
During character creation, select the new seasonal server first, then proceed until the appearance customization screen appears. This is where the Import option becomes available, pulling from eligible characters on your account from prior seasons. If you skip past this screen or confirm a default look, the import opportunity is gone permanently for that slot.
Only appearance data carries over here. Facial structure, hair, tattoos, scars, body proportions, and color values transfer, but your class choices, weapon proficiencies, unlocked traits, and blueprints do not. Think of it as respawning with the same face, not the same build.
Switching Servers Without Losing Your Look
Server transfers are where import restrictions get aggressive. PvE standard servers typically allow imports, while PvP, hardcore, and event servers often disable them entirely to maintain competitive integrity. Always check the server description before committing, because the import option won’t magically appear later.
If imports are allowed, the process is identical to a seasonal start: choose the server, enter character creation, and import at the appearance stage. What trips players up is assuming they can “test” the server first. The moment you confirm a character without importing, that slot is locked out.
Nothing beyond visuals transfers during a server switch. Inventory, stash items, currencies, seasonal unlocks, and territory data are all server-bound. Even cosmetics tied to progression systems must be re-earned, though premium store cosmetics remain account-wide.
Returning After a Long Break
Returning players face the highest risk of import issues, especially if multiple seasons have passed. As long as your old character exists on your account and was created on an export-eligible server, their appearance should still appear in the import list. The catch is compatibility.
Older presets may load slightly off due to updated facial rigs or lighting changes. This doesn’t mean the import failed, but it does mean you should inspect the model carefully before confirming. Check jaw alignment, eye depth, and skin tone under neutral lighting to avoid subtle distortions that become obvious in gameplay.
If your character doesn’t show up, verify you’re logged into the correct account region and that the source server wasn’t part of a restricted event season. Logging out to the main menu and re-entering creation often fixes missing import lists caused by UI caching, but it won’t bypass eligibility rules.
What Importing Actually Saves and What It Never Will
Character importing in Once Human saves appearance data only. That includes face sliders, hair, facial hair, tattoos, scars, and body proportions. It does not save your name, progression, weapons, perks, mods, territory, or any form of power.
You will always start at level one with starter gear, regardless of how many seasons you’ve played. This design keeps the seasonal race fair while still letting veterans maintain their visual identity. If you’re expecting anything beyond cosmetics to carry over, you’re misunderstanding the system.
The Smart Way to Use Imports Without Regret
Veteran players treat imports like a limited resource, not a convenience feature. Use them only on servers you’re committed to long-term, not experimental runs or quick PvP detours. If you’re unsure about a server’s rule set or population, roll a throwaway character first.
Once Human is unforgiving with confirmations. If you approach importing with the same caution you use when pushing endgame zones under-leveled or engaging unknown aggro packs, you’ll never lose a character identity again.
Troubleshooting: Import Option Missing or Character Not Appearing
When the import option doesn’t show up, it’s rarely random. Once Human is extremely strict about when and where appearance data can be pulled, and the game won’t surface the button at all if even one requirement isn’t met. Think of it like a dungeon door that won’t open until every flag is cleared behind the scenes.
Below are the most common failure points, in the order veterans should check them, before assuming something is permanently broken.
You’re On the Wrong Server Type or Season
Character importing is only available on eligible seasonal servers. If you rolled into a special event server, limited-time PvP ruleset, or a closed test environment, the import option will be disabled entirely. The game doesn’t warn you; it simply acts like the feature doesn’t exist.
Before creating a character, double-check the server description on the selection screen. If it doesn’t explicitly support imports from previous seasons, you’ll need to back out and pick a standard seasonal server instead.
The Source Character Was Never Eligible
Not every character you’ve ever made can be imported. Characters created on restricted servers, experimental seasons, or region-locked events are permanently excluded from the import pool. This applies even if you played them for dozens of hours.
If the character was made during a one-off event season or a temporary rule test, their appearance data cannot be reused. No amount of relogging or patch updates will change that.
Wrong Account Region or Platform Mismatch
Once Human separates appearance data by account region. If you’re logged into NA but the character was created on EU or another region, the import list will appear empty. The same applies if you’ve switched platforms or accounts.
Log out to the launcher, confirm the correct region, then re-enter character creation. This is one of the most common mistakes returning players make after a long break.
UI Caching and Menu Desync Issues
Sometimes the system is working, but the UI isn’t. The character creation menu is notorious for caching old states, especially if you’ve been AFK, alt-tabbed, or swapped servers without fully restarting.
Exit to the main menu, wait a few seconds, and re-enter character creation from scratch. If that doesn’t work, a full client restart usually forces the import list to refresh. This fixes more cases than most players expect.
Import Only Appears at a Specific Step
The import option only shows during the appearance customization phase, not during server selection or naming. If you rush through menus or skip customization entirely, you’ll never see it.
Slow down and confirm you’re on the appearance screen where sliders, presets, and facial options are visible. That’s the only place the import prompt exists.
The Character Data Exists but Fails to Render
In rare cases, the imported character technically loads but doesn’t visually appear in the preview list. This is usually caused by corrupted cache data or a recent update adjusting facial rigs.
Selecting the import blindly can sometimes still load the character correctly once confirmed. If the preview looks broken, rotate the model, switch lighting presets, or tweak a slider to force a refresh before canceling.
When It’s Actually Gone for Good
If you’ve confirmed the correct region, server type, season eligibility, and menu flow, and the character still doesn’t appear, it’s likely not recoverable. Once Human does not provide manual restoration for ineligible characters.
This is why veterans treat appearance imports with the same caution as pushing content without knowing enemy aggro ranges. Preparation matters, and assumptions get punished.
Best Practices to Avoid Losing Progress or Customization
At this point, you know how fragile the import process can be if you rush it or skip a step. The safest way to protect your character is to treat importing like prepping for a high-risk dungeon pull: slow, deliberate, and fully informed. These best practices are what veteran players follow every season to avoid starting from scratch.
Always Lock In Your Appearance Before Leaving a Season
Once Human only allows appearance data to be imported if it was finalized and saved during character creation or through valid appearance edits. Half-finished sliders, preview-only changes, or canceled edits don’t get stored server-side.
Before a season ends or before you abandon a server, open customization one last time and confirm everything is saved. If the game gives you a confirmation prompt, wait for it. That’s the difference between a clean import and a blank slate.
Understand Exactly What Carries Over and What Doesn’t
Character importing only preserves visual customization like face structure, hair, skin tone, and cosmetic presets. Gear, levels, skills, story progress, and inventory are all wiped by design during seasonal resets.
If you go in expecting your DPS build or weapon rolls to follow you, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. Importing is about identity, not power, and Once Human is very strict about that line.
Don’t Skip the Appearance Screen During New Character Creation
Speed-running menus is one of the most common self-inflicted mistakes. If you auto-confirm defaults or rush past customization, the import option never appears, and the game assumes you’re starting fresh.
When rolling a new seasonal character, stop at the appearance phase and visually confirm the import prompt is available. If you don’t see sliders and presets, you’re in the wrong step.
Match Region, Server Type, and Season Rules Before Importing
Imports only pull from compatible regions and server types. A PvE seasonal character won’t show up on a PvP-exclusive server, and characters from expired or incompatible seasons are filtered out entirely.
Before blaming the UI, double-check the server’s ruleset and seasonal eligibility. Veterans always confirm this first because no amount of menu refreshing fixes a rule mismatch.
Restart the Client Between Failed Attempts
UI caching issues are real, and Once Human is especially sensitive to long play sessions, alt-tabbing, or server hopping. If something feels off, force a clean restart before trying again.
This clears cached character lists and syncs with the server properly. It’s the equivalent of resetting aggro before a wipe instead of brute-forcing a bad pull.
Never Assume You Can Fix It Later
Once you confirm a new character without importing, that opportunity is gone. There is no post-creation import, no rollback, and no support ticket that will restore missed appearance data.
Treat the import screen like a one-time boss mechanic. Miss it, and the run is over.
Veteran Final Tip
Before every new season, take screenshots of your character sliders and presets. Even if something goes wrong, you’ll have a manual backup to recreate your look with minimal pain.
Once Human rewards preparation and punishes assumptions. Master the import process now, and every seasonal reset becomes a fresh start instead of a cosmetic disaster waiting to happen.