To use Steam Cloud saves, enable synchronization both globally in Steam and for the game, then wait for each upload to finish before switching computers. First confirm the game actually syncs its save files: a Steam Cloud indicator on its Store page does not guarantee that every save or setting is included.
Check whether the game syncs its saves
Open the game’s Steam Store page and look for the Steam Cloud indicator. That confirms Cloud support, but not which files the game sends to Steam. Developers control how Cloud works for each title, and some games sync settings or other data without syncing saved games. Steam explains that developers can customize which user files are uploaded in its Steam Cloud support page. For the exact save-file behavior, check the game’s documentation or ask its developer or community.
Enable Steam Cloud
Turn on synchronization in Steam’s global settings and in the individual game’s settings. Steam client wording may vary slightly by version or localization.
- Enable it globally: In the Steam client, open Steam > Settings > Cloud and turn on Steam Cloud synchronization.
- Enable it for the game: Open your Library, right-click the game, choose Properties, select General, and turn on Cloud Synchronization.
Steam’s instructions for enabling Cloud are available in its Steam Cloud support page.
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- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Switch computers without risking a turn-based run
After finishing a session, leave Steam online and wait until synchronization completes before closing the game or starting it on another computer. If you played in Offline Mode, reconnect and let Steam sync before launching the game elsewhere; offline play delays synchronization until you are back online.
If Steam reports a sync problem, do not dismiss the warning and launch if preserving progress matters. Resolve the network or sync issue first. Steam warns that continuing can leave local and cloud files in conflict and may lose progress; see its guidance on Cloud sync errors.
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- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
Choose the right save when Steam reports a conflict
A conflict means the local files and cloud copy differ, commonly because files changed in two places before synchronization. Steam may show timestamps for the competing versions. Compare those dates and times with when and where you played, then choose the copy that contains the campaign, match, or turn you intend to keep. Do not assume that the cloud version is automatically the newest or correct one. Steam’s Cloud conflict guidance recommends considering which version was most recently modified.
What Steam Cloud does—and does not—guarantee
Steam Cloud is storage that games and the Steam platform can use for data such as settings and saved games, but each developer decides what a title synchronizes. Steam says many games do not use Cloud to store save games. Even when a game does sync saves, cross-platform Cloud integration is only useful if that game implements it; do not assume a Windows save will transfer to macOS or Linux without confirmation for that title. See Steam’s Steamworks Cloud documentation.
Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
Find local Cloud files for troubleshooting
Steam documents these default locations for local user data:
- Windows:
C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Steam/userdata - Linux:
~/.local/share/Steam/userdata
Inside userdata, account folders contain game folders identified by app ID. Steam’s cloud_log.txt, which records files written to or retrieved from the cloud, is in the Steam logs directory; its exact location depends on the Steam installation. These locations can help diagnose a problem, but manually changing files is not a guaranteed way to repair a conflict. Steam lists the locations and logging details in its Cloud troubleshooting guidance.
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
If the older computer is still available, Steam suggests you may be able to launch the game there and let it sync. If the game does not use Steam Cloud, ask its developer for help locating its save files. Steam Support says its ability to address automated Cloud synchronization is limited, and it cannot recover lost saves or resolve conflicts; see Steam Cloud support.
Quick Recap
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