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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Steam game save data can be stored in more than one place. Steam Cloud files are kept locally in Steam’s userdata folder by default, but a game’s actual save files may be stored in a different location chosen by its developer. The right place to look depends on your operating system and whether you mean Cloud-synced files or the game’s local saves.
Default local Steam Cloud folder by operating system
Steam Support documents these default locations for local Steam Cloud files. Steam may be installed somewhere other than its default directory, so use your actual Steam installation folder if the Windows path does not exist.
| Operating system | Default local Steam Cloud directory |
|---|---|
| Windows | C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/userdata |
| Linux | ~/.local/share/Steam/userdata |
Within userdata, account folders identify Steam accounts, and folders named with a game’s AppID contain that game’s Cloud data. For example, Steam Support gives Dota 2’s AppID as 570, with the folder structure Steamuserdata[steamID]570. See Steam Support’s Steam Cloud file-location guidance.
Why a game’s save may be somewhere else
The userdata folder is a default for local Steam Cloud files, not a universal save location. A game may store its working save files in another directory, whether or not it also synchronizes some data through Steam Cloud. Steamworks lists these common roots developers can use; they are possibilities, not guaranteed paths for a particular game.
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| Platform | Common save roots listed by Steamworks |
|---|---|
| All platforms | [Steam Install]SteamAppscommon[Game Folder] |
| Windows | %USERPROFILE%My Documents%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocal%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLow%USERPROFILE%AppDataRoaming%USERPROFILE%Saved Games |
| macOS | ~/~/Library/Application Support/~/Documents/ |
| Linux | ~/$XDG_DATA_HOME/ |
Windows user folders can be configured to live outside the usual %USERPROFILE% locations. For an exact title, consult its developer guidance or ask the game’s community for the save path instead of assuming one platform-wide folder. See Steamworks documentation on Steam Cloud and save locations.
Check whether Steam Cloud is enabled
Steam Cloud can be switched on or off globally, or for an individual game. Steam Support describes the settings paths as follows:
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- For one game: open Library, right-click the game, choose Properties, then General.
- Globally: open Steam Settings, then Cloud.
If Cloud is disabled for a game, progress that would normally be saved through Cloud remains local to the machine where it was made. Steam describes Cloud as supporting data such as game settings, save games, profile stats, and other user-specific information; individual games determine what they use it for.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose carefully if Steam reports a Cloud conflict
If local and Cloud copies differ, Steam may ask which version to keep. Compare the dates and times shown in the conflict dialog with when you last played on each device, then select the copy containing the progress you want. Choosing one version can overwrite the other, so do not select based on location alone.
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