How to back up your save files
Why losing 80 hours of progress is preventable, and the platform-specific backup methods that take 2 minutes.
Mira Voss
February 5, 2026
PS5
PS Plus required for cloud saves. Settings → Saved Data → Auto Sync.
Without PS Plus, you can copy saves to a USB drive. Manual but works.
Xbox
Cloud saves are free with Xbox Live. Automatic. Just sign in.
Best in the industry for backups — Microsoft handles it without you doing anything.
PC and Switch
Steam: Cloud saves on most games. Check 'Steam Cloud' on the store page. Automatic.
Switch: Nintendo Online subscription required. Settings → Data Management → Save Data Cloud.
PC outside Steam: copy the save folder manually (often in AppData) to OneDrive or Google Drive.
People also ask
What if a game doesn't support cloud saves?+
Manually copy the save folder to a backup drive. Older console games and some indie PC games are the usual culprits.
Should I trust cloud saves alone?+
For 99% of games, yes. For really long playthroughs (Stardew, Skyrim), one local copy as belt-and-suspenders.
What about save corruption?+
Cloud saves can corrupt and overwrite your local. The local-backup pattern protects against this rare case.