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Guide

Where Ren'Py games keep your saves (and how to back them up)

Published November 10, 2026

On a computer, Ren'Py games usually save in two places at once: a per-user folder and a "saves" folder inside the game's own "game" folder. The per-user folder is %APPDATA%\RenPy\<folder> on Windows, ~/Library/RenPy/<folder> on macOS and ~/.renpy/<folder> on Linux, where <folder> is a name the developer picked, usually the game's name followed by a number. When the two copies differ, Ren'Py loads the newer one. Before you update or reinstall a game, copy both folders somewhere safe.

The folders, by system

On Windows, paste %APPDATA%\RenPy into the File Explorer address bar. On macOS, open Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder and enter ~/Library/RenPy (the Library folder is hidden by default). On Linux, .renpy is a hidden folder in your home directory.

The per-user folder also holds the game's "persistent" file, which stores progress that isn't tied to one save slot, such as an unlocked image gallery. Back it up together with the numbered save files.

SystemPer-user save folderAlso saved in
Windows%APPDATA%\RenPy\<folder><game folder>\game\saves
macOS~/Library/RenPy/<folder>Not for games packaged as a Mac .app
Linux~/.renpy/<folder><game folder>/game/saves

Finding the right folder for a game

The <folder> name comes from a setting called config.save_directory that the developer sets. Ren'Py's own project template fills it in as the project name, a dash and a long number (for example "MyGame-1712345678"), so look for a folder that starts with the game's name. Developers can change it, so the name may not match the title on the store page.

If several folders look plausible, sort by "date modified" and pick the one that changed when you last played. You can also open the game's own game/saves folder, which needs no searching.

Backing up before you update

Ren'Py's documentation says it tries to keep saves working between engine versions but doesn't guarantee it, and a developer's own changes can also break old saves. If an update's notes say saves are incompatible, finish your current route first or keep the old build alongside.

  • ·Close the game first.
  • ·Copy the whole per-user folder (with the persistent file) and the game's game/saves folder to a backup location.
  • ·If you update by downloading a new ZIP, extract it to a new folder rather than over the old one. The per-user folder carries your saves over; if the new version doesn't see them, copy your backed-up save files into the new game/saves folder.
  • ·Keep the old version until you have loaded a save in the new one.

Exceptions

  • ·Steam Cloud: some Steam releases sync saves through Steam Cloud. The store page lists "Steam Cloud" under the game's features if it does. What gets synced is the developer's choice, so still keep a local backup.
  • ·Android: saves sit in the app's own storage, which newer Android versions may not let file managers open. Uninstalling the app can delete them.
  • ·Moving between devices: Ren'Py 8.1 and 7.6 added Ren'Py Sync, which uploads encrypted saves and gives you a short code to download them on another device. It only appears in games whose developers added the Upload Sync and Download Sync buttons.
  • ·Game-specific setups: developers can change where saves go, and games built on other engines or heavily customised Ren'Py games may not follow these rules. Check the developer's FAQ or store page.

Games in this guide

Ren'Py games