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ABOVE Save File Guide: Location, Backup & Transfer

Updated 2026-06-14

ABOVE Save File Guide: Location, Backup & Transfer

Save File Location on Windows

Your progress in ABOVE is stored locally on your PC. The game saves automatically at key moments, including after completing a day's work, rescuing a climber, or upgrading a facility. To manually access your save data, navigate to the following directory:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Above\Saved\SaveGames

You can paste this path directly into your Windows File Explorer address bar. The folder contains one or more .sav files, typically named with a string of numbers and letters representing your profile ID. Each file corresponds to a specific save slot.

The AppData folder is hidden by default. If you cannot see it, enable "Hidden items" in the View tab of File Explorer, or simply type the full path into the address bar.

For players using Steam Cloud, your saves are also synced to Valve's servers. This ensures you can continue your resort-building journey on another PC after logging into your Steam account.

How to Back Up Your Saves

Backing up your ABOVE save file is straightforward and highly recommended, especially before major game updates or if you plan to reinstall your operating system.

  1. Locate the Save Folder

    Navigate to %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Above\Saved\SaveGames as described above.

  2. Copy the Files

    Select all .sav files in the folder. Right-click and choose "Copy" or press Ctrl + C.

  3. Paste to a Safe Location

    Create a new folder on your desktop, external drive, or cloud storage service. Right-click inside the folder and select "Paste" or press Ctrl + V.

  4. Restore When Needed

    To restore a backup, simply copy the saved .sav files back into the original SaveGames folder, overwriting the existing files.

For maximum safety, keep at least two backups: one on your local machine and one on a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This protects against both hardware failure and accidental deletion.

Transferring Saves Between PCs

Moving your ABOVE progress to a new computer is a simple two-step process. First, locate your save files on the old PC using the path above, then copy the entire SaveGames folder to a USB drive or cloud service. On the new PC, install and launch ABOVE at least once to generate the initial folder structure. Then, paste the copied folder into the same location, overwriting the default files.

Using Steam Cloud

If both PCs are logged into the same Steam account, ensure Steam Cloud is enabled in the game's Properties menu. Saves will sync automatically after closing the game. This is the easiest method for most players.

Manual Transfer

Ideal for players who want full control or are moving to a non-Steam version. Follow the backup steps above, then restore on the target machine. Always verify the save loads correctly before deleting the source files.

Troubleshooting Common Save Issues

Occasionally, you might encounter problems with your save files. Here are the most common issues and their solutions.

Save file not loading or corrupted: This can happen after a crash or power outage. First, try verifying your game files via Steam (right-click ABOVE > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files). If that fails, restore from your most recent manual backup.

Steam Cloud sync errors: If you see a "Cloud Conflict" message, choose to upload your local save if it is more recent, or download the cloud version if you are on a new PC. To force a sync, restart Steam.

Missing save after reinstall: Ensure you did not delete the AppData\Local\Above folder before reinstalling. If you did, your saves are likely lost unless you have a backup. Always back up before uninstalling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ABOVE support manual saving? Yes, you can manually save your game from the pause menu. The game also creates automatic checkpoints at the start of each in-game day and after significant events like rescuing a climber.

Can I edit my save file to unlock items? While .sav files are not designed for editing, advanced users can open them with a hex editor. However, this is not officially supported and may corrupt your progress or disable achievements. We recommend playing the game as intended.

What happens to my saves if I refund the game? If you refund ABOVE on Steam, your local save files remain on your hard drive. However, they will be inaccessible until you repurchase the game. Steam Cloud saves are removed after a successful refund.

How many save slots are available? ABOVE provides three independent save slots. You can use them to experiment with different strategies or let family members share the same PC without overwriting each other's progress.

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