How to Transfer Ren’Py Saves to a New Version (Without Losing Your Progress)

If you’ve been playing Ren’Py visual novels for a while, you’ve probably encountered this situation: a new version of your favorite game is released, but you’re worried about losing dozens of hours of progress after installing the update.

Fortunately, most Ren’Py games support save compatibility, allowing you to continue your adventure without starting from the beginning. Whether you’re updating games like Being a DIK, FreshWomen, Renryuu: Ascension, Stranded in Space, or hundreds of other titles built with the Ren’Py Engine, the process is usually quick and straightforward.

This guide explains how to safely transfer your save files, back up your progress, and avoid the most common mistakes when updating Ren’Py games.

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In most cases, **yes**.

Ren’Py is designed to maintain save compatibility whenever possible, allowing developers to release updates without forcing players to restart the game. However, compatibility ultimately depends on how the developer structures new releases. Major rewrites, extensive script changes, or engine migrations can occasionally make older saves incompatible.

Before installing any update, it’s always recommended to create a backup of your save files.

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Step 1 — Locate Your Save Folder

Most Ren’Py games store save files inside one of these locations.

Windows

“`text
%AppData%\RenPy\
“`

or

“`text
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\RenPy\
“`

 macOS

“`text
~/Library/RenPy/
“`

Linux

“`text
~/.renpy/
“`

Depending on the developer’s configuration, some games also include a local **game/saves** folder inside the installation directory.

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Step 2 — Back Up Your Saves

Before replacing your game files:

1. Open the Ren’Py save folder.
2. Locate the folder that matches your game.
3. Copy the entire folder.
4. Paste it somewhere safe.

Good backup locations include:

* Desktop
* External SSD
* USB drive
* Google Drive
* Dropbox
* OneDrive

Backing up takes only a few seconds and can save dozens of hours of gameplay.

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Step 3 — Install the New Version

Download the newest release from a trusted source.

If you’re looking for updated Ren’Py games, you can browse our complete Ren’Py Games collection.

Extract or install the new version into a **new folder** whenever possible instead of overwriting the previous installation.

This gives you an easy rollback option if something goes wrong.

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Step 4 — Copy Your Save Files

If the new version doesn’t automatically detect your saves:

1. Open your backup folder.
2. Copy every save file.
3. Paste them into the save directory used by the new version.
4. Launch the game.

Most games will immediately recognize the transferred saves.

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Step 5 — Verify Everything Works

After launching the updated version:

* Open Load Game.
* Check that every save appears.
* Load one of your latest saves.
* Continue playing for several minutes.
* Create a brand-new save.

If everything works correctly, the transfer is complete.

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My Saves Don’t Appear

Possible reasons include:

* Wrong save folder.
* Different save directory configured by the developer.
* Save files copied into the wrong game.
* Corrupted save data.

Double-check that you’re copying the correct folder.

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The Game Says My Save Is Incompatible

Unfortunately, this sometimes happens after major updates.

Developers may:

* rewrite large parts of the story,
* remove variables,
* redesign gameplay systems,
* migrate to a newer Ren’Py version.

When this happens, you may need to begin from an earlier compatible save or start a new playthrough. Ren’Py itself aims to preserve compatibility where practical, but it is not guaranteed across every release.

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I Lost My Persistent Data

Besides normal save files, Ren’Py also stores a **persistent** file.

Persistent data includes things like:

* unlocked galleries,
* seen scenes,
* achievements,
* player preferences,
* completed endings.

If you want to preserve everything, copy the entire game folder inside the Ren’Py save directory rather than individual save files.

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Always follow these best practices:

* Create a backup before updating.
* Never overwrite your only installation.
* Keep at least one older version until the new version works.
* Read the developer’s changelog for compatibility notes.
* Keep multiple manual saves instead of relying only on autosaves.

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If you’re looking for excellent games built with Ren’Py, start with:

* Being a DIK
* FreshWomen
* Dark Magic
* Stranded in Space
* Renryuu: Ascension

Or browse every title in our Ren’Py Engine collection.

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Can I use saves from an older version?

Usually yes. Most Ren’Py games maintain save compatibility unless the developer announces otherwise.

Can I transfer saves to another computer?

Yes. Copy the game’s save folder (including the persistent file) to the same Ren’Py save location on the new computer.

Will uninstalling the game delete my saves?

Not always. Ren’Py commonly stores saves separately from the game installation, so uninstalling the game may leave your saves and persistent data intact depending on the platform and installer.

Should I delete old saves?

Only after confirming the new version loads correctly.

Is it safe to share save files?

It’s generally **not recommended**. Ren’Py save and persistent files use Python’s pickle format and should only be loaded from trusted sources, as malicious files could pose security risks.

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Updating a Ren’Py game is usually a simple process, but spending a minute creating a backup can prevent hours of lost progress. By keeping your save files and persistent data safe, you can continue enjoying new chapters and future releases without worrying about starting over.

If you’re searching for more games built with Ren’Py, explore the complete Ren’Py Games collection on GameCax, where you’ll find hundreds of visual novels with regular updates, Android support, walkthroughs, and download guides.