Back up your existing Elden Ring save before entering Shadow of the Erdtree, then verify which copy is current before replacing anything. On PS5, use the PlayStation saved-data menus and cloud storage; on Steam, treat Steam Cloud as synchronization rather than a versioned archive and protect a separate copy before resolving a conflict. Xbox supports the game, but official guidance does not establish a current menu-by-menu export and restore procedure.
This guide covers the practical differences between PS5 saves, PS4 saves running on a PS5, Steam Cloud data and Xbox-managed saves. The goal is not merely to see a successful upload message. You need to know which edition you are launching, where the intended copy resides, what timestamp it carries and what operation could overwrite it.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Elden Ring (PS5) (European Version) | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Elden Ring, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $74.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5 | $43.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Bandai Namco Entertainment Elden Ring (PS5) | $40.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Elden Ring - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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What must be true before you start Shadow of the Erdtree
Shadow of the Erdtree requires the Elden Ring base game. The expansion is not a separate executable or a replacement save system. The official Elden Ring product information lists the expansion release date as June 21, 2024, and lists PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Steam as supported platforms.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsYour character also needs to meet the expansion’s progression gate. You must have defeated both Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. The entrance to the Land of Shadow is the withered arm hanging from the Cocoon of the Empyrean at the Mohgwyn Palace Site of Grace. If that interaction is unavailable, restoring a save will not bypass the requirement; check the two boss victories and your location first.
#1 Best Overall
- Collaborating with George R.R. Martin to create the ELDEN RING mythos has been a genuinely delightful experience and a source of wonderful inspiration. The team is working hard to ensure that the world of ELDEN RING will be a fascinating place for players to explore, filled with peril and wonder from its furthest reaches to its lowest depths. This is a FromSoftware title through and through, rich in fantasy and RPG action. We sincerely hope you look forward to it.
- Building the world of ELDEN RING with Miyazaki-san and his team was a treat! The graphics, mythos, and action-RPG gameplay will deliver an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait for people to see what ELDEN RING has in store for them.” Said George R.R. Martin.
A backup is useful before any major game launch, console migration or cloud-sync decision because it gives you a known point to return to. It is especially important here because a cloud service may synchronize one copy over another instead of retaining a browsable history. A cloud icon or a completed sync notification does not prove that an older, preferred state remains available.
Back up after ending a normal play session, not while the game is still writing data. Note the character name, level, recent location and any important inventory or quest progress. Those details give you a quick way to recognize the correct save after a download or transfer.
Pick the workflow for your platform
| Platform | How the supported workflow works | What to verify before overwriting |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 version | Use Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5), then upload to PlayStation cloud storage or download a chosen cloud copy to console storage. | Whether the desired save is currently on the console or in cloud storage, and its sync status. PlayStation Plus is required for cloud storage. |
| PS4 version running on PS5 | Use the same settings area but choose Saved Data (PS4). PS4 saves can auto-upload, while downloading them to PS5 console storage is a manual action. | That you are managing the PS4 save category, not the PS5 category, and that the copy you want is the one selected for download. |
| Steam | Steam Cloud synchronizes local and cloud data. When Steam reports a conflict, compare the displayed last-modified times and choose the copy to retain. | The unselected copy is overwritten. Make an independent copy first if both versions may matter. |
| Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S | The official Elden Ring material confirms support for these consoles but does not provide a current, platform-specific backup and restore sequence. | Use the current Xbox save-management guidance for your console rather than assuming that a manual export is available. |
The comparison is important: PlayStation cloud storage is a separate network copy tied to a PlayStation Plus subscription; Steam Cloud is primarily synchronization and can present a destructive conflict; and PS4-to-PS5 movement is a documented version-transfer scenario, not a promise that both versions share one continuously editable save. None of these services should be described as an unlimited archive of every historical state.
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Back up an Elden Ring save on PS5
PlayStation treats PS5 and PS4 game saves as separate categories. First decide which edition you actually launch. If you play the PS5 edition, follow the PS5 path. If you launch the PS4 edition on a PS5 console, follow the PS4 path. A backup in the wrong category will not appear as the save you expect.
Upload a PS5-version save to cloud storage
- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings.
- Choose Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Open Saved Data (PS5).
- Select the option to upload saved data to cloud storage and choose the Elden Ring save you want to preserve.
- Wait for the upload to finish. Check the displayed sync information before closing the settings screen.
PlayStation describes cloud storage as network space used to copy saved data. It is not automatically a timeline of every earlier state. If the console has already synchronized a newer or unwanted state, that state may be the one in the cloud. Confirm the date and location of the copy before treating the upload as a safety point.
Cloud storage requires an active PlayStation Plus membership. If you do not have access to that service, do not assume that a cloud backup exists; use the save-management options available for your console and account, and confirm the result in the interface before starting the expansion.
Before downloading anything later, check whether the newer progress is on console storage or in the cloud. A download is a replacement action, so decide which side is authoritative first. If the menu shows multiple entries, use the displayed dates and the character details you recorded rather than choosing solely by filename.
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- Open Settings on the PS5.
- Go to Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Choose Saved Data (PS4), not Saved Data (PS5).
- Select the Elden Ring PS4 save and upload it to cloud storage.
- Check the sync status and the save’s date before leaving the menu.
PlayStation’s instructions distinguish the two behaviors: PS5 saves can auto-sync, while PS4 saves can auto-upload but must be manually downloaded to PS5 console storage. That difference matters when you are trying to restore a PS4 save on a PS5 rather than merely view it in the cloud.
If you normally play the PS4 edition for compatibility or performance reasons, keep that choice explicit in your notes. Opening the PS5 edition and finding no expected progress may simply mean you are looking at a different save category, not that the character was deleted.
Rank #3
- Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5
Restore a PS5 save from the cloud
- Open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Select Saved Data (PS5).
- Choose Download or Delete from Cloud Storage.
- Select the intended Elden Ring save, review its date and time, and download it to console storage.
- Launch the PS5 edition only after confirming that the downloaded copy is the one you intended to use.
The download can replace the local state. Before confirming, identify whether the newer progress is on the console or in the cloud. If you are uncertain, stop and inspect the timestamps rather than guessing. Once the download completes, launch the matching edition and verify the character before making new progress.
Restore a PS4 save to PS5 console storage
- Open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Choose Saved Data (PS4).
- Open Download or Delete from Cloud Storage.
- Select the Elden Ring PS4 save and download it to PS5 console storage.
- Start the PS4 edition of Elden Ring and verify the character, rune count and most recent location before continuing.
The official Elden Ring product information says PS4 save data can transfer to the PS5 version, but the PS4 and PS5 versions cannot be played concurrently with a shared save. Transfer is therefore a version migration, not a universal backup that both editions can update at the same time. Keep track of which edition you are opening after the transfer.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Do not treat a PS4-to-PS5 transfer as an extra historical snapshot. It changes where a compatible save is used; it does not guarantee that the prior PS4 and subsequent PS5 states remain independently selectable. Preserve the cloud copy and confirm its timestamp before beginning a transfer.
Back up and restore through Steam Cloud
Steam Cloud is a synchronization feature. It can keep local and cloud data aligned, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed historical archive with multiple selectable snapshots. The most important moment is a local/cloud conflict: Steam is telling you that the two copies differ.
Steam Cloud is convenient when you move between computers, but convenience does not remove the need to identify the authoritative copy. A game that closes unexpectedly, an interrupted synchronization or a newer but unwanted local state can make the latest timestamp misleading. Use your actual play history and the in-game character state as evidence.
When Steam reports a conflict
- Do not dismiss the warning automatically. Steam warns that ignoring a conflict can cost progress.
- Compare the last-modified times shown for the local and cloud copies.
- Identify which copy contains the progress you want to preserve. A later timestamp is not automatically better if it reflects an unwanted test, corruption or an accidental overwrite; use your actual play history as the deciding evidence.
- If you need both states, stop before choosing. Make an independent copy using a local-file procedure you have verified for your current installation, then return to Steam and resolve the conflict.
- Select the local or cloud version you intend to keep and allow Steam to complete synchronization.
The official Elden Ring Steam Cloud notice states that the save data you do not keep will be overwritten. Steam’s support information also says its support team cannot recover lost saves or resolve cloud conflicts for you. Treat the conflict dialog as a destructive choice, not as a harmless prompt.
If you choose the wrong side, immediately stop launching the game and avoid creating additional saves. Repeated launches and synchronizations can replace the state you hoped to recover. There is no promise that Steam support can reconstruct an overwritten Elden Ring save.
What this guide does not assume on Windows
Official material for this procedure does not establish a current authoritative Windows save-file path or a universal file-copy and restore sequence. Windows installations, Steam libraries and account configurations can differ, so do not copy a path from an old forum post and present it as an official method. If you want a second local copy, first verify the active save location and the file-copy process for your installation, ensure Steam is not simultaneously synchronizing, and preserve the original before changing anything.
After restoring a verified local copy, allow Steam to finish any synchronization it requests and then check the in-game character. If Steam immediately offers a conflict again, stop and compare timestamps rather than selecting a version at random. A separate copy is useful only if you can identify it reliably and restore it without confusing it with the active Steam-managed file.
What Xbox players should do
Elden Ring is listed for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. However, official sources for this guide do not establish a current Xbox menu-by-menu backup, export or restore procedure. Do not infer that an Elden Ring save can be manually copied to a USB drive or moved between consoles simply because another platform permits a file operation.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBefore launching the expansion, open the current Xbox save-management documentation for your exact console generation and account setup. Confirm how synchronization works, whether the console offers a recoverable earlier state, and what action replaces local data. If the official instructions do not provide a manual archive, avoid unverified tools and community procedures that could overwrite the only usable copy.
Keep the Xbox and expansion accounts aligned as well: the base game and add-on must be used on the supported platform and account. If the DLC is installed but the entrance is absent, check the two required boss victories and the edition first; do not assume that changing save storage will unlock the area.
Verify the backup before entering the Land of Shadow
A completed upload or synchronization message is not enough. Perform a short verification while the original state is still available:
- Confirm the platform and edition: PS5, PS4-on-PS5, Steam, Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
- Record the save date and time shown by the platform.
- Check that the character name, level, recent location and major inventory state match the progress you intend to protect.
- For PS5, verify whether the copy is in Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4), and whether it is on the console or in cloud storage.
- For Steam, note which side of a conflict is local and which is cloud before selecting anything.
- Close the game normally and wait for synchronization to finish before changing editions, consoles or cloud settings.
- Keep the backup decision separate from the DLC entry decision. Defeating the required bosses and touching the Cocoon of the Empyrean are gameplay actions; they do not create an additional save archive.
A simple written note with the edition, timestamp and last location prevents a common mistake: restoring a valid save that is simply older than the one you meant to protect. If the platform provides a sync indicator, wait until it reports completion before shutting down or switching devices.
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Recover from common save problems
The restored character is older than expected
First check the edition and category. On PS5, a PS4 save and a PS5 save are managed separately, so downloading a PS4 copy will not replace the PS5 copy you were playing. On Steam, reopen the conflict information and compare timestamps. Do not keep selecting copies until the dates make sense; each selection can overwrite the other state.
The DLC entrance is not available
Restoring a save cannot activate the expansion unless that character has defeated Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. Confirm both victories, travel to Mohgwyn Palace and inspect the Cocoon of the Empyrean Site of Grace. Also verify that the base game and expansion are installed on the same platform account and edition.
You moved from PS4 to PS5 and the save seems missing
Open the PS5’s Saved Data (PS4) controls and manually download the intended PS4 save to console storage. Then start the PS4 edition to verify it. If you are moving to the PS5 edition, follow the game’s documented PS4-to-PS5 transfer flow and remember that the two versions cannot be used concurrently with a shared save.
Steam keeps showing a conflict
Stop launching the game repeatedly. Record the displayed local and cloud times, preserve an independent copy if you need both states, and then choose one version deliberately. Steam’s support materials do not promise recovery of a lost or overwritten save, so repeated trial-and-error can reduce your options.
Best Value
- ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware Inc. and produced by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG and FromSoftware's largest game to date, set within a world full of mystery and peril
- Journey through the Lands Between, a new fantasy world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series, and George R. R. Martin, author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Traverse the breathtaking world on foot or on horseback, alone or online with other players, and fully immerse yourself in the grassy plains, suffocating swamps, spiraling mountains, and foreboding castles
- Create your character in FromSoftware’s refi ned action-RPG and defi ne your playstyle by experimenting with a wide variety of weapons, magical abilities, and skills found throughout the world
- Charge into battle, pick off enemies one-by-one using stealth, or even call upon allies for aid - many options are at your disposal as you decide how to approach exploration and combat
The cloud copy has the wrong date
Do not upload again automatically. Compare the console or computer copy with the cloud entry and decide which one reflects your last intended session. Uploading or downloading without that check can replace the only copy containing the progress you want.
A safe order of operations
- Finish your current session and exit Elden Ring normally.
- Identify the exact game edition and platform save category.
- Upload or synchronize the intended save using the platform procedure.
- Check the timestamp and character details in the platform’s saved-data interface.
- Resolve any Steam conflict only after protecting a separate copy if both versions matter.
- Launch the expansion and approach the Cocoon of the Empyrean only after the backup has been verified.
- If you need to roll back, download or select the intended copy using the same platform and edition checks instead of mixing PS4, PS5, local and cloud states.
- After restoring, make one controlled launch and inspect the character before continuing the session or allowing another device to synchronize.
The practical takeaway
For PS5, the dependable method is to use the matching Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4) menu, upload before you begin, and download deliberately when restoring. For Steam, a cloud conflict is a destructive choice: compare timestamps and protect both versions before selecting one. For Xbox, rely on current official console guidance because a verified manual export and restore sequence is not established here. In every case, confirm the copy’s date, edition and character state before you enter Shadow of the Erdtree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shadow of the Erdtree create a separate save file?
No. It uses Elden Ring’s existing save system. Back up the save for the edition and platform you actually play; entering the DLC does not create an automatic historical archive.
Do I need PlayStation Plus to back up an Elden Ring save on PS5?
PlayStation Plus is required for PlayStation cloud storage. Verify the upload and its timestamp in the Saved Data menu; do not assume a cloud copy exists without the subscription and a completed upload.
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Why can’t I see my PS4 Elden Ring save on PS5?
PS4 and PS5 saves are managed separately. Open Saved Data (PS4), manually download the intended PS4 save to PS5 console storage, and launch the PS4 edition to verify it.
What should I choose in an Elden Ring Steam Cloud conflict?
Compare the displayed local and cloud last-modified times and your actual play history. Choose the copy with the progress you want, but make an independent copy first if both states matter because the unselected data is overwritten.
Can Steam Support restore an overwritten Elden Ring save?
Steam’s support information does not promise recovery of lost saves or resolution of cloud conflicts. Treat every conflict choice as potentially permanent.
Can I manually export an Elden Ring save on Xbox?
The official material confirms Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S support but does not establish a current manual export and restore procedure. Use the current Xbox guidance for your console and avoid assuming a USB-copy workflow.
What bosses are required to enter the Land of Shadow?
The character must have defeated Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. The route begins at the withered arm in the Cocoon of the Empyrean at Mohgwyn Palace.
The Bottom Line
Back up the correct edition, verify its timestamp and character details, and treat every download or cloud-conflict choice as a possible overwrite. PS5 users need the matching PS5 or PS4 saved-data category and PlayStation Plus for cloud storage; Steam users should compare timestamps and preserve both states before resolving a conflict; Xbox users should follow current official console guidance.
Quick Recap
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