Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFor a dependable Baldur’s Gate 3 backup, copy the save folder—or the whole player profile—to a separate location and keep it there independently of the game. On Windows, Larian’s save folder is %LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStory. Larian Account Cross-Save can help retrieve recent saves, but it is synchronized storage, not a permanent archive.
Choose a backup method for your goal
| Goal | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Keep a copy you control | Manual copy to a separate folder or physical drive | Retain the original until you confirm the backup exists. Larian documents copying saves or a profile folder. Larian’s save-file instructions and forum guidance. |
| Continue on another device or retrieve a recent save | Larian Account Cross-Save | The current FAQ says it syncs the last ten saves for up to six months; that makes it useful for recent recovery, not long-term archiving. Larian Account Information. |
| Move saves on Steam Deck | Steam Cloud or a manual folder transfer | Proton and Native versions use different locations. Follow Larian’s platform-specific instructions rather than assuming the folders are interchangeable. Steam Deck native version. |
Back up saves manually on Windows
- Close Baldur’s Gate 3. This cautious step reduces the chance of copying a save while the game is writing to it.
- Open the save folder. In File Explorer’s address bar, enter
%LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStoryand press Enter. Larian documents this path; using the environment-variable path also avoids having to find the hiddenAppDatadirectory manually. Larian: How to find my savegames. - Copy the save you want to protect. Each save is stored in its own folder. Copy the whole folder to a different location, such as another folder outside the game’s save directory or a USB drive. Do not move the only copy.
- For a broader backup, copy the profile folder. Go up to
PlayerProfilesand copy the relevant profile folder to your separate backup location. Larian’s forum instructions describe this profile-folder approach for preserving saves. Larian forum instructions. - Confirm the copy is present. Check that the copied folder appears in the destination before deleting or changing anything in the active save location.
Restore a Windows save from a manual backup
- Close the game before restoring.
- Open the original save location by entering
%LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStoryin File Explorer. - Copy the backed-up save folder into that location. If restoring a profile-level backup, copy the profile folder back under
PlayerProfiles. Preserve the current files first if you are unsure whether the backup matches the active profile; avoid merging an old profile into an unrelated one. - Launch the game and check the Load menu for the save. If it does not appear, confirm that the copied folder is in the correct profile’s
SavegamesStorydirectory and that the folder structure was not nested an extra level during copying.
The copy-back approach follows Larian’s forum instructions; checking the Load menu is a practical verification step. Larian forum instructions.
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Use Larian Account Cross-Save to retrieve a recent save
- In the game, connect the platform account you use to the intended Larian Account and enable Cross-Save. Follow Larian’s account guidance for the platform and launch method. Larian Account Information.
- For a save that has synced and is still available, check the game’s Save or Load menus. To download a copy manually, sign in to your Larian Account on a PC, open My Saves, and use the download control for the save you need. Larian: Retrieving Requested Files.
- Copy downloaded saves to local storage if you want to retain them as an archive. Larian’s current FAQ says Cross-Save syncs the last ten saves for up to six months. It also displays a September 29, 2026 notice that inactive cross-saves older than six months will expire and be permanently deleted. Larian Account Information.
Find and transfer saves on Mac, console, or Steam Deck
Mac
Larian lists the Mac save path as ~/Documents/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/PlayerProfiles/Public/Savegames/Story. In Finder, copy the save folder you want to keep to a separate destination. Larian notes that save folders can also be compressed in Finder. Larian: How to find my savegames.
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PS5 and Xbox: retrieve a Cross-Save on PC
Larian’s support flow for console retrieval requires Cross-Save to be enabled and the save to have synced. Sign in to the linked Larian Account on a PC, open My Saves, and download the available save. This describes Larian’s retrieval route; it does not mean the console manufacturers’ own cloud-backup menus work identically. Larian: Retrieving Requested Files.
#1 Best Overall
- Online multiplayer for up to four players - allows you to combine your forces in combat, and split your party to follow your own quests and agendas. Concoct the perfect plan together… or introduce an element of chaos when your friends least expect it
- Origin Character - offer a hand-crafted experience, each with their own unique traits, agenda, and outlook on the world. Their stories intersect with the entire narrative, and your choices will determine whether those stories end in redemption, salvation, domination, or many other outcomes
- Evolved turn-based combat - based on the D&D 5e ruleset. Team-based initiative, advantage & disadvantage, and roll modifiers join combat cameras, expanded environmental interactions, and a new fluidity in combat that rewards strategy and foresight
- Define the future of the Forgotten Realms - through your choices, and the roll of the dice. No matter who you play, or what you roll, the world and its inhabitants will react to your story
- Player-initiated turn-based mode - allows you to pause the world around you at any time even outside of combat. Whether you see an opportunity for a tactical advantage before combat begins, want to pull off a heist with pin-point precision, or need to escape a fiendish trap. Split your party, prepare ambushes, sneak in the darkness -- create your own luck!
Xbox: a specific disappearing-save issue
For the disappearing-save issue covered by Larian—not as a general recovery guarantee—the support page advises checking for console updates and describes linking the account and re-enabling Cross-Save. If Cross-Save had been enabled, Larian says this recovery process can retrieve the last five synced saves. The page also says a fix is available, so check its current instructions rather than assuming the issue is still ongoing. Larian: Disappearing save files (Xbox).
Steam Deck: Proton and Native saves
The Proton and Native versions store saves in different folders. Larian says Steam Cloud can sync recent saves to Native when enabled, and its Steam Deck support page gives the folder locations and a manual Savegames-folder transfer for older saves or when Cloud is off. Use that page’s exact paths for the version you are moving from and to; do not treat the two locations as interchangeable. Larian: Steam Deck native version.
Rank #2
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
Check version and mod compatibility before moving a save
A save that uses mods may not work as expected if the destination game has a different version or mod setup. Larian warns that modded Cross-Saves can be incompatible when versions differ. Before transferring one, check that the game versions and required mods are compatible on both platforms. Larian: Official Mod Support.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![NAMCO - CD Projekt Red - The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, Playstation 5 [English Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dWUfwFl5L._SL160_.jpg)
- 1205504
- High-quality material
- Durable
- robustness
Rank #4
- Day 1 Edition includes the Base Game Disc, Steelbook, and World Map.
- Make The Story Your Own - Experience and shape the plot the way you want. Embark on the quest to save your family, or swear revenge on your sire and destroy everyone standing in your way. Discover ancient secrets lurking in the valley. Rush in head first or risk taking time to prepare. Go alone or search for friends and forge unlikely alliances.
- Day And Night - Experience two different gameplay loops, offering distinct abilities to choose from, mysteries to uncover, and varying ways to achieve your goals. Experiment with different approaches and discover how the world reacts to your actions.
- Every Action Matters - Every action - and inaction - shapes the world around you. Your family’s days are numbered, and every time you take on a quest, time moves forward, compelling you closer to the end. Choose carefully whom to help and whom to leave behind. You will not have time for everyone. The world waits for no one. And neither does the villain.
Rank #3
- Exclusive Deluxe Edition Content: Includes a physical copy of Baldur's Gate 3 for PS5, along with bonus digital and physical items such as a soundtrack, art book, map, and exclusive in-game items like skins, weapons, or cosmetics.
- Big Box Packaging: Comes in a premium, collector's edition box with unique artwork, making it a standout addition to any gaming collection.
- Enhanced for PS5: Fully optimized for PlayStation 5, featuring faster load times, stunning 4K visuals, and immersive DualSense controller integration for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
- EU Region Version: Specifically designed for the European market, ensuring compatibility with PS5 consoles in the EU region. Includes multi-language support for a wider audience.
- Collector's Item: A must-have for fans of the Baldur's Gate series or RPG enthusiasts, offering both gameplay and collectible value with its high-quality physical and digital extras.
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