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How to Transfer Demo Progress to the Full Game on Steam

Steam does not offer a universal demo-save transfer switch. Whether progress carries over—and how—depends on the game’s developer and save system.
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Whether a Steam demo save carries over depends on the game. Steam has no player-side switch that transfers every demo save into its full game. The developer must support the transfer, usually through an in-game import or load option, or by configuring Steam Cloud to share saves. Check the game’s official instructions before uninstalling the demo or copying files.

Check whether the game supports a demo-save transfer

Look on the game’s Steam store page, Steam Community announcements, or the developer’s website or support page. Search for terms such as “demo save,” “import,” or “continue progress.” Steam Support advises checking the game’s Community forum or developer website for save-location details, or contacting the developer: Steam Support: Save Files.

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Support is title-specific. For example, Dinkum’s official FAQ says players can install the full game and load their demo save to continue: Dinkum FAQ. That example does not mean every Steam game can do the same.

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Use the game’s supported transfer method

Follow an in-game import or load prompt

If the developer documents an import prompt or says the full game can load the demo save, install and launch the full game and follow those instructions. Some games detect a compatible demo save automatically, so a separate copy step may not be needed. Dinkum, for instance, tells players to load the demo save from within the full game.

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Let Steam Cloud work as configured for that game

Steam Cloud does not make arbitrary demo and full-game saves compatible. Steamworks allows developers to share Cloud storage between two app IDs, a setup Valve describes as commonly used to share demo and full-game saves. The developer must configure that relationship: Steamworks: Steam Cloud. Valve explains that a demo save can be stored in the full game’s Cloud storage so players can resume after buying the full game: Steamworks: Demos.

Steam Auto-Cloud syncs configured file groups when an app launches and exits. Whether a save also appears on another computer or platform depends on the developer’s save paths and platform-specific settings. If a game’s instructions require Cloud saves, check the setting for both its demo and full game; do not assume Cloud alone will perform the transfer.

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Copy files manually only with the developer’s directions

Use manual copying only if the developer confirms the save location and procedure. Folder paths, filenames, save formats, and compatibility vary by game and platform. Back up the original demo save first, and do not guess a folder or overwrite a full-game save. Steam Support directs players to the game’s forum or developer for save-location information.

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Protect the demo save until you confirm the result

Keep the demo installed and do not delete its save while you test the transfer. Once the full game loads, verify that the expected progress is present before removing anything. A local-only save can be lost when the demo is uninstalled if Steam Cloud is disabled; Dinkum’s official announcement warns about this risk: Dinkum announcement about demo saves.

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Check restrictions before importing, especially on Steam Deck

Some games impose rules about existing full-game saves, supported platforms, or which progress transfers. Square Enix’s support instructions for its title say demo data can be transferred only if no full-game save already exists, and progress beyond demo caps is not carried over. Its Steam Deck instructions also require Cloud Save Data to be enabled for both the demo and full game: Square Enix support: transferring demo data. These are that title’s conditions, not universal Steam or Steam Deck rules.

Before proceeding, check the game’s instructions for whether an existing full-game save blocks import or could be overwritten, whether the method works on your device, and which progress is included. If the instructions are unclear, ask the developer before replacing or deleting saves.

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