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For a dependable Baldur’s Gate 3 backup, copy the save folder—or the whole profile folder—to a location outside the game’s active save directory. Larian Account Cross-Save is useful for moving recent saves between platforms, but it is not a permanent archive: Larian says it syncs the last ten saves for up to six months. The steps below cover Windows, Mac, Steam Deck, and recovery through a Larian Account.
Choose the backup method that fits your goal
| Method | Best for | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Manual folder copy | Keeping an independent copy you control | You must copy it again when you want a newer backup. |
| Larian Account Cross-Save | Continuing on another supported platform or retrieving a recent synced save | Larian’s 2026 FAQ says it syncs the last ten saves for up to six months; it is not long-term archival storage. Larian Account Information |
If a campaign matters to you, use a manual copy as the independent backup and Cross-Save as a convenience. Save paths and recovery steps may change with game or platform updates, so consult Larian’s current support instructions if a documented path no longer matches your installation.
Back up saves on Windows
Copy a single save
- Close Baldur’s Gate 3 before copying, so the game is less likely to be writing to the save while you work.
- Open File Explorer, click the address bar, and enter
%LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStory. Press Enter. Larian documents this as the Windows save location; entering the path directly also avoids having to browse to the hiddenAppDatafolder. Larian: Retrieving Requested Files - Find the folder for the save you want. Copy it and paste the copy somewhere separate from the active
Storyfolder, such as another drive or a USB drive. - Keep the original in place and confirm the copied folder is present in the backup location before reopening the game.
Back up a whole profile
To preserve more than one save, copy the relevant profile folder from PlayerProfiles to a separate location. Larian forum guidance recommends copying the profile folder for save preservation, though that post is patch-era guidance. Check that the path matches your current installation before relying on it. Larian forum: Pre-Patch Announcement – Patch 9 Incoming!
Restore a manual Windows backup
- Close the game.
- Open the same Windows save location:
%LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStory. - Copy the backed-up save folder into its original location. If you backed up a whole profile, copy that profile folder back under
PlayerProfiles. Before replacing or merging files, make a separate copy of the current profile so you can undo the change if needed. - Start the game and check the Load menu for the restored save. If it is missing, confirm that the folder is in the active profile’s
SavegamesStorydirectory and that you restored the correct profile.
Larian’s forum instructions describe restoring by copying the backed-up profile folder back to its original location. Larian forum instructions
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- 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!
Back up and restore saves on Mac
Larian lists this Mac save path: ~/Documents/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/PlayerProfiles/Public/Savegames/Story. Open Finder, use Go > Go to Folder, and enter the path. Each save is a folder; copy it to a separate location for a manual backup. Larian notes that you can compress a save folder in Finder if you want an archive file. To restore, copy the folder back into the same Story directory, then check the game’s Load menu. Larian: Retrieving Requested Files
Retrieve a save with Larian Account Cross-Save
- In the game, connect the platform account you intend to use to the correct Larian Account and enable Cross-Save. Follow Larian’s account guidance for launching through the linked platform client where required. Larian Account Information
- For a synced save available to the game, check the 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
- Once downloaded, keep the file in a separate location if you want an independent backup rather than relying only on the account copy.
Larian’s 2026 FAQ says Cross-Save syncs the last ten saves and retains them for up to six months. The FAQ also displays a September 29, 2026 notice that inactive Cross-Saves older than six months will expire and be permanently deleted. Copy important saves to local storage before that retention window ends. Larian Account Information
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- 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
Platform-specific recovery notes
PS5 and Xbox
Larian’s support retrieval flow for console saves requires Cross-Save to have been enabled and the save to have synced. You can then sign in to the Larian Account on a PC and download the save from My Saves. This is Larian’s described retrieval method; it does not mean the console makers’ own cloud-save menus work identically. Larian: Retrieving Requested Files
Xbox saves that disappeared
Larian has a support page for a particular Xbox disappearing-save issue. Its guidance recommends checking for console updates and describes linking the Larian Account and re-enabling Cross-Save; if Cross-Save had been enabled, this process may recover the last five synced saves. Larian says a fix is available, so treat these instructions as issue-specific rather than a universal Xbox recovery procedure. Larian: Disappearing save files (Xbox)
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRank #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.
Steam Deck: Proton and Native saves
Steam Deck’s Proton and Native versions use different save locations, so do not assume their folders are interchangeable. Larian documents the paths and transfer procedure, and says Steam Cloud syncs recent saves to the Native version when enabled. Its manual Savegames folder transfer is intended for older saves or when Cloud sync is off. Follow the current steps on Larian’s Steam Deck page for the version you use. Larian: Steam Deck native version
Before moving a modded save
Larian warns that modded Cross-Saves may be incompatible when game versions differ. Before transferring a modded campaign between platforms, check that the game versions and required mods are compatible on both ends. Larian: Official Mod Support
Quick Recap
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- 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.
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