SaveSync is a Steam tool that lets you share co-op game saves with your friends so anyone in the group can host the world, even when the original host is offline. This guide walks you through everything from installation to syncing your first save.

Step 1: Purchase and Install SaveSync

SaveSync is available on Steam. Purchase it like any other Steam application, and it will appear in your Steam library.

  1. Open Steam and search for “SaveSync” in the store, or visit the store page directly.
  2. Purchase SaveSync.
  3. Go to your Steam Library.
  4. Find SaveSync in your library and click Install.
  5. Once installed, click Play to launch it.

SaveSync runs as a standalone application alongside your games. It does not modify any game files.

Step 2: Create Your Sync Group

A sync group is a collection of players who share saves for the same co-op world. Every player who wants to host or contribute to a save needs to be in the group.

  1. Open SaveSync.
  2. Click Create Group.
  3. Give your group a name (something like “Our Valheim World” or just your friend group’s name).
  4. Invite your co-op friends by searching for them through their Steam profiles.

Each friend will need to accept the invitation. They will also need to have SaveSync installed on their end.

Step 3: Select Your Game

Once your group is set up, select the game you want to sync saves for.

  1. In your group, click Add Game or select from the list of supported titles.
  2. Choose the game from the list of 27 supported games.
  3. SaveSync will automatically detect the correct save folder location for the selected game.

If SaveSync cannot find your save files automatically (for example, if you installed the game to a non-standard location), you can manually point it to the correct directory.

Step 4: Sync Your First Save

With the group created and the game selected, you are ready to sync.

  1. If you are the current host: Make sure you have played at least one session so a save file exists. Then sync your save to the group. This uploads the latest save so every group member can access it.
  2. If you are joining an existing world: Pull the latest save from the group. SaveSync will download it and place it in the correct save folder on your machine.

After this initial sync, you will sync saves at the end of each session to keep everyone up to date.

Step 5: Play and Host

With the save synced, any player in the group can host:

  1. Pull the latest save from your SaveSync group.
  2. Launch the game normally through Steam.
  3. Load the synced world.
  4. Your friends connect to your session as they normally would.
  5. After the session, sync the save again so the next person to host has the latest version.

That is the complete workflow. The first time takes a few minutes to set up. After that, it is just sync, play, sync.

Transferring Host Duties

One of the biggest benefits of SaveSync is that hosting is no longer tied to one player. Here is how a typical host transfer works:

  1. Player A finishes their hosting session and syncs the save.
  2. Player B wants to host the next session. They pull the latest save in SaveSync.
  3. Player B launches the game and loads the world.
  4. Everyone else connects to Player B.

No file hunting, no manual copying, no confusion about who has the latest save. It just works.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

  • Always sync after your session. This ensures the group always has access to the latest progress.
  • Make sure everyone is on the same game version. Game updates can cause save compatibility issues regardless of how the save is transferred.
  • Keep mods in sync. If your group uses mods, everyone needs the same mods and versions. SaveSync handles save files, not mod installations.
  • Use the LAN Sync feature if you are playing on the same local network (particularly useful for Minecraft Java Edition and Vintage Story).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every player need to buy SaveSync?

Yes. Every player who wants to sync saves needs to have SaveSync installed. This ensures the save can be uploaded and downloaded by any group member.

Does SaveSync modify my game files?

No. SaveSync only works with save files. It does not modify game executables, inject code, or alter how the game runs. Your game stays exactly as it was.

What happens if two players sync at the same time?

SaveSync handles versioning to prevent conflicts. The latest save is always clearly identified, and you will not accidentally overwrite newer progress with an older save.

Can I use SaveSync for single-player saves?

SaveSync is designed for co-op save sharing, but there is nothing stopping you from using it to back up and transfer single-player saves between your own machines or to share a single-player world with a friend.

What if my game is not supported?

SaveSync currently supports 27 games with more being added regularly. If your game is not on the list, join the SaveSync Discord and request it. The most-requested games get prioritized for support.

Is my save data secure?

Your saves are shared only with the players in your sync group. Nobody outside the group can access your save files.

What if I have problems during setup?

Join the SaveSync Discord for help. The community and developers are active and can walk you through any issues.

Start Playing on Your Schedule

The setup takes less than five minutes. After that, your co-op world belongs to the whole group, not just the host. No more waiting, no more lost progress, no more worlds that die because one person got busy.