Subnautica 2 Save File Backup & Management

Before installing any mods, back up your saves. This takes 30 seconds and can save hours of progress.

Where Are the Save Files?

Subnautica 2 stores saves in your Windows user profile:

C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\LocalLow\Unknown Worlds Entertainment\Subnautica2\SavedGames\

Tip: Press Win + R, type %appdata%, go up one level to AppData, then navigate to LocalLow\Unknown Worlds Entertainment\Subnautica2\.

On Steam Deck / Linux:

~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/[AppID]/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/LocalLow/Unknown Worlds Entertainment/Subnautica2/

Manual Backup (Recommended Before Every Mod Install)

1. Navigate to the SavedGames folder.
2. Copy the entire folder to a safe location:

   Documents\Subnautica2 Backups\Before BepInEx Install\
   

3. That's it. If anything goes wrong, copy it back.

Steam Cloud Saves

Subnautica 2 supports Steam Cloud — your saves are automatically synced to Valve's servers. However:

• Cloud saves can overwrite local saves if you launch on another PC.
• If a mod corrupts a save and you exit, Steam may sync the corrupt save to the cloud.

Recommended: Keep Steam Cloud enabled but also maintain a local manual backup.

To view cloud saves: store.steampowered.com/account/remotestorageapp

Automating Backups

Using a batch script (Windows)

Create backup_saves.bat on your Desktop:

@echo off
set SOURCE=%APPDATA%\..\LocalLow\Unknown Worlds Entertainment\Subnautica2\SavedGames
set DEST=C:\Subnautica2Backups\%date:~-4,4%-%date:~-7,2%-%date:~-10,2%
mkdir "%DEST%"
xcopy /E /I "%SOURCE%" "%DEST%"
echo Backup complete: %DEST%
pause

Double-click it any time to create a dated backup.

Using a free tool

GameSave Manager automatically detects and backs up saves for hundreds of games including Subnautica. Free, no installation needed.

Restoring a Backup

1. Close Subnautica 2 completely.
2. (Optional) Disable Steam Cloud sync temporarily in Steam → Properties → General → uncheck "Keep game saves in the Steam Cloud".
3. Delete or rename the current SavedGames folder.
4. Copy your backup back to the save location.
5. Re-enable Steam Cloud if you disabled it.
6. Launch the game.

Using Mods with Multiple Save Slots

• Some mods add items or structures that only exist when the mod is enabled. If you disable the mod and load that save, those items disappear or cause errors.
• Keep a vanilla backup before your first mod session so you can always return to a clean state.
• Label your backups clearly: vanilla, with-BepInEx, with-InventoryMod, etc.

Multiplayer Considerations

When playing co-op, all players should have the same mods installed to avoid desync. The host's world state is authoritative — guests should back up their character saves before joining a modded session.

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