How to Save and Restore Ren'Py Game Saves on Android
Ren'Py games on Android store save files in a specific directory. If you update or uninstall a game, your saves may be lost unless you back them up.
This guide explains where saves are stored, how to back them up properly, and how to restore them after reinstalling the game.
⚠ Important: If you delete the game without backing up your saves, they will be lost forever! ⚠
🔍 Where Are Ren'Py Saves Stored on Android?
On Android 10 and below, save files are stored at:
Example:
However, on Android 11 and above, access to `Android/data` is restricted, and standard file managers can no longer access it.
To back up your saves, you need alternative methods.
📂 How to Back Up Ren'Py Saves Before Updating or Uninstalling a Game
🟢 1. Using a File Manager (For Android 10 and Below)
If you have Android 10 or lower, you can use Total Commander or X-Plore File Manager, as they allow access to `Android/data`.
✅ Steps:
🟠 2. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) (For Android 11 and Above)
If you have Android 11 or higher and file managers do not allow access to `Android/data`, use ADB on a computer.
✅ Steps:
💾 How to Restore Saves After Installing a New Game Version
🟢 1. Using a File Manager (Android 10 and Below)
🟠 2. Using ADB (For Android 11 and Above)
✅ Conclusion
✅ Android 10 and below → Use Total Commander or X-Plore File Manager.
✅ Android 11 and above → Access to `Android/data` is restricted, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
✅ Always back up your saves before updating or uninstalling a game to avoid losing progress.
This guide explains where saves are stored, how to back them up properly, and how to restore them after reinstalling the game.
⚠ Important: If you delete the game without backing up your saves, they will be lost forever! ⚠
🔍 Where Are Ren'Py Saves Stored on Android?
On Android 10 and below, save files are stored at:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.{game_name}/files/saves/Example:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.example.game/files/saves/However, on Android 11 and above, access to `Android/data` is restricted, and standard file managers can no longer access it.
To back up your saves, you need alternative methods.
📂 How to Back Up Ren'Py Saves Before Updating or Uninstalling a Game
🟢 1. Using a File Manager (For Android 10 and Below)
If you have Android 10 or lower, you can use Total Commander or X-Plore File Manager, as they allow access to `Android/data`.
✅ Steps:
- Install Total Commander (Google Play) or X-Plore File Manager (Google Play).
- Open the file manager and navigate to:
/Android/data/com.{game_name}/files/saves/ - Long press on the `saves` folder and select Copy.
- Paste the `saves` folder into a safe location, such as:
/storage/emulated/0/Download/
🟠 2. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) (For Android 11 and Above)
If you have Android 11 or higher and file managers do not allow access to `Android/data`, use ADB on a computer.
✅ Steps:
- Enable USB Debugging on your phone:
- Go to Settings → About phone → Software information
- Tap Build number 7 times to enable Developer Mode
- In Developer Options, enable USB Debugging - Download and install ADB (Android Debug Bridge) on your computer:
- Windows: Download ADB
- Mac/Linux: Use the command:
(Linux)sudo apt install adb
(MacOS)brew install android-platform-tools - Connect your phone to the PC via USB and check if ADB detects it:
adb devices
- If the device appears, proceed. - Copy saves to your computer using:
adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.{game_name}/files/saves/ C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\saves_backup\
(Change the path as needed)
💾 How to Restore Saves After Installing a New Game Version
🟢 1. Using a File Manager (Android 10 and Below)
- Open Total Commander or X-Plore File Manager.
- Copy the backed-up files from `/storage/emulated/0/Download/saves/` back to:
/Android/data/com.{game_name}/files/saves/ - Launch the game and check if saves are restored.
🟠 2. Using ADB (For Android 11 and Above)
- Connect your phone to the PC and enable USB Debugging.
- In Windows Command Prompt or Mac/Linux Terminal, run:
adb push C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\saves_backup/ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.{game_name}/files/saves/ - Launch the game and verify that saves are restored.
✅ Conclusion
✅ Android 10 and below → Use Total Commander or X-Plore File Manager.
✅ Android 11 and above → Access to `Android/data` is restricted, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
✅ Always back up your saves before updating or uninstalling a game to avoid losing progress.