NieR: Automata Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-09-20

Save file location (Windows (Steam)): %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\NieR_Automata

Quick answer: On PC, NieR: Automata save files are stored in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\NieR_Automata. Copy that folder to back up your progress before modding or moving to a new PC.

Windows (Steam): %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\NieR_Automata
PlayStation 5 / PS4: Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data
Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One: My games & apps > <Game> > Manage game > Saved data

Here's exactly where NieR: Automata stores your save on every platform, how to open the folder, and how to back it up.

Save file locations

Windows (Steam)

%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\NieR_Automata

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\My Games\NieR_Automata\ . Saves are SlotData_*.dat files with a matching SystemData.dat.

PlayStation 5 / PS4

Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data

Console saves are sealed and can't be copied as raw files. Back them up to PS Plus cloud or a USB drive from this menu.

Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One

My games & apps > <Game> > Manage game > Saved data

Xbox saves sync automatically to the cloud with your Microsoft account; there is no user-accessible save file on disk.

Cloud saves

On PC, NieR: Automata uses Steam Cloud, so your SlotData saves sync across machines with the same Steam account. If a cloud and local save conflict after offline play, pick the newer copy to avoid losing progress.

Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step NieR: Automata save transfer guide to copy your progress across without losing anything.

How to open the save folder

Press Win + R to open the Run box.
Type %userprofile%\Documents and press Enter.
Open My Games > NieR_Automata.
Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

NieR: Automata save won’t load or says it’s corrupt

Many games keep an automatic backup next to the save (a .bak or numbered copy) — close the game, copy that backup over the broken file, and reopen. On Steam, also right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.

My NieR: Automata save is missing or the folder is empty

You are usually looking in the wrong sub-folder — open the numbered profile/Steam-ID folder inside the path above, not the parent. If it is still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy; reconnect and let the cloud sync complete before launching.

NieR: Automata progress rolled back after a cloud conflict

When Steam or the console reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of “lost hours.” If unsure, disable cloud sync, back up the local folder first, then re-enable it.

Save won't load or shows as corrupted? See the NieR: Automata corrupted save fix guide to recover your progress step by step.

FAQ

Where is the NieR: Automata save file on PC?

It's at C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\My Games\NieR_Automata. Press Win+R, type %userprofile%\Documents, then open My Games\NieR_Automata. Saves are SlotData_*.dat files.

How do I back up my NieR: Automata save?

Copy the SlotData_*.dat and SystemData.dat files from the NieR_Automata folder to a safe location, then paste them back to restore.

Why did NieR: Automata delete my save?

Reaching Ending E offers to delete your save data as part of the story. Back up the SlotData files first if you want to keep that playthrough.

Other games

Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.