Subnautica Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-09-20

Save file location (Windows): %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Unknown Worlds\Subnautica\Subnautica\SavedGames

Quick answer: On PC, Subnautica save files are stored in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Unknown Worlds\Subnautica\Subnautica\SavedGames. Copy that folder to back up your progress before modding or moving to a new PC.

Windows: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Unknown Worlds\Subnautica\Subnautica\SavedGames
Steam (alternate): Steam\userdata\<SteamID3>\264710
Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One: My games & apps > <Game> > Manage game > Saved data

Here's exactly where Subnautica stores your saves on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back them up.

Save file locations

Windows

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Unknown Worlds\Subnautica\Subnautica\SavedGames

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\LocalLow\Unknown Worlds\Subnautica\Subnautica\SavedGames\ . Each save is a slot folder named slot0000, slot0001, etc.

Steam (alternate)

Steam\userdata\<SteamID3>\264710

If Steam Cloud is enabled, a synced copy also lives in the Steam userdata folder under app ID 264710.

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, Subnautica uses Steam Cloud. If a cloud save and a local save conflict after offline play, choose the newer one when prompted so you don't lose exploration progress.

Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step Subnautica 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%\AppData\LocalLow and press Enter.
Open Unknown Worlds > Subnautica > Subnautica > SavedGames.
Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

Subnautica 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 Subnautica 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.

Subnautica 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 Subnautica corrupted save fix guide to recover your progress step by step.

FAQ

Where is the Subnautica save file on PC?

It's at C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\LocalLow\Unknown Worlds\Subnautica\Subnautica\SavedGames. Press Win+R, type %userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow, then open Unknown Worlds\Subnautica\Subnautica\SavedGames.

How do I back up a Subnautica save?

Copy the whole slot folder (e.g. slot0000) from SavedGames to a safe location, then paste it back to restore.

Where are Below Zero saves?

Subnautica: Below Zero uses the same LocalLow\Unknown Worlds path but under a SubnauticaZero folder instead of Subnautica.

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.