Where Are Dota 2 Replays Stored?
Dota 2 replay .dem files on Windows and Linux, how to download them in client, and what to back up before reinstalling.
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Dota 2 replays are .dem files in a replays folder inside the game's Dota directory. Nothing downloads automatically; you fetch each match from the Watch tab first. The folder then fills with timestamped demo files ready to copy or share.
Version drift is the catch. Replays only play on the client build that recorded them, so a major patch orphans older files. Tournament organizers download immediately for exactly this reason.
Where Dota 2 stores this, by platform
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\game\dota\replays
Adjust the Steam library root if yours moved. Download matches from the in game Watch tab first; the folder stays empty until you do. Copy .dem files out before reinstalls, since Steam wipes the tree.
~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/dota 2 beta/game/dota/replays
Same replays tail under the Linux Steam library, typically under ~/.local/share/Steam. Proton versus native installs keep different library roots, so confirm yours in Steam Settings, Storage before hunting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I download a Dota 2 replay?
From the Watch tab, which downloads the .dem into the replays folder. Files only appear there after an in client download; match history alone stores nothing locally.
How do I keep a replay through a big patch?
Copy the .dem files elsewhere. They play back only in the client version that recorded them, so old patches may refuse them, but keeping the files is the only chance of watching later.
Why did my old replay disappear?
Replays record everything but expire from Valve's servers after a while. Tournament and recent matches stay longest. For anything precious, download the .dem promptly.
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