Where Are GTA San Andreas Save Files Located?
GTA San Andreas keeps eight GTASAsf slots in a User Files folder, with version-locked save compatibility.
Last updated
GTA San Andreas stores saves as GTASAsf1.b through GTASAsf8.b in Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files, next to gta_sa.set and gallery files. The files are tiny, fixed-size and uncompressed, which is why save editors handle them so easily.
Version matching matters more than anything. A save from a version 1 executable will not load on version 2, a trap that catches everyone swapping 100% saves from download sites. The Mac build uses a Rockstar Games Documents variant, and Linux runs through Proton under app ID 12120.
Where Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files
Eight slots GTASAsf1-8.b plus gta_sa.set. Version-locked: match saves to your exe version. Compatibility mode may redirect to Public Documents; check both trees.
~/Documents/Rockstar Games/GTA San Andreas User Files
Same slots under the Rockstar Games Documents variant. App Store builds may bury files inside the app bundle, so prefer the Steam or direct builds for modding.
~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/12120/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/GTA San Andreas User Files
Same User Files layout inside the Proton prefix for app 12120. Version locking applies identically; keep exe and saves matched.
Frequently asked questions
Do saves work across different SA versions?
No. Version 1 and version 2 scripts differ, so a v1 save refuses to load on a v2 executable and vice versa. Match the save to the exe version or convert it with a save editor first.
My saves vanished after enabling compatibility mode. Where are they?
Compatibility mode redirects them to the Public Documents variant. Check both Documents trees when saves vanish after toggling compatibility settings on the exe.
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