Where Does mGBA Store Saves and Config?
mGBA writes battery saves next to the ROM by default. The save, state, and config spots on each OS.
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mGBA writes battery saves as .sav files next to the ROM by default. A game called MyGame.gba produces MyGame.sav in the same folder, which other emulators generally read without conversion. Save states (.ss0 and up) follow the same default.
Both directories are settable in Settings, so a synced folder works for multi machine play. App config lives apart: %APPDATA%\mGBA on Windows unless portable.ini sits beside the exe, in which case everything stays local. Never load a pre save state after an in game save; that sequence corrupts the .sav.
Where mGBA stores this, by platform
.\MyGame.sav
Beside the ROM by default; states as .ssN in the same folder. Override both dirs in Settings. App config in %APPDATA%\mGBA, or beside the exe when portable.ini exists.
./MyGame.sav
Same ROM side layout. Config follows XDG paths. Copy the .sav alone to migrate; states are version tied and travel badly.
./MyGame.sav
Same ROM side layout as other platforms. Keep battery saves for real progress and states for practice runs, since states break across mGBA versions.
Frequently asked questions
how do i import a sav from another emulator to mgba
Place the .sav next to the ROM with the matching name and load the game. No import step exists; mGBA picks it up automatically. Sizes must match the expected save type or the game ignores it.
mgba save disappeared after loading a state, why
Loading a state made before the in game save rewinds the emulated cart RAM, orphaning the newer .sav. Save in game first, then make fresh states after. Keep the two systems in chronological order.
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