Where Does MiSTer Store Saves and Settings?
MiSTer keeps games, saves, and MiSTer.ini on the SD card under /media/fat, saved via the OSD.
Last updated
Everything MiSTer owns lives on the MicroSD (or USB) under /media/fat. Games sit in per core folders, saves land beside them, and MiSTer.ini at the root controls video and boot options. Core settings save to the config folder from each core OSD.
Saving has one quirk. In game saves only reach the card when you open the OSD and pick Save Backup RAM. Turn on per core autosave plus Save Settings if you hate that step. Back the card up often, since flash fails fast and without warning.
Where MiSTer stores this, by platform
/media/fat (SD root: games, saves, MiSTer.ini)
MiSTer runs Linux but you work with card paths. Games per core under games/, saves beside them, config in config/. USB drives mount under /media/usb and override SD paths.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my MiSTer save disappear?
The OSD save step was skipped. Save in game, open the OSD, choose Save Backup RAM, and wait for the Saving notice. Enable autosave per core and save settings to make it stick.
How do I back up MiSTer?
Image or sync the whole SD card, or at least games saves, config, and MiSTer.ini. Schedule copies with a tool like FreeFileSync. Converters exist for moving saves to and from emulators.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.