Where Are Payday 2 Save Files Located?
Payday 2 saves folder on Windows and Linux, how the Steam ID directory works, and why modded saves need extra care.
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Payday 2 stores progress under AppData/Local/PAYDAY 2/saves in a folder named with your Steam ID. Inside are save098.sav style files plus renderer settings. The path uses Local rather than Roaming, which trips up players following generic AppData guides.
BLT mods keep their own saves and configs beside the vanilla files, so modded restores need the mod folder too. Copy the whole PAYDAY 2 tree with the game closed and Cloud paused. New accounts must launch once so the ID folder exists before you drop files in.
Where Payday 2 stores this, by platform
%localappdata%\PAYDAY 2\saves\[SteamID]
Paste into Run. Renderer settings sit at %localappdata%\PAYDAY 2\renderer_settings.xml. Copy the full PAYDAY 2 folder to move progress plus options.
~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/218620/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/PAYDAY 2/saves
Proton path for AppID 218620. The Steam root varies, so search compatdata/218620 for PAYDAY 2 if your library moved drives.
Frequently asked questions
Will mods break a restored Payday 2 save?
They can if the mod list differs. Install the same BLT mods first, then restore the saves folder with the game closed. Keep a vanilla backup apart from the modded one.
Why is there no saves folder on a fresh install?
Payday 2 creates it on first launch. Start the game, finish the opening safehouse load, quit fully, and the PAYDAY 2 tree appears for your Steam ID.
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