Where Does RPCS3 Store Save Data?
RPCS3 PS3 savedata folder layout on Windows, macOS and Linux, and how dev_hdd0 mirrors a real PlayStation 3 hard drive.
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RPCS3 emulates a whole PS3 hard drive in a folder called dev_hdd0. Saves live under dev_hdd0/home/00000001/savedata with one subfolder per game, exactly like a real console. Trophies, licenses and installed games sit nearby in the same tree.
That design means there is no per PC game save folder to hunt. To back up, copy the savedata folder with the emulator closed. The easiest way to open it is the built in Save Manager, which has an Open Folder button per title. Right click any entry there to reveal its files without typing a path.
Where RPCS3 stores this, by platform
[RPCS3]\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\savedata
Portable layout under your RPCS3 install folder. Each subfolder holds PARAM.SFO plus DATA.BIN files per game. Copy the whole savedata folder to move every game.
~/Library/Application Support/rpcs3/dev_hdd0/home/00000001/savedata
Use Go > Go to Folder in Finder. PS1 and PS2 virtual memory cards are separate at dev_hdd0/savedata/vmc, not in this PS3 savedata tree.
~/.config/rpcs3/dev_hdd0/home/00000001/savedata
AppImage builds may keep dev_hdd0 next to the AppImage instead. Use File > Open RPCS3 Folder in the GUI to confirm on your setup before copying.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use real PS3 saves in RPCS3?
Often yes. Copy the decrypted save folder into dev_hdd0/home/00000001/savedata with RPCS3 closed. Encrypted PARAM.PFD saves need decrypting first with a tool like Apollo before the emulator reads them.
Where are RPCS3 trophies and DLC?
In the same dev_hdd0 tree: trophies under home/00000001/trophy, installed games and DLC under game. Back up dev_hdd0 wholesale to catch saves plus unlocks together.
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