Transfer your Palworld save to the server
You can transfer an existing Palworld save to your server instead of starting with a new world. To do this, you need the complete world folder, the correct folder mapping, and a test with the previous players.
Moving between two dedicated servers is not the same as switching from a locally hosted co-op session. In a co-op transfer, the mapping of the previous host character may also be affected. A loaded base alone does not prove that all characters were imported correctly.
Which save do you want to transfer?
| Source | Confirm before transfer |
|---|---|
| Another dedicated server | Back up complete game data, verify the version, and use a save that does not require server mods |
| Local PC co-op session | Ensure access to the host’s files and check whether their character mapping needs adjustment |
| Backup from the same server | Use a complete, matching snapshot; see Restore backup |
| Console or cloud save | First determine whether the required files can be exported in a suitable format |
Crossplay is not an automatic transfer of saves between platform accounts. Without access to the required files, this FTP process cannot be performed.
Our Palworld servers run on Linux and do not support server mods. Do not transfer a save that requires such mods. For more information, see Mod support at 4Netplayers.
Prepare and back up both sides
Download an unmodified copy of the existing save. Also back up the current state of the target server if it has already been played on. Use a working copy for the upload, not your only backup.
End the local session or stop the source server before copying. Also stop the target server and wait for Server is not running. This prevents anyone from continuing to play during the transfer.
For a newly created target server, start it once and stop it again after it has fully started. Check that the required configuration file is present. A blanket waiting time of 15 minutes is no substitute for this check.
- FileZilla: https://filezilla-project.org/
Important: In FileZilla, set the transfer mode to Binary. Click Transfer → Transfer type → Binary. - WinSCP: https://winscp.net/eng/index.php
Upload the world folder
Connect to the game server FTP. You can find the login data in the server management under FTP. Open this directory:
/Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/
Upload the complete world folder with its original name here, including the contained world files and player data. Do not upload only a single Level.sav.
For example, the structure should look like this:
Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/20C700FB432A816CEC028E8B6B79261A/
The long name is an example. Use the name from your own save. Avoid an additional level such as 0/0/WORLDFOLDER. If a folder with the same name already exists on the target, back it up separately and replace it in a controlled manner. Do not mix files from different saves.
Select the correct world folder
- Download the
GameUserSettings.iniof the target server from/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/. - Find the existing entry
DedicatedServerName=. - Set its value to exactly the name of the uploaded world folder.
- Save the file and upload it back to its original location.
Example:
DedicatedServerName=20C700FB432A816CEC028E8B6B79261A
This value is not the visible server name. It maps the save. Keep the other settings of the target server rather than replacing its entire configuration with one from another provider.
Check the transfer queue in your FTP client. Start the server only after all files have finished uploading.
Verify on first join
Together with the previous players, check whether the base, Pals, inventories, and characters are present. Also confirm access to the correct guild. Only then should your group resume normal play.
If a new world loads, stop the server and recheck the folder structure and DedicatedServerName. If the correct world loads but a former player is prompted to create a character, inspect the player data and their mapping.
Specifics for local co-op transfers
When moving from a co-op session, player identifiers may differ. The community project Palworld Host Save Fix describes such cases, explicitly labels its tool as experimental, and lists known issues.
Use a converter only if its support for your exact save and game version is confirmed. Work only with copies. Blindly renaming player files or deleting WorldOption.sav is not a general fix.
If rules do not apply as expected after the transfer, note the origin of the save and the affected settings. Have the files reviewed instead of making several changes at once.
Roll back the transfer
Stop the target server. Restore its backed-up world folder and the previous mapping in GameUserSettings.ini. See Restore backup for the individual steps.
Keep the original save until after a successful test with all affected players. For a support request, provide the save’s source, game version, configuration ID, and the exact issue.
