How to Upload a World Save to Your ARK Server

Whether you want to continue a singleplayer adventure with friends or migrate an established community server from another host, moving your existing world save to DustBowl Warden is straightforward. This guide covers the anatomy of ARK save files, renaming singleplayer profiles, and uploading data via SFTP.

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Anatomy of the ARK Save Directory

All world data in ARK: Survival Evolved lives inside the SavedArks directory:

ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/

Inside this directory, three critical file extensions store your world state:

File Pattern	Description	Notes
<MapName>.ark	The world database containing structures, terrain state, wild creatures, and dropped items.	Example: TheIsland.ark, Ragnarok.ark, Aberration_P.ark.
<SteamID64>.arkprofile	Individual player character data, including levels, unlocked engrams, stats, and inventory.	Singleplayer saves name this LocalPlayer.arkprofile.
<TribeID>.arktribe	Tribe metadata, logs, shared structure ownership, and tribe ranks.	Example: 1234567890.arktribe.

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Preparing a Singleplayer Save for Dedicated Server Hosting

If you are uploading a save created in Single Player on your PC:

1. On your computer, open your ARK install folder (in Steam: right-click ARK -> Manage -> Browse Local Files).
2. Navigate to:

   ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArksLocal/
   

3. Locate LocalPlayer.arkprofile. Singleplayer games do not tag saves with a Steam ID.
4. Convert your Steam vanity URL or account name to your 17-digit SteamID64 using our SteamID Converter.
5. Rename LocalPlayer.arkprofile to <YourSteamID64>.arkprofile (e.g., 76561198012345678.arkprofile).
   • If you skip this step, joining the dedicated server will force you to spawn a brand new survivor instead of loading your existing character!

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Uploading Save Files via DustBowl Warden SFTP

Because world saves and backup archives can exceed hundreds of megabytes, SFTP is the fastest and most reliable transfer method:

1. Gather SFTP Credentials

1. Open your ARK server on DustBowl Warden.
2. Stop the server.
3. In the sidebar, click the Network tab or Settings to review your SFTP endpoint:
   • SFTP Host: Your node address (e.g., sftp.dustbowl.games or your server IP).
   • SFTP Port: 2022 (DustBowl Warden uses port 2022 for secure transfers).
   • Username: Your Warden panel username prefixed by your server identifier.
   • Password: Your Warden account password.

2. Connect and Transfer Files

1. Launch an SFTP client such as WinSCP, FileZilla, or Cyberduck.
2. Connect using the credentials gathered above.
3. In the remote pane, navigate to:

   ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/
   

   (If the directory does not exist yet, you can create it or start the server once to generate the default folder structure).
4. Upload your <MapName>.ark, all .arkprofile files, and all .arktribe files.
5. If migrating custom configurations, also upload GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini to ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/.

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Verifying Server Map Configuration

For ARK to read the uploaded save file, your server startup map must match the save file prefix:

1. In DustBowl Warden, click the Startup tab.
2. In the Server Map setting, select the map corresponding to your save:
   • TheIsland for TheIsland.ark
   • ScorchedEarth_P for ScorchedEarth_P.ark
   • Ragnarok for Ragnarok.ark
   • Aberration_P for Aberration_P.ark
   • Extinction for Extinction.ark
   • Fjordur for Fjordur.ark
3. Save changes and start your server.
4. Connect to the server. Your survivor, structures, and tamed dinosaurs will be waiting for you.

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Related Tools and Guides

• SteamID Converter: Look up your 17-digit SteamID64 to rename player profile files.
• Warden SFTP Connection Guide: Detailed client walkthroughs for WinSCP, FileZilla, and Cyberduck on port 2022.
• How to Change the Map on Your ARK Server: Map startup identifiers and world save naming conventions.
• ARK Tribe Permissions Tool: Plan tribe rank permissions and structure governance.