Satisfactory Save Management and Backups

Satisfactory Save Management

Satisfactory's dedicated server uses .sav files stored on disk. The server autosaves periodically and keeps multiple rotating save files.

Save File Location

Server saves are stored at:

FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server/

Files are named with the session name and a timestamp:

server_autosave_1.sav
server_autosave_2.sav
server_autosave_3.sav   (rotating, oldest overwritten)

Configuring Autosave

In the in-game Server Manager (after logging in as admin):

• Autosave Interval: How often (in seconds) the server autosaves
  • Recommended: 300 seconds (5 minutes)
  • Large factories benefit from longer intervals to reduce lag spikes
• Number of Autosaves: How many save files to keep in rotation
  • Recommended: 3–5 saves

Or set the initial value in GameUserSettings.ini before first start:

mAutosaveInterval=300

Manual Save

In the in-game Server Manager (admin logged in):

• Go to Manage Saves
• Click Create Save
• Enter a save name

Manual saves are stored alongside autosaves in FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server/.

Loading a Different Save

1. Connect to the server as admin
2. Open Server Manager → Manage Saves
3. Click the save you want to load
4. Click Load Game

The server restarts the session with the selected save.

Migrating a Local Save to the Server

To move a local singleplayer/co-op game to a dedicated server:

1. Find the local save file:
   • Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames\[SteamID]\
   • Linux: ~/.steam/steam/userdata/[SteamID]/1690800/remote/
2. Copy the .sav file to the server at FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server/
3. In the Server Manager, select the save file and click Load Game

Note: After migrating, the factory will continue operating on the server. All built structures and items transfer — just the playing session moves from local to dedicated.

Backing Up Saves

Stop the server, then copy the save directory:

sudo systemctl stop satisfactory
cp -r ~/satisfactory/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server \
      ~/backups/sf-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)
sudo systemctl start satisfactory

Automate with cron:

crontab -e
# Daily backup at 3 AM:
0 3 * * * cp -r /home/satisfactory/satisfactory/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server /home/satisfactory/backups/sf-$(date +\%Y\%m\%d)

Restoring a Backup

sudo systemctl stop satisfactory
cp ~/backups/sf-20260501/AutoSave_0.sav \
   ~/satisfactory/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server/
sudo systemctl start satisfactory

Then load the restored save via the in-game Server Manager.