- Love of Magic save file location: Check the game's save menu first, then search the user-data folders used by your build.
- Best backup: Copy the complete save folder before transferring between Books or starting New Game Plus.
- Windows search: Look in
%APPDATA%,%LOCALAPPDATA%, and the game's installation folder. - Transfer rule: Keep Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3 saves separate and clearly labeled.
Love of Magic Save File Location Overview
The exact Love of Magic save file location can vary by operating system, storefront build, and game version. The available official information confirms that saves support continuity between Book 1: The Crown, Book 2: The War, and Book 3: The Return, but it does not publish one universal filesystem path.
Start with the in-game Save and Load menus. If you need a physical backup, close the game and inspect the common user-data locations below. Do not move or rename files until you have created a duplicate copy.
In-Game Saves
Use the Save and Load menus to confirm that the file exists and identify its slot, book, and progression point.
Local Backup
Copy the complete save directory to a separate folder before updating, reinstalling, or transferring progress.
Cloud Storage
Steam Cloud may restore files, but local backups are safer when testing transfers or resolving conflicts.
| Goal | Recommended action | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Find a working save | Check Load, then inspect user-data folders | Low |
| Protect progress | Copy the entire save folder | Low |
| Move between Books | Use the game's supported transfer process | Medium |
| Resolve a cloud conflict | Keep the newest local and cloud copies | High |
Use descriptive backup names such as Book-1-before-transfer-2026-09-05. This makes it easier to restore the correct trilogy state.
Where to Search on Windows
On Windows, begin with the folders that commonly store PC game settings and saves. The correct directory may use the game title, developer name, or an engine-specific folder, so search for files modified immediately after creating a test save.
The safest test is simple: launch Love of Magic, create a new temporary save, exit, and sort recently modified files by date. Repeat the test after moving one suspected folder so you can confirm whether the game is reading that location.
| Search area | What to check | Notes |
|---|---|---|
%APPDATA% | Roaming folders named for the game or engine | Common location for user settings and saves |
%LOCALAPPDATA% | Local folders using the title or developer name | Check nearby subfolders and recent files |
| Steam userdata | The account-specific Steam folder | Cloud and local metadata may appear here |
| Game folder | saves, save, or userdata directories | Avoid editing installation files directly |
| Documents | Folders named for Love of Magic or its developer | Some builds store user files here |
Create a Test Save
Start the game and make a clearly named temporary save in an unused slot. Record the in-game date or scene.
Exit Completely
Close Love of Magic and Steam if necessary. A running process may keep the save file locked or delay synchronization.
Search Recent Files
Open %APPDATA%, %LOCALAPPDATA%, Documents, and the Steam userdata area. Sort candidate folders by modification time.
Confirm the Folder
Reopen the game, create another test save, and check which candidate folder changed. Back up that complete folder.
A folder that looks like a save directory may contain configuration data instead. Always verify it with a disposable test save before replacing files.
Steam Cloud, Local Saves, and Book Transfers
Love of Magic is available through Steam and itch.io, and different builds can use different storage behavior. Steam Cloud can help restore synchronized files, but it should not replace a manual backup. Cloud synchronization can also create a conflict when an older local file is uploaded over a newer one.
For trilogy continuity, preserve the save from the completed Book before launching the next part. Keep an untouched archive outside the active game folders.
| Situation | Safer method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Before an update | Copy local saves to a dated archive | Updating without a backup |
| Steam Cloud conflict | Compare timestamps and keep both copies | Selecting a random cloud option |
| Book 1 to Book 2 | Transfer the completed Book 1 save as supported | Mixing files from different runs |
| Book 2 to Book 3 | Archive the continuing Book 2 save first | Overwriting every slot |
| New Game Plus | Preserve the completed run separately | Treating NG+ as a normal fresh save |
Keep three copies when a save matters: the active folder, a dated local archive, and a separate backup location. Test one backup before deleting anything.
Save Transfer Troubleshooting Checklist
If a save does not appear, first confirm that the game build and operating system match the original environment. A missing file may be in the wrong directory, inside a cloud-only location, or associated with a different storefront account.
Use the checklist below before reinstalling. Reinstalling should be a later step because it can remove local files depending on the installation and synchronization settings.
Save Recovery Checklist:
- Close Love of Magic before copying, replacing, or renaming save files
- Confirm the backup contains the complete folder rather than one isolated file
- Check both Steam Cloud data and local user-data folders
- Verify that the save belongs to the same Book and game build
- Create a fresh test save to identify the active directory
| Symptom | Likely cause | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| No saves appear | Wrong folder or account | Create a test save and repeat the search |
| Older progress loads | Cloud conflict or wrong archive | Compare timestamps and restore the newest verified copy |
| Book transfer fails | Incomplete or mismatched save | Restore the complete prior-Book folder |
| Saves vanish after reinstall | Local data was removed | Check backups and cloud synchronization |
| File cannot be replaced | Game or sync process is active | Exit the game and pause synchronization temporarily |
For official version, bug, and transfer questions, use the Love of Magic itch.io community and the official Love of Magic itch.io page. For the Steam build, also check the Love of Magic Steam page.
Never overwrite your only working save while troubleshooting. Rename it as an archive and test copies one at a time.
Love of Magic Save File Location FAQ
Q: What is the Love of Magic save file location on PC?
There is no single verified path published for every build. Search %APPDATA%, %LOCALAPPDATA%, Documents, Steam userdata, and the game folder, then confirm the location with a disposable test save.
Q: Can I transfer saves between the three Love of Magic Books?
The trilogy is designed around continuing progression. Preserve the completed save from the earlier Book and use the supported transfer process when moving to the next Book.
Q: Should I rely on Steam Cloud for my saves?
Steam Cloud can assist with synchronization, but maintain a dated local backup. Cloud conflicts may involve an older or newer copy, so keep both versions until the correct save is confirmed.
Q: What should I do if my save is missing?
Close the game, check the likely user-data folders, verify the storefront account and Book, and test a fresh save. Restore only a copied backup after confirming the active directory.
Treat every Book transition and New Game Plus start as a backup point. A small dated archive can prevent a much larger replay.