{
 "schema": "findmysave.steps/1",
 "safety_rules": [
  {
   "id": "read-only-first",
   "rule": "Start read-only: find the save files and list name, size and modified time."
  },
  {
   "id": "backup-before-change",
   "rule": "Back up the whole save folder to a new dated folder before changing anything."
  },
  {
   "id": "confirm-each-change",
   "rule": "Ask the user before every step with changes_files=true."
  },
  {
   "id": "no-anticheat-no-unknown-tools",
   "rule": "No anti-cheat files, no edits beyond the step, no third-party tools without the user's yes."
  },
  {
   "id": "game-and-steam-closed",
   "rule": "Close the game first (and Steam, when a step says so)."
  }
 ],
 "game": {
  "slug": "crimson-desert",
  "name": "Crimson Desert",
  "name_zh": "红色沙漠",
  "steam_appid": "3321460",
  "page": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/",
  "page_zh": "https://findmysave.com/zh/crimson-desert/"
 },
 "updated": "2026-10-22",
 "save_locations": [
  {
   "platform": "Windows",
   "path": "%LOCALAPPDATA%/Pearl Abyss/CD/save/<your account ID>",
   "source": "https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Crimson_Desert"
  },
  {
   "platform": "OS X",
   "path": "~/Library/Application Support/Pearl Abyss/CD/save",
   "source": "https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Crimson_Desert"
  },
  {
   "platform": "Mac App Store",
   "path": "~/Library/Containers/com.pearlabyss.CrimsonDesert/Data/Library/Application Support/Pearl Abyss/CD/save",
   "source": "https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Crimson_Desert"
  },
  {
   "platform": "Steam / Epic (Windows)",
   "path": "%LOCALAPPDATA%\\Pearl Abyss\\CD\\save",
   "notes": "Same folder described for Steam and Epic on PC. AppData is hidden by default; paste the path into the Explorer address bar or enable Hidden items.",
   "source": "https://www.magicgameworld.com/crimson-desert-save-file-location-where-to-find-your-saves-on-pc-and-mac/"
  },
  {
   "platform": "Mac (Steam)",
   "path": "~/Library/Application Support/Pearl Abyss/CD/save",
   "notes": "Mac is excluded from cross-save for now.",
   "source": "https://www.magicgameworld.com/crimson-desert-save-file-location-where-to-find-your-saves-on-pc-and-mac/"
  },
  {
   "platform": "Mac App Store",
   "path": "~/Library/Containers/com.pearlabyss.CrimsonDesert/Data/Library/Application Support/Pearl Abyss/CD/save",
   "notes": "Sandboxed container path, different from Mac Steam.",
   "source": "https://www.magicgameworld.com/crimson-desert-save-file-location-where-to-find-your-saves-on-pc-and-mac/"
  }
 ],
 "save_files": [
  {
   "name": "9 save slots",
   "role": "main save",
   "notes": "Slots 1-3 are locked to autosaves (cycled by the game, autosave cannot be turned off); 6 slots are manual saves and the list does not expand, so when full you must overwrite or delete one. Manual saving is under Menu > Others > Options, not the pause screen.",
   "source": "https://www.magicgameworld.com/crimson-desert-save-file-location-where-to-find-your-saves-on-pc-and-mac/"
  },
  {
   "name": "Cross-Save slot",
   "role": "main save",
   "notes": "Separate cloud slot (one per Pearl Abyss ID) that is NOT autosaved; you must manually save to it before closing/switching platform.",
   "source": "https://account.pearlabyss.com/Member/Linking/CrimsonDesert"
  }
 ],
 "cloud": {
  "pcgw": {
   "epic games launcher": "unknown",
   "icloud": "true",
   "steam cloud": "true",
   "xbox cloud": "true"
  },
  "research": {
   "systems": [
    "Steam Cloud (per PCGW)",
    "Pearl Abyss ID cross-save slot (since 1.14.00, July 2026)"
   ],
   "overwrite_behavior": "Cross-save slot is manual-only. Unlinking your LAST linked platform account, or deleting the Pearl Abyss ID, permanently deletes the cloud cross-save data (unrecoverable). Data from a newer game version will not load on a platform that has not updated. Official page does not explain overwrite behavior when saving to a slot that already has data.",
   "source": "https://account.pearlabyss.com/Member/Linking/CrimsonDesert"
  }
 },
 "account_binding": {
  "detail": "Local PC saves live under a per-user folder (PCGW: save/<your account ID>). For cross-save, each platform account (PSN, Xbox, Steam, Epic, Apple) links to exactly one Pearl Abyss ID, max one account per platform; a platform account can belong to only one Pearl Abyss ID (unlink from the old ID first). Items bought on one platform do not carry over; the game must be bought on each platform.",
  "source": "https://account.pearlabyss.com/Member/Linking/CrimsonDesert"
 },
 "situations": [
  {
   "id": "find-folder",
   "section": "location",
   "title": "I can't find my Crimson Desert save folder",
   "title_zh": "找不到《红色沙漠》的存档文件夹",
   "symptom": "You don't know where the game keeps its save files.",
   "symptom_zh": "不知道游戏把存档放在哪。",
   "steps": [
    {
     "n": 1,
     "do": "Press Win+R, paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\\Pearl Abyss\\CD\\save and press Enter.",
     "do_zh": "按 Win+R，粘贴 %LOCALAPPDATA%\\Pearl Abyss\\CD\\save，回车。",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 2,
     "do": "Check: the folder has save files in it.",
     "do_zh": "确认：文件夹里有存档文件。",
     "changes_files": false
    }
   ],
   "if_not_found": "If Windows can't find the folder, the game hasn't saved on this PC yet, or you play another version (Game Pass, Epic, Steam Deck): check the other paths on this page.",
   "if_not_found_zh": "Windows 提示找不到这个文件夹，说明这台电脑上还没存过档，或者你玩的是别的版本（Game Pass、Epic、Steam Deck），看本页的其他路径。",
   "source": "https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Crimson_Desert#Save_game_data_location",
   "page": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/save-location/"
  },
  {
   "id": "location-1",
   "section": "location",
   "title": "Cannot find the save folder on Windows",
   "symptom": "Cannot find the save folder on Windows.",
   "steps": [
    {
     "n": 1,
     "do": "Press Win+R, paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\\Pearl Abyss\\CD\\save, Enter.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 2,
     "do": "Or enable View > Hidden items and browse C:\\Users\\<name>\\AppData\\Local\\Pearl Abyss\\CD\\save.",
     "changes_files": false
    }
   ],
   "source": "https://www.magicgameworld.com/crimson-desert-save-file-location-where-to-find-your-saves-on-pc-and-mac/",
   "page": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/save-location/"
  },
  {
   "id": "lost-1",
   "section": "lost",
   "title": "Progress missing after switching platform with cross-save (autosaves do not transfer)",
   "symptom": "Progress missing after switching platform with cross-save (autosaves do not transfer).",
   "steps": [
    {
     "n": 1,
     "do": "On the source platform: Save menu > Cross-Save slot (bottom-right) > save manually and wait for confirmation.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 2,
     "do": "Close the game, launch on the second platform, select the Cross-Save slot.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 3,
     "do": "If missing: confirm both accounts linked to the same Pearl Abyss ID, the upload succeeded, you are online (Offline Mode fails), press Refresh, restart the game.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 4,
     "do": "Check local save folder and Steam Cloud copy and compare dates before overwriting anything.",
     "changes_files": false
    }
   ],
   "source": "https://www.dtgre.com/2026/07/crimson-desert-cross-save-fixes-errors.html",
   "page": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/lost-save/"
  },
  {
   "id": "cloud-1",
   "section": "cloud",
   "title": "Cross-save data deleted after unlinking accounts",
   "symptom": "Cross-save data deleted after unlinking accounts.",
   "steps": [
    {
     "n": 1,
     "do": "Never unlink the last platform account or delete the Pearl Abyss ID without a local backup; deletion is permanent per Pearl Abyss.",
     "changes_files": true
    },
    {
     "n": 2,
     "do": "Before unlinking, save to a local slot and copy the local save folder.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 3,
     "do": "Unlinking one account while at least two remain does not delete data.",
     "changes_files": true
    }
   ],
   "source": "https://account.pearlabyss.com/Member/Linking/CrimsonDesert",
   "page": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/steam-cloud-overwrite/"
  },
  {
   "id": "corrupted-1",
   "section": "corrupted",
   "title": "Cross-save slot will not load on one platform",
   "symptom": "Cross-save slot will not load on one platform.",
   "steps": [
    {
     "n": 1,
     "do": "Check game version on both platforms.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 2,
     "do": "Update the platform that is behind (newer-version data does not load on older versions).",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 3,
     "do": "Relaunch from the platform library and retry; if still failing wait for that platform to receive the same update.",
     "changes_files": false
    }
   ],
   "source": "https://account.pearlabyss.com/Member/Linking/CrimsonDesert",
   "page": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/corrupted-save/"
  },
  {
   "id": "corrupted-2",
   "section": "corrupted",
   "title": "Persistent loading screen or black screen when loading save data (fixed in hotfix 1.16.02, Aug 3 2026)",
   "symptom": "Persistent loading screen or black screen when loading save data (fixed in hotfix 1.16.02, Aug 3 2026).",
   "steps": [
    {
     "n": 1,
     "do": "Update the game to 1.16.02 or later.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 2,
     "do": "Back up the save folder before retrying.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 3,
     "do": "Relaunch and load again.",
     "changes_files": false
    }
   ],
   "source": "https://mp1st.com/?p=311771",
   "page": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/corrupted-save/"
  },
  {
   "id": "transfer-1",
   "section": "transfer",
   "title": "Account linking fails / wrong platform account",
   "symptom": "Account linking fails / wrong platform account.",
   "steps": [
    {
     "n": 1,
     "do": "Verify you are signed into the correct platform account and Pearl Abyss ID.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 2,
     "do": "If the platform account is linked to another ID, sign in to that ID and unlink it first.",
     "changes_files": false
    },
    {
     "n": 3,
     "do": "In-game: Save menu > Cross-Save > scan QR/open link > sign in > press Refresh in game > save to a slot.",
     "changes_files": false
    }
   ],
   "source": "https://account.pearlabyss.com/Member/Linking/CrimsonDesert",
   "page": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/transfer-save/"
  },
  {
   "id": "other-1",
   "section": "other",
   "title": "Shield disappears after switching to dual-wield, saving and reloading (known issue at 1.16.02)",
   "symptom": "Shield disappears after switching to dual-wield, saving and reloading (known issue at 1.16.02).",
   "steps": [
    {
     "n": 1,
     "do": "Equip another shield, save, reload; the missing shield is restored.",
     "changes_files": false
    }
   ],
   "source": "https://mp1st.com/?p=311771",
   "page": null
  }
 ],
 "pages": [
  {
   "slug": "save-location",
   "section": "location",
   "url": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/save-location/"
  },
  {
   "slug": "lost-save",
   "section": "lost",
   "url": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/lost-save/"
  },
  {
   "slug": "steam-cloud-overwrite",
   "section": "cloud",
   "url": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/steam-cloud-overwrite/"
  },
  {
   "slug": "corrupted-save",
   "section": "corrupted",
   "url": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/corrupted-save/"
  },
  {
   "slug": "transfer-save",
   "section": "transfer",
   "url": "https://findmysave.com/crimson-desert/transfer-save/"
  }
 ],
 "for_generic_guides": {},
 "unverified": [
  "Actual save file names/extensions inside the save folder (not found in any opened source).",
  "Whether the game creates automatic .bak files (only seen in an unopened search snippet).",
  "Steam Cloud toggle/conflict behavior for Crimson Desert specifically (PCGW says supported; thegameswiki 'Properties > General' advice returned 429 and was not opened).",
  "WeGame / Xbox PC (Game Pass) / Xbox Play Anywhere save paths: no source found; PCGW lists Xbox cloud true but no Windows Xbox path.",
  "Whether saving to a cross-save slot overwrites existing cloud data (official page silent).",
  "Chinese sources (ITHome, 163) returned only search snippets; ITHome page 403."
 ],
 "if_still_stuck": {
  "url": "https://findmysave.com/help/",
  "url_zh": "https://findmysave.com/zh/help/",
  "note": "Only if every step has failed: a person can look at it with the user remotely."
 }
}