ARK: Survival Evolved
If you've already built up a world in singleplayer or a non-dedicated session and want to move it onto your MintServers dedicated server, you don't have to start over. ARK stores each world as a small set of files that can be copied straight across.
Uploading a save will overwrite whatever world currently exists on your server for that map. Back up your server first if there's anything on it you might want later, and make sure your server is completely stopped before uploading.
Step 1: Locate Your Local Save Files
ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArksLocal.Inside, you'll find three types of files that make up your save:
<MapName>.ark (e.g. TheIsland.ark): the world itself, terrain, structures, tamed dinos, and dropped items.LocalPlayer.arkprofileYour survivor, level, stats, and engram unlocks.
<numbers>.arktribeYour tribe information, if you created one. You may not have this file if you never formed a tribe, that's fine.
If you want your singleplayer configuration to carry over as well, copy
Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini from ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor. This is optional, most people only bring the world and character files.
Step 2: Prepare Your Server
ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks (note there's no "Local" in the server-side folder name)..ark file for the map you're replacing, along with any old .arkprofile or .arktribe files you're overwriting.You don't need to clear out the entire folder, just the map file you're replacing. Leaving other survivor profiles in place is harmless, the server matches each player to their profile by Steam ID automatically.
Step 3: Upload Your Save Files
.ark, .arkprofile, and .arktribe files (and Game.ini / GameUserSettings.ini, if you're bringing settings too) into ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks.The browser-based Files tab works fine for most saves, but for large files or folders with many pieces, an SFTP client like FileZilla or WinSCP is faster and more reliable. See our guide to connecting via SFTP to get set up.
Step 4: Rename Your Player Profile
LocalPlayer.arkprofile to YourSteam64ID.arkprofile..ark and .arktribe files exactly as they are, they should not be renamed.If your save was on a different map than your server is currently set to, update the Map setting before starting, see our Change Your Server Map guide. The map name in the
.ark filename needs to match what the server is set to load.
Step 5: Start Your Server
Go back to the Console tab and start your server. It should load directly into your uploaded world.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Upload Issues
Server loads a fresh world instead of your upload
Double-check the .ark file's name matches the map your server is set to, and that it actually landed in ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks rather than a different folder.
Your character isn't there when you join
Confirm LocalPlayer.arkprofile was renamed to your Steam64 ID exactly, a typo here means the server won't recognize you as the profile's owner.
Tribe ownership looks wrong
Make sure the .arktribe file was uploaded alongside your profile and wasn't accidentally renamed.
Upload keeps failing or timing out
Large save files can struggle over a browser upload. Switch to SFTP for anything more than a few hundred megabytes.
Once you're in and your character, dinos, and structures are all present, you're done.
Still stuck?
Our team is happy to help. Open a ticket through the live chat button in the bottom-right corner of our website, or join our Discord and open a ticket there.
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