Sons of The Forest
Already have a world going with friends and want to move it onto a dedicated server instead of hosting it yourself? Sons of the Forest lets you upload your existing save so you can keep playing right where you left off. This guide covers locating your local save, converting it if needed, and uploading it to your server.
Only Multiplayer saves can be uploaded to a dedicated server, Singleplayer saves must be converted first (covered below). Player-specific data such as inventory, stats, and position does not transfer, only world data like structures and dropped items carries over. Store any items you want to keep in a chest before making the switch.
Step 1: Locate Your Local Save File
Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.Multiplayer or Singleplayer folder depending on where your save was created.📁 Endnight
📁 SonsOfTheForest
📁 Saves
📁 <YourSteamID64>
📁 Multiplayer (or Singleplayer)
Step 2: Converting a Singleplayer Save to Multiplayer
Skip this section if the save you copied already came from the Multiplayer folder.
Singleplayer into the Multiplayer folder instead.Multiplayer → Host Game → Continue → Load Game, select the world, and click Start.Multiplayer is now ready to upload.Step 3: Uploading Your Save to the Server
Saves/DedicatedServer/Multiplayer/ folder and upload your save folder.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.
📁 serverconfig
📁 Saves
📁 DedicatedServer
📁 Multiplayer
Your server already has a default save folder created the first time it started. You can leave it in place and simply point the Save Slot setting at your newly uploaded folder instead of deleting anything.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Upload Issues
Server loads a fresh world instead of your save
Double check the Save Slot setting exactly matches the name of the folder you uploaded.
Missing items or inventory after transferring
This is expected, player inventory and stats do not transfer between local saves and a dedicated server.
Upload seems incomplete or corrupted
Make sure the entire save folder, including all its files, finished uploading before starting the server.
Server won't start after uploading
Confirm your server was fully stopped before you uploaded the save folder.
Your world should now be live on your dedicated server!
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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