How to Locate, Backup, and Recover Save Files in The Sims 4

Don’t risk losing your Sims! Learn how to find, back up, and recover save files in The Sims 4 to protect your families, builds, and progress—especially if you use mods or custom content.

🔐 How to Manage Save Files in The Sims 4 – Backup & Recovery Guide

For players who pour countless hours into their Sims’ stories, families, and dream homes, a corrupted save file or accidental deletion can be devastating. Whether you’re building a legacy challenge, crafting a sprawling save full of custom lots, or playing with mods, knowing how to manage and protect your save files is essential.

Here’s a complete guide to finding, backing up, and recovering your Sims 4 saves. Also check how to turn off packs.

📂 Where Are Sims 4 Save Files Located?

By default, your save files are stored locally on your PC. Here’s the full file path:

Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > saves

Inside the saves folder, you’ll see files named something like:

Slot_00000001.save  

Slot_00000001.save.ver0  

Slot_00000001.save.ver1  

…

Slot_00000001.save.ver5

• The .save file is your most recent save.
  
• The .ver0 through .ver5 are automatic backups from earlier save points.
  
• Each “Slot” is a different saved game.
  

📌 Tip: Your Mods folder is also located inside the The Sims 4 folder, not the saves folder, but it’s good to know when troubleshooting or backing up. 

💾 How to Backup Your Sims 4 Save Files

Backing up your saves can protect against:

• Mod conflicts
  
• Game-breaking bugs
  
• Crashes or hardware failures
  
• Mistakes like accidental overwrites
  

🧠 To Back Up a Save:

1. Navigate to: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > saves
   
2. Find the slot you want to back up (e.g., Slot_00000003.save)
   
3. Copy both the .save file and its .ver backups
   
4. Paste them into a secure location like:
   
   • An external hard drive
     
   • USB flash drive
     
   • Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.)
     

🔄 Consider backing up your saves before installing mods, updates, or new DLC.

🔄 How to Recover Old Saves in The Sims 4

Even if your current save is corrupted, The Sims 4 lets you recover older versions from within the game itself.

🛠️ To Recover a Save:

1. Open The Sims 4
   
2. On the main menu, select “Load Game”
   
3. Under your Sim’s portrait, click the file icon
   
4. Choose from earlier versions of the save (based on the .ver backups)
   
5. Once selected, the game will generate a new save with “Recovered” in the name
   

📝 You may lose some progress, but this process often rescues hours—or even entire legacies—from being lost.

🧩 Do Autosave Mods Help?

PC players can install autosave mods that periodically create backups. These are helpful, especially for long sessions or story-driven gameplay—but always use caution:

• Not all mods are stable after updates
  
• Mods can cause file corruption if not maintained or installed properly
  
• Always back up manually before testing a new mod
  

Save file management might not be glamorous, but it’s vital for any serious simmer—especially if you mod heavily or take on long-term challenges. Taking just a few minutes to back up your game can save you from hours of heartbreak down the line.

Related Articles: 

• 23 Best Sims 4 Mods in 2025
• Balatro Hits a Big Milestone on Steam – One of the Best Indie Games of 2024

For more Gaming Guide follow us