Last Update 2026-02-19 12:42:03
How to Back Up Your The Forest Server
Surviving the peninsula is brutal enough without worrying about losing your progress. Whether you’ve built a massive fortress to keep the mutants at bay or just survived your first night, your save data is the most valuable thing on your server.
Regular backups are your best defense against data corruption, accidental wipes, or bad updates. This guide will walk you through the simple process of downloading your save files locally so you can restore your world whenever you need to.
Step 1: Shut Down Your Server
Before making any modifications to your server files, it's crucial to shut down your server. This prevents any data corruption that may occur if files are being accessed or modified while the server is running.
Step 2: Connect to FTP
To access your server files, you'll need to connect via SFTP/FTP (File Transfer Protocol). This might be the first time you are using FTP, so make sure to follow our detailed guide on How to Connect Through SFTP/FTP.
In summary, you'll need an FTP client like FileZilla or WinSCP and your server's SFTP/FTP credentials.
Step 3: Locate the Saves
Once connected to your server through FTP, navigate to the savesMultiplayer folder. This is the location where all your game saves are stored. The folder contains the progress of your players, which is generated when they join the game and make progress.
New servers:
If you can't find this particular folder, you're probably using our new configuration panel.
Find your save here: Server/Saves/Multiplayer
Step 4: Download the SlotX Folder
In the savesMultiplayer folder, you will see multiple folders named slot1 to slot5. Each folder corresponds to a different save slot. Download the folder that matches the save slot your game is currently using (e.g., if you’re using slot 1, download slot1). This folder holds the player save data.
New Servers:
For new servers, find your Slot folder at: Server/Saves/Multiplayer/SlotX
Step 5: Restart the Server
After you've successfully downloaded your save data, you can now restart your server to continue playing. Your game should launch as usual, and your saved progress will be intact!
Restoring Your Data from a backup
If you need to restore your saved data from a backup, you can do this by uploading the saved folder back to the server through FTP. Connect to your server, navigate to the savesMultiplayer folder, and upload the previously downloaded slotX folder.
New Servers:
For new servers, find your Slot folder at: Server/Saves/Multiplayer/SlotX
Once the upload is complete, restart your server, and your saved game should be restored. The Join button should be next to the “Continue” option.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues, consider the following:
- FTP Connection Issues: Ensure that your FTP credentials are correct and the server is shutdown to prevent data corruption from an autosave or something similar.
- Saving Problems: If you have trouble finding your save folder, verify that you are in the right directory or that, at least, the game has been saved once in-game in a shelter.
- Corrupted Saves: If your server crashes while saving, it may corrupt your files. Always ensure you shut down the server before making backups.
Conclusion
You have now successfully secured your survival timeline! By keeping a local copy of your Slot folder, you have insurance against everything the game—or the cannibals—can throw at you.
We recommend performing this backup process before any major game update or before making significant changes to your server settings. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our customer care agents through our live chat or email at [email protected].