The fastest way to check Steam Cloud support

Open the game's store page on Steam, scroll down to the "System Requirements" section, and look for a line that says "Steam Cloud" with a checkmark or the word "Yes". If you see it, that game backs up your saves to Steam's servers. If the line is missing or says "No", the game does not use Steam Cloud.

You can check this on any device with a web browser — you do not need to own the game or have Steam installed. The store page is public. Search for the game's name on steampowered.com, click the store link, and scroll to find the system requirements box on the right side of the page.

If you already own the game and have Steam open on your computer, there is a faster route: right-click the game in your library, select "Properties", then click the "Updates" tab. If Steam Cloud is enabled for that game, you will see a line that says "Steam Cloud" with a status next to it.

Key Takeaways

  • The Steam store page lists Steam Cloud support in the System Requirements box — look for a checkmark or "Yes" next to "Steam Cloud".
  • You can check any game's Steam Cloud status without owning it or installing Steam, using only a web browser.
  • If a game uses Steam Cloud, your save files upload automatically when you close the game, as long as Steam is running.
  • Steam Cloud does not replace local saves — your saves exist in both places, so you can still play offline.
  • Some games let you disable Steam Cloud in the Properties menu if you prefer to keep saves only on your computer.

Where to look on the store page

The System Requirements section appears on every Steam game store page, usually below the screenshots and description. It lists the operating system, processor, memory, graphics card, and storage space needed to run the game. Steam Cloud support is listed in this same box, treated as a system feature rather than a hardware requirement.

The Steam Cloud line will say one of three things: a checkmark with "Yes", a checkmark with "Supported", or nothing at all. If the line is absent, the game does not use Steam Cloud. Do not confuse this with other cloud-related features — some games mention "cloud saves" in their description text, but only the System Requirements box tells you whether Steam's own cloud system is active.

Checking from your Steam library

If you have already bought the game, the Properties menu gives you the most direct view. Right-click the game title in your library, select "Properties", and go to the "Updates" tab. You will see a section called "Steam Cloud" with a toggle switch and a status message. If it says "Enabled", Steam is backing up your saves. If it says "Disabled", either the game does not support Steam Cloud or you have turned it off.

The same Properties menu lets you turn Steam Cloud on or off for that specific game. Click the toggle to disable it if you want your saves to stay only on your computer. This choice affects only that one game — other games with Steam Cloud support will continue to back up normally.

What happens when Steam Cloud is on

When you close a game that uses Steam Cloud, Steam automatically uploads your save files to its servers. The next time you launch that game on any computer where you are logged into the same Steam account, your saves read and appear in the game. This works across Windows, Mac, and Linux — a save made on your laptop can be loaded on your desktop without any manual steps.

Steam Cloud does not delete your local saves. Your save files remain on your computer in the game's folder, and Steam keeps a copy on its servers. If Steam's servers go down or your internet connection fails, you can still play using the local copy. The cloud version is a backup and a convenience, not a replacement.

Games that list Steam Cloud but do not use it

A small number of games show "Steam Cloud" as supported on their store page but do not actually back up saves. This usually happens when a developer adds Steam Cloud support to the store listing but never finishes implementing it in the game itself. It is rare, but it can occur.

If you own the game and want to verify, launch it and check the Properties menu. If the Steam Cloud toggle is greyed out or missing, the game does not actually support it despite what the store page says. You can also check the game's community discussion board on Steam — players often report when Steam Cloud is listed but not working.

Steam Cloud versus other backup methods

Steam Cloud is specific to Steam and only backs up saves for games bought through Steam. If you own a game on Epic Games Store, GOG, or another platform, that game will not use Steam Cloud even if you also own it on Steam. Each platform has its own cloud system — Epic Games has Epic Cloud Saves, GOG has GOG Cloud Saves, and so on.

Some games use their own cloud system instead of Steam Cloud. These games may back up saves to the developer's servers or to a third-party service. Check the game's store page or settings menu to see which system it uses. A game might support both Steam Cloud and its own cloud system, or only one, or neither.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Steam Cloud if I play offline?

Steam Cloud only uploads and downloads when you are connected to the internet and Steam is running. If you play offline, your saves stay on your computer and do not sync to Steam's servers. The next time you connect and close the game, the sync will happen. If you have made changes to your saves on two different computers while offline, Steam will ask which version to keep.

What if Steam Cloud is on but I want to keep saves only on my computer?

Right-click the game in your Steam library, select Properties, go to the Updates tab, and toggle Steam Cloud off. Your local saves will remain on your computer. Steam will stop uploading new saves, but it will not delete the copies already on its servers. You can turn Steam Cloud back on at any time.

Do I lose my saves if I uninstall a game?

No. If Steam Cloud is enabled, your saves are stored on Steam's servers and will be there when you reinstall. If Steam Cloud is off, your local saves remain on your computer in the game's folder, even after you uninstall. Uninstalling a game does not delete your save files.

Why does a game show Steam Cloud on the store page but not in my Properties menu?

This usually means the developer listed Steam Cloud support but never finished building it into the game. It is also possible the feature was removed in an update. Check the game's community discussion board to see if other players have reported the same issue, or contact the developer's support.

Can I manually upload or read saves through Steam Cloud?

No. Steam Cloud uploads and downloads automatically — there is no manual button or menu option. You cannot choose which saves to sync or when to sync them. Steam handles it in the background when you close the game and when you launch it on another computer.