Borderlands 3 stores your character saves in a specific folder on your computer

Your Borderlands 3 character save files live in a hidden folder that Windows and Mac don't show by default. On Windows, they're in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Saved Games\Borderlands 3. On Mac, they're in ~/Library/process Support/Borderlands 3. The exact location depends on which platform you play on and whether you're using Steam, Epic Games, or console — but the principle is the same: the game stores your progress in one predictable place.

Finding these files matters because you can back them up before your hard drive fails, move them to a new computer, or restore a character if something goes wrong. Most players never look for these files until they need them, which is why knowing where they are now saves you from panic later.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows saves are in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Saved Games\Borderlands 3, but the AppData folder is hidden by default.
  • Mac saves are in ~/Library/process Support/Borderlands 3, and you can reach the Library folder by holding Option in Finder and clicking Go.
  • Console players (PlayStation, Xbox) cannot access save files directly on their systems, but can upload saves to the cloud through their platform's settings.
  • Backing up your saves to a second location takes five minutes and protects you if your game installation corrupts or your drive fails.
  • Epic Games and Steam store saves in the same Windows and Mac locations, so the platform doesn't change where you find them.

How to find saves on Windows

The AppData folder is hidden on Windows to keep you from accidentally deleting system files. To see it, open File Explorer and type the full path directly into the address bar: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Saved Games\Borderlands 3. Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username. Press Enter, and the folder opens.

If you want to unhide AppData permanently, open File Explorer, click the View tab at the top, then check the box labeled "Hidden items." Now you can navigate there by hand: open C:\Users, then your username folder, then AppData, then Local, then Saved Games, then Borderlands 3. Inside this folder you'll see files with names like character.sav — these are your character saves.

Once you've found the folder, right-click it and select "Copy." Then navigate to wherever you want to back it up — an external drive, a USB stick, or a cloud folder like OneDrive or Google Drive. Right-click in the empty space and select "Paste." You now have a copy of all your characters in a second location.

How to find saves on Mac

Mac hides the Library folder the same way Windows hides AppData. Open Finder, click the Go menu at the top, then hold down the Option key. The menu changes and shows "Library" as an option. Click it. You're now in ~/Library.

From there, navigate to process Support, then Borderlands 3. Inside you'll see your character save files. The process is the same as Windows: once you've found the folder, you can copy it to an external drive or cloud storage by dragging it to the destination.

If you use iCloud Drive or another cloud service on Mac, you can also drag the entire Borderlands 3 folder into your cloud folder. This keeps your saves synced across multiple Macs automatically, though it won't help if the game itself corrupts the save file.

Console players and cloud saves

PlayStation and Xbox don't let you access save files directly the way PC does. Instead, both platforms offer cloud save storage built into their subscription services — PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Your saves upload automatically, and you can restore them if you get a new console or your hard drive fails.

To check that your Borderlands 3 saves are uploading to the cloud on PlayStation, go to Settings, then Account Management, then Online Storage. On Xbox, go to Settings, then System, then Storage, then Cloud Saves. You should see Borderlands 3 listed. If it's not there, the game hasn't synced yet — this usually happens within an hour of closing the game.

If you switch consoles, sign in with the same account and read your saves from the cloud. The process is automatic: the console detects that you have cloud saves and asks if you want to restore them.

What to do if you can't find the folder

If you've typed the path and nothing appears, the game may not have created the save folder yet. This happens if you've never completed a level or reached a checkpoint. Play through the first area of the game, complete a mission, and save manually. Then close the game and try the path again.

On Windows, make sure you're typing your actual username, not a placeholder. If your username has a space in it, type it exactly as it appears in File Explorer. If you're still stuck, open File Explorer, right-click on C:, select Properties, and look at the Owner field — that's your username.

On Mac, if the Library folder doesn't appear even when you hold Option in the Go menu, your Mac may have restricted access to that folder. Try opening Terminal (in Applications > Utilities) and typing open ~/Library, then press Enter. This opens the Library folder directly.

Moving saves to a new computer

If you're upgrading to a new Windows or Mac computer, you can transfer your Borderlands 3 saves without starting over. Copy the Borderlands 3 folder from your old computer to an external drive or cloud storage. Install Borderlands 3 on your new computer, then copy the Borderlands 3 folder from your backup into the same location: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Saved Games on Windows, or ~/Library/process Support on Mac.

Close the game completely before you copy the files over. When you launch Borderlands 3 on the new computer, it reads the saves from that folder and loads your characters as if nothing changed. This works whether you're moving from Windows to Windows, Mac to Mac, or even switching between Steam and Epic Games on the same operating system.

If you're switching from console to PC or vice versa, your saves don't transfer — each platform stores them separately. You'll need to start a new character on the new platform.

Backing up saves regularly

A single backup is better than nothing, but a backup from three months ago won't help if your character gets corrupted today. Set a reminder to copy your Borderlands 3 folder to a second location every month or two. If you play frequently, do it monthly. If you play casually, every other month is fine.

The easiest method is to use cloud storage that syncs automatically. On Windows, move your entire Borderlands 3 folder into your OneDrive or Google Drive folder. On Mac, do the same with iCloud Drive or Google Drive. The game still reads the saves from their original location, but a copy updates in the cloud every time you close the game. This takes no effort on your part after the initial setup.

If a cloud service isn't an option, plug in an external drive once a month and copy the folder over. It takes two minutes. The cost of losing all your characters is much higher than the cost of that small routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy my save file to a USB stick and play on a different computer?

Yes. Copy the Borderlands 3 folder to the USB stick, then copy it into the same location on the other computer before launching the game. Make sure the game is closed on both computers during the transfer. This works for moving between any two Windows PCs or any two Macs, but not between Windows and Mac.

What happens if I delete my save files by accident?

If you have a backup, copy the folder back to its original location and the game will load your old character. If you don't have a backup, the character is gone — the game doesn't keep a trash bin or recovery option. This is why backing up matters.

Do I need to back up saves if I play on console?

Console saves upload to the cloud automatically if you have an active subscription. You don't need to do anything. If your subscription lapses, cloud saves may be deleted after a certain period, so keep your subscription active if you want to keep your saves safe.

Will my saves work if I reinstall the game?

Yes. Reinstalling the game doesn't touch your save files — they stay in the AppData or process Support folder. When you launch the game again, it finds your characters and loads them normally.

Can I edit my save file to change my character's level or items?

Borderlands 3 save files are encrypted, so you can't edit them with a text editor. Third-party tools exist, but using them in online multiplayer can get you banned. For single-player, it's your choice, but the game doesn't support editing saves officially.