This is a common issue with games when moving save files between different operating systems or versions of the game engine. Why it happens Persistent Data Mismatch:
Ren'Py stores some information in a "persistent" file and other data in individual "save" files [2, 5]. If you move a save file but not the persistent data, the game sees a discrepancy in the engine version internal script headers Ren'Py Version Updates:
If the developer updated the game to a newer version of the Ren'Py engine between your two play sessions, the old save may be technically incompatible with the new engine's "pickling" (data saving) process [2, 4]. Steam Cloud Conflicts:
If playing via Steam, the cloud might have synced a save from a different OS (e.g., Mac to Windows), which occasionally causes pathing errors within the save metadata [3]. How to fix it Force Load: Most of the time, you can simply click
or "Proceed" when the warning pops up. Ren'Py is generally good at reconstructing the state, though you might see minor glitches or missing images for one or two frames [1, 4]. Sync Persistent Data: If you are manually moving files, ensure you copy the persistent file located in the /game/saves/ folder or the %APPDATA%/RenPy/ directory alongside your files [2, 5]. Check Game Version:
Ensure both "devices" are running the exact same version of the game. If one is an older build, the save headers won't match [4]. Are you trying to transfer a save between a PC and a phone, or did this happen after a game update
When you see the message "This save was created on a different device," it is due to a security feature in Ren'Py 8.1+ called the Save Token Security system. This system flags saves moved between computers to prevent potentially malicious files from harming your device. How to Fix the "Save Created on Different Device" Error
Depending on whether you just want to play or if you are seeing a blank screen, follow these steps:
Standard Prompt: Simply click "Yes" if the game asks if you trust the device or the save's creator.
Fixing a Blank Screen: If your screen goes blank when trying to load, the game's code might be missing the required "Yes/No" prompts for this security check. Developers must update their confirm screen in the game's code to support these new security messages. Manual Workarounds
If you cannot click "Yes" or want to bypass the security check entirely, you can try these methods found on community forums like Reddit and Lemma Soft Forums: Clear Security Tokens (PC):
Navigate to your game's saves folder, typically found in %AppData%\RenPy\GameName. Find the tokens folder and open the security_keys.txt file.
Delete the strings under signing-key and verifying-key, then save the file as Read-Only before restarting the game. Modify Engine Logic (Advanced):
Locate the renpy file within your Ren'Py installation folder. renpy this save was created on a different device link
Open it with a text editor and find the line: if token_dir is none:.
Change it to if true: to force the engine to ignore save protection. Official Sync Feature
For games that support it, you can use the official Ren'Py Sync SDK to transfer data without manual file moving:
On Device A: Select "Upload Sync" to get a 10-character code.
On Device B: Select "Download Sync" and enter the code to automatically download your saves.
Are you experiencing a blank screen when loading, or are you just looking for the file path to move the saves manually?
The warning message " This save was created on a different device a built-in security feature of the Ren'Py engine
. It warns users because save files are technically executable Python code (pickled data), and malicious files could harm a computer. If you are a developer looking to provide a "proper feature" to solve this for your players, you should implement Ren'Py Sync or official Cloud Saves 1. The Official Solution: Ren'Py Sync Ren'Py 8.1+ includes a native feature called Ren'Py Sync
designed specifically for this purpose. It allows players to move saves between devices (like PC to Android) without manually copying files or triggering security warnings. Ren'Py Sync How it works for the player: old device , they click "Upload Sync" in the Save/Load menu to get a 10-character code. new device , they click "Download Sync" and enter that code. How to implement it:
Ensure you are using a recent version of Ren'Py (8.1 or later). Include the renpy_sync module in your project. Add the sync buttons to your screen load screen save screens.rpy The sync server is provided for free by the Ren'Py Project , though data typically expires after 24 hours. Ren'Py Sync 2. The Platform Solution: Steam Cloud If you are publishing on , the best "proper feature" is Steam Auto-Cloud
In your Steamworks dashboard, set up a cloud path pointing to your config.save_directory On Windows, this is usually %APPDATA%/RenPy/
Saves sync automatically in the background whenever a player switches between their PC and Steam Deck. 3. For Advanced Players (Manual Fix)
If you just want to get past the error yourself, you can "trust" the save: When the warning appears, select to trust the creator. Once loaded, This is a common issue with games when
the game into a new slot on the current device. This generates a new security token valid for the local machine, and the warning won't appear for that new save. screens.rpy code to add these sync buttons to your game's menu?
The notification "This save was created on a different device" is a security feature introduced in Ren'Py 8.1. It is part of the Save Token Security system designed to prevent "maliciously constructed" save files from harming your computer.
If you are transferring your own saves between devices, you can usually bypass this by simply selecting "Yes" to trust the save when prompted. If the screen is blank or the prompt doesn't appear, you may need to update your game's confirm screen code to support these new security prompts. How to Fix or Bypass the Security Warning
If you are a player encountering this issue, follow these steps based on your device: For PC (Windows/Mac/Linux):
Trust the Save: When the prompt appears, click "Yes" to trust the device the save was created on.
Transfer All Files: Ensure you copy both the files in the game/saves folder and the persistent data located in your system's AppData (Windows) or Library (Mac) folders to maintain full compatibility. For Android:
Manual Key Replacement: You can create a file named security_keys.txt containing only the text Signing-key.
Set this file to read-only, then transfer it to your device and replace the existing signing_keys.txt in the game's save folder.
Load the game, create a new save, then delete the file you created to resume normal operation. Official Syncing:
Use the Ren'Py Sync feature if the game supports it. Select "Upload Sync" on the original device to get a 10-character code, then use "Download Sync" on the new device to transfer data securely. Information for Developers
If you are developing a game and want to prevent this for your players or yourself:
Update Screens: Ensure your confirm screen includes prompts for gui.UNKNOWN_TOKEN and gui.TRUST_TOKEN.
Config Keys: You can add specific save tokens to config.save_token_keys to allow saves from known trusted sources without a prompt. The "Link" Myth: Can You Directly Link Two Devices
Warning: Disabling this protection or trusting unknown save files from the internet can be a security risk, as save files can contain executable code.
Save created on another device screen · Issue #4632 - GitHub
KatieCheerios commented. KatieCheerios. on May 15, 2023. Author. Well, I mean if I can print my save key in console after loading. Ren'Py Sync
Here’s a short paper/explanation on the Ren’Py error “This save was created on a different device” and how to resolve it.
Searching for a direct link between two devices suggests a server-based sync feature (like Steam Cloud). Ren’Py does not natively have a "Link Device" button. Steam Cloud sync works on a per-game basis if the developer configured it, but it often fails with this error because the token remains device-specific.
So, what is the "Ren'Py this save was created on a different device link" that users are looking for? It is a manual bypass method—specifically, cloning the identity of the original device onto the new one.
On the Target Device (where saves are locked):
%APPDATA%/RenPy/[YourGameName] folder.persistent file.persistent file from the original device.saves folder into the game directory.The Result: When you launch the game on the new device, Ren’Py reads the forged persistent file, generates the same hash as the original device, and unlocks all your saves.
Warning: This will reset your "First Launch" preferences, gallery unlocks, and replay flags because those are stored in the persistent file. However, your progress inside specific save slots will remain intact.
No. The phrase "renpy this save was created on a different device link" is a user's wish for a feature that does not exist. However, by cloning the persistent file (Method 1), you effectively create a hard link between the devices' identities.
If the error specifically mentions a "solid piece" or if the ID looks like a data hash, the developer might have implemented a custom validation check.
If the solution above does not work, it means the developer wrote a custom script (often in script.rpy or screens.rpy) that runs a python block to check the device ID manually.
after_load label or config.after_load_callbacks to ensure you aren't running a custom check that rejects the save.