Subnautica’s save unit is a slot directory. Each slot contains several records describing world and player state, which means a backup made from one selected file can be incomplete. The safest procedure is to close the game and copy the entire `SavedGames` directory or the complete slot you care about. Storefront matters because the base path can change—particularly between the standard game directory and the Epic LocalLow location.
Where Subnautica stores PC saves
The researched save-location boundary is Windows: Standard Windows: <path-to-game>SNAppDataSavedGames
Epic: %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLowUnknown WorldsSubnauticaSubnauticaSavedGames | macOS: $HOME/Library/Application Support/unity.Unknown Worlds.Subnautica/Subnautica/SavedGames | Linux / Steam Play: Steam Play: <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/264710/pfx/. The known file or folder pattern is slot0000, slot0001, … save directories. This is the practical starting point because launcher, profile, and storefront context can change which copy is active even when two folders look similar.
Storefront and profile differences
Documented launchers or storefronts: Steam, Epic Games Launcher, Microsoft Store / Xbox app. PCGamingWiki documents different Windows locations for standard installs and Epic. Microsoft Store packaging should be treated separately when the standard SNAppData path is absent. When looking for a missing save, identify the executable/storefront you actually launched and the user/profile that created the progress before copying anything between directories.
Cloud synchronization
Cloud support depends on storefront. The local slot directory should still be backed up before game updates, mods, or migration. A cloud service should be treated as another copy of the save, not as proof that the local folder is disposable. Before a manual restore, let synchronization finish, make an offline backup, and avoid starting the game while files are being replaced.
What the files represent
Subnautica uses slot directories rather than one portable save file. A slot contains multiple binary/metadata records, so preserving the full slot folder is safer than selecting one .bin file. The current filename/folder evidence is slot0000, slot0001, … save directories. File-extension context: .bin, .json A location guide does not claim that every file in the directory is safe to edit or that files from another storefront are automatically interchangeable.
If the save is not where expected
If the expected SNAppData directory is empty, identify the storefront and check the documented Epic LocalLow path. Keep older slot copies intact while diagnosing. Also check redirected Documents folders, Steam Play prefixes, account IDs, and launcher-specific containers where applicable. Preserve every candidate copy before testing a restore so troubleshooting does not destroy the only surviving version.
Verification context: Standard Windows, Epic, macOS, and Steam Play locations were reviewed against current PCGamingWiki coverage.