How to Move a Palworld World to a Dedicated Server

You can move an exported Palworld dedicated-server world to another server. A world started in co-op may also need a character conversion. Start by identifying where the save lives: the platform you play on does not necessarily tell you where the world is hosted.

Choose the right transfer path

• Another hosting provider or your own dedicated server: export the complete save and keep a copy of the server settings. Ask the current host for an export if file access is unclear.
• Steam PC co-op: preserve the whole world and check how the co-op host character will be mapped to its account on the dedicated server.
• PC Game Pass, Mac, or a console world: check save access and format first. Do not assume console crossplay means a console-local save can be exported.

1. Make a separate copy before changing anything

Ask everyone to log out, save the world, and shut down the source server cleanly. Download a complete copy of its save data and record the game version and any mods. Keep the original intact until you have joined and checked the destination.

On a Steam Windows PC, local worlds are commonly under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Pal\Saved\SaveGames. Dedicated servers store their worlds under Pal/Saved/SaveGames. Open the account/world subfolders to find the world you actually play; do not select a folder only because it is the first one listed.

Preserve the entire world folder, including Level.sav, LevelMeta.sav, and Players when present. A single character file is not a world backup. Keep configuration files separately so you can compare settings without overwriting the destination's connection details.

2. Check the co-op host's character

If you hosted from the game client, copying the world alone may leave the original host being asked to create a character. Save tools can handle player identity changes, but the procedure depends on the save and tool version. Work on a copy and follow the current tool instructions, or ask us to check your transfer.

The Palworld Save Pal project documents save-management and player tools. Check its supported version and instructions before converting a save. This guide does not require you to install a third-party tool to request help.

3. Import into the destination

1. Install a compatible Palworld server version and start it once to create its folders, then stop it.
2. Back up any world already on the destination. Confirm the active world directory with your host; uploading into an unused folder can start an empty world.
3. Upload the complete exported or converted world into the confirmed destination. Avoid an extra nested world folder.
4. Review world settings, mods, allowed platforms, and the destination's server name and connection details. Use settings appropriate to the new host.
5. Start the server and inspect the console for startup errors before inviting the group.

4. Check progress together

Join as the original host, then have another existing player join. Check characters, inventories, Pals, bases, guild ownership, and access to storage. Save, restart cleanly, and reconnect to confirm progress persists. If something is missing, stop and investigate using your untouched source copy before the group continues playing.

Finally, make a new backup on the destination and share the joining instructions. Our backup and restore guide explains how to check that a recovered world is usable.