Renpy This Save Was Created On A Different Device Link Site
Here’s a short paper/explanation on the Ren’Py error “This save was created on a different device” and how to resolve it.
Final Thoughts
The “different device” error is annoying but well-intentioned. With the newer [link] system, it’s no longer a dead-end. If your game doesn’t have the link, ask the developer to update to Ren’Py 8.2+ or 7.7+.
And if you’re a dev: decide whether you want security or freedom, and set config.use_save_token accordingly.
Have you run into this error? Drop a comment below with your Ren’Py version and platform.
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.
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?
This message is part of a Save Token Security system introduced in Ren'Py 8.1. It is a security feature designed to protect your computer from malicious save files when you transfer progress from a different device. How to Resolve the Message When you see this prompt, you generally have two choices:
Trust the Save: If you created the save yourself on a different device or trust the creator, you can select "Yes" to proceed with loading.
Create a Fresh Save: To stop seeing the message for that specific progress, load the save (by clicking "Yes"), then immediately save the game again in a new slot. This generates a new security token linked to your current device. Why You Are Seeing It renpy this save was created on a different device link
Device Transfer: You moved a save file from one computer/phone to another.
Cloud Sync: You are using a cloud service (like Steam Cloud or a manual sync) that downloaded a save created on another machine.
Edited Saves: If you used an online save editor, the resulting file will lack the security token for your specific device. For Developers
If you are developing a game and this message appears as a blank screen or causes an error, your custom confirm screen might be missing the necessary logic to handle these specific prompts. You need to ensure your UI can display the UNKNOWN_TOKEN and TRUST_TOKEN messages. Linking Saves Across Devices
If you want to sync your saves officially without manual file moving, look for the Ren'Py Sync feature in the game's menu if the developer has enabled it:
On Device A: Go to the Save menu and select Upload Sync to get a 10-character code.
On Device B: Go to the Load menu, select Download Sync, and enter that code. Note: This sync typically only lasts for 24 hours.
Are you trying to manually move files between specific platforms, like Android to PC?
"This save was created on a different device" a security notification introduced in Ren'Py 8.1 as part of a new Save Token Security Why this message appears
Ren'Py now assigns a unique "token" to save files to identify the device that created them. If you try to load a save from a different computer or a modified save file (e.g., from a save editor), Ren'Py prompts you to confirm that you trust the source.
This warning is designed to prevent "maliciously constructed save files" from potentially harming your computer. How to resolve it Depending on whether you are a , here is how to handle this: For Players: Click "Yes":
If you manually transferred the save yourself or trust the person who gave it to you, click to continue loading the file. Blank Screen Issue:
If you see a blank screen instead of a "Yes/No" prompt, the game developer likely hasn't updated their UI to include the new security prompts. You may need to wait for a game update or manually disable the protection (see below). For Developers: Update your UI: Ensure your screens.rpy includes the gui.UNKNOWN_TOKEN gui.TRUST_TOKEN Disable Save Protection:
If you want to bypass this check during development, find the initialization file and replace the line if token_dir is none: Moving Saves Between Devices
If you want to move saves without encountering this error frequently, consider using the official Ren'Py Sync On the original device: "Upload Sync" in the game menu to get a 10-character code. On the new device: "Download Sync"
and enter the code to transfer your saves and persistent data. Ren'Py Sync
Not all games support Ren'Py Sync; it must be enabled by the developer using the Sync SDK. Ren'Py Sync Are you experiencing this message while playing a game developing one Ren'Py Sync
Ren'Py: "This Save Was Created on a Different Device" — How to Fix and Sync Your Progress
If you’re a fan of visual novels, you’ve likely encountered the "This save was created on a different device" message in Ren’Py-based games. This occurs when you try to transfer save files between a PC, Mac, or Android device, or when using cloud services like Steam Cloud or Google Drive.
While Ren’Py is designed to be cross-platform, this warning serves as a safeguard. Here is everything you need to know about why this happens, how to link your devices, and how to fix broken saves. Why Does This Message Appear? Here’s a short paper/explanation on the Ren’Py error
Ren’Py games generate a unique Hardware ID or Persistent Data string when they are first launched. When you move a save file (the .save files found in the /saves/ folder) to a new machine, the engine detects that the "origin" hardware doesn't match the "current" hardware. The warning is there because:
Script Mismatches: If the game version on your phone is slightly different from your PC, the save might crash the game.
Persistent Data: Variables like "seen dialogue" or "unlocked CGs" are stored separately from individual saves.
Security: It prevents unintended errors from loading data that might reference files or paths that don't exist on the new device. How to Link Devices and Sync Saves
To move your progress seamlessly without seeing this error every time, follow these steps: 1. The Manual "Copy-Paste" Method If you are moving saves manually: Locate the Save Folder: Windows: %AppData%/RenPy/game_name/saves Android: Android/data/com.developer.game/files/saves
Copy Everything: Don't just copy the 1-LT1.save file. You must also copy the persistent file. This file contains the "handshake" data that tells the game you’ve played it before, often bypassing the device warning. 2. Using Steam Cloud Sync
If the Ren’Py game is on Steam, the "different device" warning is rarer because Steam handles the synchronization of the persistent data for you. Ensure Steam Cloud is enabled in the game properties on both devices. 3. Syncing via Cloud (Dropbox/Google Drive)
If you play on multiple PCs, you can use a symbolic link (Symlink) to point your Ren’Py save folder to a folder inside your Dropbox or OneDrive. This ensures that the persistent file and all save files are updated in real-time across all devices. How to Fix the "Device Mismatch" Error
If you’ve already copied your saves and are staring at that warning, here is how to proceed: Step 1: Force Load
In most Ren’Py games, this message is just a warning, not a hard block. Try clicking through it. If the game loads and you can see your text and UI, immediately save the game into a new slot. This new save will now be "native" to your current device. Step 2: The "Persistent" Reset If the game refuses to load or crashes: Back up your .save files. Delete the persistent file in the save folder.
Launch the game (this creates a new persistent file for your current device). Move your .save files back into the folder. Try loading again. Step 3: Check Game Versions
Ensure the version of the game on your Android device matches the version on your PC (e.g., v1.0 vs v1.0). If you try to load a save from a newer version of a game onto an older build, it will fail regardless of the device link. Pro Tip for Android Users
Android's file permissions have become stricter in recent versions (Android 11-14). If you are trying to "link" your PC save to Android, you may need a third-party file explorer (like ZArchiver) to access the Android/data folder to paste your PC saves correctly.
Are you trying to move saves between a PC and an Android phone, or between two different computers?
, the message "This save was created on a different device" is a security warning triggered when the game detects that a save file's digital signature doesn't match the current environment. This usually happens if you move saves between computers or manually edit the save data. How to Fix the Prompt
If you trust the source of the save file, you can bypass this by doing the following:
Confirm the Prompt: In most modern Ren'Py games, you can simply click "Yes" when asked if you trust the device or creator.
Manual Fix (Android): For Android, some users suggest creating a read-only security_keys.txt file containing the text Signing-key and replacing the existing signing_keys.txt in your save folder.
Developer Workaround: If you are the developer or have access to the code, you can update your confirm screen to properly display the UNKNOWN_TOKEN or TRUST_TOKEN messages so players can actually see and interact with the prompt. Why It Happens
Security: Maliciously constructed save files can execute arbitrary Python code, potentially harming your computer. Final Thoughts The “different device” error is annoying
Missing Screens: Sometimes the screen appears blank because the game's custom UI hasn't implemented the specific prompt variables (gui.UNKNOWN_TOKEN or gui.TRUST_TOKEN) introduced in newer Ren'Py versions.
For syncing saves safely without these errors, consider using the official Ren'Py Sync service which provides a secure code to transfer data between devices.
Are you trying to transfer a save between devices right now, or are you developing a game and seeing this error on your build?
Save created on another device screen · Issue #4632 - GitHub
The message "This save was created on a different device" is part of the Save Token Security system introduced in Ren'Py 8.1. This security feature is designed to protect your computer from potentially malicious code, as Ren'Py save files use the "pickle" format, which can execute arbitrary code if a file is modified by a bad actor. How to Fix or Bypass the Message
Depending on your platform and how comfortable you are with technical steps, you can use several methods to resolve this: 1. Standard In-Game Prompt (Easiest)
In most modern Ren'Py games, you should see a prompt asking if you trust the device the save was created on.
Action: Select "Yes" to trust the save. Once loaded, re-save the game into a new slot on your current device. This will generate a new security token linked to your current machine, and the warning should disappear for that new save. 2. Modified security_keys.txt (For Android/PC)
If you are moving saves between mobile and PC, you can manually reset the security keys.
Locate the Folder: Find the folder where your game saves are stored. On Windows, this is usually in %APPDATA%/RenPy/[game_name]. On Android, it is within the game's internal data folder. Edit the File: Look for a file named security_keys.txt.
Reset Keys: Open it with a text editor and replace all existing text with only the word Signing-key.
Set to Read-Only: Save the file, right-click it, go to Properties, and check the Read-only box. Restart the game and try loading the save again. 3. Engine-Level Bypass (Advanced)
If you have access to the engine files themselves, you can disable the check entirely.
Find the Engine File: In the Ren'Py installation folder, find the file named renpy.
Modify Code: Open it and search for the line: if token_dir is none:.
Replace: Change that line to: if true:. This effectively disables the device verification check. 4. Using Ren'Py Sync
If the game developer has enabled it, use the official Ren'Py Sync service.
Upload: On the original device, select "Upload Sync" to get a 10-character code.
Download: On the new device, select "Download Sync" and enter that code to transfer both saves and persistent data securely. Why this happens
Ren'Py saves are not just data; they are "snapshots" of the game's Python state. Because this state can be manipulated, the engine now checks if the "token" (a unique ID for your device) matches the one in the save file. If it doesn't match, it triggers these security warnings to ensure you aren't loading a file from an untrusted source.
Are you trying to move a save from Android to PC, or are you seeing this while using a cloud service like Steam Cloud?
Sample user-facing post text (short)
"This game may show 'This save was created on a different device' when loading saves moved between platforms or after updates. If you can, open the save on the original device and use the game's export feature or copy the save files to the same folder on the new device. If that isn't possible, try loading an earlier save. Developers: add export/import, include a clear save version in metadata, and implement migration to avoid this issue."
Method 1: Edit persistent data (easiest)
- Navigate to your Ren’Py save folder:
- Windows:
%APPDATA%\RenPy\GameName\ - Mac:
~/Library/RenPy/GameName/ - Linux:
~/.renpy/GameName/ - Android: tricky without root — usually can’t.
- Windows:
- Open the file
persistentwith a text editor (Notepad++, VS Code, etc.). - Look for a line like:
multi_persistent = Falseordevice_specific = True - Change to:
multi_persistent = True
(If the file is binary/not readable, use Method 2 instead.)