Backup or transfer save game files in iOS

I started a few epic RPG games on my iPone and after getting an iPad I found it easier to play them on the larger screen, so I wanted to see if I could transfer my save game data from one device to another.

After many failed attempts, I have finally found a way to get some RPG save files to transfer between my iOS devices. I was successful in getting Crimson Gem Saga moved from my iPad to my iPhone and I was also able to transfer a Final Fantasy save from iPad to iPhone.

Not all games will work. Com2us’ Inotia 2 triggers its DRM protection when a save file is moved to a new device and refuses to load the foreign save file. This even happens when you upgrade to a new iPhone and restore your previous saves. (That’s unacceptable and I’ll think twice before buying one of their games again.)

How to do it

1. Important step! Back up your device in iTunes.
2. Download and install iPhone Explorer then plug in the device with the save data on it.
3. Launch iPhone Explorer and Browse down to the app you want to get save data from. You may have to look for it since some games have a different system name. Inside the app you’ll find a Documents folder. Copy this to your Desktop. (I’ve had trouble with this app copying files, so you can also try iPhone Backup Extractor to get the files. You did step 1, right? This app needs a backup on your Mac to find the files.)
4. Plug in the device you want to move the data to. Make sure it already has the game installed on it.
5. Browse down to the app’s Documents folder like you did on the other device.
6. iPhone Explorer has trouble copying more than one file, so take each file inside the Documents folder you copied to your Desktop and drag-and-drop them into the Documents folder on the device one at a time copying over any file that’s already there.
7. Unplug your device and start up the game. You should now have the option to load the copied save files.

If anything breaks, don’t worry, just do a restore from backup in iTunes. (You did step 1, right?)

Notes

You may not have to copy all the files in the Documents folder, but I haven’t had a chance to test this with a game that has a lot of files. If I figure that out, I’ll post an update here.