Linux Save File Location & compatdata¶

On Linux, Elden Ring runs through Proton and stores saves inside Steam's compatdata folder. This page explains how that works, when the tool warns you about it, and what to do.

How Elden Ring Saves Work on Linux¶

Elden Ring is a Windows game running through Proton (Steam's compatibility layer). Proton creates a virtual Windows environment called a compatdata folder for each game. The save file is stored inside this virtual AppData path:

Standard Steam:

~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1245620/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Roaming/EldenRing/<SteamID>/ER0000.sl2

Flatpak Steam:

~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1245620/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Roaming/EldenRing/<SteamID>/ER0000.sl2

1245620 is Elden Ring's Steam App ID. This is the default compatdata location.

The Non-Standard Location Warning¶

The tool shows this warning when it detects your save file is inside a compatdata folder other than 1245620:

Non-Standard Save Location

Your save file is located in: /path/to/your/save/ER0000.sl2

This is NOT the default Steam compatdata location!

If you remove the custom launcher (e.g. ersc_launcher.exe) from Steam, Steam will remove that compatdata folder and your save will get lost.

When Does This Happen?¶

This happens when you use a custom launcher added as a non-Steam game or as a Steam launch option that points to a different executable - most commonly:

• Seamless Co-op (ersc_launcher.exe) - when added as a separate Steam game entry
• Mod Engine 2 or similar mod loaders - when launched as a separate game entry
• Any other launcher added as a non-Steam game or separate Steam library entry

Each separate Steam game entry gets its own compatdata folder with a different ID (e.g., 2898770 instead of 1245620). If that entry is removed from Steam, Steam deletes its compatdata folder and the save inside it.

What Happens If You Ignore It?¶

• As long as the custom launcher entry stays in Steam, nothing happens
• If you remove the launcher from Steam, its compatdata folder is deleted
• Your save file is deleted with it - there is no recycle bin

The Buttons in the Warning Dialog¶

Copy to Default¶

Copies the save file to the default 1245620 compatdata location:

~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1245620/pfx/.../EldenRing/<SteamID>/ER0000.sl2

• The original file is left in place - nothing is deleted
• You now have two copies: one at the non-standard location, one at the default
• The tool switches to tracking the default-location copy going forward

Use this if you want the save protected regardless of whether the custom launcher entry stays in Steam.

Keep Current¶

Dismisses the warning and continues using the save at its current location. No files are moved.

Use this if you understand the risk and intentionally keep saves in the non-standard location.

Don't Show Again¶

Dismisses the warning and disables it permanently for future loads.

Can be re-enabled in Settings → General → Show Linux save location warnings.

Fixing the Root Cause: Steam Launch Options¶

The proper fix is to force the custom launcher to use the same compatdata folder as the base game, so both the vanilla game and the custom launcher share one save file location.

The Launch Option¶

The tool displays the correct Steam launch option in the warning dialog. Copy it and add it to the custom launcher's Steam launch options.

Standard Steam:

STEAM_COMPAT_LIBRARY_PATHS=$HOME/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/ STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH=$STEAM_COMPAT_LIBRARY_PATHS/compatdata/1245620/ %command%

Flatpak Steam:

STEAM_COMPAT_LIBRARY_PATHS=$HOME/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/ STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH=$STEAM_COMPAT_LIBRARY_PATHS/compatdata/1245620/ %command%

How to Apply¶

1. Open Steam
2. Right-click the custom launcher entry → Properties
3. Under General, find Launch Options
4. Paste the launch option from the warning dialog
5. Close Properties

After applying, the custom launcher will write saves to the same 1245620 compatdata folder as the base game. The non-standard location warning will no longer appear.

Save Locations Summary¶

Files outside compatdata entirely (e.g. manually placed elsewhere) do not trigger the warning - the check only applies when a file is inside a compatdata folder with a non-standard ID.

Auto-Detection¶

When you click Auto-Find, the tool searches for save files in these locations (in order):

Standard Steam:

1. ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/ - all subfolders
2. ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/ - symlink, same location
3. Additional Steam library folders from libraryfolders.vdf

Flatpak Steam:

1. ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/

It finds all ER0000.sl2 and ER0000.co2 files across all compatdata subfolders. If it finds a save in a non-1245620 subfolder, it loads it but shows the warning.

FAQ¶

Q: I use Seamless Co-op. Which save format does it use? Seamless Co-op uses .co2 files, stored in a separate folder from vanilla .sl2 files. The tool loads both formats. The compatdata warning applies regardless of format - it's about the folder location, not the file extension.

Q: I set the launch option but the warning still appears. The launch option takes effect the next time you launch the game through Steam. After launching with the option set, the new save will be at the 1245620 location. You may need to copy your existing save to that location first (use the Copy to Default button in the warning).

Q: I have saves in both locations. Which one does the game use? Whichever location the game or launcher writes to. After setting the launch option, the launcher uses 1245620. The old save at the non-standard location is ignored by the game but still exists on disk.

Q: Is it safe to delete the old compatdata folder after copying? Only if you are certain you have the save copied correctly and the game loads it. Verify in-game first. The old compatdata folder may also contain other game files - deleting it removes everything for that entry.

Q: The tool can't find my save automatically. Use the Browse button to locate it manually. Common non-standard locations to check:

~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/<any_id>/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Roaming/EldenRing/

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