Palworld: Host Character Transfer
Introduction
Palworld host character transfer allows you to migrate the character of a solo or co-op host into a dedicated server save. In this guide, you will prepare the required save files, use the supported migration tool, and upload the updated character data back to your server.
This procedure is considered experimental and modifies save data manually. Palworld updates can change save structures, which may cause tools or migration steps to stop working correctly.
Preparation
Before you begin, make sure you have access to your Palworld game server and a local Windows system where you can run the required save migration tool.
Requirements
You need the following:
| Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Access to your ZAP-Hosting Palworld server | To download and upload the required save files |
| A local backup location | To keep a safe copy of your original save data |
| Palworld Save Tools | To perform the host character migration |
| A newly created server character | The host character data is migrated onto this dedicated server character |
Before changing any save files, download and store a complete backup of your current server save. If the transfer fails or produces corrupted character data, you will need the original files to restore the server.
Important Notes About Configuration Files
This transfer is not completed by editing a Palworld configuration file under Configs. Based on the currently available tool documentation and community guidance, the host character transfer is performed by replacing save data files instead.
The relevant files are located in your server save directory, not in the normal gameplay configuration file such as PalWorldSettings.ini.
Understand Which Files Are Used
Before starting the transfer, you should identify the files involved.
Save Files Required for the Transfer
The host character migration uses the following save data:
| File or Folder | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Level.sav | Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/[your_savefolder_id]/Level.sav | Contains world-level save data used by the migration tool |
Players/ | Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/[your_savefolder_id]/Players/ | Contains player save files, including the new dedicated server character |
00000001.sav | Inside Players/ from the uploaded solo or co-op save | Usually represents the original host character in co-op saves |
[your_savefolder_id] is the long folder name used by your Palworld world save. This value is different for every save.
Where to Find the Files in the ZAP Interface
You can access the required save files through your game server administration file manager.
Navigate to:
Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/[your_savefolder_id]/
Inside this folder, you should find at least:
Level.savLevelMeta.savPlayers/
Prepare the Dedicated Server Character
Before you can migrate the host character, the dedicated server must already contain a newly generated player save for your account.
Create a New Character on the Server
Join your Palworld dedicated server normally and create a new character. Then play until the character reaches at least level 2.
This step is necessary because the transfer tool needs an existing dedicated server character file as the migration target.
Force or Wait for a Save
After creating the new character, you need to make sure the server has written the new player data to disk.
You can either:
- wait for the automatic save interval, which is commonly around
4minutes, or - run the
savecommand in the server console
| Command | Where to run it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
save | Server console | Forces the server to write the current world and player data to disk |
If you use the save command, run it before stopping the server. This helps ensure that the new dedicated server character file exists in the Players/ folder.
Stop the Server
Once the save is complete, stop the Palworld server from your server administration.
Do not continue while the server is running, because active save writes may overwrite or conflict with the files you are about to replace.
Download the Required Save Data
Now that the new character exists on the dedicated server, you can download the files needed for the migration.
Open the Save Directory
In your ZAP-Hosting file manager, go to:
Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/[your_savefolder_id]/
Download the Files
Download the following items to your local computer:
| Item | Required |
|---|---|
Level.sav | Yes |
Players/ folder | Yes |
Store both items in the same local working directory so the migration tool can process them correctly.
Place Level.sav and the Players/ folder next to each other in the same local folder. This matches the expected workflow used by Palworld Save Tools.
Migrate the Host Character
Once you have downloaded the save data, you can perform the actual host character transfer.
Start Palworld Save Tools
Download and extract Palworld Save Tools, then open PalworldSaveTools.exe.
In the application, choose:
Fix Host Save
Select the Correct Files
Inside the migration tool:
- Select your downloaded
Level.sav - In the left selection field, choose
00000001.sav - In the right selection field, choose the new character you created on the dedicated server
- Start the migration by selecting
Migrate
| Tool Field | Value to select |
|---|---|
Path to Level.sav | Your downloaded Level.sav |
| Left character field | 00000001.sav |
| Right character field | Your newly created dedicated server character |
| Action | Migrate |
What the Migration Does
The migration process reassigns the original host character data from the solo or co-op save to the dedicated server character entry you created earlier.
This is why you must first join the server and generate a fresh player save before using the tool.
Make sure you select the correct new server character on the right side. Choosing the wrong target may overwrite another player's save data.
Upload the Updated Save Files
After the migration completes successfully, you need to upload the modified files back to your server.
Replace the Existing Save Data
Return to the same server directory in your ZAP-Hosting file manager:
Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/[your_savefolder_id]/
Upload and replace:
- the updated
Level.sav - the updated
Players/folder
If your file manager prompts you to overwrite existing files, confirm the replacement.
Configuration File Changes
For this specific host character transfer, there is currently no verified requirement to edit a Palworld configuration file such as PalWorldSettings.ini.
| Item | Required for host transfer |
|---|---|
Edit PalWorldSettings.ini | No |
Edit files under Configs | No verified requirement |
Replace Level.sav | Yes |
Replace Players/ | Yes |
Based on the currently available tool documentation and migration instructions, no extra configuration entries or manual .ini changes are required for the transfer itself.
Start the Server and Test the Character
Once the updated files have been uploaded, start your Palworld server again.
Rejoin the Server
Connect to the server using the same account that created the new dedicated server character. If the migration was successful, you should now load into the transferred host character instead of the temporary new one.
Check Important Character Data
After joining, verify that the following data appears correctly:
- character level
- inventory
- pals
- base ownership
- progression data
If anything is missing or incorrect, stop the server immediately and restore your backup before trying again.
If your character, inventory, or world ownership data appears broken after the migration, do not continue playing. Restore the original Level.sav and Players/ backup first to avoid saving further unwanted changes.
Reference Summary
Required Paths, Files, and Actions
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Save path | Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/[your_savefolder_id]/ |
| Required file | Level.sav |
| Required folder | Players/ |
| Host save file typically selected | 00000001.sav |
| Server command | save |
| Server restart required | Yes |
| Config file edit required | No verified requirement |
Conclusion
Congratulations, you have successfully transferred your Palworld host character to a dedicated server. For further questions or assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our support team, which is available daily to assist you!