. It is designed to protect users from potentially malicious save files that could harm their computer if modified by an untrusted party. Why the Message Appears Security Protection
Make sure that your game's configuration is set up correctly. Check the game/script.rpy file for any configuration settings that may be causing the issue.
If you’ve ever tried to copy your progress from one computer to another while playing a Ren'Py game, you may have been greeted by a disheartening error message: .
If you are a developer, you might be seeing this warning in your custom UI because your confirm screen doesn't handle the new security prompts. To ensure your game handles this gracefully: renpy this save was created on a different device link
Right-click the file, select , check the box for Read-only , and click Apply .
# Automatic save file conversion def convert_save_file(filename): # Load the save file save_data = load_save_file(filename) # Convert the save file to be compatible with the current device save_data = convert_save_data(save_data) # Save the converted save file save_game(filename)
If the game developer built the visual novel using a modern Ren'Py SDK with Sync capabilities enabled, you do not need to manually move files. Step-by-Step Sync: Check the game/script
What are you transferring the save file between? (e.g., Windows PC to Android phone, Mac to Steam Deck)
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.
To link your devices, you must first find where the save data is stored. This varies significantly by operating system. Look for a folder named after the game or a folder simply named saves . Windows stores Ren'Py data in the hidden AppData folder. Press Windows Key + R , type %appdata% , and hit Enter. Navigate to the RenPy folder. Locate the folder named after your specific game. Mac systems store this data in the hidden Library folder. To ensure your game handles this gracefully: Right-click
The "Ren'Py: This save was created on a different device link" error is primarily caused by differences in the device's unique identifier, which Ren'Py uses to verify the save file's authenticity. Here are some possible reasons why you might encounter this error:
and enter that code to transfer data securely without triggering security warnings. Manual Fix (PC) Navigate to your Ren'Py security folder: C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\RenPy\tokens\ security_keys.txt Open the file and delete everything except the string signing-key Back up this file first Load the save in-game and immediately save it again to generate a new, valid token for your current device. Manual Fix (Android) Use a file manager to find the game's save folder. security_keys.txt and delete all text inside except for signing-keys Alternatively, create a new security_keys.txt on a PC containing only the word Signing-key , set it to
Moving Ren'Py Saves: "This Save Was Created on a Different Device" Explained
This is a common dev need. Use an online Ren'Py save editor (or a Hex editor) to copy the save_token from a working save on Device A and paste it into the header of a save on Device B. Tools like unrpyc can help decompile save structure.
