Transfer an existing ARK save to GuavaHost

To move an existing ARK world to GuavaHost, stop both servers, copy your SavedArks files across with SFTP so the map name matches, and start it up, or simply open a ticket and let our team migrate it for you.

2 min read · Updated Sep 24, 2026 · By GuavaHost Team

The easy way: let us do it

GuavaHost offers staff-assisted migration. Open a support ticket or ask in our Discord, share the details of your current server, and the team can move the world across for you. If you would rather do it yourself, the steps below walk through a self-service copy over SFTP (SFTP is a secure way to move files between your computer and your server).

What files you need

Your world lives in ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/.

• ARK: Survival Evolved: the files are named after the map, such as TheIsland.ark, along with .arkprofile files for players, .arktribe files for tribes, and a .bak backup. Copy the whole SavedArks folder to be safe.
• ARK: Survival Ascended: saves sit in a per-map subfolder, for example SavedArks/TheIsland_WP/, with the .ark file and player and tribe files inside. Copy that whole map subfolder.

It is also worth copying GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini from the Saved/Config folder so your rates and settings come along too.

Self-service SFTP steps

1. On the new GuavaHost server, take a backup on the Backups page so you have a clean starting point.
2. Open the Settings tab and expand Connection details. Under File access (SFTP) you will find the address, port and username, and you can choose your SFTP password with Set SFTP password. Connect with FileZilla, a free SFTP client.
3. Stop the new server. Never overwrite save files while it is running.
4. Download your SavedArks folder, and the config files, from the old host.
5. In Startup settings on the Settings tab, set the same map as your save and click Save. A save only loads on the matching map, so TheIsland_WP files need the map set to TheIsland_WP.
6. Upload your files into the same SavedArks path, into the matching map subfolder for ASA, overwriting what is there.
7. Start the server and watch the Console tab load your world.

Common gotchas

• Wrong map name: if the map does not match the save, ARK just generates a fresh world instead of loading yours. Confirm the internal map name.
• ASE and ASA saves are not interchangeable. You cannot load an Evolved save on Ascended, or the other way round.
• Mods must match. Add the same mod IDs on your server's Mods page first, or a modded save may not load.
• Keep the .bak file. If the main .ark fails to load, you can rename the backup to recover.

Still stuck? Jump into our Discord at discord.gg/GuavaHost and the team will help you out.

• ark
• migration
• save transfer
• sftp
• savedarks

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