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Balatro Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-09-11

Save file location (Windows (Steam)): %APPDATA%\Balatro

Quick answer: On PC, Balatro save files are stored in %APPDATA%\Balatro. Copy that folder to back up your progress before modding, updating, or moving to a new PC.
Windows (Steam)
%APPDATA%\Balatro
Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One
My games & apps > <Game> > Manage game > Saved data
PlayStation 5 / PS4
Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data

Here's exactly where Balatro keeps your run and unlocks on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back up a good seed before it's gone.

Save file locations

Windows (Steam)
%APPDATA%\Balatro

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\Balatro\ . Each profile is a numbered folder (1, 2, 3); inside it save.jkr is your current run, profile.jkr your unlocks, and meta.jkr your stats.

Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One
My games & apps > <Game> > Manage game > Saved data

Xbox saves sync automatically to the cloud with your Microsoft account; there is no user-accessible save file on disk.

PlayStation 5 / PS4
Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data

Console saves are sealed and can't be copied as raw files. Back them up to PS Plus cloud or a USB drive from this menu.

Cloud saves

On PC, Balatro uses Steam Cloud, so your .jkr files sync across machines with the same account. Close Balatro before swapping a save file, or Steam Cloud may overwrite your backup with the older copy on the next launch.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

Balatro stores PC saves in %APPDATA%\Balatro\ with numbered profile folders (1\, 2\, 3\) each holding save.jkr (your run), meta.jkr (unlocks/stats), plus top-level settings.jkr and profile.jkr. The .jkr files are compressed LÖVE data. Steam Cloud syncs the whole Balatro folder and overwrites instead of merging, so a run played offline or on a second PC can be replaced by the cloud copy, and unlocks in meta.jkr can roll back if the wrong side wins the sync.

  1. Fully quit Balatro and exit Steam so Cloud cannot re-sync while you copy.
  2. Back up %APPDATA%\Balatro\ entirely (full path C:\Users\<You>\AppData\Roaming\Balatro\).
  3. Keep save.jkr and meta.jkr together inside the same numbered profile folder; copying save.jkr alone can desync unlocks.
  4. If Steam shows a cloud conflict, choose the side with your latest run and newest meta.jkr unlocks, then verify it loads before deleting the backup.
  5. To move PCs, let Steam Cloud finish syncing on the new machine before playing, or disable Cloud for Balatro until the local profile is confirmed.
Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

Steam Cloud can overwrite a Balatro run or roll back unlocks. Copy the folder before any fix:

robocopy "%APPDATA%\Balatro" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Balatro-Save-Backup" /E

Restore by copying the numbered profile folder (save.jkr + meta.jkr) back with the game closed and Steam offline, or Cloud will re-overwrite on launch.

Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step Balatro save transfer guide to copy your progress across without losing anything.

How to open the save folder

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.
  2. Type %appdata% and press Enter.
  3. Open Balatro, then a numbered profile folder (1, 2 or 3) to find save.jkr, profile.jkr and meta.jkr.
  4. Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

Balatro save won’t load or says it’s corrupt

Many games keep an automatic backup next to the save (a .bak or numbered copy) — close the game, copy that backup over the broken file, and reopen. On Steam, also right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.

My Balatro save is missing or the folder looks empty

You are usually looking one level too high — open the numbered profile / Steam-ID sub-folder inside the path above, not the parent. If it is still empty, cloud sync may not have finished writing before the game overwrote the local copy; reconnect and let the cloud sync finish before launching.

Balatro progress rolled back after a cloud save conflict

When Steam or the console reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of “lost hours.” If unsure, disable cloud sync, back up the local folder first, then re-enable it.

Want to edit this save (money, items, stats)? See the Balatro save editor guide — which fields are safe to change and how to back up first.

FAQ

Where is the Balatro save file on PC?

It's at C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\Balatro. Press Win+R, type %appdata%, then open Balatro and a numbered profile folder. Your active run is save.jkr.

What are the .jkr files in the Balatro folder?

save.jkr is your current run, profile.jkr stores unlocks and progress, and meta.jkr holds stats. Each profile slot (1-3) has its own folder.

How do I back up my Balatro save?

Copy the whole numbered profile folder (or at least save.jkr) from AppData\Roaming\Balatro to a safe location. Close the game first so Steam Cloud doesn't overwrite it.

Other games

Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.