When you see the message "This save was created on a different device," it is due to a security feature in Ren'Py 8.1+ called the Save Token Security system. This system flags saves moved between computers to prevent potentially malicious files from harming your device. How to Fix the "Save Created on Different Device" Error
Depending on whether you just want to play or if you are seeing a blank screen, follow these steps:
Standard Prompt: Simply click "Yes" if the game asks if you trust the device or the save's creator.
Fixing a Blank Screen: If your screen goes blank when trying to load, the game's code might be missing the required "Yes/No" prompts for this security check. Developers must update their confirm screen in the game's code to support these new security messages. Manual Workarounds
If you cannot click "Yes" or want to bypass the security check entirely, you can try these methods found on community forums like Reddit and Lemma Soft Forums: Clear Security Tokens (PC):
Navigate to your game's saves folder, typically found in %AppData%\RenPy\GameName. Find the tokens folder and open the security_keys.txt file.
Delete the strings under signing-key and verifying-key, then save the file as Read-Only before restarting the game. Modify Engine Logic (Advanced):
Locate the renpy file within your Ren'Py installation folder.
Open it with a text editor and find the line: if token_dir is none:. renpy this save was created on a different device link
Change it to if true: to force the engine to ignore save protection. Official Sync Feature
For games that support it, you can use the official Ren'Py Sync SDK to transfer data without manual file moving:
On Device A: Select "Upload Sync" to get a 10-character code.
On Device B: Select "Download Sync" and enter the code to automatically download your saves.
Are you experiencing a blank screen when loading, or are you just looking for the file path to move the saves manually?
This message is a crucial security feature in Ren’Py games that ensures your progress stays safe when moving between a PC, phone, or cloud storage. 🛡️ Why It Matters
Prevents Corruption: Stops data crashes from mismatched versions. Security Check: Confirms you intend to load external data.
Seamless Portability: Enables playing the same save on multiple platforms. ✅ The Good Crystal Clear: You know exactly why the prompt appeared. When you see the message "This save was
One-Click Fix: Usually requires just one confirmation to proceed.
Reliable Protection: Safely links your progress across hardware. ⚠️ The Catch Repetitive: Can feel tedious if you swap devices often. False Alarms: Sometimes triggers after simple OS updates. Minor Friction: Breaks the "immersion" for a split second.
⭐ Verdict: It is a small, necessary "handshake" that keeps your hours of gameplay from disappearing into a glitchy void.
If you'd like to disable or bypass this prompt in a specific game: Tell me if you are the player or the developer.
Share the operating systems you are linking (e.g., Windows to Android).
, the message "This save was created on a different device" is a security warning triggered when the game detects that a save file's digital signature doesn't match the current environment. This usually happens if you move saves between computers or manually edit the save data. How to Fix the Prompt
If you trust the source of the save file, you can bypass this by doing the following:
Confirm the Prompt: In most modern Ren'Py games, you can simply click "Yes" when asked if you trust the device or creator. Sample user-facing post text (short) "This game may
Manual Fix (Android): For Android, some users suggest creating a read-only security_keys.txt file containing the text Signing-key and replacing the existing signing_keys.txt in your save folder.
Developer Workaround: If you are the developer or have access to the code, you can update your confirm screen to properly display the UNKNOWN_TOKEN or TRUST_TOKEN messages so players can actually see and interact with the prompt. Why It Happens
Security: Maliciously constructed save files can execute arbitrary Python code, potentially harming your computer.
Missing Screens: Sometimes the screen appears blank because the game's custom UI hasn't implemented the specific prompt variables (gui.UNKNOWN_TOKEN or gui.TRUST_TOKEN) introduced in newer Ren'Py versions.
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.
Are you trying to transfer a save between devices right now, or are you developing a game and seeing this error on your build?
Save created on another device screen · Issue #4632 - GitHub
Here’s a short paper/explanation on the Ren’Py error “This save was created on a different device” and how to resolve it.
"This game may show 'This save was created on a different device' when loading saves moved between platforms or after updates. If you can, open the save on the original device and use the game's export feature or copy the save files to the same folder on the new device. If that isn't possible, try loading an earlier save. Developers: add export/import, include a clear save version in metadata, and implement migration to avoid this issue."
[link]:[link] text.If a Ren'Py game shows the message “This save was created on a different device,” players may be blocked from loading saves across devices or after updates. Use this quick guide to explain the problem and give clear fixes for players and developers.