> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Save States

> Using save states and save state management in Dolphin

Save states allow you to save and load your game at any moment, providing quick saves beyond the game's built-in save system. This guide covers how to use save states effectively in Dolphin.

## What are Save States?

Save states capture the complete emulator state at a specific moment:

* CPU registers and memory
* GPU state and video memory
* Audio state
* Controller inputs
* Everything needed to resume exactly where you left off

<Info>
  Save states are different from in-game saves. They capture the entire emulator state, allowing you to save anywhere, anytime.
</Info>

### Save States vs In-Game Saves

| Feature                    | Save States     | In-Game Saves         |
| -------------------------- | --------------- | --------------------- |
| Save anywhere              | Yes             | Only at save points   |
| Instant save/load          | Yes             | Usually slower        |
| Compatible across versions | Sometimes       | Yes                   |
| Transferable to console    | No              | Yes (via memory card) |
| Size                       | Large (100+ MB) | Small (KB)            |

## Save State Slots

Dolphin provides 10 save state slots (Slot 1 - Slot 10) per game:

* Each slot stores one complete save state
* Slots are game-specific
* Overwriting a slot replaces the previous save

## Creating Save States

### Using Hotkeys (Recommended)

Default hotkeys for save states:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Quick Save">
    **Shift + F1** through **Shift + F8**: Save to slots 1-8

    Quickly save to a specific slot without interrupting gameplay.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Selected Slot">
    **Shift + F11**: Cycle through slots

    **Shift + F12**: Save to currently selected slot

    Use the selected slot for quick save/load operations.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Using the Menu

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Emulation Menu">
    While a game is running, click **Emulation** in the menu bar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save State">
    Navigate to **Save State** > **Save to Slot \[X]**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirmation">
    An on-screen message confirms the save state was created
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Saving to File

Save to a custom file instead of using slots:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Emulation Menu">
    Click **Emulation** > **Save State**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save State As">
    Select **Save State As...**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Location">
    Browse to a location, enter a filename, and click **Save**
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Save state files have the `.sav` extension and can be shared, backed up, or organized in custom folders.
</Note>

## Loading Save States

### Using Hotkeys (Recommended)

Default hotkeys for loading:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Quick Load">
    **F1** through **F8**: Load from slots 1-8

    Instantly load a saved state.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Selected Slot">
    **F11**: Cycle through slots

    **F12**: Load from currently selected slot
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Using the Menu

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Emulation Menu">
    Click **Emulation** while game is running
  </Step>

  <Step title="Load State">
    Navigate to **Load State** > **Load from Slot \[X]**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Resume">
    The game resumes from the saved state
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Loading from File

<Steps>
  <Step title="Emulation Menu">
    Click **Emulation** > **Load State**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Load State From">
    Select **Load State From...**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select File">
    Browse to the .sav file and click **Open**
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Save State Manager

View and manage all save states for the current game:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Manager">
    While playing, click **Emulation** > **Save State** > **Save State Manager**
  </Step>

  <Step title="View States">
    See all save states with:

    * Slot number
    * Timestamp
    * Preview screenshot (if available)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Actions">
    * Click a state to load it
    * Delete unwanted states
    * Export states to files
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Advanced Save State Features

### Undo Load State

If you accidentally load the wrong state:

* **Hotkey**: **F10** (default)
* **Menu**: **Emulation** > **Undo Load State**

This restores the state before the last load operation.

<Info>
  Undo Load State creates a temporary save before loading, allowing you to revert if needed.
</Info>

### Undo Save State

Revert to the previous save in a slot:

* **Menu**: **Emulation** > **Undo Save State**

This restores the save state that was overwritten by the last save operation.

### Load Last State

Quickly load the most recently saved state:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Emulation Menu">
    Click **Emulation** > **Load State**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Load Last State">
    Select **Load Last Saved State**
  </Step>
</Steps>

This loads the most recent save state regardless of slot.

## Configuring Save State Hotkeys

Customize save state hotkeys:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Hotkey Settings">
    Navigate to **Controllers** > **Hotkey Settings**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save State Section">
    Scroll to the **Save State** section
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map Keys">
    Click any hotkey field and press your desired key combination:

    * Save State Slot 1-10
    * Load State Slot 1-10
    * Select State Slot
    * Save/Load Selected Slot
    * Undo Load State
    * Undo Save State
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  You can also map save state functions to controller buttons for quick access during gameplay.
</Note>

## Save State Storage Location

Save states are stored in:

* **Windows**: `Documents\Dolphin Emulator\StateSaves\`
* **Linux**: `~/.dolphin-emu/StateSaves/` or `~/.config/dolphin-emu/StateSaves/`
* **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Dolphin/StateSaves/`

### File Naming Convention

Save state files are named:

```
[GameID].s[SlotNumber]
```

Example: `GALE01.s01` (slot 1 for Super Smash Bros. Melee)

Custom save states use `.sav` extension.

## Save State Compatibility

<Warning>
  Save states are NOT guaranteed to be compatible across different Dolphin versions.
</Warning>

### Version Compatibility

* **Same version**: Fully compatible
* **Minor updates**: Usually compatible
* **Major updates**: May be incompatible
* **Development builds**: Frequently incompatible

<Info>
  Always keep in-game saves as backups. Save states should complement, not replace, in-game saves.
</Info>

### What Changes Save State Compatibility

* Emulation core changes
* Memory layout modifications
* Graphics backend updates
* DSP emulation changes

## Best Practices

### Use Multiple Slots

Don't rely on a single save state:

* Rotate between 2-3 slots
* Keep backup states at major progress points
* Prevents losing progress if a state becomes corrupted

### Regular In-Game Saves

Use in-game saves in addition to save states:

* More reliable long-term
* Compatible across Dolphin versions
* Can be transferred to real consoles

### Backup Important States

For critical progress:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Save States">
    Navigate to the StateSaves folder
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy Files">
    Copy important .s## files to a backup location
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restore When Needed">
    Copy files back to restore states
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Avoid Save States During Specific Actions

<Warning>
  Do not create save states during:
</Warning>

* FMV/cutscenes (may cause playback issues)
* Loading screens
* Saving in-game (can corrupt save data)
* Online play (NetPlay has its own state system)

## Save States in NetPlay

NetPlay has special save state handling:

* **Host controls states**: Only the host can create/load states
* **All players sync**: States apply to all connected players
* **Automatic saves**: NetPlay can create automatic checkpoint states

See the [NetPlay guide](/user-guide/netplay) for more information.

## Troubleshooting

### Save State Failed to Save

If save states fail to create:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check Disk Space">
    Ensure sufficient disk space (states can be 100-500 MB)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Permissions">
    Confirm write permissions to the StateSaves directory
  </Step>

  <Step title="Disable Savestates Setting">
    Check if **Enable Savestates** is disabled in configuration
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Save State Failed to Load

If a save state won't load:

* **Incompatible version**: State may be from different Dolphin version
* **Corrupted file**: File may be damaged
* **Wrong game**: Ensure you're loading the correct game
* **Missing files**: Some games require specific BIOS or system files

<Note>
  If a state won't load, try loading an earlier state or using an in-game save.
</Note>

### Save States Cause Crashes

If loading states crashes Dolphin:

1. Update to the latest Dolphin version
2. Try loading different states
3. Check for game-specific issues on Dolphin Wiki
4. Disable **Store EFB Copies to Texture Only** in Graphics settings

### Large Save State File Sizes

Save state sizes vary by:

* Game (more RAM usage = larger states)
* Graphics settings (texture cache adds to size)
* Internal resolution (higher resolution = larger cache)

Typical sizes: 50-500 MB per state

<Info>
  You can enable **Save Texture Cache to State** in Graphics settings for more consistent state behavior, but this increases file size.
</Info>

## Enable/Disable Save States

Save states can be disabled entirely:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Configuration">
    Navigate to **Options** > **Configuration**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Advanced Tab">
    Click the **Advanced** tab
  </Step>

  <Step title="Toggle Setting">
    Uncheck **Enable Savestates** to disable save state functionality
  </Step>
</Steps>

This prevents accidental state saves/loads during competitive play or TAS creation.