Dusklight Save File Location and Backup Guide

Dusklight save file locations by platform

The official FAQ documents desktop save roots and uses a GameCube memory-card style directory below them. Paste the Windows environment path into File Explorer, or open the equivalent hidden user folder on macOS or Linux. If the region and Card A folders do not exist because Dusklight has never created a save, launch the correct game region once or create the exact directory structure before importing a GCI file.

Do not search only beside the Dusklight executable. Desktop release archives can be replaced without touching the separate user-data folder, which is why an update may appear to lose a save when the application is actually reading a different region folder or data location.

Back up Dusklight saves before an update or reset

A safe backup is a copy made while Dusklight is fully closed and stored outside the folder you plan to replace. Back up before installing a new release, clearing app storage, changing sideloading methods, moving between devices, testing a completed save, or removing configuration files during troubleshooting.

Keep at least one dated backup until the updated build launches and the correct in-game slot loads. If cloud sync, phone backup, or a launcher also manages the folder, do not treat that service as your only copy.

1. Close DusklightExit the game and wait until it is no longer running so the memory-card file is not being written.
2. Open the data rootUse the platform path above and confirm whether the active game uses USA or EUR.
3. Copy the whole folderCopy TwilitRealm/Dusklight, including Card A and configuration files, to another drive or a dated archive.
4. Verify the copyCheck that the backup contains files and has a non-zero size before changing the installation.
5. Test the restoreAfter updating, open the game and confirm the expected slot before deleting the previous working copy.

Transfer a Twilight Princess GCI save from Dolphin

The official project FAQ supports copying a compatible individual GCI save between Dolphin and Dusklight. Dolphin uses its own GC memory-card folders, while Dusklight uses the TwilitRealm/Dusklight folder. Copy the individual 01-GZ2*-gczelda2.gci file rather than replacing unrelated application files.

Match the region on both sides. A North American save belongs in USA/Card A; a European save belongs in EUR/Card A. If the game starts but the slot is empty, verify the game region, filename, destination folder, and whether Dusklight created a second data root.

Check the region folder and GCI filename

The asterisk in 01-GZ2*-gczelda2.gci represents the regional game identifier. Do not rename a save merely to make it look like another region. A filename can be changed without converting the data inside it, leaving Dusklight unable to use the save or causing the wrong game release to appear empty.

When a transferred save is not detected, compare the original game region first. Use USA for the supported North American GameCube release and EUR for the supported European release. Keep the untouched source file so you can retry without compounding a bad conversion or overwrite.

• Confirm whether the game data is the North American or European GameCube release.
• Place the GCI file under the matching USA/Card A or EUR/Card A folder.
• Do not mix a completed save download from an unknown source with your only backup.
• Do not overwrite a newer working file until the imported slot has been tested.
• If the file came from a full memory-card image, export the individual GCI in Dolphin first.

Move Dusklight saves on Android and iOS carefully

Android and iOS protect app storage more aggressively than desktop systems. The exact visible path and available file-sharing controls depend on the OS version, package permissions, and sideloading method. Recent Dusklight updates added mobile data-folder access improvements, but you should confirm that the copied file is visible in the current app container before uninstalling or clearing storage.

For a phone-to-PC or PC-to-phone move, make a desktop backup first, transfer the matching GCI file, and keep the original mobile app installed until the imported slot appears. On Android, clearing app data removes local application storage. On iOS, replacing or resigning an app can change how its container is preserved, so verify the behavior of AltStore, iloader, or the current installation method.

• Use the application's exposed data-folder or file-sharing option when available.
• Keep the USA or EUR directory choice consistent across devices.
• Transfer one copied GCI file first instead of replacing the entire mobile container.
• Do not clear Android storage or remove the iOS app before confirming an external backup.
• If system file access is blocked, use current official support guidance rather than rooting or guessing paths.

Fix a save that appears missing after updating Dusklight

An update usually does not require deleting user data. If a save disappears, stop before creating many new slots. Confirm the application version, game region, data root, Card A folder, and GCI filename. Then compare the current folder with the backup and search for another TwilitRealm/Dusklight directory created by a different user account or packaging setup.

If the old file exists but the slot remains absent, test with a clean current v1.4.1 build and no mods while preserving both files. Do not upload copyrighted game data or private saves publicly. When asking for help, provide the platform, region, Dusklight version, paths checked, and whether Dolphin reads the original GCI.

1. Do not overwrite the folderClose the game and copy the current data root before further tests.
2. Confirm the regionCheck whether the active game uses USA or EUR and inspect the matching Card A directory.
3. Compare pathsLook for a second data root, different OS user profile, or mobile app container.
4. Test the original GCIIf possible, verify the untouched source in Dolphin or restore a copied backup.
5. Escalate with detailsUse official support channels with the version, platform, region, filename, and non-sensitive reproduction steps.

Dusklight save file FAQ