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Protect the source device before first cross-platform sync
Team Cherry's August 2022 announcement describes a shared save setup for Windows, macOS and Linux, including Steam Deck. It specifically asks players to back up before syncing; macOS and Linux users may need to open the game once and save/quit so Steam triggers an upload. Treat this as a historical migration note and check the live Steam client status.
- On the device that holds the progress you want, close Hollow Knight and make a separate backup of its save using the current official/community instructions for that platform.
- Confirm the Steam product page shows Steam Cloud for your edition and ensure the client is online. Do not launch another device while the source device still has an unsynced save.
- For the first sync on macOS or Linux (including Steam Deck's SteamOS context), follow Team Cherry's announcement: open the game, save and quit once, then let Steam finish uploading.
- Only after Steam reports sync complete should you open Hollow Knight on the destination device. If a conflict appears, stop and compare the displayed timestamps with your actual play sessions.
References: Team Cherry: Cross-platform Cloud Saves · Steam Store: Hollow Knight
Resolve a conflict using file time and play history
Steam says a conflict occurs when the local and cloud copies differ because each was changed separately. It suggests the most recently modified copy will often match the latest play, but tells players to compare the timestamps with what they actually did. Offline play can leave a local copy unsynced. If the time/context does not identify the intended save, do not dismiss the prompt casually: preserve accessible copies and seek support before choosing an overwrite.
| What you see | Safer interpretation | Next move |
|---|---|---|
| No conflict; client says synced | No prompt is not proof your intended device is newest | Confirm source-device save and sync completed before switching |
| Local copy time matches latest play | That may be the progress you intend to keep | Compare with your backup, then choose only if the timeline agrees |
| Cloud copy time matches latest play | That may be the progress you intend to keep | Compare with your backup and play history before selecting |
| Times or play history are unclear | The tool cannot infer which save is correct | Pause; do not pick local/cloud randomly or launch offline |
| Console or non-Steam route | This page's source scope does not establish that transfer | Use that platform's official save-transfer instructions |
References: Steam Support: Steam Cloud conflicts
What the checklist can and cannot verify
Choose only the facts you confirmed yourself: platform family, whether you kept a copy, whether a conflict is present and whether you compared its timestamps with your play history. This browser tool sends nothing and cannot read a Steam account, locate a save, create a backup, see sync status, resolve a conflict or restore progress. Steam says lost cloud saves are not generally recoverable by support.
References: Steam Support: Steam Cloud conflicts · r/HollowKnight player discussions
Before you play
- I identified the device and platform holding the progress I intend to keep.
- I created a separate backup before the cross-device sync.
- I waited for the source device's Steam Cloud upload to finish.
- If Steam showed a conflict, I matched timestamps to my real play history.
- I did not launch offline or dismiss a conflict before deciding which copy is authoritative.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2022 Team Cherry notice guarantee today's sync is working?
No. It documents the cross-platform save change and its migration steps. Verify the current Steam Cloud indicator and sync result in your own client.
Should I always pick the newest timestamp?
Steam says the newest modified file will often reflect the last play, but recommends comparing the time with your behavior and progress. If the timeline is unclear, pause rather than guessing.
Does this transfer Hollow Knight saves to Switch or PlayStation?
No such route is established here. These sources cover Steam on Windows, macOS and Linux, including Steam Deck; use the relevant console publisher's own save system.
Sources & revision notes
Editorial revision: November 7, 2026; not a gameplay test date. The reference notes identify source limits and version differences.
- Steam Store: Hollow Knight (Official)
Team Cherry's Steam product page identifies Hollow Knight and lists Steam Cloud support. The listing is specific to Steam; it does not establish console save-transfer behavior.
- Team Cherry: Cross-platform Cloud Saves (Official)
Team Cherry's August 2022 Steam announcement says Windows, macOS and Linux (including Steam Deck) share the cross-platform cloud-save setup; it advises backing up first and says macOS/Linux users may need to open, save and quit once to trigger upload. This is a dated migration notice, not a guarantee of current sync status.
- Steam Support: Steam Cloud conflicts (Official)
Steam explains that local/cloud conflict prompts result from files changed in separate locations, recommends using timestamps and play context to choose, and warns that launching without syncing may risk progress. Support cannot recover lost saves.
- r/HollowKnight player discussions (Community)
External, user-generated discussion—not a GamerWin forum, official support, or verified gameplay evidence. State platform, game edition/build and the exact symptom; never post account credentials or private save files.
November 7, 2026: first publication. Combined Team Cherry's dated cross-platform Steam save notice with Steam's current conflict-selection guidance. No device, account, cloud prompt or save was inspected.
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