The Saved Games service gives you a convenient way to saveyour players' game progression to Google's servers. Your game can retrieve thesaved game data to allow returning players to continue a game at their lastsave point from any device.
The Saved Games service makes it possible to synchronize a player's game dataacross multiple devices. For example, if you have a game thatruns on Android, you can use the Saved Games service toallow a player to start a game on their Android phone, and thencontinue playing on a tablet without losing any of their progress. This servicecan also be used to ensure that a player's game playcontinues from where it left off even if their device is lost, destroyed, ortraded in for a newer model.
To learn how to implement saved games for your platform, seeClient implementations.
Saved Games basics
A saved game consists of two parts:
- An unstructured binary blob - this data can represent whatever you choose,and your game is responsible for parsing and writing to it.
- Structured metadata - additional propertiesassociated with the binary data that allow Google Play games services to visuallypresent Saved Games in the default Saved Games list user interface (UI), and topresent useful information in theGoogle Play Games app (for example, last updated timestamp).
A game can write an arbitrary number of Saved Games for a single player,subject to user quota, so there is no hard requirement to restrictplayers to a single save file.
Cover images
The Saved Games service provides a visual user experience in addition topersistence features. You are strongly encouraged to associate representativeimages with corresponding save files. If you are using the default Saved Gameslist user interface (UI) provided by the Play Games SDK in your game, the UIwill display these cover images. The cover images may also appear in theGoogle Play Games app.
Descriptions
You can provide a short text description of the content of a particular savedgame. This description is directly displayed to players and should summarizethe state that the saved game represents; for example, “Fighting the Goblinsin the Dark Woods”.
Quota
Developers are not charged for any saved game data that’s stored in the cloud.Instead, this data is counted against the player’s Google Drive quota - younever have to worry about it. The only quota that game developers need to careabout is their Google Drive API quota.
Read/Write isolation
All Saved Games are stored in your players' Google Drive Application DataFolder. This folder can only be read and written by your game - it cannot beviewed or modified by other developers’ games, so there is additional protectionagainst data corruption. In addition, Saved Games are insulated from directtampering by players so they cannot modify individual Saved Games.
Offline support
Your game can still read and write to a saved game when the player's device isoffline, but will not be able to sync with Google Play games services untilnetwork connectivity is established. Once reconnected, Google Play games servicesasynchronously updates the saved game data on Google's servers.
Conflict resolution
When using the Saved Games service, your game may encounter conflicts whenattempting to save data. These conflicts can occur when a user is running morethan one instance of your application on different devices or computers. Yourapplication must be able to resolve these conflicts in a way that provides thebest user experience.
Typically, data conflicts occur when an instance of your application is unableto reach the Saved Games service while attempting to load data or save it. Ingeneral, the best way to avoid data conflicts is to always load the latest datafrom the service when your application starts up or resumes, and save data tothe service with reasonable frequency. However, it is not always possible toavoid data conflicts. Your application should make every effort to handleconflicts such that your users' data is preserved and that they have a goodexperience.
Limits
Google Play games services currently enforce size limits on binary data and coverimage sizes of 3 MB and 800 KB respectively.
Saved game metadata
The structured metadata for a saved game contains these these properties:
| Property | Description |
| ID | A unique string generated by Google Play games services for this saved game. Use this ID to refer to the saved game in your game clients. |
| Name | A developer-supplied short name for the saved game, for example "Save slot 1" or "PlayerName_Save1". This is not shown to players. |
| Description | A developer-supplied description of the saved game. |
| Last modified | Timestamp in milliseconds generated by Google Play games services for when the saved game was last updated. |
| Played time | A developer-supplied time (in milliseconds) to display on the saved game. This value should represent how long the player has played the corresponding save game. For example, a played time value of 3600000 will be displayed by Google Play games services as "1 hr". |
| Cover image | This is an optional, developer-supplied property that contains information about the cover image. |
Client implementations
To learn how to implement Saved Games for your platform, see the following resources:
FAQs
Some games autosave your progress when you're signed in with Google Play Games Mobile App. If your game autosaves, you can sync your game data and pick up where you left off. If you get a new Android phone, to restore game progress, sign in to the same account you used before.
What is saved games in Google Play? ›
The Saved Games service gives you a convenient way to save your players' game progression to Google's servers. Your game can retrieve the saved game data to allow returning players to continue a game at their last save point from any device.
Where are my saved games? ›
Windows: On Windows, most save games can be found by opening File Explorer and navigating to "%homepath%\AppData\LocalLow". You can do so by pasting that file path into the address bar in your file explorer.
How do you see all of the games I've played on Google Play? ›
You can search for games, find games recommended for you, and see games you've played in the Play Games app.
...
On an Android phone or tablet
- Open the Play Games app .
- At the bottom, tap Library.
- To learn more about a game or download it, tap it.
They are stored in a private Google Cloud Storage bucket for your Google Play Developer account. You can access reports using Google Cloud Storage on your browser or programmatically using gsutil. You can also use other tools to programmatically access your Cloud Storage bucket.
How do I access my Google Play data? ›
Google Play data resides on your device. If that's an Android smartphone, you can go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store. From there, tap the Storage section to see how much associated data your phone keeps. You can't delete the Google Play Store app.
Is it OK to delete Google Play Games? ›
You can delete Play Games data from your Google account for one or all games you've played. If you delete data for a game, you might also delete any in-game achievements or progress, depending on how the developer has built the game.
What happens if I delete Google Play Games data? ›
Data used by Play services is mostly cached data for these APIs, duplicated data of Android wear apps synched with your phone and some kind of search index. If you delete this data, chances are Google Play services will just recreate it, although 3.9 GB is really much (mine only use 300 MB).
What happens if I delete Google Play Games app? ›
When you disable the Google Play Store, its icon will disappear from your Android phone's home screen and app drawer. At the same time, you won't be able to update or install apps using Play Store. However, nothing will happen to existing apps. They will not be removed from your phone.
How do I recover a game save? ›
Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, then locate the deleted game files from them, drag the mouse to select them, right-click on these files and select Restore. Step 2. Successfully restoring the game files will be returned to the location where they were once saved.
Where is Game Data Stored on Android? Generally, your Android phone stores the saved game data in the Google Drive Application Data Folder. You can access the game files in /data/data/ (internal storage). Also, check the external storage for game data below /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/.
How do I restore a saved game folder? ›
Restore Default Location of Saved Games Folder in Properties
- Open File Explorer (Win+E).
- Type shell:SavedGames into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter to open the Saved Games folder no matter where it is located.
Find & view activity
- On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app. Google. Manage your Google Account.
- At the top, tap Data & privacy.
- Scroll to "History settings."
- Tap My Activity.
Google Play is an online store where people go to find their favorite apps, games, movies, TV shows, books, and more. It provides 2 million apps & games to billions of people around the world, generating over $120 billion in earnings for developers to date.
Can I see what games are linked to my Google account? ›
Google has an option call app permissions where you can see all the connected apps. To keep track of connected apps, navigate to https://security.google.com/settings/security/permissions?pli=1. You need to log in with the account you want to check.
What is the benefit of Google developer account? ›
Google Developer Profile is a way to learn about Google technologies and unlock achievements. Your profile captures your achievements with badges and saves your progress as you complete pathways, which include codelabs and videos.
How do I see developer responses on Play Store? ›
Open Play Console and go to the Testing feedback page (Ratings and reviews > Testing feedback). Decide how you want to browse your feedback.
How do I find suspicious apps on Android? ›
- Step 1: Make sure Google Play Protect is turned on. Open the Google Play Store app . ...
- Step 2: Check for Android device & security updates. Get the latest Android updates available for you. ...
- Step 3: Remove untrusted apps. ...
- Step 4: Do a Security Checkup.
AppstoreSpy is a mobile analytics software that helps businesses turn data into insights in a few clicks. AppstoreSpy offers easy-to-use tools for complex tasks to help teams make a mobile breakthrough.
How do app developers collect data about their users? ›
Sharing device location data or email lists with a data broker. Sharing a list of emails, advertising IDs, or other IDs with a third-party advertising network that uses that information to retarget those users in other developers' apps or to find similar users.
Link your developer account to a new or existing Google Cloud Project. Enable the Google Play Developer API for your linked Google Cloud Project.
...
Use an existing project
- Go to the API access page on the Google Play Console.
- Choose the project you'd like to link. ...
- Click Link existing project.
Clearing the cache will remove temporary files associated with Google Play on your device, while clearing the data will remove any personal settings. When troubleshooting a problem, you can clear both. Clearing your Google Play cache and data will not delete any apps or other programs you have downloaded.
Is Google Play Games app necessary? ›
Well, yes. It's free and as the platform grows and improves, it will become an essential app for any mobile gamer.
How do I remove hidden games from Google Play Games? ›
To remove games so you never see them again, go into the google play store and go to "my apps" when you're in "my apps" go too "all". In this list, you'll see an " x" in the top right corner of each listed app, click that to remove the app.
Can I remove Google Play Games from my phone? ›
Delete other Play apps
At the top right, tap the Profile icon. Manage. Tap the name of the app you want to delete. Tap Uninstall.
Is it safe to use Google Play Games? ›
Although Google Play isn't 100 percent safe from malware, it's safer than downloading unofficial apps. Use a good Android antivirus app. Research the app before downloading it. Read the reviews; users often rate an infected app poorly and will usually warn others through the reviews.
How do I recover deleted games on Android? ›
How to See Recently Deleted Apps via Play Store?
- Go to Google Play and tap on the Menu. Go to the Google Play Store and log in using your Google account. ...
- Choose My Apps and Games. From the menu, select the My Apps and Games option. ...
- Tap on All option. ...
- Find the deleted apps and tap on Install.
1. Restore Your Apps With the Google Play Store App
- Launch the Play Store app and tap your Google Account profile icon.
- Tap Manage apps and device > Manage.
- Tap the Installed button.
- Select Not installed from the pop-up. ...
- Use the checkboxes alongside the apps to select the ones you want to install.
Make sure you have updated your game to the latest version. Try clearing your cache by going to Settings > Application Manager > Google Play Services > Clear Data/Cache. Make sure that you are using the latest Google Play Services and Google Play Games versions by opening Google Play and visiting the My Apps menu.
How do you transfer game saves on Android? ›
To transfer your game from one device to another, you need to be logged in to Google Play. Simply log in on your new device with the same account you used on the old one, download the game in Play Market, and continue playing.
Navigate to the green dropdown menu at the top left of the screen and tap it. This will bring up two options, installed and uninstalled. Tap uninstalled. This will bring up a list of every app you've ever installed, including those you've deleted.
Does Android have an activity log? ›
Device logs contain information recorded by the system and apps on your device. These logs are stored temporarily and are deleted on a rolling basis.
What is Google Play developer account? ›
The Google Play Developer account is what gives you the ability to make your app available on the Play Store for Android users. Due to Google's guidelines and policies, you are required to setup your own developer account for your app to be published.
What is my developer ID? ›
Alternatively, you can also find your Google Play Developer ID in the URL of your browser address bar. In your browser address bar, look for https://play.google.com/console/u/0/developers/<19 Digit ID>/app-list .
Do I need a Google Play developer account? ›
To publish Android apps on Google Play, you'll need to create a Google Play Developer account. You must be at least 18 years of age to sign up for a Google Play Developer account. Using your Google Account, sign up for a developer account.
What apps are linked to my Google Account? ›
Go to the Security section of your Google Account. Under “Third-party apps with account access,” select Manage third-party access. Select the app or service you want to review.
What accounts is my Google linked to? ›
See devices with account access
- Go to your Google Account.
- On the left navigation panel, select Security .
- On the Your devices panel, select Manage all devices.
- You'll see devices where you're currently signed in to your Google Account or have been in the last few weeks.
A saved game (also called a game save, savegame, savefile, save point, or simply save) is a piece of digitally stored information about the progress of a player in a video game.
What does clear local Saved Games do? ›
Free up hard drive space
On the Manage storage devices screen, select: Clear local saved games. This deletes games saved to your hard drive, but they'll still be saved to the cloud.
What is Google Play games on my phone? ›
Google Play Games is a multi-platform gaming experience built and operated by Google featuring seamless gameplay across PCs, Chromebooks and mobile devices. Google Play Games for PC Beta launched in 2022 with a curated set of Android games optimized for PCs & Chromebooks.
Open the game on your device and look for a menu option that allows you to access the game's settings or options. In the game's settings or options menu, look for a section that pertains to save files or progress. This may be called something like "Save Data," "Gam.
Does uninstalling games delete saves? ›
Your saves are attached to your profile in the cloud. Deleting the game just takes it off your drive, but your progress is in cloud. So if you signed into another Xbox and booted up same game it would sync your progress.
How do I access game files on Android? ›
- Go to the directory Android > Data, then find your game folder, copy that folder.
- If the game exceeds 100 megabytes, then you'll need to copy another additional file/s called obb, go to Android/obb and copy the whole game folder from there.
Vital Information
Clearing the console cache will not impact a Character, their Inventory, or their progression.
What is the function of Google Play Games? ›
With Google Play Games Services, you can add social features to your game, view gameplay stats, and provide cross-platform gameplay across multiple devices. You can set up and manage Play Games Services in the Google Play Console, and then add features using the Play Games Services APIs for Android, C, and Unity.
What is the difference between Google Play services and Google Play Games? ›
Google Play Services isn't the same as the Google Play Store app, and is included with Android. Google Play Services doesn't make your battery drain faster or use too much of your mobile data plan. You can't force stop or uninstall Google Play services.
Is Google Play necessary on my phone? ›
Google Play services helps to ensure the security and reliability of an Android device, and keep devices updated with the latest security features. This includes: Google Play Protect, which can warn users if an app contains known malware.
