Move a Project Zomboid save to a new server without losing characters

Characters are saved in players.db under the server's name. Move the world to a server with the same name and everyone keeps their character. If the name changes, update players.db (step 4) or everyone starts over.

1. Find the world

The world folder and three settings files are named after the server, servertest by default:

• Windows (dedicated server or a co-op game you hosted): C:\Users\YourName\Zomboid\Saves\Multiplayer\servertest and, in C:\Users\YourName\Zomboid\Server, servertest.ini, servertest_SandboxVars.lua and servertest_spawnregions.lua.
• Linux: the same under ~/Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer and ~/Zomboid/Server.
• Another host: the same Zomboid folders in its file manager or over SFTP.

Singleplayer saves (Saves/Apocalypse, Saves/Sandbox and so on) are not multiplayer worlds and can't be moved this way.

2. Copy it

1. Stop the old server: type save, then quit in its console.
2. Make a backup copy of the world folder.
3. Copy the world folder into Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer on the new server.
4. Copy the three settings files into Zomboid/Server.

3. Start with the same name

1. Install the same Workshop mods on the new server, or the world loads with missing items.
2. Start the server under the old name. On Linux: -servername servertest.
3. Players join with the same Steam account and username as before.

4. If the server name changed

1. Rename the world folder and the three files to the new name (newname, newname.ini, newname_SandboxVars.lua, newname_spawnregions.lua).
2. Open players.db in the world folder with a SQLite editor, such as DB Browser for SQLite, and run:

   UPDATE networkPlayers SET world = 'newname' WHERE world = 'servertest';

3. Write the changes, close the editor and start the server.

Accounts and admins

Server accounts and admin rights are kept in Zomboid/db/servertest.db, not in the world. Copy that file too (renamed if the name changed), or let players sign in again with their old username and give admin back in the console:

setaccesslevel "username" admin

If characters don't show up

• Everyone is new: the server name doesn't match the world value in players.db. Do step 4.
• One player is new: they joined with a different username or Steam account.
• Items or buildings are missing: a mod the world used is not installed.
• A Build 41 world: it can't be continued on a Build 42 server.

On HostForge

Upload the world, keep the characters

HostForge does the renaming and the players.db update for you:

1. ZIP your world with its folders: Saves/Multiplayer/servertest/…, plus Server/ with the settings files if you want them.
2. Stop your server and open Backups › Upload save. Choose the ZIP and select Upload save.
3. Add the same mods in the Mods tab, then start the server.