You’ve spent hundreds of hours roaming the dusty plains, hunting legendary animals, and immersing yourself in the story of Arthur Morgan on your PS5. Now you’re switching to a high-performance PC, and the last thing you want is to start from scratch. The big question is: Can you transfer your Red Dead Redemption 2 saves from PS5 to PC?
Short answer? Not directly. But let’s break down everything you need to know and a few creative workarounds that might just save your progress.
Why Save Transfers Between Platforms Are Complicated
Rockstar Games, the developer behind Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), treats the PC and console versions of the game as entirely separate ecosystems. This means:
- Saves are not cross-compatible between platforms.
- There’s no official cloud sync between PS5 and PC.
- Progression is tied to the platform-specific file structure.
But don’t give up just yet.
Let’s Talk About Red Dead Online First
Before diving into story mode save transfers, here’s some good news:
Red Dead Online Progress Transfers
Your Red Dead Online progress is linked to your Rockstar Social Club account, not the platform.
So, if you’re switching from PS5 to PC and logging into the same Rockstar account:
- Your Red Dead Online rank, gold, and cash will not carry over.
- BUT your character, unlocks, and customizations do not transfer either.
Unfortunately, Rockstar does not support cross-progression in Red Dead Online either, unlike games like Fortnite or Call of Duty.
Real-World Example: Many users on Reddit who switched from PS4/PS5 to PC found themselves having to start completely over in Online mode, despite linking their Social Club accounts.
Can You Transfer Story Mode Saves From PS5 to PC?
Here’s the honest answer:
No Official Method Exists
There is no native support to transfer your single-player save file from PS5 to PC. Rockstar encrypts save data per platform, and they are not interchangeable.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Workarounds: What You Can Do (Unofficial Methods)
If you’re truly committed, there are a couple of workaround strategies. Keep in mind: these are not endorsed by Rockstar and may violate terms of service.
Option 1: Save File Modding (Advanced Users Only)
Modders in the RDR2 community have developed tools to edit or inject console saves into the PC version. This requires:
- Access to your PS5 save file via PlayStation Plus Cloud or USB export (if enabled).
- A tool like Save Wizard (paid, ~$60) to decrypt your PS5 save.
- A PC save editor like RDR2 Save Editor by XB36Hazard.
- Manually copying the decrypted save file structure into your PC directory.
Step-by-Step (Simplified):
- Export your save from PS5 to USB.
- Use Save Wizard to decrypt the file.
- Convert or replicate the save file with RDR2 Save Editor.
- Import into your PC RDR2 save location:
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\Red Dead Redemption 2\Profiles
⚠️ Warning: Always back up your PC save files before replacing or editing anything.
Option 2: Download a Similar Save File Online
You won’t be able to transfer your exact progress, but you can find save files that:
- Are 100% completed.
- Are mid-way through the story.
- Have max stats, horses, and weapons.
Websites like NexusMods or TheTechGame offer downloadable PC save files. Just search for: Red Dead Redemption 2 story save file PC.
Pros & Cons Table
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Save File Modding | Keeps some original progress | Complex, risky, not guaranteed |
| Downloaded Save Files | Quick, free, and easy | Not personalized, lacks your decisions/history |
| Starting Fresh | Experience game in new ways | Lose all current progress |
Can You Use Rockstar Cloud Saves?
Unfortunately, Rockstar Cloud Save (via Social Club) only works for PC. It does not sync between PS5 and PC.
So even if you have cloud saves on your PS5 version, they will not show up on your PC version.
Pro Tip: For PC players, enabling cloud saves through the Rockstar Launcher is a great way to protect your game progress.
Performance Boost on PC: A Silver Lining
Switching from PS5 to PC may feel like losing progress, but there are perks:
- Mod Support: PC lets you install visual, gameplay, and realism mods.
- Graphics: Ultra textures, higher FPS, and advanced lighting.
- Controls: Full mouse/keyboard and controller support.
Example: Many users report that RDR2 on a well-specced PC (RTX 4070, 32GB RAM) runs smoother and looks more cinematic than on PS5.
What Rockstar Could Improve
It’s 2025, and cross-progression should be standard. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 allow players to sync progress across platforms. Rockstar could implement a similar feature using the Social Club system.
Until then, here’s a wishlist:
- Cross-save support via Social Club
- Cloud-based game saves
- Platform-neutral save encryption
While there’s no simple, official method to transfer Red Dead saves from PS5 to PC, you do have some options. Whether you’re willing to dive into file modding or start with a downloaded save, it depends on how much your past progress means to you.
One thing is certain: the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a richer, more customizable experience. If you’re making the leap, make it count.
