How to upload a single player world onto your ARK server

You can upload an ARK single-player save by copying the local save files from your PC into the server save folder, then making sure the server is using the matching map and save name.

1. Stop the ARK server and take a backup first: Backing up and restoring world and player data on your ARK server.
2. On your PC, open your ARK install folder. The default Steam path is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARK\ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArksLocal.
3. Find the save files for the map you want to upload. Keep the map file, tribe/player data, and related save files together.
4. Open your ARK server in the control panel and click File Manager.

   

5. Open ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks. If your server uses a custom save directory, open that directory instead.
6. Upload the save files from your PC. For large uploads, use SFTP instead of the browser File Manager.
7. Make sure your selected map/command line matches the uploaded world.
8. Start the server and check that the uploaded world loads.

If the server creates a new world instead, stop it and check that the map name and save directory match the uploaded files.