Skip to content

Saving & Loading

Learn how to save, load, export, and import your games in PUM Companion. Understanding these features ensures your stories are always safe, portable, and easy to recover.

How Saving Works

PUM Companion uses both auto-save and manual save to protect your progress:

  • Auto-Save:

    • Your game is saved automatically as you make changes (e.g., editing story elements, adding characters, or progressing the plot).
    • You don’t need to worry about losing progress if you forget to save.

  • Manual Save:

    • A Save button is available in the Main Menu and sometimes in other screens.
    • Tap it to immediately save your current progress.
    • Manual save is useful before making big changes or exiting the app.

  • Where Are Saves Stored?

    • Saved games are stored locally on your device in the app’s save folder.
    • Each game is saved as a separate file, using the name you gave your adventure.
    • If you rename your game, the save file is updated automatically.

  • Game List:

    • All saved games appear in the Main Menu, with the most recently played at the top.
    • Each entry shows the game’s name and cover image (if set).

Loading Games

  • From the Main Menu:

    • Tap any saved game to load it instantly.
    • The app restores your story, world, characters, and progress exactly as you left them.

  • Recently Played:

    • The most recently played games are shown first for quick access.

  • Game Versions:

    • Only one version of each game is kept by default. For backups or older versions, use the export feature.

Exporting & Importing Games

Exporting and importing lets you back up your games, move them between devices, or share them with others.

  • Exporting:

    • Use the Export option in the Main Menu or game settings.
    • Choose a location to save the exported file (e.g., your device, cloud storage, or external drive).
    • Exported files can be re-imported later or shared with friends.

  • Importing:

    • Use the Import option to add a game from a file or from Google Drive.
    • Imported games appear in your Main Menu alongside your other saves.

  • Google Drive Integration:

    • You can import and export directly to Google Drive for easy cloud backup and transfer.
    • For full details, see the Cloud Backup documentation.

How Cloud Backup Interacts with Saving

  • Cloud Sync:

    • If you enable Google Drive integration, your saves can be automatically or manually backed up to the cloud.
    • This keeps your adventures safe even if you lose your device.
    • You can restore games from the cloud on any device where PUM Companion is installed.

  • Manual Cloud Upload/Download:

    • You can manually upload a save to Google Drive or download a backup at any time.
    • Use this to transfer games between devices or recover from a backup.

  • Auto-Save to Cloud:

    • When enabled, every time your game is saved locally, it is also synced to Google Drive.

  • For setup and troubleshooting, see:

Best Practices

  • Save often, especially before major story events or big changes.
  • Export backups regularly to another location (cloud or external drive).
  • Use clear, descriptive names for your games to avoid confusion.
  • Enable cloud backup for extra safety and easy device transfers.
  • Periodically check that your cloud backups are up to date.

Add annotated screenshots for each workflow as needed to further clarify the process.