Subway Surfers, the endless runner that has captivated millions globally, offers a compelling experience that keeps players hooked. Whether you’re grinding for high scores, collecting characters, or unlocking boards, losing your progress can be devastating. Fortunately, there are ways to transfer your Subway Surfers data between devices. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods, troubleshooting tips, and best practices to ensure your progress is safe and sound.
Understanding Save Data in Subway Surfers
Before diving into the transfer methods, it’s crucial to understand how Subway Surfers saves your progress. Primarily, the game relies on two methods: local storage and cloud saving through social media accounts.
Local Storage: The Basics
Your game progress, including high scores, unlocked characters, collected boards, and mission progress, is stored locally on your device. This means the data resides within the game’s files on your phone or tablet. Relying solely on local storage can be risky, as losing your device or performing a factory reset without backing up your data will result in complete data loss.
Cloud Saving: The Safer Bet
Subway Surfers offers a cloud saving feature, which typically involves linking your game to a social media account, such as Facebook. This allows your progress to be stored on the game’s servers. Cloud saving provides a much more reliable method for transferring your data, as your progress is tied to your account rather than being limited to a single device. However, you must remember your social media login credentials.
Transfer Methods: Step-by-Step Guides
Several methods exist for transferring your Subway Surfers data. The most common and reliable involves using the in-game cloud saving features tied to your social media accounts. Other methods, such as using file managers, are also possible but come with increased risk and complexity.
Using Facebook for Data Transfer
This is the easiest and recommended method if you’ve already connected your Subway Surfers game to your Facebook account.
Connecting to Facebook on Your Old Device
First, ensure your game is connected to Facebook on your old device. Launch Subway Surfers. Navigate to the settings menu, typically found by tapping the gear icon. Look for an option labeled “Connect to Facebook” or similar. If you’re already connected, it should display your Facebook profile picture and name. If not, tap the button and follow the on-screen instructions to log in to your Facebook account. Make sure you are using the correct Facebook account.
Connecting to Facebook on Your New Device
Install Subway Surfers on your new device. Launch the game. Go to the settings menu and find the “Connect to Facebook” option. Log in using the same Facebook account you used on your old device. The game should prompt you to load the saved game data from the cloud. Confirm that you want to load the data, and your progress should be transferred. Ensure a stable internet connection throughout this process.
Using Third-Party File Managers (Android Only)
This method is more complex and is only applicable to Android devices. It involves manually copying the game’s data files from your old device to your new device. It is generally not recommended as it can be unreliable and might violate the game’s terms of service.
Locating the Subway Surfers Data Files
Download and install a file manager app on your old Android device. Popular options include “Solid Explorer” or “ES File Explorer.” Use the file manager to navigate to the “Android/data” folder on your device’s internal storage. Look for a folder named “com.kiloo.subwaysurf.” This folder contains the game’s data files. Be extremely careful when navigating the file system.
Copying the Data Files
Copy the entire “com.kiloo.subwaysurf” folder to a safe location, such as your computer or an external storage device. You can connect your device to your computer via USB cable and transfer the folder that way. Alternatively, you can upload the folder to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Ensure you copy the entire folder.
Transferring the Data Files to Your New Device
Install Subway Surfers on your new Android device. Launch the game and play through the initial tutorial. This creates the necessary data folders on your new device. Close the game completely. Use a file manager on your new device to navigate to the “Android/data” folder. If the “com.kiloo.subwaysurf” folder does not exist, create it. Copy the contents of the “com.kiloo.subwaysurf” folder from your old device (either from your computer, external storage, or cloud storage) to the “com.kiloo.subwaysurf” folder on your new device. Ensure the folder structure is identical to the original.
Restarting the Game
Restart Subway Surfers on your new device. Hopefully, your progress should be restored. However, this method is not guaranteed to work, and you may encounter issues. This method is not officially supported and may cause instability.
Limitations of iCloud for iOS
While iCloud automatically backs up data from many apps, Subway Surfers may not always fully utilize iCloud for game progress, especially if Facebook Connect is available. Check your iCloud settings to see if Subway Surfers is listed and enabled for backup. Even if it is, relying solely on iCloud might not be as reliable as using the Facebook Connect feature for transferring progress.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Transferring data isn’t always seamless. Here are some common problems and how to address them.
Facebook Connection Issues
If you’re having trouble connecting to Facebook, make sure you have a stable internet connection. Also, verify that you’re using the correct Facebook login credentials. Sometimes, Facebook’s servers may be experiencing issues, so try again later. Double-check your login information. If the problem persists, try clearing the cache and data of the Facebook app on your device.
Data Not Loading
If you’ve successfully connected to Facebook but your data isn’t loading, try restarting the game and your device. Ensure your internet connection is stable. Sometimes, it may take a few attempts for the data to sync properly. Restarting your device can often resolve syncing issues.
Incompatibility Issues
In rare cases, incompatibility issues between different versions of the game or different operating systems can prevent data from transferring correctly. Ensure both your old and new devices are running the latest version of Subway Surfers. If you’re transferring data between an older and newer operating system, there might be compatibility issues. Keep your game updated to the latest version.
Lost Data
If you’ve tried all the methods and still can’t recover your data, contact Kiloo’s customer support. They may be able to assist you in recovering your progress, although there’s no guarantee. Contacting customer support should be your last resort. Provide them with as much information as possible about your account and progress.
Best Practices for Preventing Data Loss
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some best practices to follow to ensure your Subway Surfers data is safe and secure.
Always Connect to Facebook
The easiest and most reliable way to protect your data is to connect your game to your Facebook account. This ensures your progress is backed up to the cloud and can be easily restored if you lose your device or switch to a new one. Connecting to Facebook is highly recommended.
Regularly Back Up Your Data (Android)
If you’re using an Android device, consider using a backup app to regularly back up your entire device, including app data. This provides an extra layer of protection in case something goes wrong. Regular backups can save you from potential data loss.
Be Careful with Modded Versions
Using modded versions of the game can sometimes lead to data loss or corruption. It’s best to stick to the official version of the game from the Google Play Store or App Store. Avoid using unofficial or modded versions of the game.
Note Down Your Player ID
Your Player ID can be helpful if you need to contact customer support regarding data recovery. You can find your Player ID in the game’s settings menu. Keep a note of this somewhere safe. Your Player ID is crucial for data recovery assistance.
Conclusion
Transferring your Subway Surfers data can seem daunting, but by following these steps and understanding the underlying save mechanisms, you can ensure a smooth transition. Prioritize cloud saving through Facebook and always back up your device when possible. With the right precautions, you can continue your endless running adventure without the fear of losing your hard-earned progress. Remember that manual data transfer methods can be unreliable and should be used as a last resort. Enjoy the game and keep surfing!
Can I transfer my Subway Surfers progress between different operating systems (iOS to Android or vice versa)?
Unfortunately, transferring Subway Surfers progress directly between different operating systems, like from iOS to Android or vice versa, is typically not possible. This is because the game’s data is usually stored using platform-specific services, such as Game Center for iOS and Google Play Games for Android, which are not inherently compatible with each other. Your scores, unlocked characters, and other in-game items are tied to that specific platform.
While direct transfer might not be feasible, some users have explored using third-party tools or methods to manually move save files, but these are often unreliable and may violate the game’s terms of service, potentially leading to account issues. It’s best to start fresh on the new platform or explore any official account linking features that the game might introduce in the future.
What happens to my progress if I simply delete and reinstall Subway Surfers on the same device?
If you delete and reinstall Subway Surfers on the same device without having your progress saved to a cloud service or linked to an account, your game data will likely be lost. This is because the game’s data is usually stored locally on your device and is removed when you uninstall the application. Consider it a reset to the beginning.
To avoid losing your progress, ensure that you have connected your Subway Surfers account to either your Apple Game Center account (on iOS) or your Google Play Games account (on Android) prior to uninstalling the game. By linking your account, your progress will be saved in the cloud and can be restored when you reinstall the game and log back in.
How do I connect my Subway Surfers account to a cloud service for data backup?
Connecting your Subway Surfers account to a cloud service for data backup is essential to prevent losing your progress. On iOS devices, the game typically connects automatically to Apple’s Game Center, provided you are logged into Game Center on your device. For Android devices, Subway Surfers usually prompts you to connect to Google Play Games when you first launch the game.
If you aren’t prompted automatically, you can usually find the option to connect to Google Play Games within the game’s settings menu on Android. Look for a button or option labeled “Connect,” “Sign in,” or something similar related to Google Play Games. Once connected, your progress will be automatically backed up to the cloud, ensuring your data is safe.
What do I do if I am having trouble restoring my Subway Surfers progress after reinstalling the game?
If you are having trouble restoring your Subway Surfers progress after reinstalling the game, first make sure you are logged into the correct Game Center account (on iOS) or Google Play Games account (on Android). It’s possible you might be signed in with a different account than the one you used to originally save your game data.
Next, check your internet connection. A stable internet connection is required to download your saved data from the cloud. If your connection is strong and you are still experiencing issues, try restarting the app or even restarting your device. If the problem persists, contacting the Subway Surfers support team is recommended, as they can often help troubleshoot more complex restoration issues.
Are there any limitations to what data gets transferred when I restore my Subway Surfers progress?
While most of your in-game progress, such as scores, unlocked characters, and purchased items, should be transferred when restoring your Subway Surfers progress, some limitations might exist. For instance, certain platform-specific promotions or items obtained through unique events might not be transferable to a different device, especially if it’s a different operating system.
Additionally, ensure that the game version on your new device is up to date. Older versions may not be fully compatible with save data from newer versions, potentially leading to incomplete data restoration. Usually, any data that is specifically tied to a limited-time event that has since ended is not recoverable.
Can I transfer my Subway Surfers progress to a new device without using a cloud service?
Transferring Subway Surfers progress to a new device without using a cloud service is generally not recommended and often impossible. The most reliable and officially supported method is through connecting to Apple Game Center (on iOS) or Google Play Games (on Android), as these services provide a secure and automated way to back up and restore your data.
While technically, some advanced users might explore methods to manually copy save files from one device to another (especially on Android), this is typically complex, requires root access on Android devices, and carries the risk of data corruption or account issues. It’s almost always safer and easier to utilize the official cloud backup services provided by the game.
What if I accidentally started a new game in Subway Surfers before restoring my previous progress?
If you accidentally started a new game in Subway Surfers before restoring your previous progress, it might be possible to overwrite the new game with your old save data. First, ensure you are logged into the correct Game Center (iOS) or Google Play Games (Android) account where your previous progress was saved.
Next, try restarting the game and check if it prompts you to load your existing save. If it doesn’t, look for an option in the game settings, often labeled as “Restore Progress,” “Load Game,” or similar, which allows you to retrieve your data from the cloud. Be aware that restoring the old data will likely erase the progress you made in the new game, so proceed with caution.