How to Fish Save Fix: Steam Cloud, Data Recovery and Lost Progress

What is official, reported, and still unverified?

Official Patch 1.0.12 Steam Cloud sequence

1. On the original PC, make a dated backup of the local save before opening the game.
2. Confirm How to Fish has updated to the current version.
3. Launch the game once on the PC that holds the save.
4. Exit through the normal game flow once.
5. Wait for Steam synchronization to complete before opening the game on another device.
6. On the second device, confirm the expected save state before making new progress.

Patch 1.0.11 added save-corruption checks and automatic backups. Those safeguards do not mean every lost save can be recovered, and the patch notes do not publish a universal restore procedure.

Steam Cloud upload does not start on the original PC

Community-reported / Limited confirmation: a player reports that the original PC did not begin a Cloud upload, leaving a laptop without the expected save. The current Steam store feature list not displaying Steam Cloud does not prove that official Cloud support was removed. The root cause and affected scope remain Unverified.

Safe checks before opening the second PC

1. Back up the original PC's local save before doing anything else.
2. Confirm the game is updated to the current version.
3. Launch the game on the original PC and exit normally once.
4. Wait for Steam to finish synchronization before opening the second PC.
5. Compare the local save and synchronization file times on both devices.
6. Do not blindly choose an overwrite of the newer local or cloud save.

Data Recovery reset the aquarium and inventory

Community-reported / High impact; single report: one player reports that using Data Recovery was followed by the aquarium returning to Level 1 and fish, items, and other progress disappearing. There is currently no verified recovery method for this case.

Whether this followed selection of the wrong save, a Steam Cloud conflict, an overwrite, or Data Recovery itself is Unverified. Patch 1.0.11 backups do not guarantee recovery, and Patch 1.0.12 Steam Cloud does not guarantee that the cloud holds the correct version.

• Back up the local save before selecting Data Recovery.
• After an unexpected reset, do not run Data Recovery repeatedly.
• Record the save slot, Cloud status, and local and cloud file times.
• Do not delete any existing backup.
• Do not place an old file over a copy that may contain newer progress.

Skins and Fishipedia reset after playing on another PC

Community-reported / Limited confirmation: after creating or playing progress on a laptop, one player returned to the main PC and found Skins and Fishipedia empty while Story Progress, Achievements, and Weapon Upgrades remained. This is a partial-state report, not proof that all save data is lost.

Two explanations remain possible but unverified: the second PC's state may have overwritten part of the profile through Steam Cloud, or Skins, Fishipedia, and world progress may use different save scopes. Neither explanation is confirmed.

1. Before changing devices, launch and exit normally on the original PC.
2. Wait for Steam to state that synchronization is complete.
3. Make separate dated backups on both PCs.
4. Compare local and cloud file times before choosing any conflict resolution.
5. If a reset has occurred, stop repeatedly launching and synchronizing across both PCs.
6. Record the state of Skins, Fishipedia, Story Progress, Inventory, Cash, Achievements, and Weapon Upgrades separately.

If progress is already missing

1. Stop before creating more saves or overwriting the current state.
2. Preserve every local save, automatic backup, and Cloud-conflict copy available.
3. Record the device, save slot, game version, Steam status, and last known-good state.
4. Use only platform-supported support or recovery guidance.
5. Do not run an unknown save editor or executable against the only copy.

Related: Items Disappeared and Lost Boat, Troubleshooting Hub, Patch 1.0.12 Steam Cloud notes, and Patch 1.0.11 save safeguards.