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How to import your save from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2

By Kenny32673

Exactly what it says on the tin:

Because this question comes up a lot on the forum, a quick guide on how to import your Mass Effect save game into Mass Effect 2.

This is only required in the original games. None of this is required in the Mass Effect Legendary Edition where everything is pretty much automatic and all you have to do is choose the option to import your character when starting a new game.

There are two methods, one using the config utility which is the standard way. The other manually copying the completed save files to the right folder, which is probably the simplest and quickest way. Use whichever you like though.

Note that only completed Mass Effect 1 game saves can be imported. Any partial playthroughs cannot be imported.

Also note that save game folders are located in the My Documents folder and NOT the game installation folder.

Award

Created by

Kenny32673
Offline

Category: Characters, Gameplay Basics, Modding or Configuration

Languages: English

Posted

Updated

3 Jun, 2014 @ 3:22am

9 Jan, 2023 @ 5:18am

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Guide Index

Overview

Method 1: Using the Mass Effect 2 config utility

Method 2: Copy the files manually yourself

Comments

Method 1: Using the Mass Effect 2 config utility

Step One

Click Play on ME2 in Steam and you will see this:
Select Mass Effect 2 Launcher then click Play.

Step Two

You will then see this:
Click Configure.

Step Three

You will then see this:
On the left, click Save Games
Click the Copy Mass Effect 1 Save Games button.

Step Four

You will then see this:
The correct folder should already be selected as in the picture.
If for some reason it isn't, browse to My Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect\save so it looks like the picture above and click ok.

NOTE: Please ensure you browse to the My Documents folder and not the game's installation folder
You won't get any confirmation that it has done anything but it will work as long as you have save games in there.

Step Five

Launch Mass Effect 2.
On the main menu click New Game and you should see this:
Click Import ME1 character and you should see your ME1 characters there to choose from.

Method 2: Copy the files manually yourself

You can also just copy your saves manually to the correct folder.

Go to \My Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect\Save\
Select any files that begin with CHAR_ (These are the completed game saves that can be imported)
Copy those files to \My Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect 2\Save\ME1\
If there is no ME1 folder located in the ME2 save folder then simply create the ME1 folder in here yourself.
Now those saves should show up in-game when you select Import ME1 Character.

85 Comments

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Kenny32673 [author] 26 Jun @ 8:31pm

@Shark Hunter - Can you explain further? What exactly have you done and what is happening with the EA App?

Shark Hunter 25 Jun @ 2:04pm

I can't get the launcher to open because of the EA app and I finished to game and I transferred it over to the correct place. I still can't get my original game play to move over.

The Snitch of Izalith 9 May, 2024 @ 7:06pm

Wonderful! thank you very much! also works for the "2010 Edition" version that comes with the DLCs (there's 2 2010 versions for those confused)

vanster__ 22 Jul, 2023 @ 6:33am

Hey, i actually did it before by getting some guidance from others and it did indeed work the way you said. I don't recommend it tho as it only takes in the progress and choices you did from the first game but you loose your entire paragon and renegade points for some reason. Well ME1 LE looks way different after i tried so im okay with it. The gunfight was the worst and least enjoyable thing but on LE it is actually not bad at all.

Kenny32673 [author] 22 Jul, 2023 @ 4:18am

@vanster__ - I could be wrong (and somebody may correct me if I am) but my info is that ME1 saves themselves are not compatible with the LE due to the changes made to ME1 LE. However ME2 and ME3 saves are compatible - so, if you own the original ME2 you could import your ME1 save into the original ME2 then once you get to the point you can save and quit, copy that ME2 save into the ME2 LE save location and it will work that way.

vanster__ 20 Jul, 2023 @ 9:42am

hey i know this is old but i just finished mass effect 1 the original one. is there some kind of way i can import the save onto legendary edition 2 since i bought the legendary edition on steam as well? don't really wanna redo the entire first game on legendary edition now.. all games i play from steam

♜ SɭYTɧeRiɳ ♜ 20 Jul, 2022 @ 6:20pm

costco bimbo 24 Apr, 2022 @ 9:30pm

What tin? What in the british is going on

oblomizer 7 Jan, 2022 @ 1:11am

Can i import saves from Mass Effect 1 XBOX360 version?

özürlü31 17 Sep, 2021 @ 4:23am

THX

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