Backup Xbox 360 Saves to Flash Drive

You can copy saves for many games from your Xbox 360 to a flash drive. This process doesn't work with every game.

Note #1: This tutorial assumes that you are using an Xbox 360 console updated to the newest available version at the time of this writing (May 28, 2013).

Note #2: The 360 sometimes saves game data as part of your console / Xbox Live profile. Because you cannot copy this profile, this tutorial will not cover profiles.

Preparing the Flash Drive

You need a flash drive that is supported by the Xbox 360. According to info from the 'Configure USB Device' screen (discussed below), this flash drive must be 1GB or larger. All flash drives used with the 360 must be configured before copying save data.

If you have an oddly-shaped flash drive, you may need to plug it into the back of the system if there are any available USB ports.

Plug-in your flash drive and turn your system on. From the home screen (where you'll see stuff like 'Open Tray' and multiple advertisements):

1. Press RB ('Right Button') six times
2. Using the left thumbstick (or pad), select 'System' by pressing A
3. Select 'Storage' from the menu that appears
4. Select your flash drive from the list (should say 'USB Storage Device')

If options are grayed out, it means that you cannot use the flash drive with your 360.

There should be two options available.

• Configure Now will wipe your flash drive & use "up to 32 GB" (according to the option text) of your flash drive
• Customize will not wipe your hard drive and you can devote a specific amount of space to 360 storage

From Hard Drive to Flash Drive

Plug-in your flash drive and turn your system on. From the home screen (where you'll see stuff like 'Open Tray' and multiple advertisements):

1. Press RB ('Right Button') six times
2. Using the left thumbstick (or pad), select 'System' by pressing A
3. Select 'Storage' from the menu that appears
4. Select 'Hard Drive' 
5. Select 'Games and Apps'
6. Games that you have save data for will be shown: select a game
7. Select your saved game
8. Select 'Copy' and the 'Memory Unit' device

If you select a saved game that cannot be copied, the 360 will show an error message.

From Flash Drive to HD

To restore saved games, you mostly follow the steps from the 'From Hard Drive to Flash Drive' section. Instead of selecting 'Hard Drive' at step 4, select your memory unit.

Where Are My Saves?

Your saves will be located in the XBOX directory of the flash drive. Due to how 360 saves are stored, save files are not individual stored as separate files.