How to migrate your Project Zomboid server save from SparkedHost to RiverHosting

Moving your Project Zomboid world from SparkedHost to RiverHosting is simple when you only want to bring the save itself. This guide shows you how to find your multiplayer save folder on SparkedHost, then use the Migrate page in the RiverHosting panel to pull it over SFTP, SCP or FTP. Nothing has to be downloaded to your computer first. If a players.db file is part of your save, the copy brings it across too.

Before you start

• A RiverHosting server for Project Zomboid. Create it before you migrate so the files go into a matching server.
• Your SparkedHost SFTP login details (host, port, username and password). See the SparkedHost article for how they connect over SFTP.
• The name of your save folder (the Server Name value on your SparkedHost server).
• Access to the RiverHosting panel at https://panel.riverhosting.com.

1. Get your save details from SparkedHost

On SparkedHost, the steps are short. Log in to the Apollo Panel and stop the server so the saved state is current. Then open the Startup tab and note the Server Name value. Your save folder has this same name (in their example, the folder is called Pterodactyl).

Your world lives in this location on SparkedHost:

ServerFiles/Saves/Multiplayer/<your Server Name>

You can browse to that folder from the Files tab in their panel to confirm it is there. Keep the whole folder together when you migrate.

Have your SparkedHost SFTP details ready. The SparkedHost article does not say where the host, port, username and password are shown, so if you cannot find them, ask SparkedHost support. The Admin Username and Admin Password on the Startup tab are game settings, not SFTP logins.

2. Check your RiverHosting server first

1. Log in to https://panel.riverhosting.com and open your Project Zomboid server.
2. Click Console and make sure the server is stopped. Click Stop if it is running.
3. Optional: open Backups and click Create Backup if you want a spare copy of the current RiverHosting server before anything is overwritten.

3. Pull your save with the Migrate page

1. In the RiverHosting panel, open Migrate under SYSTEM.
2. Choose the protocol that matches your SparkedHost login. SparkedHost uses SFTP. The page also supports SCP and FTP.
3. Enter the Host, Port, Username and Password from SparkedHost.
4. In Remote Path, enter the path to your save on SparkedHost: ServerFiles/Saves/Multiplayer/ followed by your Server Name. This pulls just the world folder.
5. In Destination Path, enter the matching place on RiverHosting: Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/ followed by the same Server Name.
6. Click Test Connection. Wait for a success message.
7. If the panel offers Switch to Project Zomboid or Migrate Anyway, read the note below before you choose.
8. Click Start Migration.
9. Watch Migration Status. It shows progress and the file being copied. Wait until it finishes.

4. Make the server use your migrated save

1. Open Saves in the GAME section of the sidebar.
2. Find your migrated save in the list. It shows its size and last played time.
3. Click Activate on it, then confirm with Set Active. The server will load this save on its next restart.
4. Go to Console and click Start (or Restart if it is running).
5. When the server is online, join using the IP shown in the panel header.

5. Optional: take a spare backup on RiverHosting

Once your world is running the way you want, you can store a safe copy of it.

1. Open Backups.
2. Click Create Backup.
3. Enter a Backup Name if you like, then confirm.
4. Use the lock option on the backup if you want to protect it from being deleted.

Troubleshooting

• Test Connection fails: check that the Host, Port, Username and Password are copied exactly from SparkedHost, and that the protocol matches. If it still fails, contact RiverHosting support.
• You cannot find the SFTP details on SparkedHost: their article does not show where they are, so ask SparkedHost support for them.
• The server starts a fresh, empty world: open Saves and check that your migrated save is marked Active, then restart. The save folder name should match your old Server Name.
• Your save is not listed on the Saves page: open Files and check that the folder is inside Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer. If it landed somewhere else, run the migration again with the right Destination Path.
• Your settings or mods are missing: this guide moves the world only, so set them up again in the panel.
• A migration stopped part way: files already copied are kept. Start the migration again to continue. Files with the same name will be overwritten.

Need help?

If Test Connection keeps failing or your world does not load after the move, the RiverHosting team is happy to help. Open a ticket at https://riverhosting.com/support and tell us your server name and what you see in Migration Status.