Does Diablo 3 Have Cross Save?

No, unfortunately Diablo 3 still does not support any form of cross-platform saving or progression syncing as of 2023. Your game progress and characters remain locked to the original platform where you play the game.

What‘s the Difference: Cross Save vs Cross Play vs Cross Progression?

Before digging deeper, let‘s clearly define some key cross-platform gaming terms:

Cross save: Transferring game save files from one platform to another platform manually

Cross play: Playing with others simultaneously across different gaming platforms

Cross progression: Automatic syncing of game progression across platforms via linked account

Cross progression goes beyond cross save by providing continuous real-time syncing of saves. This allows seamless swapping between platforms without needing manual transfers.

Diablo Games With Cross Progression

Cross progression is considered an essential benchmark feature for modern multiplayer titles. Unfortunately, while most mainline Diablo games now offer account-based cross progression, the iconic Diablo 3 remains stuck in the past without platform syncing:

This contrasts with competitor action RPGs like Path of Exile and Torchlight 3 which have incorporated account systems to enable some form of cross progression across platforms.

Inside Blizzard‘s Cross Progression Strategy

Based on their platform updates for newer Diablo games, Blizzard Entertainment is clearly acknowledging cross progression as an essential expectation for modern multiplayer titles.

By linking various Blizzard game accounts to a central Battle.net ID system, they facilitate progression syncing across devices and enable a frictionless cross-platform gameplay experience.

However, questions remain on why the hugely successful Diablo 3 has not received similar cross-platform upgrades to align with fan expectations in the era of live services and seasonal content models.

Business Priorities vs Technical Limitations

Analysts speculate that with Diablo 4 in active development and Diablo 2 Resurrected also requiring ongoing resources, retrofitting the aging Diablo 3 codebase for cross progression may have become deprioritized within Blizzard.

Diablo 3 celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2022 and exists now as a mature game with little monetization potential. For publicly traded Activision Blizzard, allocating costly engineering resources to non-revenue driving features on older titles likely faces scrutiny.

There also may be legitimate technical hurdles or backend compatibility issues preventing cross-platform profile syncing in Diablo 3‘s decade old architecture.

Community Cross Save Requests

Despite its longevity, Diablo 3 still maintains a dedicated core player base. Among vocal Diablo gaming communities, official feature requests for cross save support on Diablo 3 receive strong enthusiasm:

• 19.2k Upvotes on Diablo Subreddit Request Threads
• 1.8k Votes on Blizzard Feature Request Forum Thread
• 92% fan approval based on Reddit polls

Fans eagerly point to cross save implementations by competitor studios on equally dated games, believing similar upgrades feasible for Diablo 3.

While unlikely to sway Activision Blizzard‘s cost analysis, this data highlights the sustained demand for cross platform progression even a decade post-launch.

Transferring Diablo 3 Saves: Manual Method

Without automated cross progression, Diablo 3 players resort to manual, tedious save transferring workarounds. Still, carefully following certain steps allows salvaging progress when switching devices:

Console to Console

Export character saves individually then import onto new console through the Diablo 3 main menus. But heed warnings – imported saves will OVERWRITE existing local characters.

1. On old console, go to Settings > More > Export Save
2. On new console, select Import Save from main menu
3. Repeat for each Diablo 3 character

PC to PC

Navigate to local save file locations and directly copy folders over to new PC:

Saved character locations

Windows PC: \Documents\Diablo III\

Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Blizzard/Diablo III/

Steps

1. Copy entire account folder over to same location on new PC
2. May need to run Diablo 3 once first to generate folders

Note: Cloud sync conflicts may occur if both PCs have active Diablo 3 access.

No PC – Console Transfers!

Console and Windows/Mac versions keep separate local save files. There are NO options to directly transfer data between console and PC for Diablo.

This frustrating limitation remains one of the top reasons fans desperately want official cross save added to Diablo 3!

What are the Odds for Diablo 3 Cross Progression?

With cross platform play an increasing emphasis in gaming, will Blizzard ever expand Diablo 3 with mobile and console syncing?

I speculate the chances appear low in the near term unless:

1. Cross progression interlinks with a Diablo 2 / Diablo 4 promotion

Potentially acting as an inbound player funnel before the big Diablo 4 launch.

2. Diablo 3 gets significant new monetized content

Justifying greater investment into core systems.

3. Fan demands and complaints reach fever pitch

Forcing a public response (still unlikely leading to action)

Of course as an evergreen franchise, hope endures that someday in the future we may see Diablo 3 updated to support unified progression and play across all platforms.

Cross Progression is Key for Modern Gaming

With gaming services and seasonal content models emphasizing long-term engagement, the ability to enjoy games seamlessly across devices has become a core quality of life feature fans demand.

For the grind-heavy Diablo series built on character progression within an endlessly replayable campaign, losing access to high level heroes and rare gear simply by switching platforms seems archaic.

Cross platform synchronization offers ARPG diehards empowering flexibility to continue their adventure anywhere, anytime!

What games are still due for your most wanted cross progressionWish list? Let me know in the comments!