How to Load Saved Games in FIFA 23: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

If you’ve spent hours perfecting a career, fine‑tuning your Ultimate Team, or just exploring the myriad modes in FIFA 23, the chance to jump back in without starting from scratch is priceless. Knowing how to load saved games not only saves time, it also protects the progress you’ve fought for against accidental deletions or console switches. Below you’ll find a clear walkthrough for every platform, plus a few troubleshooting tips for those moments when the game refuses to recognize your save.

Where Your FIFA 23 Saves Live

Before you can load a saved game, it helps to understand where the data is stored. On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, saves are tied to your console’s user profile and automatically synced to the cloud if you have an active online subscription. On PC (Steam or EA App), saves reside in the “Documents\FIFA 23” folder, and a cloud backup is optional but recommended. Knowing the location makes it easier to move a save between devices or recover it after a system wipe.

Loading a Career Mode Save

Career mode is the most common reason players hunt for a saved game. The process is similar across consoles, with only the interface labels shifting slightly.

• Step 1 – Launch FIFA 23. From the main menu, select Career.
• Step 2 – Choose “Load Career”. You’ll see a list of available slots; each slot shows the club, season, and progress bar.
• Step 3 – Pick the save you want. Highlight it, confirm, and the game will load directly into the day‑to‑day management screen.

If you have multiple profiles on your console, make sure you’re signed into the same account that originally created the save, otherwise the slot will appear empty.

Recovering a Lost or Corrupt Save

Corrupt saves can happen after an unexpected shutdown or a failed cloud sync. Here’s how to attempt a rescue:

• On consoles, navigate to Settings → Saved Data and Game/App Settings → Delete Saved Data. Do **not** delete yet—first check if an older cloud backup exists under “Manage Game Saves”.
• On PC, locate the “SaveData” folder inside Documents\FIFA 23. If a .bak file is present, rename it to .sav and launch the game.
• If the above fails, contact EA Support with your console’s serial number and a brief description; they sometimes can restore a recent cloud version.

Switching Between Consoles: Transferring Saves

Moving a FIFA 23 save from a PS5 to an Xbox, or from a PC to a console, isn’t officially supported because each platform encrypts the data differently. However, you can keep progress by using the “New Career” feature with the same manager name and league settings, then manually re‑enter squad selections. It’s not seamless, but it’s the only legal workaround without violating EA’s terms of service.

Loading Ultimate Team (FUT) Progress

FUT doesn’t use traditional “save slots.” Your club lives in the cloud, tied to your EA account. To access your FUT squad:

• Log into FIFA 23 with the same EA account you used when the team was built.
• From the main menu, choose Ultimate Team. The game will automatically pull the latest version of your club.

If you’re on a new console, just log in and your club appears—no extra steps needed. The only hiccup can be a mismatched region; a US‑based FUT team won’t show up on a European account.

Using the “Quick Load” Feature

For players who jump in and out of career mode frequently, FIFA 23 offers a “Quick Load” shortcut. Press the Options (PS) or Menu (Xbox) button during gameplay, then select Load Game. This bypasses the main menu and drops you straight into the last saved point, saving a few seconds—a small but welcome quality‑of‑life improvement.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even with a solid process, a few snags can crop up:

• Accidental Overwrites. Saving over an existing slot replaces the previous data permanently. To prevent this, consider keeping an “archive” slot that you never touch.
• Network Issues. Cloud sync can fail if your internet drops mid‑save. Always wait for the “Sync Complete” notification before powering down.
• Multiple Profiles. If you share a console, double‑check which profile you’re logged into; the wrong profile will show blank slots.

Tips for Keeping Your Saves Safe

Proactive habits go a long way:

• Enable automatic cloud backups in your console’s settings.
• Manually export your PC save folder to an external drive once a month.
• Use distinct names for each career (e.g., “Manchester United 2023‑24”) to avoid confusion.
• When taking a break, always use the in‑game “Save and Quit” rather than the console’s “Close Application” button.

What to Do If Loading Fails Repeatedly

Repeated loading failures usually signal a deeper issue. First, clear the cache on consoles (Power → Hold Power Button 7 seconds → Turn Off → Restart). On PC, verify game files through Steam or the EA App. If the problem persists after these steps, reinstalling FIFA 23 can reset any corrupted core files while preserving your save data—just be sure your cloud backup is up to date before you uninstall.

FAQ

Can I load a FIFA 23 career save on a different console?

Not directly. Saves are encrypted per platform, so you’d need to start a new career on the other console and replicate your settings manually.

Why does my saved game disappear after a system update?

Sometimes updates reset the cloud sync status. Logging out of your EA account and back in usually forces a resync, bringing the missing save back.

Is there a way to have multiple career saves for the same club?

Yes. FIFA 23 provides up to three career slots per profile. Choose a different slot when you start a new career, even if it’s the same club.

Do I need an EA Play subscription to use cloud saves?

No. Cloud saving is included with the standard FIFA 23 purchase on consoles, though a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription is required for the platform’s own cloud service.