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GatoMancer 24 Jun @ 6:31pm
Steam Cloud Sync deleting save files on fresh game installs.
Howdy, I'm running into a problem with the Steam Cloud Sync. I'm unsure if it's Linux client specific or a Steam specific issue but I'll describe what I'm encountering.

I recently got a portable unit (GPD Win Max 2 Ryzen AI 9 model) and setup a Kubuntu 25.04 dual boot on it. I use the same Kubuntu on my main system (HP Victus Ryzen 7, Geforce 4070).

The problem I'm encountering is when I install a game on the portable unit, Steam cloud says it syncs successfully but the games launch with no save data. Odd?

When i exit the games it then syncs this state with the Steam cloud. I return to my main system and steam cloud syncs and erases all my saves and progress.

WIth some games if I hadn't backed up the save files I'd lost a LOT of progress (Clair Obscure End game save files for example)

this issue hasn't happened with my Windows Desktop and windows installs and hasn't happened before going from Windows synced files into Linux.

So far it's happened with Final Fantasy XVI, Clair Obscure, Vellum, Tower Dominion.

It doesn't happen to all games, some have properly synced their data like Armored Core 6, Elden Ring, Elden Ring: Nightreign, Romancing Saga 2 Remake, and Wizard of Legend 2.

I am not currently using the Flatpak steam installer (it blocks the Steam Input API from working) but using the .deb installer from Valves download page.

any assistance would be appreciated.
Last edited by GatoMancer; 24 Jun @ 6:53pm
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Showing 1-15 of 24 comments
grzegorz77 25 Jun @ 2:33am 
So you haven't heard yet that the only correct method of installation is:
apt-get install steam

This .deb package is there for you to download, just in case your distribution does not include Steam.

Installing packages from the web is always a bad idea if you are not forced to do so and know exactly what you are doing.
#1
Zyro 25 Jun @ 3:42am 
Originally posted by grzegorz77:
So you haven't heard yet that the only correct method of installation is:
apt-get install steam

This .deb package is there for you to download, just in case your distribution does not include Steam.

Installing packages from the web is always a bad idea if you are not forced to do so and know exactly what you are doing.

I agree...
... but that shouldn't be the source of your problem, GatoMancer.

Never heard of that one before, though it should have hit people, like those using Steam Deck and Linux on desktop?
#2
grzegorz77 25 Jun @ 4:10am 
There are 2 computers with Kubuntu and probably both have Steam installed downloaded from the website.

Somewhere on the line between them and the cloud, there is information that the folder is empty, or something similar. And synchronization occurs = "empty folder".

The easiest way would be to allocate an additional 15 GB partition and install a fresh Linux, either for the final use or for testing.

Of course, you can try to install Steam correctly.
Or create a new user and install Steam correctly.
#3
GatoMancer 25 Jun @ 11:07am 
Originally posted by grzegorz77:
There are 2 computers with Kubuntu and probably both have Steam installed downloaded from the website.

Somewhere on the line between them and the cloud, there is information that the folder is empty, or something similar. And synchronization occurs = "empty folder".

The easiest way would be to allocate an additional 15 GB partition and install a fresh Linux, either for the final use or for testing.

Of course, you can try to install Steam correctly.
Or create a new user and install Steam correctly.

Using Flathub or Discover is an official way to install packages. I've been using Linux for years off and on since 2002. The past year I've been dedicated on it. all apt-get would do is install the .deb package from the Ubuntu repository.

So the issue I described did occur on the portable unit using both the Flatpak and .deb package for Steam. I changed to the .deb due to the Steam Input issue I ran into (not addressed here).

I apologize I did leave a small bit of info out by accident: my main system is running the Flatpak package.
#4
GatoMancer 25 Jun @ 11:12am 
Originally posted by Zyro:
Originally posted by grzegorz77:
So you haven't heard yet that the only correct method of installation is:
apt-get install steam

This .deb package is there for you to download, just in case your distribution does not include Steam.

Installing packages from the web is always a bad idea if you are not forced to do so and know exactly what you are doing.

I agree...
... but that shouldn't be the source of your problem, GatoMancer.

Never heard of that one before, though it should have hit people, like those using Steam Deck and Linux on desktop?

I know, but software errors can still exist in weird situations.

I was dual booting my desktop windows / linux and it would sync fine between the boots. my older gaming Laptop (Asus ROG STRIX Ryzen 7, Geforce 3060) also would sync fine between windows and linux game installs. My newer laptop (the HP victus) syncs without problem. Its only my GPD portable unit that spawned this problem and I'm trying to find a solution to it.
#5
grzegorz77 25 Jun @ 3:26pm 
Originally posted by GatoMancer:
Originally posted by grzegorz77:
.....

Using Flathub or Discover is an official way to install packages. I've been using Linux for years off and on since 2002. The past year I've been dedicated on it. all apt-get would do is install the .deb package from the Ubuntu repository.

So the issue I described did occur on the portable unit using both the Flatpak and .deb package for Steam. I changed to the .deb due to the Steam Input issue I ran into (not addressed here).

I apologize I did leave a small bit of info out by accident: my main system is running the Flatpak package.

Both flatpak and the .deb package downloaded from the web are discouraged and unofficial methods of installation.

Flatpak, additionally, is a community package, and it is officially discouraged by Valve.


But do as you wish. :lunar2020halodragon:
#6
GatoMancer 25 Jun @ 4:23pm 
mind linking the source of that info?
#7
grzegorz77 25 Jun @ 6:00pm 
Originally posted by GatoMancer:
mind linking the source of that info?

I don't have time for that.
But feel free to paste it when you find it.
#8
GatoMancer 25 Jun @ 6:13pm 
Originally posted by grzegorz77:
Originally posted by GatoMancer:
mind linking the source of that info?

I don't have time for that.
But feel free to paste it when you find it.

so ya have nothing to backup your claim, got it.
#9
Zyro 25 Jun @ 11:12pm 
Originally posted by GatoMancer:
Originally posted by grzegorz77:

I don't have time for that.
But feel free to paste it when you find it.

so ya have nothing to backup your claim, got it.

The Flatpak is giving people on the forums headaches, like they cannot access other discs, or e.g. a microphone. This is probably all fixable, but if you just want to use Steam, you can have such stuff working without troubles by not using the Flatpak version. One main advantage of Flatpak I see in general, getting newer software, doesn't apply here anyway because Steam updates itself anyway.

For downloading the deb manually, it's all logical: The distributions (especially the ones that are deb based) are taking the deb and adapting it to their respective distribution. They are making it a better fit. Why would anybody work on the deb to make it worse?
#10
grzegorz77 26 Jun @ 3:47am 
@Zyro

Flatpak also has another major advantage, it is a sandbox that can separate applications from the system.

I think it's just confusing.
Flatpak is intended to be something simpler.
But in the case of such a complex application like Steam, it simply doesn't work.

For most flaptak applications, it is some kind of alternative for a beginner linux user.
But in the case of Steam, Flatpak seems to be a good choice, rather for advanced users wanting to separate Steam from the system.
But is it really good? I would prefer a separate system or a separate PC for such separation.
#11
Zyro 26 Jun @ 3:55am 
Originally posted by grzegorz77:
@Zyro

Flatpak also has another major advantage, it is a sandbox that can separate applications from the system.

I think it's just confusing.
Flatpak is intended to be something simpler.
But in the case of such a complex application like Steam, it simply doesn't work.

For most flaptak applications, it is some kind of alternative for a beginner linux user.
But in the case of Steam, Flatpak seems to be a good choice, rather for advanced users wanting to separate Steam from the system.
But is it really good? I would prefer a separate system or a separate PC for such separation.

Yeah, I'm aware, that's why I wrote "One main advantage". I wondered if I should mention the other one I'm aware of but didn't want to make it too complicated. :)

I agree.
For a beginner, I would recommend the distribution's "native" Steam package.
If you're now what you're doning, as always: Do what you're knowing. ;)
#12
GatoMancer 26 Jun @ 10:02am 
Originally posted by Zyro:
Originally posted by GatoMancer:

so ya have nothing to backup your claim, got it.

The Flatpak is giving people on the forums headaches, like they cannot access other discs, or e.g. a microphone. This is probably all fixable, but if you just want to use Steam, you can have such stuff working without troubles by not using the Flatpak version. One main advantage of Flatpak I see in general, getting newer software, doesn't apply here anyway because Steam updates itself anyway.

For downloading the deb manually, it's all logical: The distributions (especially the ones that are deb based) are taking the deb and adapting it to their respective distribution. They are making it a better fit. Why would anybody work on the deb to make it worse?

I like Flatpaks sandboxing by default to contain potential app misbehavior and it seems more distro's are aiming for that as the default package format.

however using the flatpak hasn't caused this syncing issue on other system installs. and it doesn't explain why the issue persists with the non-flatpak install
#13
AngryBeard 2 Jul @ 7:00am 
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but with the newest versions of Ubuntu I thought you get the snap package version of Steam if you either download from the store or use apt-get.

And I would be in agreement that you don't want to run steam in a sandboxed environment like flatpak or snap.

Yeah, just looked it up:
As of Ubuntu 23.10 and later, if you install Steam via apt or the Software Center, you are getting the Snap version of Steam, by default.

Edit: So no, I would not install steam using apt in Ubuntu.
IMO, OP did it the correct way.
Last edited by AngryBeard; 2 Jul @ 7:07am
#14
grzegorz77 2 Jul @ 7:22am 
Originally posted by AngryBeard:
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but with the newest versions of Ubuntu I thought you get the snap package version of Steam if you either download from the store or use apt-get.

And I would be in agreement that you don't want to run steam in a sandboxed environment like flatpak or snap.

Yeah, just looked it up:
As of Ubuntu 23.10 and later, if you install Steam via apt or the Software Center, you are getting the Snap version of Steam, by default.

Edit: So no, I would not install steam using apt in Ubuntu.
IMO, OP did it the correct way.


Ubuntu is strange, it has followed in the footsteps of Windows, etc.

If you install something via apt-get, you should receive a package from apt base as a result.
But someone mentioned that Ubuntu can replace installed applications with its own snap packages.
Such behavior will be characteristic only for Ubuntu (which I do not recommend) and you will not encounter it in any other distribution.

I think that in Ubuntu, the correct installation of Steam involved adding the archive to apt. Ubuntu probably did not contain the correct (.deb) installer for Steam.

As for the desktop app store.
Most distributions installed flatpak packages in this way.
But Mint allowed to choose, Flaptak or a full-fledged .deb application.
I don't know what the current routine is, I only use apt-get.


Yes, in Ubuntu, you should add the library to apt.
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install steam
>>>
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/app/221410/discussions/0/6655846466487955392/#c4843147760497255917

edit:
My eyes hurt when I see so much sudo, what a nightmare. (-L):
su -l
add-apt-repository multiverse
apt update
apt upgrade
apt install steam
exit
Last edited by grzegorz77; 2 Jul @ 7:26am
#15
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Date Posted: 24 Jun @ 6:31pm
Posts: 24

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