Did you know that with a little legwork and a free application you can easily transfer your Angry Birds progress across an iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Mac? This is great if you happen to have more than one iOS device (i.e. an iPhone and an iPad) or recently upgraded. This is also a great way to backup your Angry Birds progress in the event something goes awry.
Update: We have created a more-comprehensive guide, including many more platforms and some specific file paths. The iOS directions circle back here, but if you are looking for a different device, check out our Ultimate Backup Tutorial for all Platforms.
Disclaimer: We are not responsible if something goes wrong while performing the steps below.
Step 1: Before We Begin Lets Take Some Precautions
- Be sure you have the same version of Angry Birds installed on both devices (exception, SD and HD versions of the same app are OK).
- Be sure you’re copying the files off your device and not removing them.
- Before you overwrite any .lua file on your device create a backup copy first.
- Sync ALL devices with iTunes first. This way if something happens you can always restore.
Step 2: Install DiskAid
- Direct Link Change! DiskAid has become a product called iMazing. Our personal preference is still for DiskAid in terms of user-interface and cost. The direct link in (1) below has been updated to reflect the change, which can be a little tough to find. Let us know if you have any questions.
- Install DiskAid, which is available for both PC & Mac. While a paid version is available and can do a whole lot of cool stuff, the free version will work perfectly fine for this guide.
- Configure DiskAid. In the Menu Bar, click DiskAid > Preferences > Storage. Enable all three options: “Show all Apps even if…”, “Show root path for Apps”, and “Show hidden files and folders”.
Step 3: Copying the Angry Birds .lua Files Off Your iOS Device
- Open DiskAid.
- Connect the device you want to transfer your progress FROM. Once your device is connected, DiskAid should recognize it.
- Click “Apps”. Look through the app icons to find the application directory that you’re looking to transfer / backup.
- Click to open the desired app folder, then open the “Documents” folder.
- In the “Documents” folder you’ll see a few .lua files. You will want to copy over any of the following .lua files that you see:
- highscores.lua
- settings.lua
- {purchases}.lua (if applicable, such as Space and Star Wars)
- highscores_<hash>.lua and settings_<hash>.lua (if applicable via Rovio Accounts; learn more!)
Select them all and drag them into a folder on your PC / Mac. Once all these .lua files are copied over you effectively have a backup copy.
Step 4: Copying the Saved .lua Files onto Another iOS Device
- Connect the iOS device you want to transfer your progress TO and sync it with iTunes (if you already did you can skip this step). This way if something goes wrong you can restore.
- After the sync with iTunes is complete disconnect the device, launch DiskAid, then reconnect the same device again.
- Now repeat steps 3 and 4 above in order to navigate to the version of Angry Birds you’re looking to copy your data too. Remember, if copying from an iPhone or iPod Touch to an iPad you can go from non-HD to HD versions (the directory on the iPad includes “HD” in the name).
- Once you have the “Documents” folder open in DiskAid copy or drag the respective .lua files you previously saved on your computer onto your device (in other words, drag them from you computer into DiskAid, which will in turn copy them to your device — overwriting what was previously there).
- Once this is done you’ve effectively transferred your progress from one device to another, but in order to see the progress on the new device you need to completely close and reopen Angry Birds.
Step 5: Completely Restarting Angry Birds
- If you’re running a next generation iOS device you don’t have to restart to completely close Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons, etc. Rather, double-tap the home key. That will open the multitasking menu. Swipe the windows upward to close the programs.
- For those running older devices, such an older iPod Touch, just old down the power key and restart your device.
- Finally, reopen Angry Birds and you should see your progress correlates with what was on your other device.
- Rejoice!
Hi AMslimfordy,
It has been 3 days since the transfer of files to the iPad. The ABs HD Achievements have not updated yet.
1. Any suggestions as to the path forward for this situation?
2. Is there someone to discuss this with at Apple Game Center that can correct this?
3. Is there something I need to do inABs HD games to unlock something to let the Achievements load from the iPhone to the iPad?
4. Should I be more patient and wait? If so how long do you estimate?
Is this Space or Seasons?
Sorry for not being more detailed.
This situation relates to my note on 4/20/12 @ 5:29 am on page 4 of this subject and your previous response.
This only concerns the transfer of lua files between the SD and HD version of the Angry Birds game. All the other transfers worked fine.
There’s not much that can be done. Sometimes app updates will trigger GameCenter to “check” achievements again, so it may be best just to wait.
I think an easier way for devices that belong to the same user, and in case a device is registered in another computer (possibly), Windows only.
1. Open iTunes.
2. See for your interested Angry Birds app.
3. Right-click, and choose “View in Windows Explorer” or something…
4. Copy the selected file to a SD card or an USB key.
5. Now on the second computer where you installed iTunes and registered your 2nd device, go to:
(XP) :\Documents and Settings\\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Mobile Applications
(Vista, 7) :\Users\\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Mobile Applications
6. Copy the app file from the external disk and paste it into the folder.
7. Open iTunes and connect the 2nd device to connect it.
For security, copy the original file in a backup folder, if the game won’t work.
Hope this works!
I don’t think this is the best way of doing things. Better to use an app designed to access files
I know it’s complicated, but there is no need to set up an application.
The application is easier.
Hi – I did as directed each step. The progress is updated correctly up to the point I had gotten with my 3gs. Now on my 4, I open the ABO, play a new level. After popping all the pigs, the app closes unexpectedly. Everytime.
Any idea how to fix? I’ve re-done the steps many times.
Thanks
Have you cleared your multitask bar and restarted your phone?
Cleared everything. I also re-spring/restart after adding the new .iua files.
Are both AB up-to-date, version 2.1.0?
I thought of that – made sure they were both up to date. v2.1.0 I’m probably going to do a fresh install of ABO on the new device and try this again. I’m not optimistic though. any more help is appreciated.
Incidentally, I thought maybe the 3gs version was corrupted so I opened that up and played through a couple of unplayed levels without incident. SMH
Best way to describe it – it’s as if the highscores.lua file is read-only/write protected so that when I finish a level it can’t write the score to the file. I checked properties and that’s not the case, just acting that way.
Trying completely closing ABo on both devices then copy the highscores.lua and settings.lua off the 3gs and onto the 4 again. Then launch ABo to see if that helps.
Apologies if I’m a little late, but hopefully I can still help. Since you have a backup of your files, try the following:
1) Uninstall the app
2) Restart the device
3) Reinstall the app
4) Play 1 level of the app (score doesn’t really matter)
5) Close the app via multitasking
6) Now copy your backed-up files over
Brilliant! That seemed to do it right. So relieved I don’t have to do those 243 levels again with all three stars. Now just have to work through Mine n Dine to Surf and Turf!
Good show mates, I appreciate it.
Shane
I tried this method and it’s still crashing. If I copy just the highscores.lua file, I can see all my previous scores, but when I finish a new level, it crashes as if it can’t write to the .lua file. If I copy both the highscores and settings .lua files, the app crashes on the AB title screen. Any other suggestions?
Figured it out. The owner of the files was listed as “root” instead of “mobile”…I think it was because my iPod Touch and my iPhone 4S have different iOS versions, which probably means they have different file structures.
@sal9 @AMslimfordy do either of you have a Mac with AB installed? If so would you be able to see if you can find the path for the highscore & setting files? I have tried the folders you listed on the Backup Tutorial page and can’t locate them there. Are they hidden folders? When i go into the Application Support folder there is nothing listed for Rovio or AB. I’m stumped.
You referred to the new Ultimate Backup post? It has the filepaths there, provided by Sal.
yes, I have tried both of the paths that he mentioned but I couldn’t locate either. I have Seasons and ABO on my mac but couldn’t locate the ,com.rovio.mac folder in application support or containers. I did watch the tutorial video you guys have posted and the guy on the video clearly goes to the folder that Sal has listed so it is most likely just me not searching correctly. I figured I would ask and maybe there is another way for me to search the directories or maybe they are hidden?
I’ll direct this to a Mac user.
cc: @sal9
@DonnMega
ABO
I see the com.rovio.mac.AngryBirds folder on both Leopard 10.6.8 and Lion 10.7.4.
~userhome~/Library/Application Support/
Which os 10 are you using?
Note: You must access your library from your home folder using finder and not from the macintosh HD.
Also, make sure you play at least one level in each game so that the folder and setting/highscore lua files are created.
ABS
For leopard 10.6.8, the com.rovio.mac.angrybirdsseasons is in the same location as ABO ~userhome~/Library/Application Support/
bl and slim, we’ll have to edit the article.Resolved via pm.
Locating the Library folder on os 10.7 was the main issue.
Files were at the expected locations.
Awesome! Worked perfectly!!
I followed all the directions for iExplorer, and when I tried to copy the files to my ipad (trying to overwrite it), it gives me the prompt: Are you sure you want to delete the specified file: Documents/settings.lua
What am I doing wrong?
It should prompt you to overwrite.
Make sure you are pasting on the document folder.
Yes, I am pasting it in the document folder. When I drag the file from my computer to the document folder, it gives me the above prompt.
copy/paste is safer than drag & drop. Give it a try.
How do you copy and paste? If I right click on the settings.lua or highscores.lua file, it says, add new folder or delete selected
I was able to copy the files by right-clicking in the document folder and selecting ‘Add Files’ then selecting the files from my computer. It then prompted me to overwrite, and I selected yes. Hopefully this helps.
Thanks so much for this info. It totally worked! I was able to transfer my progress from my iPod touch 3rd gen to my iPad 2. I’m so glad I don’t have to restart all the levels on my iPad for the original Angry Birds.
When I try dragging the files to copy them, it won’t let me do it. Right-clicking doesn’t work either as the option “copy” doesn’t show up.
Which program are you using?
The function you want to use is: right-click / export to folder, on your desktop. ( there is no option to copy from device with iExplorer)
Then you can copy from desktop and paste to your chosen location.
Windows 7
If you were using iExplorer, refer to Sal’s comment.
When I right click, there is no export to folder option
Try holding down right-click and dragging to the desired folder. When you release the right-click, you should have the option to Copy.
In regard of iOS5 compatibility, PhoneBrowse is much better than similar applications. It’s also good to see we are using a tool without any limits or ads.
I was able to transfer all of my AB, ABSeasons, and ABRio from my iPhone 4S to my new iPad. The ABSeasons and ABRio data also transferred to the HD versions and all of the achievements registered. For some reason, AB to ABHD didn’t work as well. It didn’t register any of the “Finish World X” achievements after the world 2 achievement. Anyone else experience an issue like this?
Also, if I attempt to transfer my ABSpaceHD data to ABSpace it doesn’t pick up any of the achievements either. Anyone else experience this?
I did try this method from @AMslimfordy‘s:
1) Uninstall the app
2) Restart the device
3) Reinstall the app
4) Play 1 level of the app (score doesn’t really matter)
5) Close the app via multitasking
6) Now copy your backed-up files over
GameCenter still seems to be pulling over whatever it had before which is still missing the “Finish World X” achievements for ABHD and all of the achievements for ABSpace. Obviously I can live with it because I have my original save files from the iPhone all on the iPad now, but the inconsistency annoys my compulsive sidel.
Issues with achievements are typically resolved upon the next app update. For now, I would recommend patience.
Thanks AMslimfordy. That’s what I figured. I’ll just leave the data there and hope for an app update.
When i try to use iexplorer it keeps telling me i have reached my 5 app limit for this session but i havent opened any apps. what am i doing wrong?
As we say in the post, iExplorer is very finicky. DiskAid is quite a bit more consistent.
i tried diskaid. it doesnt even show my angry birds app
oops never mind i see how to do it
I tried iPhone explorer on Mac and followed the videos instructions, but when I took out the files and was about to replace them, it crashed. (I was doing this on the same device if it makes a difference.). When I went back in, it had another file, which was 178 mega bytes instead of 44. I looked at my iPad to inspect this file, and it unlocked every level with 0 stars and all game center achievements, and mighty eagle and I Ben got all golden eggs except three star ones and golden piggy. Anyone know anything about this? Bug?
Sounds like you made a bit of a faux-pas when using iExplorer. That program is accessing some of the root files on your devices, and if it crashed, bad things would likely happen.
Hello. I have a different itunes account for each of my devices. How can I transfer progress?
The process is not related to itunes accounts.
The instructions above will work.
Does this work for Mac OS X 10.8? I can’t seem to find the files to replace (even after recording some scores)…
Try this post instead. A bit more specific (and more recent).
Hi it seems iExplorer is no longer free?
It looks like it is still free to try.
Worked like a dream on orginal, Seasons & Space. On Rio, my “fruit” achievements didn’t come over — only scores, including the bonus scores, and eagle feathers. Any idea why or if there’s anything to be done except find all the fruit over again on my new iPad? Thanks.
my iphone3 got wet and is not working. i am going to buy an iphone5. i completed all levels and eagles for AB, AB Rio and AB Seasons. how can i transfer the progress? thanks!
Since you can’t use the “old” device to obtain the files (and I assume you had not done so in advance), your best hope is a restore via iTunes.
Brought my iPhone4S scores onto my iPad to both ABO and ABO HD…..seems to have worked correctly. Except some achievements don’t show yet
Is there another file to copy to bring in achievements? Or will they eventually show up?
I think it’s best to wait also the achievments may show up upon the release of an update for the app.
Should in time, or in the next app update.
Thanks a million!!!
This also works with Bad Piggies and Amazing Alex also with other apps?
We have a separate guide for Bad Piggies. The general concept is the same, but it is more specific.
DiskAid rocks! A very easy transfer, indeed. :)
Will this transfer work for AB Space to AB Space HD on the same iPad as at the moment I’m having to compete all levels again after buying the HD version for the same pad ? Thanks
Same method as described.
Thank you ;)
Much thanks for this. I got a new iPad mini the other day, and was wondering how to transfer my iPhone scores over.
This worked perfectly. iExplorer is buggy though, so DiskAid might be better for new users.
Is there any reason this should not work going back on to the same device restored to original settings? I must restore my iPhone 4S due to a software glitch and don’t have a good backup.
It’s best to back up your files before restoring your phone.
Wonderful news for Verizon users upgrading to iphone5 from 4- The cloud got it right! No need to do anything accept make sure you have allowed the cloud to back up all your angry birds apps! so happy!
Thanks for the tutorial. I’m trying to confirm that this will work if I pull files off my iPhone, restore the iPhone and put them back on the same device. It looks like it will.
Yes it should work.
I have two Macintoshes with system OS X 10.7.5. Each Mac has Angry Birds Original and Angry Birds Seasons installed and working fine. The problem is that the highscores.lua file is not in the ~/Library/Application Support/Rovio folder. In fact there is no Rovio folder in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder.
Where did it go? I found it with OS X 10.6.8 just fine. And in case you are wondering, I DO know how to get to the hidden Library folder, and I DID look in the Users folder and not in the root folder.
Would sure appreciate some help! Thanks all.
We have a newer guide here: Angry Birds Ultimate Backup Tutorial for all Platforms
Thank you so much. That does it — I found the missing files at ~/Library/Containers/.com.rovio.mac.AngryBirds/Data/Library/Application Support/.com.rovio.mac.AngryBirds/highscores.lua.
I am once again a happy camper!
Would I move the progree from an android device to pc then move it to ipad, would it work that way?
We do not recommend transferring progress between operating systems.