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!
Just to give you more options.
If you DELETED the Angry App BEFORE doing the backup of the files BUT you have an iTunes backup (which is encripted) you can recover ALL your Angry games data.
I do it just right now (26-Sep-213) to recover Angry Star Wars. Steps:
1. Download iphonebackupextractor from http://www.iphonebackupextractor.com: the trial lets you to extrac up to 4 files (I only needed 2).
2. Use extractor: it will detect all your iTunes backups and let you to choose which to restore.
3. Choose the files to extract from the game you want (remember they are highscores.lua and settings.lua).
4. Push extract: will ask you were to save it.
5. Now you need to follow the steps 2 and 3 of this manual.
6. I just overwrite the original .lua files with DiskAid (free version), started the game (from the scratch, was not in memory) and… TADAAA.
Hope this helps someone.
And thanks Angry Birds Nest. You are the best Angry page ever.
Thank you!
Thank you all! I followed the instructions, but my Space scores wouldn’t copy. I looked back through the comments, reinstalled the app, and it worked perfectly! I am so grateful.
@amslimfordy I am going to buy new iPad next week. I understand instructions completely and have successfully done transfering bad Piggies datas from my iPad to daughter iPod. My question is would this work with all IPA files, I want to transfer datas form my Where’s my*? and CTR games to new device.
@cosmo2503 I’m not sure how those games store data. Using DiskAid, I would probably backup the entire Documents folder at least.
Thank you very much, I will try on daughter’s ipod for experiment. It would be really bad to lose CTR datas after playing so hars to obtain all 3 stars on all leveles.
Does anyone know how to restore Angry Birds GO? I had it connected to my Rovio account, but my “friends” thought it would be funny to delete my account. Fortunately, the night before I backed up all my document files from GO using Disk Aid, but when I try to copy them over and restore they are lost when my iPad syncs with Rovio. If I turn off wifi all of the data will be there, but I don’t know how to “force” GO to then sync that info to my Rovio account after I turn wifi back on.
You should bring this up with Rovio.
Finally received a reply almost 2 weeks later. All is lost, so if you login manual backup is pointless, at least on GO.
Made a wrong move in setting up ROVIO accounts – Lost everything in ABSW2.
I backed stuff up using DiskAid on 1/18/14, and successfully transferred my iPad scores over to my iPhone. Last week, I saw that if I signed in with my Rovio Account, I would get 400 points to buy character swaps. I started that process and apparently gave it one wrong answer, and suddenly all of my progress is gone and I am back at world 1.
I have tried removing the APP and reinstalling and then copying in the 1/18 lua files, but still no progress. It had remembered the Rovio account, so I decided to delete the Rovio account, and continue with reinstalling and copying the 1/18 lua files. That didn’t work. Any ideas?
Also, the miscue cleared the iphone’s scores also.
Sign out of Rovio Account. Hard-close the app via the multitasking bar (or by restarting your device). Copy your 1/18 data files over.
How can we make difference between the app itself and the free version of it in the Documents?
@amslimfordy, I dragged all the .lua documents for all AB games from Iphone 5 to my desktop.
Then I copied them to another Iphone 4.
The scores seem fine to all apps.
Just AB Original was missing scores I got after creating my Rovio account (Birdday last chapter – red’s mighty and Short fuse). It’s weird because this is the same problem I had after the last update of ABO but I played the levels again and scores are there on Iphone 5 but did not transfer on Iphone 4…
@joeyba This is a guide for iOS-to-iOS transfers. On our complete guide, we specifically say that transferring between different platforms is not recommended.
Iphone4 and 5 are both IOS!! It’s the same platform, no? @amslimfordy
Sorry I misread.
With Rovio Accounts, you should probably sign out of your account before transferring. Did you move highscores_<hash> and settings_<hash> as well?
nop, those do not appear. Just
– crystal
– bi_dat
– highscores
– settings
Can anyone confirm if this will work between AB Star Wars (iPhone 5S) and AB Star Wars HD (iPad Air)? Are they considered the same game?
Data can be transferred between iOS devices just fine.
I tried this with iExplorer because I already had it. For some reason, the Space Documents folder appeared empty, despite my adjusting settings to show all files of all kinds. I gave up on it and installed DiskAid. MUCH easier interface and now I can see the Space lua files. Thank you @AMslimfordy for the very clear instructions and video!
Um, yes it took me two years to backup my AB data, other than with iCloud ;)
Note: I could see the lua files for all apps except for Space.
Great article, but it looks like Disk Aid has morphed into iMazing, and there is no free version of iMazing… I don’t know if I want to shell out $30 for doing this…
If you scroll below the iMazing download, you can expand Diskaid and still download the old program.
I’m happy to report that iMazing fixed the problem for me. It’s not the easiest process, but you just need to copy two files (settings.lua and highscores.lua) to keep your progress on a newly installed AB Seasons. iMazing does have a 15-day free trial, so it can be done for free (though I like having access to my iPhone’s file system, so the license might be worth it for me). I recommend everyone try this, I don’t see Rovio fixing it on their own soon.
JG
I lost every item in my cart. How can I retrieve the purchases made?
I’m happy to report that SynciOS also works successfully for this process, and has a free version available at http://www.syncios.com/.
I have successfully used it to fix the crash-on-startup problem with Angry Birds Seasons by backing up the lua files, deleting and re-installing the app, then restoring the files to restore progress. One slight wrinkle was needing to repeat the restore after going into the Pig Days section as it does not pull those levels down from the cloud until you go in, by which point the app seems to have rejected the scores for levels it doesn’t have.
DiskAid is now called IMazing.
Upon downloading a 14 day free trial and opening you are asked to connect your device. It is assumed you know how to do this as the “help” available for this program is minimal to say the very least-almost useless- and does not cover this.
Consequently iMazing is a non starter for me, as not having any experience of anything else other than Windows-not even a mobile phone- and only relatively recently having bought an Pad mini for other purposes that most certainly did not involve transferring Window files.
I thought I would have a go at transferring my Windows AB files as Rovio has dumped Windows games, but the whole thing is more trouble than it is worth to me now-I am not going to search around on the internet to find out how to connect my iPad because iMazing does not see fit to install some real help.
@DG47 DiskAid is still available through DigiDNA. I prefer DiskAid still.
Thank you for that-I will make one final effort and investigate that.
Can’t find a download of Disk Aid any where-certainly not on DigiDNA- searched via Google also -only iMazing available -14 day free trial then $29.95-which I can not be bothered to figure out how to use as the DigiDNA can not be bothered to give any decent help files-something I have told them!
Thanks again for your help once again but it seems a lost cause to me.
@DG47: http://imazing.com/download#DiskAid
Thanks again-your help is appreciated-did not see it on the page as it was so small and so far down! Have downloaded it-it looks good- and will give it a go as soon as i can get enough time.
I have a question, is there anyway to merge data? I have half my Angry Birds Seasons on my old iPod and half on my new IPhone. It would be great if I could merge them together on my phone, but I tried and it seems it can be only the highscores and data of one or the other on my phone
Sorry, but it’s not possible Harvey.
@amslimfordy: You said the date for PU scores and non PU scores in AB Space are seperate. So it should be possible to delete the PU scores in AB Space. But how?
Another question: To copy the date from my Rovio account to my device like you described in the video, is this also possible for AB Epic? I did not find the respective files.
@chriss In Space, both scores are displayed so it shouldn’t be hard to distinguish which is which. But to actually remove would involve manually manipulating the data files. We will not give instructuons on how to do this to encrypted data files.
I don’t believe you can do the desired trick in Epic.
@amslimfordy: I hoped that there are 2 highscore files, one for PU and one for non PU scores. Then I just could have deleted one.
@chriss No, both are saved in the same file.
Another question: In AB SW II, there are 3 highscore and 3 setting files, not only 2. Which is which?
See the last bullet in Step 3, Item 5.
@amslimfordy: I have 3 highscore files:
highscores_4D8387BE754E5370B27AE7F528CA88211658CB8F7DDC49CE40D56D697EC761CD.lua
highscores_E6B15F17EFB065C29F48995344E3C0DFA16A11CE8ABF0CCF5DCE5EE7BC9D5879.lua
highscores.lua
Any idea why?
I don’t know why you would have two different highscores_ files. Do you also have two such settings files?
Yes I do
At some point perhaps you used two different Rovio Accounts, or maybe information got crossed. There’s no way for me to know which hash is correct to your active account.
Does this work for Angry Birds Transformers? I’ve read of some horror stories about progress being reset following the latest update on Android, so I’d like to back up my files before I update the iOS version (whenever that happens).
Is it possible to transfer Angry Birds Transformers? I followed these steps but there are not .lua files in the documents folder for Transformers. Help!
Ok, I got it to work with AB transformers. Here is what you have to do (As explained above, make sure the latest version or same version of the app is installed on both devices):
1)When you get to step 3-5, Backup everything except “Avatar” folder, currency_store, fusion.registry, and rcs_analog.pb files.
2)On the new device install ABT and start the game. Let it load up all the files and show the start of the storyboard. Now exit and make sure ABT is not running (home button twice and swipe away). Plug into iMazing and go to “documents” folder and delete everything accept for the files listed above in step 1 of my post.
3) Copy over the files you just backed up from the old device to the new and put into the “documents” folder.
4) Disconnect the device and start up ABT. It should now show where you left off, but hold on you can’t play yet. You will notice that when you click to start a mission, it will display a warning that “assets” need to be downloaded and gives you a progress percentage. Let it finish (will take about 5-10 minutes) and you are good to go.
Ok, I did notice a glitch. It transfers everything EXCEPT the level you are on. The most important part to open new sections. I’m working on it to see if that in itself can transferred somehow. Will keep ya’ll updated.
I think I had overcome this problem using CopyTrans Contol Center. I backup the app to PC from the old ipad and then install the backup to new ipad with the program. I ran the game, and just like Cliff’s situation, everything was there except Levels, but if you upgrade one of your characters, the correct level will show up when upgrade is completed. I guess the program does not remember the levels but calculates it based on the total of levels of all your characters after an upgrade (doesn’t totally make sense to me, but it worked after the upgrade)? I tried to transfer the files in the document folder from old ipad to new ipad with iMazing as the instructions in the page, but the game couldn’t even start in the new ipad, it goes to the loading screen but it quits just when it finished loading. Looks like CopyTrans Control Center is a better solution.
I too had Cliff’s problem of the rank not transferring. I noticed when I go to the Update Characters page (lower right hand corner), choose any character to upgrade, then click on the accessories button (top left hand corner), then back out of everything to the main screen, it will say “Rank Up” and the rank will be correct. For some reason I have to do this on a somewhat regular basis. I do not know of a permanent solution, but the above method works every time for me when I am at Rank 1.
you are right, the correct rank will only show up after an upgrade….look like problem is not solved.
I tried this from an iPhone 5S to an iPad3 but the app just crashes. Is there a way to get it to work?
I have a problem with DiskAid after installing iTunes 12.1. Could the two be connected?
Use CopyTrans Apps – it’s compatible with the latest updates:
http://www.copytrans.net/copytransapps.php
I downloaded DiscAid and followed all the instructions, but my iPod still isn’t recognized by the program. I performed their troubleshooting and still nothing. Has anyone else had issues after the new iTunes/iOS updates?
This is Al… I finally remembered my login.
So, I downloaded iMazing and that did the trick. I am using the latest iOS (8.1.3) and the latest iTunes (12.1.0.71), so maybe that combo doesn’t work for DiskAid. I needed to restart before my AB Star Wars would take the overwritten data, but now everything’s there.
@admins, I’m having the same DiskAid issue as Chris & Al above. I last used it in Dec with no problem. I just got my very 1st iPhone (6 plus) & tried to transfer some scores from iPad, but DiskAid doesn’t recognize the iPad as connected. ITunes sees the iPad, so I know I’m connected.
Anyone have any insight? TIA
@justpast40 and Al not sure why, mine still works just fine, but have you tried iMazing? That’s the new version of DiskAid. As said I am still using my DiskAid, so not sure if the same function are in iMazing, but maybe worth a shot? You can find it HERE
@e-star, may I ask what what itunes & iOS versions you are using? I see that Chris & Al think it may be an issue.
I’d just updated itunes when it stopped working.
Thanks for the iMazing info, but when I looked at it there was a trial version or a for fee version & I’m pretty Apple illiterate (my 1st 2 products) & just don’t know if I’d use it for anything other than AB.
Ahhh @justpast40 I do have a old iTunes, I always hate the updates of iTunes (Apple chance stuff around everytime and I hate that… hmmm something I hate about Apple, sttttttt don’t tell). My iTunes version is 11.4, my iOS (also old due to jailbreak and me not taking the leap of faith with the new iOS and jailbreak) 7.0.4 and my DiskAid is 6.7.6.
Ah I didn’t know iMazing turned into a trial with just 15 days. DiskAid was free but had limitations that were unlocked with the payed version. Maybe iExplorer is something for you? It does have a trial version, but no time limit, just some fancy limitations you might not even need. I just installed iExplorer and transferred my documents folder without a problem.
Or contact DigiDNA and ask them about this problem. In the past they helped me (granted I bought DiskAid) and were super friendly.
Thanks @e-star, I hear you on itunes. I wouldn’t have updated were it not for some bizarre error message which prevented it from opening …. something about it not being the English version. I don’t remember what it said but I’m sure I can’t be alone. I googled & saw iExplorer so as soon as things settle down at work (income tax time here & I manage a Tax Office,) I’ll definitely look at it.
The DiskAid does not work with the newest version of iTunes, DiskAid does not recognize the iphone or ipad. iTunes version is iTunes 12.1.1
@amslimfordy @birdleader
I haven’t done a backup in quite a while. Recently, I updated iOS to 8.3
I couldn’t get DiskAid to to open an app folder as I have in the past, so I tried iMazing. This is the error message I get when trying to open the Seasons App folder:
“As of iOS 8.3, only Apps with “File Sharing Enabled” can access the Documents folder.
com.chillingo.angrybirdsipad does not have this option.”
I am guessing this is the same reason DiskAid isn’t working either.
From the DigiDNA Team (DiskAid, iMazing):
http://imazing.com/news/ios-8-3-apps-access
@amslimfordy @birdleader
Hi,
Did anybody find a way to overcome the issue encountered with new iOS 8.3 mentioned by @bonneypattycat?
I can’t transfer AB data and scores from my iphone 4 to my new iphone 6.
Can anybody help on this?
Thanks in advance!
I agree; this is terribly frustrating. I finally switched to a new device after three years of committed play (with all but one of my 1200+ scores exceeding average, earning me a spot in the top 50 for both Original and Seasons until the latest update), only to find that it is now impossible to manually transfer my progress. I’m so disappointed, I feel like quitting.
The whine factor always works for scores. Why can’t it work for this, too?
@admins
Oh nooooo! I have an issue with my iPad mini with it overheating and battery discharging too fast – went to the Apple Store and apparently the answer is to reset the iPad and start from scratch!! I was told NOT to restore from iTunes once I reset it it.
I said that does not tell me the issue to prevent it happening again to which the ‘genius’ said ‘but it will fix it! ‘ I said no I have to back up some things first. I came home – photographed all my settings and then realised I had not backed up my Angry bird games (ever!) so tried installing diskaid which would not recognise the device – so downloaded iMazing only to get the same message as everyone above to say with iOS 8.3 I cannot back up! What now???? Do I have to lose all my hard earned scores or just have a hot iPad?
If you’re updated to the latest version of ABT (I believe it’s v1.5.19) and your app is connected to either Game Center or Facebook, automatic cloud backups should be enabled.
@optimuspig – could you expand on your hint please – not sure I understand – what is ABT ? Is it on the PC or iPad? The apple genius’ said not to do a restore as whatever was causing the issue may be in the backup! So I assume that’s any backup, cloud or iTunes. I think all my scores would remain in Gane Centre but I believe the games themselves would have to be replayed to open all levels – couldn’t face that!
@mumsie42 ABT = “Angry Bird Transformers”. Sorry, I had it in my mind that was the app you were playing, but I guess you’re asking about the various Angry Birds games in general.
But you should check if the apps you’re playing also do automatic cloud backups.
@mumsie42 That is a completely unacceptable response from your Apple Store. Under no conditions should their faulty device result in the loss of your data, period. Is your device still under warranty? If so, demand a replacement and recovery of your data.
@bonneypattycat – dosen’t work like that in the UK,!! However I deleted all other apps – cos I don’t think it was angry birds causing the issue – then backed up, then reset iPad and am now in the process of adding my apps back in! Here’s hoping!
Does anyone know how to go back to an earlier version of iOS on PC & devices? Cos I now have a new iPhone5 too.
Oh no – iPad heating up as I type this!!! :( – miserable elderly person this side of the pond!
@mumsie42 Downgrading is no longer possible on Apple. Unfortunately, your only option to back up the games that do not have a cloud system such as Seasons, Rio or Space would be to jailbreak your device.
Right now AB is saved via Rovio Account, AB Transformers/Epic/Go are saved via Facebook/GameCenter I think.
Anyways, we brought this issue to Rovio and hopefully they will address the problem in the near future, either by implementing a progress backup system or allowing us to view the lua files.
@bonneypattycat – meant to add that I restored from the backup with all apps deleted apart from AB
@mumsie42 That is what I would have tried. I hope it all works out okay!
Ah well – thanks @bonneypattycat @sal9,@optimuspig for all your comments – I think t may be Candy crush Soda that is causing the overheating jail breaking – mmm think i’ll wait til it’s out of warranty (Feb 16) and not sure this feeble mind could cope with the effort but i’ll come and ask if that’s what I need by then!
Oh meant to say if a solution appears cc me in!!! :)
Hi,
my iPad is going to die ;-) or falling apart…thats why I visited that page to save my scores and transfer them to a future device. But just to let you know (correct me if I’m wrong, I’ll be happy):
-Step 2: Installing: iMazing does backup only the App (in my case ABS, but not the data (scores) above IOS 8.3
-Step 2: Installing: With DiskAid, I didn’t get that message (‘only App is backuped’), it created a *.ipa-file, which content I don’t know and have tested yet
-Step 3: Copying the *.lua files:Point 4: Clicking on the app to see the documents: this seems no more possible, I don’t have a view on the files hidden behind the App (Preferences>Storage set as described).
So what I have now is a *.IPA-file with a content, which I don’t know, what it contains..
Any Ideas or another App ?
Best regards
Hans