Deleting a save file in Schedule 1 is not as straightforward as it seems in many other modern titles. Whether you are dealing with a game-breaking soft-lock, a series of narrative choices you deeply regret, or simply a cluttered list of experimental runs, the game often makes you work to find the "reset" button. This is especially true for the PC version, where the interaction between local files and the Steam Cloud synchronization can lead to frustrating scenarios where deleted saves mysteriously reappear.

Finding the right folder and understanding how to force the cloud to accept your deletions is essential for anyone looking to start fresh. This involves navigating hidden system directories and occasionally using workarounds while the game is still active to ensure the changes stick. This article breaks down the exact locations and methods for every major platform.

Locating the Schedule 1 save files on PC

Most players looking to wipe their progress in Schedule 1 will be on Windows. The game does not store its data in the standard "Documents" folder or the installation directory found under SteamApps. Instead, it utilizes the LocalLow directory, which is a common spot for Unity-based indie games but remains hidden from the average user by default.

The direct path to your data

The most efficient way to access your save files is to use the Windows Run command. You do not need to manually click through dozens of folders if you know the exact string.

  1. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Copy and paste the following string into the box: %AppData%\..\LocalLow\tvgs\schedule i
  3. Press Enter.

This command takes you directly to the developer folder (tvgs) where the game stores its persistent data. Inside this folder, you will see a subfolder named "Saves" or "Save Data." Within this subfolder, the game organizes different runs into numbered folders (e.g., 0, 1, 2). These numbers usually correspond to your save slots in the main menu.

Identifying the correct slot

Before you hit delete, it is worth checking the timestamps of these folders. If you have five different saves and only want to delete the one that is glitched, look at the "Date Modified" column in your File Explorer. The folder with the most recent timestamp is typically the one you were last playing. Opening these folders will reveal various .dat or .sav files, along with metadata that the game uses to display your character's name and progress on the menu screen.

Solving the Steam Cloud persistence issue

A common complaint among the Schedule 1 community is that deleting a save file from the AppData folder doesn't actually remove it. You delete the folder, empty the trash, launch the game, and—to your annoyance—the save slot is populated again. This happens because Steam Cloud sees a discrepancy between your local machine and its servers. Since the server has a file and your computer doesn't, Steam "helpfully" downloads the old file to "fix" your data loss.

There are two primary ways to stop this from happening.

Method 1: The Alt-Tab deletion (Most Reliable)

This method tricks the Steam Cloud into thinking that you intentionally wanted to delete the file during a live session. When the game closes, it pushes the current state of the local folder to the cloud. If the folder is empty when the game shuts down, the cloud will sync that "emptiness."

  1. Launch Schedule 1 and stay on the main menu.
  2. Press Alt + Tab to switch back to your desktop while the game is running.
  3. Navigate to the %AppData%\..\LocalLow\tvgs\schedule i\saves folder.
  4. Select the save folder you want to vanish and delete it.
  5. Return to the game window and quit the game immediately using the "Exit" or "Quit to Desktop" button in the menu.
  6. Steam will now sync the deletion to its servers, and the save will be gone for good.

Method 2: Disabling Cloud Sync

If you prefer a more permanent solution and don't care about having your saves available on other PCs, you can turn off the sync feature entirely.

  1. Open your Steam Library.
  2. Right-click on Schedule 1.
  3. Select Properties.
  4. Under the General tab, look for the "Steam Cloud" toggle.
  5. Turn off "Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for Schedule 1."
  6. Delete the local files as described earlier.

Note that some players using the Demo version of Schedule 1 have reported that the Cloud Sync toggle is missing from their properties menu. If you are on the demo, the Alt-Tab method is usually the only way to successfully wipe your data.

Deleting saves on PlayStation and Xbox

Console players have a much more structured environment for managing data, which avoids the folder-hunting headaches of PC but offers less granular control. On consoles, you generally delete the entire "Save Data" block for the user profile rather than individual slots, unless the game provides an in-game delete function.

For PlayStation 5 (PS5)

  1. Go to the Settings gear icon on the home screen.
  2. Scroll down to Storage.
  3. Select Saved Data.
  4. Choose PS5 Games.
  5. Find Schedule 1 in the list.
  6. Select the delete icon (the trash can) next to the game data.

Be aware that this will likely wipe all your progress across all slots. If you only want to reset one specific character, your best bet is to use the "New Game" option within the game's menu to overwrite an existing slot.

For Xbox Series X|S

  1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
  2. Select My games & apps > See all.
  3. Highlight Schedule 1 and press the Menu button (the three horizontal lines) on your controller.
  4. Select Manage game and add-ons.
  5. Navigate down to Saved data.
  6. Select your profile and choose Delete from everywhere. Choosing "Delete from console" might result in the cloud re-downloading the save the next time you start the game.

Mobile and Handheld platforms

Schedule 1 has found a significant audience on mobile devices and the Steam Deck. Managing saves on these devices requires a slightly different approach depending on the OS.

Android Devices

On Android, you can clear the game's data to achieve a total reset. This is functionally equivalent to uninstalling and reinstalling the game but much faster.

  1. Open your device Settings.
  2. Go to Apps or Application Manager.
  3. Find Schedule 1 in the list.
  4. Tap on Storage.
  5. Tap Clear Data (not just Clear Cache).

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

iOS is more restrictive. There is no "Clear Data" button in the settings. To delete your save progress on an iPhone, you generally have to delete the app entirely and reinstall it. When you delete the app, iOS will ask if you want to keep the data; make sure to choose the option that removes everything.

Steam Deck

The Steam Deck is essentially a Linux PC. If the in-game options aren't working, you can use "Desktop Mode" to find the files. The path is slightly different because of how Steam uses Proton to run Windows games on Linux. You will need to look in the pfx folder of the game's Steam ID (which you can find on SteamDB).

Typical Steam Deck path:
~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/[AppID]/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/LocalLow/tvgs/schedule i/

The Overwrite Alternative

Before you go through the trouble of digging through system folders and fighting with cloud synchronization, check if a simple "Overwrite" will suffice. In Schedule 1, starting a "New Game" often prompts you to select a save slot. Choosing an existing slot will usually overwrite the old data with your new character or run.

This is the safest method because it doesn't involve the risk of accidentally deleting core game files or configuration settings. However, it doesn't always work if your save file is corrupted. If the game crashes the moment you click on a specific slot, the overwrite function might fail, necessitating the manual deletion methods mentioned above.

Why some saves keep coming back

If you have followed all the steps and your progress still persists, there are a few niche reasons for this behavior:

  1. Administrative Permissions: On Windows, if your user account doesn't have full permissions for the AppData folder, the deletion might appear to work but the OS prevents the actual removal of the files. Try running your File Explorer as an Administrator.
  2. Secondary Sync Services: Some players use third-party backup tools like OneDrive or Dropbox to sync their entire "Users" folder. If OneDrive is active, it might be restoring the files independently of Steam Cloud.
  3. Registry Entries: While rare for modern indie games, some settings (like your username or unlocked achievements) might be stored in the Windows Registry rather than a file. Deleting the save file won't reset these specific elements.

Safeguarding your progress: When not to delete

Deletion is permanent. In Schedule 1, once a save is removed and synced with the cloud, there is no "Undo" or "Recycle Bin" within the game.

Before you wipe everything, consider making a manual backup. Simply copy the schedule i folder from the LocalLow directory and paste it into a safe location like your Desktop or a USB drive. If you find that your "New Game" is even buggier than the one you deleted, or if you regret losing a specific rare item, you can simply paste the old folder back into its original location to restore your progress.

This is also a great way to manage multiple "branches" of the story. If you reach a major decision point, you can manually copy your save, name it "Choice A," and return to it later after seeing the outcome of "Choice B."

Final considerations for a clean start

Resetting your journey in Schedule 1 can be a cathartic experience, especially if your initial playthrough was plagued by mistakes or technical hitches. By targeting the %AppData%\..\LocalLow\tvgs\schedule i directory and managing your Steam Cloud settings correctly, you can ensure that your next attempt at the game starts with a truly blank slate. Whether you are playing on a high-end PC, a console, or a mobile device, the key is understanding that the game's internal menu is only one part of the data management equation. Taking control of the files yourself is the only way to be 100% certain that your old ghosts won't haunt your new save.