Getting a new PC, is anything important *not* saved server side?

I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this, but I’m a little confused by one of the options seen before logging in, so let me ask just to be sure.

I intend to get a new PC soon, and one of the first things I’ll be installing will be FFXIV of course. On a fresh machine that’s never seen this game before, how much of what I enjoy in the way of settings and especially macros might I need to back up locally on my end in order for a seamless transition to the new computer? I was pretty sure the answer was “nothing, it’s all saved server side” until I saw a button to push my settings to the server. If the game doesn’t save my settings and macros server side by default, why does that button exist, and if it doesn’t, how were my ARR era character’s macros still intact when I returned in Shadowbringers? Has something changed recently?

I don’t use anything 3rd party, so that’s not a concern. I’m just worried about my macros and settings here!

Thanks in advance for any and all helpful replies!

There is a backup feature in the launcher and on your select character menu.

If you want to do it the old fashioned way, c:/users/yourusername/documents/my games/FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn and copy the FFXIV_CHR folder(s) and paste it on same location on your new PC.

I'd vote for option 1 and you won't need to get external drives or flash drives

HUD layout, including hotbar organization, pretty sure. Gear sets, I suspect.

But, as you saw, they implemented the feature to save probably all those things to the server for just such a situation. I'm assuming.

Idk, I was lazy and just transferred all the files over manually so I didn't hafta bother with any of that.

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Originally Posted by Hasrat

HUD layout, including hotbar organization, pretty sure. Gear sets, I suspect.

But, as you saw, they implemented the feature to save probably all those things to the server for just such a situation. I'm assuming.

Idk, I was lazy and just transferred all the files over manually so I didn't hafta bother with any of that.

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If you backup character data via the cog wheel on character select screen it backs up everything to the servers for that specific character. I use it all the time when moving between pc and console.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rhea_

If you backup character data via the cog wheel on character select screen it backs up everything to the servers for that specific character. I use it all the time when moving between pc and console.

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Ah, but you see, I didn't have to go to the trouble of waiting for the game to download on my own new PC.

I just had to wait for the file transfer to finish instead. >__>

Just consider doing this first
https://img.finalfantasyxiv.com/lds/...292cd5da26.jpg
1 backs up your system settings related to graphics, sound, account macros.
2 backs up the character's settings related to controls, keybinds, HUD, hotbars and character macros, so you should consider doing 2 for each character.