FAQ

The questions people ask most, answered without the jargon. Can't find yours? Ask on GitHub.

The basics#

Is Sail free?#

Yes, completely. It's open source under the GPL v3, there are no ads, and nothing is locked behind a payment. Sail Cloud comes free with an account.

Do I need Steam?#

No. Sail works with games from anywhere, emulators and any program you like. If you do have Steam, Sail can import your Steam games and achievements.

Do I need an account?#

No. Everything works on your PC without one. An account only adds syncing between PCs and Sail Hub uploads. See Accounts and Sail Cloud.

How do I update Sail?#

Sail checks for a new version a few seconds after it starts. On Windows it offers to download and install it for you, then restarts. On Linux it opens the release page so you can grab the new package. You can check any time with Check Updates in Settings → Saves & Data.

Windows and antivirus#

Why does Windows say "Windows protected your PC"?#

Windows shows that for apps that haven't paid for a code-signing certificate yet, which is most small, independent apps. Click More info → Run anyway, but only for an installer you got from the official releases page.

Why did my antivirus flag a game I downloaded?#

Repacks and cracked games are very often flagged, sometimes because of what they really contain and sometimes just because they modify games. Sail can't tell which, and it doesn't scan files. Stick to sources you trust, and if you're unsure about a file, don't run it.

Why did Windows ask for permission while a game was installing?#

Repack installers (like FitGirl's) can need administrator rights to install, so Windows may ask once during Sail's automatic install. That prompt comes from the game's installer, not from Sail itself.

Downloading games#

Why do I have to verify with Cloudflare sometimes?#

Lots of file hosts put a "checking your browser" page or a captcha in front of their downloads. It's there to stop bots from hammering their servers and to make sure a real person is downloading. Sail plays by those rules: instead of trying to trick the check, it opens the host's page in a verification window so you can pass it yourself, just like in a browser. Once you're through, Sail picks the download up on its own.

Sail doesn't try to get past these checks automatically, because that's exactly what they're built to stop. Hosts that catch it block the downloader, sometimes for everyone. A few hosts only accept the check in your normal browser; for those Sail shows Open in Browser.

Why did my debrid service fail on some links?#

A debrid service downloads files on its own servers, and some hosts block those servers with the same kind of check. A server can't click "I'm human", so the request fails. Sail tells you when that's probably the reason and offers Retry without debrid, which downloads that file on your PC instead. See Debrid services.

"The file is no longer available on that host." What now?#

Hosts delete files, especially old ones. Go back to the game's page and pick another download option or mirror.

Why is my download so slow?#

Usually the host is limiting free downloads. Try another mirror, check that Max Download Speed in Download Settings isn't set, or use a debrid service, which downloads at full speed.

Why does a game need so much free space?#

While a game is being unpacked, both the downloaded archive and the unpacked game are on your drive at the same time, so you briefly need room for both. Sail tells you the size before it starts.

Where do my downloaded games go?#

Into the Installation Directory in Download Settings. By default that's SailDownloads in Sail's data folder. Change it to put games on another drive.

I cancelled a download. Why are its files still there?#

Sail keeps a cancelled download's leftover files aside instead of deleting them on the spot, so a half-finished download can never be mistaken for a working game. Remove them with Delete temporary files in Download Settings.

Is downloading games with Sail legal?#

Sail is just a tool, and it doesn't give you the right to any game. Whether a download is legal depends on the game, where it comes from and where you live. It's up to you to only download what you're allowed to.

Your library and saves#

Why does a game show 0 hours?#

Sail counts the time you play games launched from Sail. Time played before you added a game, or through another launcher, isn't included. (Steam keeps counting its own play time as usual.)

Why didn't Sail find my save folder?#

Games keep saves in all sorts of places, and Sail's search is a best guess. Right-click the game, choose Edit Game and set the folder yourself, or add places to search in Settings → Saves & Data. See Saves and backups.

Will I lose my library if I update or reinstall Sail?#

No. Your library and settings are kept in your user folder, not where Sail is installed, so updating or reinstalling leaves them alone.

How do I move to a new PC?#

The easy way: sign in to your Sail account on both PCs, and your library and settings follow you. Without an account, use Export under Launcher Data in Settings → Saves & Data, and Import the file on the new PC.

My games came over, but they won't start on my other PC.#

Sail never uploads where your games are installed on a PC, because it's different on every PC and it's private. On the new PC, point each game at where it's installed there (Edit Game), or reinstall it.

Why is my profile asking for a PIN?#

Whoever made that profile set a PIN on it. PINs keep others out of a profile on a shared PC. After five wrong tries you'll have to wait a bit before trying again.

Plugins and looks#

Is it safe to install plugins?#

Plugins with code can do anything Sail can, so only install ones from people you trust. Layouts are different: they can't contain code at all, so they're safe from anyone. See Plugins.

Why does a plugin say "Waiting"?#

It needs another plugin that's missing, switched off or too old. Click Get requirements in the Plugin Manager to install it.

The animations make me dizzy. Can I turn them off?#

Yes. Turn on Less animations or lower the Animation speed in Settings → Appearance. Sail also follows your system's reduced-motion setting.

Linux#

Why are some features missing on Linux?#

Linux support is still in beta. Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox sync, the Maintenance Center, emulator games and spell checking aren't there yet. Sail says so wherever one of them would be.

Why does Sail want a keyring?#

A keyring is Linux's safe place for passwords. Sail keeps your account login there, so it's never sitting in a plain file. Without one (KDE Wallet, GNOME Keyring or KeePassXC), accounts stay off and everything else still works.

Why does the first Windows game take so long to start?#

The first time, Proton builds a little Windows environment for the game and may download what it needs. After that, the game starts normally. See Windows games on Linux.

Last updated 20 October 2026