How to Move Your Project Zomboid or Terraria Server to Zeros Host
Your world save is the part that actually matters — the server binary itself should always be installed fresh. Here's how to bring your existing Project Zomboid or Terraria world over without losing progress, in the right order.
Step 1: Download Your World Save from the Old Host
Project Zomboid worlds live under Zomboid/Saves/ on the server (Multiplayer/<worldname>/). Terraria worlds are a single .wld file, typically under a Worlds/ folder. Download the world folder (PZ) or the .wld file (Terraria) via your old host's file manager or SFTP before doing anything else.
Step 2: Start a Zeros Host Trial for the Same Game
Start a free 24-hour trial for Project Zomboid or Terraria, matching the game (and for PZ, the build) your world save was created on. No credit card required to get the server running and confirm your files upload cleanly before committing.
Step 3: Upload Your World Save
Use the panel's file manager or SFTP to upload your world folder (PZ) or .wld file (Terraria) into the new server's save location. For Project Zomboid, you can also check the Save Browser afterward to confirm the world shows up with the expected size and a recent modified time.
Step 4: Reinstall Your Mods
Mod lists don't travel with a world save. For PZ, paste your Workshop Collection URL into the Workshop Mods section if your mods are already collected there — it resolves every mod automatically — or re-add individual mods one at a time otherwise. For Terraria tModLoader, reinstall each mod through the Mod Manager. Both handle the download for you — you're not copying mod files by hand.
Check each mod is confirmed for the build/version you're running before re-adding it, especially for a Project Zomboid Build 42 migration.
Step 5: Set the World as Active and Start the Server
Point the server at your uploaded world in the config (Project Zomboid picks up worlds under Multiplayer/ automatically; for Terraria, set the world file in the Server Config Editor) and start the server from the panel.
Step 6: Test Before Announcing the Move
Connect yourself first and confirm the world loaded correctly: structures, inventory, and progress are where you left them, and mods are active if you use any. Get one or two other players to test with you before telling the wider group — catching an issue with a small test group costs far less than catching it after everyone's switched over.
Step 7: Announce the New Server and Wind Down the Old One
Share the new IP and port with your group. Keep the old server running a little longer as a fallback rather than cancelling it immediately — once you're confident the new one is stable through real play, not just a test login, cancel the old subscription.
Test your world upload before committing to anything
Start a free 24-hour trial, upload your save, and confirm it loads correctly before you cancel anything elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Will my world save actually work on a new host?
For Project Zomboid, yes, provided both hosts run the same build (Build 42 saves need a Build 42 server — see our Build 42 mod compatibility guide if you're unsure). For Terraria, world files are portable between any standard dedicated server as long as the Terraria version matches. Neither game requires the same hosting provider to read a save file.
Do I need to reinstall my mods on the new server?
Yes — your mod list itself doesn't travel with the world save. For Project Zomboid, the fastest path if you had several mods is re-adding your original Workshop Collection through the new server's Workshop Mods section, which resolves every mod in it automatically; a handful of individual mods can be re-added one at a time instead. For Terraria's tModLoader, reinstall each mod through the Mod Manager. Both download automatically once added; you're not manually copying mod files.
How long should I keep the old server running during migration?
Long enough to confirm the new one is genuinely stable — a session or two with your actual group, not just a solo login test. Keeping the old server around a few extra days as a fallback costs little and avoids being stuck with no working server if something on the new setup needs a second look.
Will player data (like PZ character state or Terraria player files) transfer?
Project Zomboid stores player state inside the world save itself, so it moves with the save file. Terraria player files (.plr) are separate from the world file — if your group has individual characters they want to keep, those need transferring alongside the world, not assumed to come along automatically.