Backup & Restore

FM Skin Builder can modify game files. While skins are installed in a separate directory, it’s important to understand backup and restore options.

Understanding the Risk

What FM Skin Builder Modifies

FM Skin Builder only modifies game files when you apply to game. It writes modified bundles to FM’s skins directory.

When Issues Can Occur

Potential problems:

• Corrupted skin files cause FM display issues
• Bad UXML changes crash FM’s UI
• Skin prevents FM from starting properly
• If you dont restore backups, you will be building over your existing skin which could cause issues

Recovery is Usually Simple

Most issues are solved by:

1. Restoring the backup
2. Verifying game files via Steam/Epic/Gamepass

FM Skin Builder Backup Features

Game Path Detection

FM Skin Builder automatically finds your FM installation:

Creating Backups

FM Skin Builder creates backups automatically before operations. You can clear these backups in settings.

Backup Contents

When enabled, backups include:

• Previous skin bundle contents
• Timestamp for identification
• Manifest of what was backed up

.backups/
├── 2024-01-15_14-30-00/
│   ├── manifest.json
│   └── my-skin/
│       └── [previous files]

Restoring from Backup

1. Settings > Backups > Clear backups

Manual Recovery Options

Restore to backup

1. Go to Build > Game Output
2. Click “Restore Original”

Steam File Verification

If FM’s original files are somehow affected:

Using Steam

1. Open Steam
2. Right-click Football Manager 2026
3. Properties > Local Files
4. Click “Verify integrity of game files”
5. Steam redownloads any modified/missing files

Epic Games

1. Open Epic Games Launcher
2. Find Football Manager 2026
3. Click the three dots menu
4. Select “Verify”

Best Practices

During Development

1. Always restore original in FM Skin Builder game output before building new builds
2. Test incrementally - small changes, frequent builds
3. Keep previous working version before major changes

Troubleshooting

Can’t Find Backup Folder

Check FM Skin Builder’s data directory:

Or look in your project folder for .backups/ directory.

When to Use Each Recovery Method

Prevention Tips

Test in Preview First

Use Preview Build to catch errors before installation.

Keep Working Versions

When you have a working skin:

1. Manually save a copy of packages/

Don’t Edit in Bundles Folder

Always:

1. Edit in your project folder
2. Build to generate packages/
3. Install to bundles folder

Never edit directly in FM’s bundles directory unless you know what you’re doing.

Next: Reference - Technical reference documentation.