The character.2.dat file (often referred to historically as character.dat ) is the for Real Racing 3 on Android and iOS devices. It handles all player-specific progress metrics directly on your local hardware.
Decoding Character2dat in Real Racing 3: Modding, Save Files, and Customization
Because the game no longer supports cloud syncing, you must manually move or back up this file to avoid losing progress.
First, you need to find your game's save file. The exact location varies by platform and game version. For the most common platform, Android, the path is typically: character2dat real racing 3
This is the most immediate and serious risk. The developers use anti-cheat systems to detect tampered save files. If you use a modded file, your account can be flagged and permanently banned from online features like the Time Shifted Multiplayer (TSM) and leaderboards. As one player on XDA Forums noted, they were banned for 10 days just for replacing the character.dat file. This risk exists even when playing offline, as the game can check file integrity upon reconnection.
Initially, Real Racing 3 stored save files locally with minimal server validation. Players discovered that by using a file explorer (like Root Explorer) on a rooted Android device, they could locate a .dat file, edit its hex values, and change:
The character2dat tool exists as a relic of the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between mobile game developers and a segment of their player base. It directly targets the character.dat file, the local storage of your game progress, to offer the hollow promise of unlimited riches. While it may provide a temporary advantage, the risks of a permanent ban, malware infection, and a fundamentally ruined gameplay experience far outweigh any perceived benefits. The character
Or, if you truly want to experience the full garage without the wait, consider that the latest version of RR3 with all cars unlocked via legitimate methods would cost thousands of dollars. The "character2dat" shortcut is a phantom—a digital ghost of a simpler time before cloud saves and DRM.
While limited, Real Racing 3 allows you to create custom decals using hundreds of shapes. Talented artists have recreated famous helmet designs using only triangles and circles. It is tedious but 100% legal.
Electronic Arts (EA) employs automated anti-cheat systems that continuously cross-reference your local character2.dat file with your cloud save telemetry stored on their servers. If the system detects impossible jumps in currency or unearned vehicle unlocks, the account is flagged. This typically results in a permanent ban from Online Multiplayer (OMP) and Weekly Time Trial (WTT) leaderboards. 2. File Corruption and Progress Loss First, you need to find your game's save file
If the conversion or editing process is flawed—perhaps due to a misplaced character in the JSON/XML code or a mismatch in file versions—the resulting character.dat file could become corrupted. This can cause the game to crash on launch, fail to load your profile, or display an error message. In severe cases, you might lose all your game progress, necessitating a complete reinstall and restoration of a backup.
Paste your saved character.2.dat and .bak files into the files/ folder on the new device, replacing existing files. Launch the game. Critical Precautions and Risks