Experimental Branch

Subnautica 2's Experimental branch is an opt-in Steam beta, launched Aug 12, 2026, that previews upcoming updates shortly before release; join it under Properties, Game Versions & Betas, and expect separate, incompatible saves.

Subnautica 2's Experimental branch is an opt-in beta on Steam, launched Aug 12, 2026, that lets players try upcoming content "in an earlier state" shortly before it reaches the main Early Access build. To join, right-click Subnautica 2 in the Steam Library, open Properties, go to Game Versions & Betas and pick the Experimental branch. Unknown Worlds warns that builds there are more likely to have bugs, "potentially game-breaking", and that saves are kept separate from the main game and cannot move between the two. Unlike the Experimental branches of the first Subnautica and Below Zero, it does not update daily. See Updates and Patch Notes for what the main branch has received.

Quick facts

Launched	Aug 12, 2026, a week before update 1.2
Platforms	Steam only, per the announcement; no Xbox or Epic branch is announced (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Cost	Free for owners, opt-in
Saves	Stored separately; not compatible with the main branch
Update rhythm	Not daily: shortly before major releases, and sometimes for smaller patches

How do you join the Subnautica 2 Experimental branch?

The steps Unknown Worlds gives:

Open your Steam Library and right-click Subnautica 2.
Select Properties.
Go to the Game Versions & Betas tab.
In the Beta Participation drop-down, select the Experimental branch.
Close the window; Steam starts downloading the build.

To leave, pick the default (no beta) option in the same menu. Unknown Worlds keeps an FAQ on its support site on reporting bugs from the branch.

What happens to saves?

Saves cannot be imported or exported between Experimental and the main branch. They are stored in separate places, so while playing Experimental a player will not see their main saves, and they should reappear on switching back. Unknown Worlds cautions players not to get attached to saves made there. Since Buddy System Hotfix 1 on Sep 1, 2026, save files record their build number and branch, which stops an incompatible save loading into an older build.

How often does it update?

"For now", the branch will not update daily as it did for Subnautica and Below Zero. Builds go up to preview the next release shortly before it reaches everyone, and the studio may also use it for smaller patches and fixes between major updates. Whether Early Access 2 will appear there before its December 2026 release is not announced as of Nov 4, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Subnautica 2 beta? Yes. Subnautica 2 has had an opt-in Experimental branch on Steam since Aug 12, 2026, which previews upcoming builds before they reach everyone.

How do I get the Subnautica 2 Experimental branch? In Steam, right-click Subnautica 2, open Properties, then Game Versions & Betas, and choose Experimental under Beta Participation.

Will my Subnautica 2 saves work on Experimental? No. Subnautica 2 keeps Experimental saves separately and they are not compatible with the main branch; main saves come back when you switch back.

Is the Subnautica 2 Experimental branch on Xbox? Unknown Worlds' announcement covers Steam only, and no Experimental branch for Subnautica 2 on Xbox or the Epic Games Store is announced as of Nov 4, 2026.