to save
Loading your saved state.
to save
To save digital data, such as a document or image, on a storage medium like a hard drive or in the cloud so that it is not lost and can be accessed again later.
Bitte vergiss nicht, deine Arbeit abzuspeichern, bevor du den Computer ausschaltest.
Please don't forget to save your work before you turn off the computer.
'Abspeichern' is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ich speichere die Datei schnell ab.
I'll quickly save the file.
This verb is almost always used in the context of computers. For example, you can save a file, a document, a photo, or the changes.
Hast du das Foto in der richtigen Auflösung abgespeichert?
Did you save the photo in the right resolution?
If you want to specify where you save something, you typically use the prepositions 'auf' + dative (for devices) or 'in' + dative (for folders or the cloud).
Du solltest die Datei auf einer externen Festplatte abspeichern.
You should save the file on an external hard drive.
to secure / save
'sichern' and 'abspeichern' can both mean, with digital data, that a file should not be lost. 'abspeichern' usually describes the concrete step of saving a file on a device or in the cloud. 'sichern' puts more emphasis on protection against loss, often through a backup or an additional copy. The words can be confused because in everyday language people sometimes use 'Datei sichern' (to save/secure a file) and 'Datei abspeichern' (to save a file) in similar ways. If you only mean the normal saving process, 'abspeichern' fits well; if it is about protection from data loss, 'sichern' is more precise.
Nach der Arbeit speichert Tom die neue Präsentation unter einem anderen Namen ab.
After working, Tom saves the new presentation under a different name.
Für das Projekt sichert sie die Fotos zusätzlich auf einer externen Festplatte.
For the project, she also backs up the photos on an external hard drive.