macOS

Where Does Alfred Store Preferences?

Alfred preferences bundle on Mac, the sync pointer file, and the folder Dropbox forbids.

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Alfred keeps nearly everything in one bundle: ~/Library/Application Support/Alfred/Alfred.alfredpreferences. Workflows, snippets, themes and hotkeys all live inside, so that bundle is the single thing to back up.

Turn on syncing (Preferences, Advanced, Syncing) and Alfred follows a pointer file, prefs.json, to a bundle in a folder you choose. Keep that folder available offline for speed, and never use Dropbox/Apps as its root; Alfred documents that spot as a source of odd behavior. Small caches and plists under ~/Library/Preferences and Caches round out the rest.

Where Alfred stores this, by platform

macOS
~/Library/Application Support/Alfred/Alfred.alfredpreferences

Main bundle: workflows, snippets, themes, hotkeys. Back this up. With syncing enabled, prefs.json in the same folder points at your chosen sync location instead. Small plists (com.runningwithcrayons.Alfred*) and caches sit under ~/Library/Preferences and ~/Library/Caches.

Frequently asked questions

How do I move Alfred to a new Mac?

Copy the Alfred.alfredpreferences bundle (or your sync folder) to the new machine, install Alfred with Powerpack, and point Preferences, Advanced, Syncing at it. Everything including workflows comes along.

Can I sync Alfred preferences with Dropbox?

Yes, and it is the most common setup: choose any synced folder except Dropbox/Apps, which Alfred disallows for odd behavior. Keep the folder available offline so launches stay instant.

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