Where Does BirdNET Store Recordings and Observations?
Where BirdNET keeps sound recordings and observations on Android and iPhone, and how to keep them safe.
Last updated
BirdNET records to your phone first. On Android it also writes accessible copies to shared storage, which makes backup easy. The app database with detections and settings sits in private storage beside it. On iPhone recordings live in the app container and reach Files only when you share them out.
Submitted observations live on the BirdNET servers once uploaded. Unsubmitted ones do not. If you care about a rare detection, share the audio to Files the same day. Relying on the app database across a phone wipe is how recordings get lost.
Where BirdNET stores this, by platform
/sdcard/BirdNET
Accessible recordings land here on many versions, with WAV files per detection. The app database itself is private. Copy this folder plus export anything still only in the app.
On My iPhone/BirdNET
Recordings live in the BirdNET container. Use Share then Save to Files to keep copies outside the app. Submitted observations also appear on the BirdNET web map when signed in.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move BirdNET recordings to a new phone?
On Android copy files from the BirdNET folder in shared storage plus any app private files you exported. On iPhone use Share to save recordings to Files before switching. Your observations sync only if you signed in and submitted them, so check the web map first.
Do BirdNET recordings survive reinstalls?
Yes for files in the shared BirdNET folder on Android and for recordings you saved to Files on iPhone. Detections you never saved or submitted live only in the app database. Export weekly if you record often, since uninstalls wipe the database.
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