Where Does Briar Store Data?
Briar encrypted account storage on Android and desktop, and why deleting is the only logout.
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Briar is device only by design. Android keeps an encrypted H2 database in app private storage (/data/data/org.briarproject.briar.android), invisible to file managers and wiped on uninstall. Desktop (Java) uses ~/.briar/desktop on Linux and Mac with the Windows equivalent under the user profile, overridable with --data-dir.
There is no server copy anywhere, so account deletion is local: sign out, reopen, Forgot password, Delete, or just remove the desktop folder. Contacts and forums die with it. Unencrypted bits (theme, language) sit apart in Java preferences, not in the database.
Where Briar stores this, by platform
/data/data/org.briarproject.briar.android/
Encrypted account database plus key in private prefs. Not browsable without root; uninstall wipes the account. No export file exists, unlike cloud messengers.
~/.briar/desktop/
Desktop Java account database (Snap uses $SNAP_USER_DATA/.briar via BRIAR_DATA_DIR). Override with --data-dir. UI prefs separate in Java userPrefs XML.
%USERPROFILE%\.briar\desktop\
Windows equivalent of the desktop data dir (expansion inferred from Java home logic, may vary). Same encrypted database role and same --data-dir override.
~/.briar/desktop/
Same desktop Java layout as Linux. Confirm with find if the app was installed oddly; exact expansion may vary by build.
Frequently asked questions
How do I delete my Briar account?
Locally, since no server holds it. Sign out, reopen, choose Forgot password, then Delete; or delete the desktop data folder. Everything (contacts, forums, identity) goes with it.
Can I back up Briar chats?
There is no supported export. Android data needs root to copy, desktop needs the data folder plus its key material, and restores across devices are fragile. Treat Briar history as ephemeral.
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