Where Does Hive Store Box Files?
Hive boxes persist as hive files in the app's documents directory. Each named box gets its own file plus companion lock files.
Last updated
Hive is a lightweight embedded store popular in Flutter apps, and its files sit wherever the app initialized it, defaulting to the app documents directory. Each named box becomes files carrying the box name with hive extensions. Small apps, small files, no server anywhere.
The directory is a convention the app can override at startup, so treat the paths below as the defaults to check first. Search the app's files tree for the hive extension when defaults miss. Encryption status also comes from code: encrypted boxes need their key to open anywhere else.
Where Hive stores this, by platform
/data/data/[package]/app_flutter
Default documents directory set at init. Each box becomes hive files carrying the box name. Apps can override the path in code, so search the files tree when defaults miss.
App Container/Documents
App container documents directory. Pull from simulator builds or device backups. Same per box file layout as Android.
Frequently asked questions
I inherited an app. How do I find its Hive files?
Search the project for the init call that sets the storage path. That argument is the only authoritative answer, since every app can relocate it. Then look for hive files inside that folder.
How do I back up Hive boxes?
Copy the box files with the app fully closed. Hive holds file locks while running, and a hot copy restores with missing recent writes. The companion files travel with the main box file.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.