Where Does Librem 5 Store User Data?
Librem 5 user data lives in the Linux home directory on eMMC or SD with hardware kill switches guarding radios. Back up home before reflashing PureOS.
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The Librem 5 is a small PureOS computer that makes calls. User data sits in the home directory on internal eMMC or the SD card, with no vendor cloud anywhere. Hardware kill switches physically cut radios, cameras, and mic. Battery calibration matters more than tweaks for uptime.
System images flash over USB with JumpDrive-style tooling while home carries everything personal. That division makes home backups the whole migration story. Convergence docks turn it into a desktop; the same home folder serves both modes.
Where Librem 5 stores this, by platform
/home/purism/
Home directory holds all user data on eMMC or SD. No vendor cloud exists. Back up encrypted before any reflash.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up a Librem 5?
Copy /home to external storage with the phone accessible over USB or SSH, then verify the copy before flashing. Reflashing wipes apps, configs, and messages together. Keep backups encrypted; they hold the whole digital life.
Do the kill switches really cut hardware?
Yes. Slide the switches to cut cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, cameras, and mic at hardware level. The OS shows their state plainly. Killed radios stay dead across reboots until switched back.
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