Where Does LobeChat Store Chats and Settings?
LobeChat is local-first: browser builds use IndexedDB while the Electron desktop keeps a database under your OS app data folder.
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LobeChat stores chats wherever the build runs. The web and PWA versions keep everything in browser local storage (a PGlite database), so each browser profile is its own island. Nothing reaches a server unless you self-host with one configured.
The Electron desktop app moves that database onto disk under the standard per-OS app data folder. Folder name tracks the installed build, so check the parent directory if yours differs. Self-hosted Docker installs take a DATABASE_URL and put everything in Postgres instead.
Where LobeChat stores this, by platform
C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Roaming\LobeChat
Electron user data including the local chat database. Exact folder name follows the installed build, so look around %AppData% if yours differs. API keys stay encrypted in OS storage.
~/Library/Application Support/LobeChat
Same database under Application Support. The PWA alternative keeps data in the installing browser profile instead. Self-hosted setups ignore this folder and use Postgres.
~/.config/LobeChat
Respects XDG config home on some builds. Docker self-hosts bypass local files entirely with a Postgres connection string. Back up the folder before major upgrades.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep chats safe from browser cache clears?
Use the desktop app or a self-hosted database instead. Browser storage is per profile and dies with cache clears. The desktop database and server Postgres both survive profile wipes.
Where is data when I self-host LobeChat?
Point the self-hosted build at PostgreSQL. The web and PWA builds default to a local PGlite database in the browser. Server Postgres is the option that backs up and syncs across devices.
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