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Where Does LocalSend Store Settings?

Where LocalSend keeps settings by default plus portable mode on desktop, and exactly how to switch between them.

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LocalSend keeps settings in the platform store by default through its persistence backend. Aliases, ports, history and security options all live there under the hood. Portable mode redirects everything into one JSON file beside the executable.

That file needs creating by hand since the app never writes it unasked. Older guides predate portable mode and describe only the default store. Create the empty JSON before first run on removable media for clean roaming. Device names share the settings file, so one JSON roams every alias.

Where LocalSend stores this, by platform

Windows
[InstallFolder]\settings.json

Portable settings file next to the executable, created by hand. Default builds use the platform store instead. Delete to return to defaults.

macOS
[InstallFolder]/settings.json

Same portable JSON beside the binary on Mac builds. Default builds use the platform store. Keep beside the app for USB use.

Linux
[InstallFolder]/settings.json

Same portable JSON beside the binary on Linux builds. Default builds use the platform store. Create before first run on removable media.

Frequently asked questions

How do I run LocalSend in portable mode?

Create an empty file named settings.json next to the executable and restart. The app detects that file on launch and stores everything there instead of the system location. Delete the file to return to default storage.

I moved LocalSend and lost my alias and port. Why?

Preferences moved with the app folder in portable mode but stay in the system store otherwise. Moving the exe without its settings file orphans the old options. Keep the JSON beside the binary for USB stick use.

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