Where Are macOS Notifications Stored?
macOS Notification Center database and preferences paths.
Last updated
macOS stages Notification Center history and preferences in per-user app support and darwin notification folders, with SQLite databases behind Notification Center. Focus modes filter delivery without deleting history.
Query copies of the database for forensics instead of the live file. Notification settings migrate through iCloud while history stays local.
Where macOS stores this, by platform
~/Library/Application Support/NotificationCenter
Per-user notification databases and state keyed by UUID subfolders. Preferences live in ~/Library/Preferences with Focus modes beside them. Copy the database before querying; live locks corrupt reads.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read old macOS notifications?
Recent ones persist in the database above until expiry. Copy it first, then query the copy with SQLite tools.
Where are Focus mode settings?
In preferences beside the folder above plus iCloud sync. Delivery rules travel while history does not.
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