macOSWindows

Where Does MAMP Store Sites and Databases?

MAMP serves sites from htdocs on macOS and Windows, with MySQL data in db folders. MAMP PRO uses different paths.

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MAMP keeps web files and database files in separate folders under its install directory. The free version serves everything from a single htdocs document root, which you can move in Preferences under Web Server. MAMP PRO works differently, giving each host its own document root.

Database location depends on the edition. Free MAMP stores MySQL data inside its own db folder. MAMP PRO moves databases outside the app folder into system Application Support, so upgrading the app does not touch your data.

Where MAMP stores this, by platform

macOS
/Applications/MAMP/htdocs

Default document root for free MAMP. Change it in Preferences, Web Server if your projects live elsewhere.

macOS
/Applications/MAMP/db/mysql

Default MySQL data directory for free MAMP. The mysql.sock socket used by local tools sits in /Applications/MAMP/tmp/mysql.

macOS
/Library/Application Support/appsolute/MAMP PRO/db/mysql57

MAMP PRO database location on Mac. Each host's document root is set per host, and defaults away from the app folder.

Windows
C:\MAMP\htdocs

Default document root on Windows. MAMP docs recommend moving real projects out of the install folder into Documents.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my MAMP document root?

Open MAMP and check Preferences, Web Server, Document Root. That field is the live answer. The default below applies only if you never changed it.

How do I back up a MAMP site?

Copy the htdocs folder for files plus a MySQL dump for databases. The db folder alone is version tied, so a dump restores cleanly on a new MAMP install.

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