Where Does NetworkManager Store Connections?
NetworkManager stores connections in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections. One file per network, keys inside.
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NetworkManager keeps each connection as one INI-style file under system-connections. SSIDs, passwords, VPN settings, all there as keys. The daemon reads them on boot and on reload.
Permissions guard the secrets. Files read root-only by default, which is the whole security model. Copy with ownership intact or connections fail to load on the new box.
Where NetworkManager stores this, by platform
/etc/NetworkManager/system-connections
One file per connection with secrets inside. Root-only perms. Reload with nmcli after copying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I migrate Wi-Fi connections to a new machine?
Copy /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections to the new machine, fix ownership to root, and reload with nmcli connection reload. Secrets travel in the files.
Are Wi-Fi passwords stored in plain text?
Set psk-flags or password-flags so secrets stay in the keyring instead of the file. System-wide connections keep them in file regardless.
Files or nmcli: which edits connections?
Run nmcli connection show to list, nmcli connection edit for changes. Files update on save, so CLI and files never disagree.
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