Where Does Prowlarr Store Its Database and Config?
Prowlarr keeps its indexers, database and config in one AppData folder. Default paths for Windows, Linux and macOS.
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Prowlarr follows the standard Servarr layout: one AppData directory holding the database with all indexer definitions, config.xml with server settings, logs and backups. The default location depends on OS and install type, and the System Status page inside the app prints the effective path when in doubt.
Service and Docker installs move the folder away from your home directory, which is the source of most empty-folder confusion. Native package installs use a dedicated service user under /var/lib/prowlarr; Docker images hide everything behind the /config mount. The -data= argument overrides the location for multi-instance setups.
Where Prowlarr stores this, by platform
C:\ProgramData\Prowlarr
Holds the database, config.xml, logs and backups. Paste the path into Explorer since ProgramData is hidden. The -data= startup argument overrides the location for extra instances. Stop Prowlarr before any filesystem-level backup so SQLite is consistent.
~/.config/Prowlarr
Package installs typically use /var/lib/prowlarr under a dedicated service user instead. Docker images use /config mapped to your host path. Confirm the live path on the System Status page; the -data= argument overrides it when present.
~/Library/Application Support/Prowlarr
Same AppData layout: database, config.xml, logs. Older macOS installs sometimes used ~/.config/Prowlarr instead; the System Status page settles it. Cross-OS restores are unsupported due to path differences.
Frequently asked questions
how do i back up prowlarr indexers
Back up the whole AppData folder with Prowlarr stopped, or use the built-in backup under System. The database holds your indexer definitions and sync history; config.xml holds the boot settings. Copying a live SQLite database risks a corrupt backup, so stopping first is not optional.
why is my prowlarr config folder empty
Check the service account. Package installs run Prowlarr as a dedicated user with data in /var/lib/prowlarr, while your own ~/.config/Prowlarr sits untouched. The System Status page prints the effective AppData path. Edit the live folder or configure through the UI instead.
can i migrate prowlarr to another machine
Only within the same OS. The database stores absolute paths with platform separators, so Windows to Linux restores break. Same-OS moves are stop, copy folder, start. Docker moves just remap /config to the same host path on the new machine.
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