Where Does Simplenote Store Local Data?
Simplenote desktop is an Electron app with a standard cache folder per OS. Where it is and why it is not a real backup of your notes.
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The Simplenote desktop app follows the standard Electron layout, so its local data sits exactly where you would predict for the platform. Treat that folder as a cache rather than an archive.
Your notes actually live in Simplenote's cloud and sync through Simperium. The desktop folder speeds up launch and covers offline gaps. For a genuine backup, export from inside the app instead of copying the cache.
Where Simplenote stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\Simplenote
Electron user data: config, logs and Chromium session storage including cached note content. Notes themselves sync from the cloud, so copy this for troubleshooting rather than backup.
~/Library/Application Support/Simplenote
Same role on Mac. The Mac App Store build historically lacked import and export, so use the Electron build from the Simplenote site if you need the export menu.
~/.config/Simplenote
Same cache role on Linux. Export produces a simplenote.json file you can keep wherever you like, which is the supported way to preserve notes.
Frequently asked questions
is the Simplenote app folder a backup of my notes?
Not reliably. It is a Chromium session cache of synced content. Use the app's export to simplenote.json for anything you actually want to keep, and treat the folder as disposable.
can i use Simplenote without an account?
No. Simplenote requires an account since notes sync through its servers. The local folder only caches what the account has already synced.
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