Where Does SimpleX Chat Store Its Database?
SimpleX Chat database folders on desktop, and the in app export that mobile users must use instead.
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The SimpleX desktop app (available for Windows, Mac and Linux) keeps its encrypted database under %APPDATA%\SimpleX on Windows and ~/.local/share/simplex with ~/.config/simplex on Linux and Mac. The terminal client uses a different home: ~/.simplex with its simplex_v1_chat.db and simplex_v1_agent.db pair.
Mobile is export only. Both Android and iOS lock the database in app private storage, so backup means Settings, Database passphrase and export, then Export database to a file you choose. There is no recovery for a forgotten custom passphrase: the only fix is deleting the data and starting over.
Where SimpleX Chat stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\SimpleX
Desktop GUI database (encrypted SQLCipher). The terminal client instead uses %APPDATA%\simplex with simplex_v1_chat.db and simplex_v1_agent.db. Override the CLI path with -d.
~/.local/share/simplex
Desktop GUI database, with config in ~/.config/simplex. The terminal client instead uses ~/.simplex with its two .db files. GUI and CLI never share a folder.
~/.local/share/simplex
Desktop GUI database, with config in ~/.config/simplex (Flatpak: ~/.var/app/chat.simplex.simplex). The terminal client instead uses ~/.simplex. Files and media encryption on top of DB encryption since v5.3.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up SimpleX Chat on Android or iPhone?
Inside the app: Settings, Database passphrase and export, then Export database to a file you choose (set a custom passphrase first; the default is random). Move that file to the new device and import it there.
I forgot my SimpleX database passphrase. Can I recover it?
No. There is no reset flow. On mobile you must reinstall (losing profiles and contacts); on desktop delete the data folder and start over. Keep the passphrase somewhere safe before you need it.
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