Where Does Tails Store Persistent Data?
Tails keeps opt-in persistent files in an encrypted volume at /live/persistence, with dotfiles symlinked home.
Last updated
Tails forgets everything by default; persistence is opt-in per feature. The encrypted volume surfaces at /live/persistence/TailsData_unlocked with a Persistent folder for documents, a dotfiles tree symlinked into Home, and persistence.conf listing enabled bindings.
Backups need the volume unlocked and a second encrypted target. The rsync route copies everything including bindings config, which beats cherry-picking files that may miss hidden dependencies.
Where Tails stores this, by platform
/live/persistence/TailsData_unlocked
Encrypted volume with Persistent folder, dotfiles tree, and persistence.conf. Back up unlocked via the backup utility or rsync to encrypted media.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up Tails Persistent Storage?
Run the Back Up Persistent Storage utility to clone to a second Tails stick, or rsync the unlocked volume to encrypted media. Copy both data and persistence.conf.
How do I persist config files in Tails?
Turn on the Dotfiles feature and place files (or a .config folder) inside the Dotfiles directory. They symlink into Home on boot; whole folders are ignored.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.