Where Is the Things 3 Database Stored?
Things 3 keeps its SQLite database in a group container with a per install suffix. Exact Mac path and how to copy it safely.
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Things 3 stores everything in a bundle called Things Database.thingsdatabase inside a group container. The middle folder carries a random suffix per install, so no two Macs share the exact full path.
The live data is main.sqlite inside that bundle. Always quit Things before copying, and copy rather than move: pulling the original out of place breaks the app while a copy elsewhere is a safe backup.
Where Things 3 stores this, by platform
~/Library/Group Containers/JLMPQHK86H.com.culturedcode.ThingsMac/ThingsData-xxxxx/Things Database.thingsdatabase
The xxxxx suffix varies per install, so match ThingsData-* with a glob if scripting. main.sqlite inside the bundle is the database. Beta builds use com.culturedcode.ThingsMac.beta instead.
Frequently asked questions
why does my ThingsData folder have random letters?
Apple appends a unique suffix per install to the ThingsData folder. Open the group container and take whichever ThingsData folder exists there rather than typing a path from a guide.
how do i back up Things 3 manually?
Quit Things, open the group container with Go to Folder, enter your ThingsData folder, and copy the whole thingsdatabase bundle to your backup drive. Leave the original exactly where it was.
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