Where Does Things Store Its Database?
Where Things 3 keeps its database bundle on Mac, what main.sqlite holds, and how daily backups work.
Last updated
Things 3 keeps its world in a database bundle inside a Group Containers folder, with main.sqlite at the core and journals beside it. The parent folder name carries a per-install suffix, so exact paths vary between Macs. Daily automatic backups accumulate in a Backups folder while the app runs.
Export and restore both go through documented support steps rather than raw file poking. Copy the bundle with the app quit for manual backups, and always open the SQLite file read-only when inspecting. Things Cloud handles sync; local files handle disaster recovery.
Where Things stores this, by platform
~/Library/Group Containers/JLMPQHK86H.com.culturedcode.ThingsMac/ThingsData-*/Things Database.thingsdatabase
Bundle holding main.sqlite plus journals, inside a ThingsData folder with a per-install suffix. Daily backups sit in Backups beside it. Quit the app before copying, and query the database read-only. Beta builds use a .beta container variant.
Frequently asked questions
how do I back up Things
Quit Things, then copy the Things Database bundle from the ThingsData folder to external storage. The bundle holds main.sqlite plus journals. Things Cloud syncs anyway, but local copies protect against sync mistakes and allow offline restores.
how do I restore a Things backup
Disconnect from the internet, quit the app, swap in the chosen backup renamed to the live name, and relaunch. Daily backups accumulate in the Backups folder while the app runs. Rename the current bundle aside first so the swap stays reversible.
can I query the Things database
Open the bundle with Show Package Contents and query main.sqlite read-only with sqlite3. The ThingsData folder name carries a per-install suffix, so scripts should glob rather than hardcode it. Third-party tools document the schema for safe reads.
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