The Ultimate Plex Backup Strategy (Database, Metadata, Settings)

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Don’t wait for a hard drive crash to realize you needed a backup plan. Backing up Plex is easy once you know what actually needs saving.

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What to Back Up:

  • Plex database (watch history, collections, etc.)
  • Metadata and posters
  • Server settings and preferences

Where to Find It:
On most systems, Plex stores everything in the Plex Media Server folder:

  • Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server
  • Linux: ~/.config/plexmediaserver/

How to Back It Up:

  • Stop the Plex server
  • Copy the entire Plex Media Server folder to another drive
  • Or use backup tools like rsync, Duplicati, or Borg

Automate It (Optional):

  • Schedule a cron job or Windows Task to back up regularly
  • Use cloud sync services for added redundancy

NOTE: None of this might be necessary if you use a hosting provider who handles updates for you. :wink:

If you’ve ever spent hours rebuilding your library…you’ll know why this matters.