---
title: "Where your notes live"
---

Mimir keeps every note in a single, real SQLite database file on your
device. Nothing is stored in the cloud unless you turn on
[Cloud Sync](/sync-across-devices), and even then, sync only carries your
notes between your own devices — Mimir has no servers that read your
notes.

**On macOS**, the file is at:

```
~/Library/Application Support/mimir/mimir.db
```

You can open it with any SQLite browser. Mimir doesn't let you move or
rename it. To bring notes in from another app, see
[Importing notes from another app](/importing-notes-from-another-app).

**On iOS/iPad**, the database lives inside Mimir's private app storage.
iOS doesn't allow direct file access to it, the same as any other app on
the platform. Use [Exporting your notes](/exporting-your-notes) if you want a copy of
your notes outside Mimir.

## Back up your notes

Don't copy `mimir.db` in Finder or with `cp` while Mimir is running.
Mimir keeps your most recent edits in a second file next to the database
until it writes them in, so a plain copy can leave out your latest notes.

On macOS, run this in Terminal instead. It's safe while Mimir is open:

```
sqlite3 ~/Library/Application\ Support/mimir/mimir.db "VACUUM INTO '$HOME/Desktop/mimir-backup-$(date +%Y-%m-%d).db'"
```

This writes a complete copy to your Desktop, named with today's date, for
example `mimir-backup-2026-09-27.db`. It stops with an error rather than
overwrite a backup that already has that name.

To check that the copy is sound, run this. It prints `ok` for a good copy:

```
sqlite3 ~/Desktop/mimir-backup-$(date +%Y-%m-%d).db "PRAGMA integrity_check"
```

A backup tool such as Time Machine copies the file while Mimir runs, so quit
Mimir before it runs, or back up a copy made with the command above.
[Exporting your notes](/exporting-your-notes) is safe to run at any time
too. To put a backup back, see
[Restoring from a backup](/troubleshooting#restoring-from-a-backup).