# Moving Plex Metadata database between Linux Distros and Plex versions

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-plex-metadata-database-between-linux-distros-and-plex-versions/500947>\
**Category:** Metadata & Adding Files\
**Tags:** server-linux\
**Created:** [December 3, 2019, 12:39pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-plex-metadata-database-between-linux-distros-and-plex-versions/500947 "2019-12-03T12:39:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nick7791](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e99b99/32.png) [@nick7791](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nick7791)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 12:39pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-plex-metadata-database-between-linux-distros-and-plex-versions/500947/1 "2019-12-03T12:39:01Z")

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Im currently in the process of separating Plex from my FreeNAS 11.1 device because Im stuck at version 1.15.5.xxxx. I spun up an Ubuntu 18.04LTS build on another SFF pc that I am dedicating solely to running Plex. Im to the point where Plex is installed, however it is at the current version 1.18.x.xxxx. The media will be mounted via NFS instead of a standard jail storage mount, it is at /nfs/Media instead of /mnt/Media.

Is it possible to compress and transfer my metadata library between OS and Plex versions? Is there a process I should follow or is this documented elsewhere?

I have seen these FAQs but didnt know how applicable they were:

> [@Linux Tips](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/6):
>
> Moving Plex’s metadata (Library) directory on systemd based systems This information is intended for those systems where cat /proc/1/comm returns systemd. If your system returns init, please see the next post in this thread. While you may change /lib/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service, it is under the control of the package manager and subject to replacement without warning at any time during an update. To provide stability, systemd allows creation of an override.conf file to customiz…

> [@Linux Tips](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/7):
>
> Backup, Restore, or Clone your PMS installation Backing up your PMS data involves the same steps you’ll need if you were to clone your PMS and take to a new computer, reinstall the operating system, or just want a backup for safe keeping. Making the Backup (General Steps) Stop PMS Invoke the root shell Create the backup image Copy the image to the new system, perform your OS reinstallation, or whatever task you need Restoring a backup image (General Steps) (Re)install PMS itself if on a ne…

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**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-plex-metadata-database-between-linux-distros-and-plex-versions/500947/2 "2019-12-03T16:28:13Z")

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This support article should cover what you need:

> **[Move an Install to Another System | Plex Support](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201370363-move-an-install-to-another-system/)**
>
> It is possible to move a Plex Media Server installation from one computer/system to another in most cases. It won’t...

FYI, FreeNAS details are covered in the “Linux and NAS Devices” section (follow the “Where is the Plex Media Server data directory located?” link).

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**Author:** ![nick7791](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e99b99/32.png) [@nick7791](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nick7791)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-plex-metadata-database-between-linux-distros-and-plex-versions/500947/3 "2019-12-03T16:35:25Z")

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Ill check that out. I came across a similar article from 2012 but wasnt sure if it would work in my situation considering the version difference.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 4:35pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-plex-metadata-database-between-linux-distros-and-plex-versions/500947/4 "2020-03-02T16:35:27Z")

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