Yes, great idea. Also add a Folder called Backups
Then go to View menu up next to Go menu and click on show path bar.
This will give you the correct path to the Backups Folder at the bottom of Finder window.
Also it best to Column view when navigating Library Directories
So whatâs the diff between
Plex Media Server / PluginSupport / Databases
And
Plex Media Server / Backups
Because it seems you have all the files in Databases. I have some of the files there. (Screenshot)
Can I change the path to something less confusing in Plex Scheduled tasks?
That is the normal correct location
And also Plex says back up files are stored here
~/Library/Preferences/
https://support.plex.tv/articles/201539237-backing-up-plex-media-server-data/
But also here
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/
https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/
So thatâs 4 different places!!!!!But Plex says they are here
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/
https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/ Base path for storing parts of plex
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Plug-in Support/Databases Path where Plex stores its database files and database file backups
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Backups isnt a normal path
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs the standard location Plex uses for troubleshooting/operational logs
~/Library/Preferences/ has the com.plexapp.plexmediaserver.plist file which is the macOS version of preferences.xml or the Windows Registry, contains some server ID values and server config settings.
I can explain more about how plex stores its data, but my bigger question for this thread, is what are you trying to achieve?
AFAIR, if you just clean out this input field and Save Changes, Plex will default back to putting the backups into the same folder as the main DB files.
Ultimately I want to
A: Back up my settings like watch history, Match and metadata etc in case my comp takes a dump.
B: I want to get a new Mac soon and want to have the files so I donât have to re index everything and create my library from scratch ever again.
In this case you are best off duplicating the whole plex data folder onto the new computer. Because the DB backup doesnât even contain all metadata, let alone the results of the various analysis tasks.
What/Where is the Plex data folder.
And do I need to backup the com.plexapp.plexmediaserver.plist
Orange text in this forum is a hyperlink.
As for the second question, yes: https://support.plex.tv/articles/201539237-backing-up-plex-media-server-data/
However I still donât have a file like com.plexapp.plugins.library.db-2025-02-08
In my Databases folder.
The screen shot shows the only files I have.
Odds are you changed the Backup database every three days and/or the Backup directory in the scheduled task section of your library. OR as I have asked now for the third time your plex server logs as plex failing to create those backups is often a sign of a corrupt database.
How can I send you the database logs? They are 50mb and 60 some files
The server logs article has a way to download you logs (Easily Gather Logs) in a ~5mb zip file. Which you can upload/attach to a post on the forum.
Plex Media Server Logs_2025-02-08_19-30-21.zip (3.9 MB)
Thank you for your help
Last month I changed the Database backup location to the desktop. However after more than three days. Plex still did not save any files there. So I changed it back to what Plex recommended which was
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/ but itâs been 5 days and itâs still not saving files there.
Ok I am not seeing a startup sequence in your logs (not the end of the world, but server startup is where I often look for issues)
There is a tool called Webtools-NG that is for Releases · WebTools-NG/WebTools-NG · GitHub In that tool is Plex Media Server => Butler Scheduled Tasks where you can manually run a database backup. Lets see if that creates a backup for you/
EDIT: Feb 06, 2025 01:04:44.056 [0x70000ac80000] ERROR - Butler: Database backup path '~/Applications/PLEXBACKUP' does not exist, skipping.
Found your issue
I would also highlight https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/ AKA your naming schema is less than ideal.
To add to this discussion, sorry I left the discussion earlier, it was very late at night in Australia (2am). Shut eye was required unfortunately.
The following Link from Plex about Scheduled Tasks.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/201553286-scheduled-tasks/
Please note: The Following extract from this Plex Support Document.
You can change your path location as I discussed earlier. If you wish to create a Backup Folder, you can. It works for me without issue. I do advice you use the Path bar from View menu whilst using the Finder to get it correct.
Backup directory path does not regenerate or at least not on MacOS as far as I know like previously mentioned.
Iâm glad you have resolved your issue and have a better understanding of the Home Directory and the Application support folder for Plex Media Server.
Some advice though, this Home Directory is hidden for a reason. Be cautious you can do some serious harm to your MacOS instillation.
Cheers
Thanks. I did try to make a folder in applications. To make it easier to get these backup files. The folder did exist but I guess Plex was too lazy to look for it.
I have changed it back to ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Plug-in Support/Databases
Thanks for your help.
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