# Save plex media serveur

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/save-plex-media-serveur/652639>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-linux\
**Created:** [November 11, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/save-plex-media-serveur/652639 "2020-11-11T22:10:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Micka260](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@Micka260](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Micka260)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/save-plex-media-serveur/652639/1 "2020-11-11T22:10:37Z")

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Server Version#: Version 1.20.0.1406-f47a81b7  
Player Version#: Apple TV

Hello,  
First of all I would like to apologize for my English which is not perfect …  
I would like to know, in the case of a debian formatting, what should I backup to get Plex back exactly as it was.  
I suspect that I have to backup my data (video and photo files) it’s obvious but I’d like to find the same configuration exactly as it was.

Is it enough to backup and put the following file back in place?  
/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Preferences.xml

Or should I back up the entire folder: /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/

Thank you for your help!

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**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/save-plex-media-serveur/652639/2 "2020-11-11T23:10:56Z")

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Basically you’ll need the full Plex data directory (`/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/`).

You can use the support article on how to move to a new setup (knowing it’s not a 100% match… but it’ll cover all important steps).  
[https://support.plex.tv/articles/201370363-move-an-install-to-another-system/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201370363-move-an-install-to-another-system/)

# 

There’s also a post in the tips & tricks section addressing how to backup/restore your PMS:

> [@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:** ![Micka260](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@Micka260](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Micka260)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 6:21am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/save-plex-media-serveur/652639/3 "2020-11-12T06:21:52Z")

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Super thanks a lot for your answer.  
I will now proceed to save the complete file:  
`/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/`  
Then I would put this folder back on the new installation.

Thank you for your answer.

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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:** [February 10, 2021, 6:22am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/save-plex-media-serveur/652639/4 "2021-02-10T06:22:01Z")

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