# What is "Download Database"? Is it a backup **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-qnap\ **Created:** [May 13, 2023, 10:56am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-download-database-is-it-a-backup/840967 "2023-05-13T10:56:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LaugVichs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/22d042/32.png) [@LaugVichs](https://forums.plex.tv/u/LaugVichs)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 10:56am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-download-database-is-it-a-backup/840967/1 "2023-05-13T10:56:16Z")
Server Version#: current Public on QNAP (latest QTS firmware) Player Version#: N/A \ Hi Long time lifetime pass PLEX user who has lost a number of databases over the years and never fully been happy with the backup functionality of PLEX/QNAP e,g. PLEX needs to fully stop for a db copy to be successfully made. Does the “Download Database” capability actually provide an exportable/importable db backup? Unzipping the file produces one large file that doesn’t match the three day rolling internal backups being made (by name, size or file extension). So, it can’t be re-imported into PLEX? What am I missing in terms of QNAP backup of PLEX? Now got again to a stable state yet remain in dread of losing 2yrs work in a corrupt db and an inability to load in a backup. Seems simple stuff to me in theory. Why in PLEX on a QNAP is it a nightmare? And don’t get me onto exporting/importing basic playlists… Ost ---
**Author:** ![pl\_5309](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@pl\_5309](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pl_5309)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-download-database-is-it-a-backup/840967/2 "2023-05-13T12:25:27Z")
The file is a copy of the DB file, you could load it in sqlite to create export sql or use it as a backup and replace the db file but you don’t get the blobs. It would be better to focus on the 3 day backups that give you the db and blobs-db file in sync. Either turn on backup notifications or watch the directory for backups. If at anytime the 3 day backup doesn’t occur use the last backups to replace your blobs and db. You could also download [GitHub - ChuckPa/PlexDBRepair: Database repair utility for Plex Media Server databases](https://github.com/ChuckPa/PlexDBRepair) and get familiar with it before you have an issue. For some uses I would say run the repair before upgrading PMS due to things like importing sql or using 3rd party media managers without shutting down Plex. ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-download-database-is-it-a-backup/840967/3 "2023-05-13T18:22:34Z")
On QNAP, because of how QPKG works, we have a bit of an odd-ball access to the metadata but it’s stable and works perfectly via FIleStation once you understand how it works. > [@Qnap faq.....read me first!](https://forums.plex.tv/t/qnap-faq-read-me-first/109942/5): > > Q28: How to use the PlexData share The PlexData share, available in PMS 1.19.5 and above, can be used in multiple ways, like: Obtain log files to post in the forum when Plex misbehaves Add hidden preferences to your Plex configuration (Preferences.xml) Backup / Restore your entire Plex installation Use of the PlexData share is completely optional. It is a diagnostic and support mechanism. It has no active interaction with PMS itself. PMS is completely unaware of this mechanism and in… Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. ---
**Author:** ![LaugVichs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/22d042/32.png) [@LaugVichs](https://forums.plex.tv/u/LaugVichs)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 2:26pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-download-database-is-it-a-backup/840967/5 "2023-05-15T14:26:32Z")
Hi Tiebierius - thank you for answering my specific question and flagging the 3day backup and Chuck Pa’s work with the very sensible proviso of familiarity before loss. Indeed :). Notification of when this has stopped working is the key for prompt remedial action. “backup notifications” - wouldn’t that be good if it came from PLEX itself as don’t seem to have found that function. Chuck Pa - thank you for picking up on this and making sure I do read the Read Me First. I will get my head around all this for the given reasons. Grateful there are those writing such tools. Cheers ---
**Author:** ![pl\_5309](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@pl\_5309](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pl_5309)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 7:43am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-download-database-is-it-a-backup/840967/6 "2023-05-16T07:43:57Z")
Notifications are sent to a Mobile device. [https://support.plex.tv/articles/push-notifications/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/push-notifications/) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 7:44am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-download-database-is-it-a-backup/840967/7 "2023-08-14T07:44:40Z")
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