---
title: 'Where are my files?'
url: 'http://bibleindex.app/en/docs/where-are-my-files'
markdown: 'http://bibleindex.app/en/docs/where-are-my-files.md'
lang: en
date: '2026-10-03'
description: 'Where are my files? BibleIndex separates the program (replaced with each update) from your data (retained between updates). USB Drive (Portable Mode) On a USB drive, you must have two adjacent folders: BibleIndex/ — the program BibleIndexData/ — your personal files For example, on the E:\ drive: …'
---

# Where are my files?

BibleIndex separates the **program** (replaced with each update) from your **data** (retained between updates).

## USB Drive (Portable Mode)

On a USB drive, you must have **two adjacent folders**:

- `BibleIndex/` — the program
- `BibleIndexData/` — your personal files

For example, on the `E:\` drive: `E:\BibleIndex\` and `E:\BibleIndexData\`.

The `portable` file in the program folder tells the application to use the adjacent `BibleIndexData` folder by default.

You can also create a `datapath.txt` file **in the program folder** (next to `portable`) containing a single line: the path to another data folder (preferably relative, e.g., `../ MyBibleIndexFolder`). This file is not included in updates: copy the new program files **into** the existing `BibleIndex/` folder without deleting it.

## Windows installed

If you have installed BibleIndex on your computer, your data is located here:

`%LOCALAPPDATA%\BibleIndex`

(Typical path: `C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\BibleIndex`.)

To use a different folder (e.g., a cloud folder), create `%LOCALAPPDATA%\BibleIndex\datapath.txt` with a single line: the absolute path to the folder. You can also do this from **Settings → Data Folder**.

If this path is inaccessible at startup, the application displays a banner and uses the default folder for this session only.

## Linux installation

Program: `~/.local/opt/bibleindex`

Data: `~/.local/share/bibleindex`

## macOS installation

Program: `~/Applications/BibleIndex.app`

Data: `~/Library/Application Support/BibleIndex`

## Factory Copy in the Program

The `content/` folder inside the program (`BibleIndex/content/` on Windows and Linux) contains a **factory copy** that comes with the application. This is not where you work on a daily basis.

When you launch the app for the first time, it copies certain default files to your data folder **only if they aren’t already there**.

On macOS, this default data is located in the package: `BibleIndex.app/Contents/Resources/content/`.

## Your actual files (live data)

Your Bibles, settings, reading trackers, and search caches are located in the **data folder**:

| Content | Location |
|---|---|
| Bible modules | `bibles/` |
| Settings | `conf/settings.json` |
| Reading trackers | `trackers/` |
| Search index | `cache/search-index/` |

In portable mode, all of this is located in `BibleIndexData/`. In a Windows installation, it’s in `%LOCALAPPDATA%\BibleIndex`.

## Deleting the Cache

You can safely delete the `cache/` folder (or just `cache/search-index/`). The search index will be recreated from your Bibles.

## Updating the program

Replacing the program folder (`BibleIndex/` on a USB drive, or reinstalling on Windows) **does not affect** your data folder. Your Bibles, settings, and trackers remain intact.

## See also

- [General](http://bibleindex.app/en/docs/settings-general)

---

## Navigation

- Parent: [User Guide](http://bibleindex.app/en/docs.md)
- Previous: [Manage Modules](http://bibleindex.app/en/docs/modules.md)
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