Setting the default backup folder

FileMaker Server uses the default backup folder for daily automatic backups, when you create an on-demand backup using Backup Up Now on the Backups page, and when you run a CLI BACKUP command that doesn't specify a destination folder. When you create a backup schedule, the default backup folder is the initial value used for the Backup Folder field.

Important  

  • The backup folder cannot be a parent or a sub-folder of the default database folder, the additional database folder, the progressive backup folder, or the Scripts folder. FileMaker Server attempts to open any databases in the default database folder when FileMaker Server starts if the Automatically open databases that are in the database folders setting is enabled on the Configuration > General Settings tab.

  • Before changing folder settings, ensure all permissions and requirements are met for the selected folder. See Tips for valid folders.

To specify the default backup folder:

  1. Click the Configuration > Folders tab.

  2. For Backup Folders, click Change, then specify the folder. The maximum length of the folder path is 255 characters.

    • Windows: Ensure the path starts with filewin:/ and end with a slash (/).

      For example, filewin:/[drive letter]:/[folder name]/

    • macOS: Ensure the path starts with filemac:/ and end with a slash (/).

      For example, filemac:/[volume name]/[folder name]/

    • Linux: Ensure the path starts with filelinux:/ and end with a slash (/).

      For example, filelinux:/[volume name]/[folder name]/

  3. Click Save to validate and save the path.

Notes 

  • After installation, the default backup folder path is:

    • Windows: [drive]:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Data\Backups

    • macOS: /Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Backups

    • Linux: /opt/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Backups

  • macOS: If the path is not on the system drive, macOS must be configured with Full Disk Access to the location.

  • Specify a backup folder on a different hard drive from the one where the hosted databases reside.

  • Changing the default backup folder on the Configuration > Folders tab does not change the folder specified in the backup schedules you have already created. It changes the default that appears on the Configuration > Schedules tab the next time you create a backup schedule. It also changes the folder used for daily automatic backups, for on-demand backups, and for CLI BACKUP commands don't specify a destination folder.

  • You can select a backup folder on an ReFS volume; however, that volume cannot be a remote volume.

  • For external container data, if you encrypt the database, the data in any related external container folders is also encrypted. FileMaker Server backs up the data to a directory relative to the database folder.

  • If you receive the error "the path is not valid", see the "The path for my additional database folder or backup folders is not valid" section in General problems.

Related topics