Step-by-step guide for migrating your database from original FileBrowser.

Prerequisites

  • Backup your original database file (create copy)
  • Stop the original FileBrowser instance
  • Have FileBrowser Quantum configuration ready

Migration Steps

1. Locate Original Database

Find your original FileBrowser database file (typically filebrowser.db):

# Common locations
~/.filebrowser/filebrowser.db
/var/lib/filebrowser/filebrowser.db
./database/filebrowser.db

2. Backup Database

Always create a backup before migration:

cp /path/to/filebrowser.db /path/to/filebrowser.db.backup

3. Copy Database

Copy the database to your FileBrowser Quantum data directory:

cp /path/to/filebrowser.db /path/to/quantum/database/database.db

4. Update Configuration

Update config.yaml to point to the database:

server:
  database: "/database/database.db"
  cacheDir: "/tmp/filebrowser"  # Required in Quantum

6. Start FileBrowser Quantum 

.\filebrowser -c config.yaml

Or with Docker:

docker-compose up -d

Verification

After migration, verify:

  1. You can log in with existing credentials
  2. User accounts are preserved
  3. File permissions work correctly
  4. Sources are accessible

Things that won’t work on successful migration

  • share links
  • branding
  • theme
  • Rules
  • Runners

The filebrowser Quantum application should run with the same users you have from the original. But keep in mind the differences that may not work the same way, but all user configuration should be available.

Migrating back to original

You cannot migrate back. Make sure you have a backup.

Next Steps