Where Brave Browser Profiles Are Located
With Brave Browser running, open a New Window and go to: brave://version
Scroll down to Profile Path: You should see, for
Linux OS - usually but not always:
/home/[username]/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/[profile_folder_name]
MacOS: /Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/[profile_folder_name]
Windows OS: C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\[profile_folder_name]
The actual Profile folder names for [profile_folder_name] would be:
- Default
- Profile 1
- Profile 2
- Profile n [where n is the next increment: 3, 4, . . . etc.]
Upon the original installation and setup of Brave Browser (“BB”):
The 1st BB User Profile is named Profile 1 and its data is maintained within the folder named Default:
- MacOS:
/Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/Default - Windows OS:
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Default
When proceeding with the creation of additional BB User Profiles:
The 2nd BB User Profile name will be Profile 2 and its data will be maintained within the folder named Profile 1:
- MacOS:
/Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/Profile 1 - Windows OS:
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Profile 1
The 3rd BB User Profile name will be Profile 3 and its data will be maintained within the folder named Profile 2:
- MacOS:
/Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/Profile 2 - Windows OS:
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Profile 2
Repeating the pattern of BB User Profile creations:
- Actual 1st BB User Profile data is in folder named
Default - Actual 2nd BB User Profile data is in folder named
Profile 1 - Actual 3rd BB User Profile data is in folder named
Profile 2 - Actual 4th BB User Profile data is in folder named
Profile 3
Renaming the BB User Profile name(s) . . . DOES NOT CHANGE the folder names and structure:
- Renaming 1st BB User Profile name, from
Profile 1toBob8← still uses folder namedDefault - Renaming 2nd BB User Profile name, from
Profile 2toHope← still uses folder namedProfile 1 - Renaming 3rd BB User Profile name, from
Profile 3toEmma← still uses folder namedProfile 2 - Renaming 4th BB User Profile name, from
Profile 4toWork← still uses folder namedProfile 3
Establish routines for preserving your data:
How to back up Passwords that are stored by Brave Browser
Scrolling down the webpage at:
https://support.brave.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018185951-How-do-I-use-the-built-in-password-manager
A note states:
“Export Passwords - Selecting Download file will export all credentials you’ve saved in your browser as a
.CSVfile onto your system. Note that anyone who has access to your system will be able to open and view this file, so it is recommended that you delete this file once you’ve used the file for its intended purpose.”
Tips on how to encrypt that .CSV file:
- ‘https://www.crucial.com/articles/pc-users/how-to-password-protect-a-folder’
- ‘https://nordvpn.com/blog/how-to-password-protect-a-zip-file/’
- ‘https://www.winzip.com/en/features/security/password-protection/’
Be sure to safely store a copy of that CSV file on an external drive.
How to back up your Bookmarks as an HTML file
Two ways to get to the Bookmarks Manager.
One way:
- Launch Brave and open the Main menu:
- Select
Bookmarks --> Bookmarks Manager - Open the More options menu at the top right
- Select
Exportand choose where you want to store the exported file.
Another way:
- In a new Brave Browser window, go to:
brave://bookmarks - Locate the “Organize” (vertically-arrayed 3-dot) menu button in the upper-right area of the window; click on that
- You should get a pop-up menu, in which you click on the “Export bookmarks” selection and choose where you want to store the exported file.
The exported file name: “bookmarks.html”
Be sure to safely store a copy of that HTML file on an external drive.
I suggest naming the backups in chronological order; for example:
20250926-2128_Friday_BB_Bookmarks.html
20250927-2128_Saturday_BB_Bookmarks.html
20250926-2131_Friday_BB_Passwords.csv
20250927-2131_Saturday_BB_Passwords.csv
Windows OS users, maintain a daily routine to backup the User Data folder:
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Default
MacOS users, backup the Brave-Browser folder:
/Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/Default
Linux OS users, backup the Brave-Browser folder:
/home/[username]/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/
All backups should be stored somewhere that is NOT within the Brave Browser installation paths. Of course, the Passwords.csv files (however you name them) should be stored within an encrypted directory / folder - “vault” of some kind.
Windows OS users, establish a daily routine of creating System Restore Points.
Suggested reading:
‘Lost all cookies including passwords and site data - #2 by Saoiray’
About Brave Browser Tabs:
‘Every time brave crashes, the restore feature doesn’t work - #2 by 289wk’
Perplexity.ai generated a Windows OS PowerShell script for backing up the User Data folder:
‘https://www.perplexity.ai/search/can-perplexity-write-a-windows-lMOWvWKrSzumukWFsbzDcQ’
Some info re Windows OS Credential Manager and Brave Sync: