Where Does digiKam Store Its Database?
digiKam database files location, defaulting to the Pictures folder, plus thumbnails storage.
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digiKam defaults to storing its SQLite databases in your Pictures folder: digikam4.db for metadata and a thumbnails database beside it. Your photos stay wherever your albums point.
Database and photos are independent. Moving one without the other produces an intact catalog pointing at missing files.
Where digiKam stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Pictures
Default SQLite location. Holds digikam4.db plus thumbnails database. Check Settings > Database for custom paths. Close digiKam before copying.
~/Pictures
Same default filenames. Confirm in Settings > Database when the collection was customized.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move digiKam to a new computer?
Copy digikam4.db (and thumbnails-digikam.db unless you want a rebuild) with digiKam closed. Keep the photo collection at the same path or relink albums afterward.
Can the database live elsewhere?
Yes, in Settings > Configure > Database. SQLite is the default; MySQL suits large shared collections. The file paths below describe the default SQLite layout.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.