Transferring Calibre Library and Settings to a New MacBook

FacetiousKnave · 04-26-2025, 05:32 PM

Hi all,

I have my entire Calibre library stored on an external hard drive, and I’ve just got a new MacBook. My goal is to continue managing my eBooks on the new laptop.

However, I’ve completely forgotten which Calibre folder I need to copy from my old laptop and paste onto the new one to ensure a smooth transition.

Could anyone kindly point me to the location of this folder and clarify what exactly needs to be copied to retain my settings, plugins, and everything else?

Thank you in advance!

BetterRed · 04-26-2025, 06:02 PM

It's in the User manual ==>> How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another?

BR

FacetiousKnave · 04-26-2025, 07:15 PM

Thank you for your response, but I believe there may be a misunderstanding. I have a 23 GB library stored on an external hard drive. If I follow the traditional method you suggested, it would result in a duplicate file of the same size, containing an identical set of books, which I would need to store on the same external drive. My goal is to find a way to import the settings and plugins while making Calibre recognise the existing folder that already contains the books, without duplicating the library.

BetterRed · 04-26-2025, 07:41 PM

Last para ==>> How do I backup calibre?

BR

theducks · 04-26-2025, 09:31 PM

Open Calibre on the old Laptop: Preference Miscellaneous: click Open the configuration folder.

Close Calibre.

That is the folder to COPY to the proper place on the New PC.
(Assumes a fresh Calibre has been installed)
I assume you will just plug the external drive into the new PC ?
You might need to right click on the Library Icon: Switch/create: USE EXISTING:<make it look at the drive>

04-26-2025, 05:32 PM	#1
FacetiousKnave Unconscionable Posts: 89 Karma: 25000 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Helsinki Device: Kindle	Transferring Calibre Library and Settings to a New MacBook Hi all, I have my entire Calibre library stored on an external hard drive, and I’ve just got a new MacBook. My goal is to continue managing my eBooks on the new laptop. However, I’ve completely forgotten which Calibre folder I need to copy from my old laptop and paste onto the new one to ensure a smooth transition. Could anyone kindly point me to the location of this folder and clarify what exactly needs to be copied to retain my settings, plugins, and everything else? Thank you in advance!

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04-26-2025, 06:02 PM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,699 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	It's in the User manual ==>> How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another? BR

04-26-2025, 07:15 PM	#3
FacetiousKnave Unconscionable Posts: 89 Karma: 25000 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Helsinki Device: Kindle	Thank you for your response, but I believe there may be a misunderstanding. I have a 23 GB library stored on an external hard drive. If I follow the traditional method you suggested, it would result in a duplicate file of the same size, containing an identical set of books, which I would need to store on the same external drive. My goal is to find a way to import the settings and plugins while making Calibre recognise the existing folder that already contains the books, without duplicating the library.

04-26-2025, 07:41 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,699 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Last para ==>> How do I backup calibre? BR

04-26-2025, 09:31 PM	#5
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,009 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Open Calibre on the old Laptop: Preference Miscellaneous: click Open the configuration folder. Close Calibre. That is the folder to COPY to the proper place on the New PC. (Assumes a fresh Calibre has been installed) I assume you will just plug the external drive into the new PC ? You might need to right click on the Library Icon: Switch/create: USE EXISTING:<make it look at the drive>

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