Moving database to a new hard drive

[Gary Wong 1]

In Mac v7.14, what's the simplest way to move my current EN database to a new SSD drive?

If I uninstall and re-install, can I change the storage location to the SSD?

I have ~22,000 notes in a 35GB file size.

Thanks!

[PinkElephant 8,115]

If you want to replace your current SSD: You could try to move the database using finder, but this is risky. I never did it, and I am not sure it can be done without putting your local database at risk.

If you have no local notebooks (all notes synced to the server), the easiest way is probably to uninstall and reinstall, then make a full sync. For the uninstall use AppCleaner instead of the trash, because only by this the database will be removed as well. AppCleaner has a window to select the items to be deleted. Make sure you check all items (scroll down, there is more below the initial window), or the data will stay.

If you want to use an additional SSD: Maybe I am wrong, but I think EN can only install on the system disk drive - so you can’t probably move it to an additional SSD. If you want to move the database away from the system drive, you probably better ask support about this before uninstalling.

[Metrodon 2,184]

I don't believe that this is currently supported.

[Gary Wong 1]

I raised a Support ticket and had an email exchange with Hoover (EN Help and Learning). Key points below and reflect what @PinkElephantsuggested:

 

1. I understand you are having some doubts if your data will be at risk when moving it to another storage. Your notes are stored by Evernote in two locations: A local database on your device or computer, and the Evernote servers. As long as you are able to connect to the Evernote servers to sync your account, your notes and notebooks will be waiting for you in the cloud even if you uninstall or move your database.

2.  If you have opted to create any local notebooks, it's important to back these up before uninstalling Evernote or they will be lost. Local notebooks are not synced to Evernote servers.

3. My question: Is there a simple migration process to move my existing EN database on the Mac hard drive over to the external SSD? Hoover's answer: 

   I would suggest an easy way is to reinstall the app. Make sure you install the Evernote app on the correct location/storage. To reinstall Evernote for Mac, follow these steps:

   If Evernote is running, press Command + Q to quit the Evernote app.
   Open the Applications folder and drag Evernote to the Trash.
   Right-click (or Ctrl + Click) on the Trash and select Empty Trash.
   Restart your computer.
   Download and install Evernote for Mac from www.evernote.com/download.
   Drag the Evernote icon into your Applications folder.
   Open Evernote and log in to your Evernote account.

I would suggest an easy way is to reinstall the app. Make sure you install the Evernote app on the correct location/storage. To reinstall Evernote for Mac, follow these steps:

1. If Evernote is running, press Command + Q to quit the Evernote app
2. Open the Applications folder and drag Evernote to the Trash
3. Right-click (or Ctrl + Click) on the Trash and select Empty Trash
4. Restart your computer
5. Download and install Evernote for Mac from www.evernote.com/download
6. Drag the Evernote icon into your Applications folder
7. Open Evernote and log in to your Evernote account

STOP! Don't do this yet. I have another call into Hoover. When re-installing EN for Mac, you don't have the option to change the storage location. You are not prompted for a storage location and there is no Tools tab in the Mac version.

[Gary Wong 1]

On Mar 31 I replied to Hoover:

To locate the EN database folder, I clicked on About Evernote and the Option key. In v7.14, looks like that has been removed. It was available in v6.10.

I remembered I could also go through the Help tab, hit the Option key to reveal Troubleshooting. That also has been removed!

So how do I find the EN database folder to copy over to the SSD?

Hoover transferred my ticket to Oleg, Technical Support Specialist. His reply:

At the moment, Evernote for Mac desktop application doesn't allow relocating the local database and unfortunately there is no workaround that will not disrupt the proper operation of the application.

Thanks for bringing this up. I’ve gone ahead and made note of this for our development team. While we can’t commit to getting all feature requests into the product, we do rely on our community to tell us what they’d like to see in the future.

 I recognize that this doesn't fix the issue that you're running into today but I want you to know that we are hard at work on prioritizing major improvements that you'll be seeing soon.

[DTLow 5,736]

5 hours ago, Gary Wong said:

I remembered I could also go through the Help tab, hit the Option key to reveal Troubleshooting. That also has been removed!

Hold down the option key, then click the Help menu

[Gary Wong 1]

@DTLow Ah! Wrong sequence. I was clicking on the Help menu and then the Option key.

Thx.