> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# File Paths

> File system locations used by Mullvad VPN daemon, CLI, and GUI applications

## Overview

Mullvad VPN uses various directories across your system for storing settings, logs, cache data, and runtime files. This guide documents all file paths used by the application.

<Note>
  All directory paths are defined in the `mullvad-paths` crate and can be customized using environment variables.
</Note>

## Daemon Paths

### Settings Directory

Stores the daemon's configuration files and persistent settings.

| Platform | Default Path                  |
| -------- | ----------------------------- |
| Linux    | `/etc/mullvad-vpn/`           |
| macOS    | `/etc/mullvad-vpn/`           |
| Windows  | `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Mullvad VPN\` |
| Android  | `getFilesDir()`               |

<Note>
  On Windows, when running as a system service, `%LOCALAPPDATA%` expands to:
  `C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local`
</Note>

**Environment Variable:** `MULLVAD_SETTINGS_DIR`

```bash theme={null}
# Linux/macOS
export MULLVAD_SETTINGS_DIR=/custom/settings/path

# Windows
setx MULLVAD_SETTINGS_DIR "C:\Custom\Settings\Path" /m
```

### Log Directory

Stores daemon and application log files.

| Platform | Default Path                        |
| -------- | ----------------------------------- |
| Linux    | `/var/log/mullvad-vpn/` (+ systemd) |
| macOS    | `/var/log/mullvad-vpn/`             |
| Windows  | `C:\ProgramData\Mullvad VPN\`       |
| Android  | `getFilesDir()`                     |

**Environment Variable:** `MULLVAD_LOG_DIR`

```bash theme={null}
# Linux/macOS
export MULLVAD_LOG_DIR=/custom/logs/path

# Windows
setx MULLVAD_LOG_DIR "C:\Custom\Logs\Path" /m
```

<Note>
  On Linux, logs are also available through systemd:

  ```bash theme={null}
  journalctl -u mullvad-daemon.service
  ```
</Note>

### Cache Directory

Stores temporary data such as relay lists and account information.

| Platform | Default Path                       |
| -------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Linux    | `/var/cache/mullvad-vpn/`          |
| macOS    | `/Library/Caches/mullvad-vpn/`     |
| Windows  | `C:\ProgramData\Mullvad VPN\cache` |
| Android  | `getCacheDir()`                    |

**Environment Variable:** `MULLVAD_CACHE_DIR`

```bash theme={null}
# Linux/macOS
export MULLVAD_CACHE_DIR=/custom/cache/path

# Windows
setx MULLVAD_CACHE_DIR "C:\Custom\Cache\Path" /m
```

### RPC Socket Path

The management interface socket used by the CLI and GUI to communicate with the daemon.

| Platform | Default Path            |
| -------- | ----------------------- |
| Linux    | `/var/run/mullvad-vpn`  |
| macOS    | `/var/run/mullvad-vpn`  |
| Windows  | `//./pipe/Mullvad VPN`  |
| Android  | `getNoBackupFilesDir()` |

**Environment Variable:** `MULLVAD_RPC_SOCKET_PATH`

```bash theme={null}
# Linux/macOS
export MULLVAD_RPC_SOCKET_PATH=/custom/socket/path

# Windows
setx MULLVAD_RPC_SOCKET_PATH "\\\\.\\pipe\\CustomPipe" /m
```

<Note>
  On Windows, the RPC socket uses a named pipe instead of a Unix socket.
</Note>

## Desktop Application Paths

The Electron-based GUI application stores user-specific settings separately from the daemon.

### GUI Settings File

Stores GUI preferences and window state.

| Platform | Path                                                          |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Linux    | `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/Mullvad VPN/gui_settings.json`              |
| macOS    | `~/Library/Application Support/Mullvad VPN/gui_settings.json` |
| Windows  | `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Mullvad VPN\gui_settings.json`                |
| Android  | Available in `logcat`                                         |

<Note>
  On Linux, if `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME` is not set, it defaults to `~/.config`.
</Note>

The GUI settings file location is defined in:
`desktop/packages/mullvad-vpn/src/main/gui-settings.ts`

## Path Hierarchy

### Linux

```
/etc/mullvad-vpn/           # Settings
├── settings.json
└── ...

/var/log/mullvad-vpn/       # Logs
├── daemon.log
└── ...

/var/cache/mullvad-vpn/     # Cache
├── relays.json
└── ...

/var/run/                   # Runtime
└── mullvad-vpn             # RPC socket

~/.config/Mullvad VPN/      # GUI settings
└── gui_settings.json
```

### macOS

```
/etc/mullvad-vpn/                              # Settings
├── settings.json
└── ...

/var/log/mullvad-vpn/                          # Logs
├── daemon.log
└── ...

/Library/Caches/mullvad-vpn/                   # Cache
├── relays.json
└── ...

/var/run/                                      # Runtime
└── mullvad-vpn                                # RPC socket

~/Library/Application Support/Mullvad VPN/     # GUI settings
└── gui_settings.json
```

### Windows

```
C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Mullvad VPN\
├── settings.json           # Settings
└── ...

C:\ProgramData\Mullvad VPN\
├── daemon.log              # Logs
├── cache\                  # Cache
│   ├── relays.json
│   └── ...
└── ...

\\\.\pipe\Mullvad VPN        # RPC named pipe

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Mullvad VPN\
└── gui_settings.json       # GUI settings
```

## Permissions

### Unix Systems (Linux/macOS)

The daemon creates directories with specific permissions to ensure security:

* **Settings directory:** Root-owned, mode `0700` (owner read/write/execute only)
* **Log directory:** Root-owned, readable by all users for transparency
* **Cache directory:** Root-owned, readable and executable by all users
* **RPC socket:** Accessible by all users by default (can be restricted with `MULLVAD_MANAGEMENT_SOCKET_GROUP`)

### Windows

On Windows, the daemon sets ACLs (Access Control Lists) to ensure:

* **Administrators:** Full access to all directories
* **Authenticated Users:** Read-only access to appropriate directories
* **SYSTEM:** Full access as the service runs under the SYSTEM account

## Cleaning Up

To remove all Mullvad VPN data from your system:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Linux">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # Stop the daemon
    sudo systemctl stop mullvad-daemon

    # Remove all data
    sudo rm -rf /etc/mullvad-vpn
    sudo rm -rf /var/log/mullvad-vpn
    sudo rm -rf /var/cache/mullvad-vpn
    rm -rf ~/.config/"Mullvad VPN"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # Stop the daemon
    launchctl unload -w /Library/LaunchDaemons/net.mullvad.daemon.plist

    # Remove all data
    sudo rm -rf /etc/mullvad-vpn
    sudo rm -rf /var/log/mullvad-vpn
    sudo rm -rf /Library/Caches/mullvad-vpn
    rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/"Mullvad VPN"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    # Stop the service
    sc.exe stop mullvadvpn

    # Remove data (run as Administrator)
    Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Mullvad VPN"
    Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "C:\ProgramData\Mullvad VPN"
    Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Mullvad VPN"
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  Removing these directories will delete all settings, logs, and cached data. You will need to reconfigure the app and log in again.
</Warning>

## Troubleshooting

### Permission Denied Errors

If you encounter permission errors:

1. Ensure the daemon is running as root/SYSTEM
2. Check directory ownership and permissions
3. On Linux/macOS, verify SELinux or AppArmor policies aren't blocking access

### Custom Paths Not Working

If custom environment variables aren't being respected:

1. Verify the environment variable is set for the daemon process, not just your user session
2. Restart the daemon after setting environment variables
3. Check daemon logs for path-related errors

### Disk Space Issues

If logs or cache are consuming too much space:

```bash theme={null}
# Check directory sizes
du -sh /var/log/mullvad-vpn
du -sh /var/cache/mullvad-vpn

# Safely remove old logs (daemon will recreate)
sudo systemctl stop mullvad-daemon
sudo rm /var/log/mullvad-vpn/*.log.old
sudo systemctl start mullvad-daemon
```

## Related Resources

* [Environment Variables](/cli/configuration/environment-variables) - Configure file paths and daemon behavior
* [Settings Management](/cli/configuration/settings) - Understanding the settings directory