---
title: "Back up AnyDesk ID and Settings"
slug: "back-up-anydesk-id-and-settings"
updated: 2025-10-14T13:24:44Z
published: 2025-10-14T13:24:44Z
---

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

# Back up AnyDesk ID and Settings

To preserve your **AnyDesk ID**, **Alias**, and configuration settings, it is essential to back up the AnyDesk client’s Configuration Files. This is particularly useful when migrating to a new device or preparing for potential data loss.

---

### Backup procedure

To retain your AnyDesk ID and Alias:

1. [Locate](/v1/docs/backing-up-and-restoring-the-anydesk-id-and-settings#backup-locations) the****`service.conf`****file in your installation directory.
2. **Copy and store** this file in a secure backup location.

> [!CAUTION]
> 🚨 **IMPORTANT**
> 
> The `service.conf` file stores your device’s unique AnyDesk ID and any assigned Aliases. To fully back up your AnyDesk configuration, including settings and recent Session History, you must back up the**entire configuration folder**, not just the `service.conf` file.

---

### Backup locations

The location of the configuration files varies based on the operating system and installation type:

#### Windows (7 and later)

| **Install Type** | **Standard Client Location** | **Custom Client Location (EXE/MSI)** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Uninstalled** | ```plaintext %appdata%\AnyDesk\ ``` | ```plaintext EXE: %appdata%\AnyDesk\ad_<prefix>\ ``` ```plaintext MSI: %appdata%\AnyDesk\ad_<prefix>_msi\ ``` |
| **Installed** | ```plaintext %programdata%\AnyDesk\ ``` | ```plaintext EXE: %programdata%\AnyDesk\ad_<prefix>\ ``` ```plaintext MSI: %programdata%\AnyDesk\ad_<prefix>_msi\ ``` |

#### Windows XP / Server 2003

| **Install Type** | **Standard Client Location** | **Custom Client Location (EXE/MSI)** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Uninstalled** | ```plaintext %appdata%\AnyDesk\ ``` | ```plaintext EXE: %appdata%\AnyDesk\ad_<prefix>\ ``` ```plaintext MSI: %appdata%\AnyDesk\ad_<prefix>_msi\ ``` |
| **Installed** | ```plaintext %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\AnyDesk\ ``` | ```plaintext EXE: %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\AnyDesk\ad_<prefix>\ ``` ```plaintext MSI: %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\AnyDesk\ad_<prefix>_msi\ ``` |

#### macOS

| **Install Type** | **Standard Client Location** | **Custom Client Location** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Uninstalled** | ```plaintext ~/.anydesk/ ``` | ```plaintext ~/.anydesk_ad_<prefix>/ ``` |
| **Installed** | ```plaintext /etc/anydesk/ ``` | ```plaintext /etc/anydesk_ad_<prefix>/ ``` |

#### Linux

| **Install Type** | **Standard Client Location** | **Custom Client Location** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Uninstalled** | ```plaintext ~/.anydesk/ ``` | ```plaintext ~/.anydesk_ad_<prefix>/ ``` |
| **Installed** | ```plaintext /etc/anydesk/ ``` | ```plaintext /etc/anydesk_ad_<prefix>/ ``` |

#### Android

| **Version / Storage Type** | **Standard Client Location** | **Custom Client Location** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Android 7.0 or AnyDesk 5.3.2 or older / Default** | ```plaintext root/data/data/com.anydesk.anydeskandroid/files/.anydesk/ ``` | ```plaintext root/data/data/com.anydesk.anydeskandroid/files/.anydesk-ad_<prefix>/ ``` |
| **Android 7.0 or AnyDesk 5.3.2 or later / Credential Encrypted, CE** | ```plaintext root/data/user/0/com.anydesk.anydeskandroid/files/.anydesk/ ``` | ```plaintext root/data/user/0/com.anydesk.anydeskandroid/files/.anydesk-ad_<prefix>/ ``` |
| **Android 7.0 or AnyDesk 5.3.2 or later / Device Encrypted, DE** | ```plaintext root/data/user_de/0/com.anydesk.anydeskandroid/files/.anydesk/ ``` | ```plaintext root/data/user_de/0/com.anydesk.anydeskandroid/files/.anydesk-ad_<prefix>/ ``` |

---

### Restoring from backup

To restore your AnyDesk ID and settings on the same or a new device:

1. Install AnyDesk (same version if possible).
2. Replace the new `service.conf` and/or configuration folder with your backup.
3. Restart AnyDesk to apply the restored configuration.

> [!CAUTION]
> 🚨 **IMPORTANT**
> 
> If the configuration files are missing or overwritten, the AnyDesk ID and Alias will be irreversibly lost.

---

### Cloned operating systems

When deploying cloned operating systems, ensure that **AnyDesk has not been started** on the original system before creating the system image (a full copy of the OS and installed software used to set up multiple devices). If AnyDesk is launched before imaging, all cloned devices will include the same configuration files, resulting in **duplicate AnyDesk IDs**.

This can cause conflicts during Remote Access or device management, as each device must have a unique ID.

To prevent or correct this issue, **before cloning**:

- Ensure AnyDesk has not been run on the system before capturing the image
- Or, delete the configuration folders that store the ID and settings, as described in the [Back up](/v1/docs/backing-up-and-restoring-the-anydesk-id-and-settings#backup-procedure) and [Restore](/v1/docs/backing-up-and-restoring-the-anydesk-id-and-settings#restoring-from-backup) section

**After cloning**, if devices are already cloned with duplicate IDs:

1. Close AnyDesk completely on each device.
2. [Delete the configuration directories](/v1/docs/backing-up-and-restoring-the-anydesk-id-and-settings#backup-locations) that contain the AnyDesk ID.
3. Restart AnyDesk to automatically generate a new unique ID for each device.

A unique number automatically assigned to each installed AnyDesk app. It’s used to identify the device and connect to it remotely.

Files that store settings and preferences for the AnyDesk application, including user IDs and Aliases.

A record of all remote sessions conducted using AnyDesk, including details such as duration and participants.

A tailored version of AnyDesk that can be configured for specific organizational needs, including branding and functionality.

The ability to access and control a device from a different location using AnyDesk, facilitating remote support and work.