To move Calibre to a new computer, use “Export/import all calibre data” if you want books, settings and plugins together. To move only a library to another drive, copy or move the complete library folder and point Calibre to it. Exporting individual book files is a different task.
Choose the right method
| Your goal | Method | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Move everything to a new computer | Export/import all calibre data. | The complete export folder and all its files. |
| Move a book library to another drive | Switch/create library or copy the full library folder with Calibre closed. | Book folders and the library database together. |
| Copy a few books for another reader | Save to disk or Send to device. | The chosen book files; this is not a full settings backup. |
Export all Calibre data
- Keep a separate backup before changing the working library.
- Disconnect any reader attached to Calibre if the export menu is unavailable.
- Right-click the library button on the main toolbar and choose Export/import all calibre data.
- Select Export all your calibre data and choose the libraries to include.
- Select an empty destination folder with enough space and wait for the export to finish.
- Copy the entire export folder to the new computer or backup drive.
The Calibre migration FAQ explains this route. Do not keep just one file from a multi-file export, or assume completion is instant. The time and required space depend on your collection and storage.
Import on the new computer
Install Calibre and finish its initial setup. Open the same export/import menu, choose Import previously exported data and select the complete export folder. Choose a new empty location for each library you want to import.
Back up any existing collection on the destination computer first. Read the import prompts, let the process finish and allow Calibre to restart when needed. Open several books and check authors, tags, covers and custom columns before deleting the old copy.
Move a library without exporting all settings
Calibre’s library controls include Switch/create library. They let you use another library, make a new empty one or move the current library. Read the selected action before clicking OK: using an existing library and moving the current one are not interchangeable.
For a manual copy, close Calibre and copy the whole library folder. Keep metadata.db and the book folders together. On the destination, choose the copied folder as an existing library. Copying the books alone can lose the organisation stored in the database.
Do not reorganise Calibre’s folders by hand
Let Calibre manage the files in its active library. Renaming or rearranging those folders outside the app can break the database’s links. Keep backups in a separate location so a mistaken edit does not damage both copies.
The FAQ cautions against keeping the live library on network or actively synchronised storage. A cloud backup of a closed library is different from two machines or a sync app changing the working files. Use a local working library and a separate backup unless you have checked the documented setup.
Check the move before removing the old copy
- Compare the expected libraries and book counts.
- Open books in the formats you use.
- Check covers, tags and custom columns.
- Check plugins separately if you copied only the library folder.
- Keep the original until the new copy and backup have been tested.
For downloaded files, use publisher-first download checks when installing Calibre or plugins.
Information checked October 13, 2026, using the guides linked above.