FAQ
Common questions about running and using Memos.
What is Memos?
Memos is an open-source, self-hosted note-taking app that brings your everyday thoughts together in a personal timeline. Your data stays yours, and you choose what to keep private or share.
Is Memos open source?
Yes. Memos is released under the MIT License.
Where is my data stored?
Data is stored in your own database. Attachments can live in the database, on the local filesystem, or in S3-compatible storage.
Does Memos have an API?
Yes. Memos provides REST and gRPC APIs. See the API reference.
Is there a demo?
Yes. You can try the live demo at https://demo.usememos.com.
What is the easiest way to run it?
For most users, Docker with a mounted data directory is the simplest starting point. See Getting Started.
Should I use SQLite or MySQL/PostgreSQL?
SQLite is a strong default for a single-instance deployment. Use MySQL or PostgreSQL when you want an external managed database or more operational flexibility.
Can I disable public memos?
Yes. Select private access in instance settings to require sign-in for ordinary memo pages and disable anonymous public discovery. In 0.31, access policy is independent of MEMOS_INSTANCE_URL. You can also disable PUBLIC memo visibility in instance settings. Explicit share links still grant access to their selected memo until revoked or expired. See Sharing.