In this post, I am sharing complete steps for moving main PostgreSQL data directory to any new location in Linux.

When we install PostgreSQL on Linux operating system, by default it stores in “/var/lib/postgresql/[version]/data/”

Always best practice is to store database data on the separate drive instead of the system drives.

Check the current data directory:

postgres=# SHOW data_directory;

        data_directory
------------------------------
 /var/lib/postgresql/9.6/main

Stop the PostgreSQL Service:

sudo systemctl stop postgresql

Create a new directory:

mkdir postgres_data_dir

Give directory ownership to your Linux user:

chown user_name postgres_data_dir

Move existing PostgreSQL data/floder to the new location:

sudo rsync -av /var/lib/postgresql /test/postgres_data_dir/

Move old folder to the backup folder:

sudo mv /var/lib/postgresql/9.6/main /tmp/pg_backup

Change data folder in postgresql.conf file:

data_directory = '/test/postgres_data_dir/postgresql/9.6/main'

Start the service of PostgreSQL:

sudo systemctl start postgresql

Now check the data directory:

postgres=# SHOW data_directory; 

 		  data_directory
--------------------------------------------
/test/postgres_data_dir/postgresql/9.6/main