# Storing Matrix media files on Amazon S3 with Goofys (optional)
If you'd like to store Synapse's content repository (`media_store`) files on Amazon S3 (or other S3-compatible service),
you can let this playbook configure [Goofys](https://github.com/kahing/goofys) for you.
Another (and better performing) way to use S3 storage with Synapse is [synapse-s3-storage-provider](configuring-playbook-synapse-s3-storage-provider.md).
Using a Goofys-backed media store works, but performance may not be ideal. If possible, try to use a region which is close to your Matrix server.
If you'd like to move your locally-stored media store data to Amazon S3 (or another S3-compatible object store), we also provide some migration instructions below.
## Usage
After [creating the S3 bucket and configuring it](configuring-playbook-s3.md#bucket-creation-and-security-configuration), you can proceed to configure Goofys in your configuration file (`inventory/host_vars/matrix.<your-domain>/vars.yml`):
If you have local media store files and wish to migrate to Backblaze B2 subsequently, follow our [migration guide to Backblaze B2](#migrating-to-backblaze-b2) below instead of applying this configuration as-is.
## Migrating from local filesystem storage to S3
It's a good idea to [make a complete server backup](faq.md#how-do-i-backup-the-data-on-my-server) before migrating your local media store to an S3-backed one.
Follow one of the guides below for a migration path from a locally-stored media store to one stored on S3-compatible storage:
- [Storing Matrix media files on Amazon S3 with Goofys (optional)](#storing-matrix-media-files-on-amazon-s3-with-goofys-optional)
- [Usage](#usage)
- [Migrating from local filesystem storage to S3](#migrating-from-local-filesystem-storage-to-s3)
- [Migrating to any S3-compatible storage (universal, but likely slow)](#migrating-to-any-s3-compatible-storage-universal-but-likely-slow)
- [Migrating to Backblaze B2](#migrating-to-backblaze-b2)
### Migrating to any S3-compatible storage (universal, but likely slow)
It's a good idea to [make a complete server backup](faq.md#how-do-i-backup-the-data-on-my-server) before doing this.
1. Proceed with the steps below without stopping Matrix services
2. Start by adding the base S3 configuration in your `vars.yml` file (seen above, may be different depending on the S3 provider of your choice)
3. In addition to the base configuration you see above, add this to your `vars.yml` file:
This enables S3 support, but mounts the S3 storage bucket to `/matrix/s3-media-store` without hooking it to your homeserver yet. Your homeserver will still continue using your local filesystem for its media store.
5. Run the playbook to apply the changes: `ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts setup.yml --tags=setup-all,start`
6. Do an **initial sync of your files** by running this **on the server** (it may take a very long time):