HandBrake Documentation

Custom Presets

HandBrake comes with many built-in presets which cover the most common use case scenarios. However there are many scenarios and devices that many not be covered.

On the main window, below the title selection controls, you can click the “Save New Preset” button to create your own preset.

When you’ve pressed this button, you’ll see the following window appear:

Pressing “add” will save a new preset with the details you’ve entered based on the settings that are currently on the main window.

Audio and Subtitles Beavhiours

Audio and Subtitle settings are special. The preset does not store selected audio and subtitle tracks from the main window. It uses rules to automatically select them for each new source or title that you selected. You can modify these rules by editing the settings on the relevant “selection behaviour” screen.

Please note, these rules do not cover all possible use cases. If the behaviours don’t meet your requirements, audio and subtitle tracks will need to be handled manually after you’ve scanned a source.

For more information, please see Audio and Subtitle Defaults.

Default Preset

If you regularly use the same preset, you can make it the default preset that HandBrake starts with by selecting the “Make Default” (macOS) or “Set Current as Default” (Window) option in the presets menu or by using the preset manager accessed via the toolbar.

Import and Export

You can export and import presets (singularly or many at a time) from the preset pane for backup or sharing purposes.

Preset File Locations

The presets file are stored in the following location:

• Windows: C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Roaming\HandBrake\presets.json
• Flatpak: /var/app/fr.handbrake.ghb/config/ghb/presets.json
• macOS: ~/Library/Containers/fr.handbrake.HandBrake/Data/Library/Application Support/HandBrake/UserPresets.json (Note, “fr.handbrake.HandBrake” will be shown as “HandBrake” when viewed in Finder)