diff --git a/sbapp/main.py b/sbapp/main.py
index e936a15..e3dc64e 100644
--- a/sbapp/main.py
+++ b/sbapp/main.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import sys
 import argparse
 parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Sideband LXMF Client")
 parser.add_argument("-v", "--verbose", action='store_true', default=False, help="increase logging verbosity")
+parser.add_argument("-c", "--config", action='store', default=None, help="specify path of config directory")
 parser.add_argument("-d", "--daemon", action='store_true', default=False, help="run as a daemon, without user interface")
 parser.add_argument("--version", action="version", version="sideband {version}".format(version=__version__))
 args = parser.parse_args()
@@ -182,10 +183,15 @@ class SidebandApp(MDApp):
         self.no_transition = NoTransition()
         self.slide_transition = SlideTransition()
 
-        if RNS.vendor.platformutils.get_platform() == "android":
-            self.sideband = SidebandCore(self, is_client=True, android_app_dir=self.app_dir, verbose=__debug_build__)
+        if args.config != None:
+            self.config_path = os.path.expanduser(args.config)
         else:
-            self.sideband = SidebandCore(self, is_client=False, verbose=(args.verbose or __debug_build__))
+            self.config_path = None
+
+        if RNS.vendor.platformutils.get_platform() == "android":
+            self.sideband = SidebandCore(self, config_path=self.config_path, is_client=True, android_app_dir=self.app_dir, verbose=__debug_build__)
+        else:
+            self.sideband = SidebandCore(self, config_path=self.config_path, is_client=False, verbose=(args.verbose or __debug_build__))
 
         self.set_ui_theme()
         self.font_config()
@@ -4972,7 +4978,14 @@ if not args.daemon:
 def run():
     if args.daemon:
         RNS.log("Starting Sideband in daemon mode")
-        sideband = SidebandCore(None, is_client=False, verbose=(args.verbose or __debug_build__), is_daemon=True)
+        sideband = SidebandCore(
+            None,
+            config_path=args.config,
+            is_client=False,
+            verbose=(args.verbose or __debug_build__),
+            is_daemon=True
+        )
+
         sideband.start()
         while True:
             time.sleep(5)
diff --git a/sbapp/sideband/core.py b/sbapp/sideband/core.py
index d457f7a..ba64c47 100644
--- a/sbapp/sideband/core.py
+++ b/sbapp/sideband/core.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class SidebandCore():
         # stream logger
         self.log_announce(destination_hash, app_data, dest_type=SidebandCore.aspect_filter)
 
-    def __init__(self, owner_app, is_service=False, is_client=False, android_app_dir=None, verbose=False, owner_service=None, service_context=None, is_daemon=False):
+    def __init__(self, owner_app, config_path = None, is_service=False, is_client=False, android_app_dir=None, verbose=False, owner_service=None, service_context=None, is_daemon=False):
         self.is_service = is_service
         self.is_client = is_client
         self.is_daemon = is_daemon
@@ -139,10 +139,14 @@ class SidebandCore():
         self.service_context = service_context
         self.owner_service = owner_service
 
-        self.app_dir       = plyer.storagepath.get_home_dir()+"/.config/sideband"
-        if self.app_dir.startswith("file://"):
-            self.app_dir   = self.app_dir.replace("file://", "")
-        self.cache_dir     = self.app_dir+"/cache"
+        if config_path == None:
+            self.app_dir     = plyer.storagepath.get_home_dir()+"/.config/sideband"
+            if self.app_dir.startswith("file://"):
+                self.app_dir = self.app_dir.replace("file://", "")
+        else:
+            self.app_dir     = config_path
+
+        self.cache_dir       = self.app_dir+"/cache"
         
         self.rns_configdir = None
         if RNS.vendor.platformutils.is_android():