diff --git a/core/services/bridget/bridget.py b/core/services/bridget/bridget.py
index 5daab0b810..b9823dbb48 100644
--- a/core/services/bridget/bridget.py
+++ b/core/services/bridget/bridget.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import logging
+from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Dict, List
 
 import requests
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ class Bridget:
 
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         self._bridges: Dict[BridgeFrontendSpec, Bridge] = {}
-        self._settings_manager = Manager("bridget", SettingsV2)
+        self._settings_manager = Manager("bridget", SettingsV2, Path("/usr/blueos/userdata/bridget/"))
         self._settings_manager.load()
         for bridge_settings_spec in self._settings_manager.settings.specsv2:
             try:
diff --git a/core/services/ping/ping1d_driver.py b/core/services/ping/ping1d_driver.py
index b8c54a15c1..259df6a058 100644
--- a/core/services/ping/ping1d_driver.py
+++ b/core/services/ping/ping1d_driver.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import asyncio
+from pathlib import Path
 
 from bridges.bridges import Bridge
 from commonwealth.settings.manager import Manager
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ class Ping1DDriver(PingDriver):
     def __init__(self, ping: PingDeviceDescriptor, port: int) -> None:
         super().__init__(ping, port)
         # load settings
-        self.manager = Manager(SERVICE_NAME, SettingsV1)
+        self.manager = Manager(SERVICE_NAME, SettingsV1, Path("/usr/blueos/userdata/ping/"))
         # our settings file is a list for each sensor type.
         # check the list to find our current sensor in it
         connection_info = self.ping.get_hw_or_eth_info()
diff --git a/core/start-blueos-core b/core/start-blueos-core
index 12510cb19a..5374f35957 100755
--- a/core/start-blueos-core
+++ b/core/start-blueos-core
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ fi
 
 # fix permissions for logging folders:
 find /var/logs/blueos -type d -exec chmod 777 {} \;
+mkdir -p /usr/blueos/userdata/
+find /usr/blueos -type d -exec chmod 777 {} \;
+ln -s /root/.config /home/blueos/.config || true;
 
 # These services have priority because they do the fundamental for the vehicle to work,
 # and by initializing them first we reduce the time users have to wait to control the vehicle.