It is endemic to Peru and known only from slopes of the Abra Acanacu (also spelled Acjanaco or Acanaco) in the Cordillera de Paucartambo, Cusco Region.

[1][3] There is an unconfirmed record from a neighboring mountain range, so this species might be more widespread than current knowledge suggests.

[2] Reproduction occurs through direct development (i.e., there is no free-living larval stage[4]): females lay about 20 eggs that hatch as 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long froglets; they guard their eggs in a nest of moss.

[1] Bryophryne cophites is a terrestrial frog that is primarily found in wet puna grasslands and elfin forests at elevations of 3,200–3,800 m (10,500–12,500 ft) above sea level.

The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been detected in this species, but it is not considered a threat for direct-developing frogs such as this one.