Help

The iPhone, iPad, and Android companion apps are in release testing — they aren't on the App Store or Google Play yet, and this guide describes the current test builds.

Guides for LocalPhotos on Mac and the companion apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android. The same topics are bundled inside the apps and work offline; this site is the always-current version.

See it before you start

Jump into the task you want to complete, with the screen you should look for.

LocalPhotos library timeline on Mac Browse on your MacLearn the timeline, sidebar, and photo viewer. Companion Sync settings and pairing PIN on Mac Pair a phone or tabletStart on the Mac, then connect with the rotating PIN. Search screen in LocalPhotos Companion on iPhone Find a photo on mobileSearch people, places, dates, and text in images. Private Camera Roll setup in LocalPhotos on Android Archive Android Camera RollChoose storage and understand each permission first.

Set up

Getting started The three ways in, and the one-minute setup. Pairing with your Mac Find your Mac, enter the PIN, fix discovery problems. Connecting away from home Reach your Mac from anywhere with Tailscale or a direct address. Libraries on your phone Camera roll, folders, and NAS shares — no Mac required. A local originals source Full resolution from a drive or NAS while the Mac is away.

Every day

Browsing The grid, the tabs, and the detail view. Search Plain words work; prefixes narrow. People Faces become people you can name and search. Albums Collect photos across time; syncs across devices. Editing Non-destructive light, color, curves, crop — offline too. Importing with + Add phone photos to a Mac library from anywhere. Offline originals Keep full-quality photos on the device — by album, date, or rolling window.

Reference

Privacy & security What’s stored where, what’s encrypted, what leaves your devices. (Nothing.) Troubleshooting Pairing, NAS errors decoded, and stuck syncs. What’s new Recent additions across the LocalPhotos apps.

Can’t find it? — no forms, no bots.