Support & Help Center

Get answers to common questions or reach out to us directly for assistance. Step-by-step guides for the Mac app and the companion apps live in the Help center.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why are my thumbnails not showing up?
  If your library is extremely large, the background indexing might still be running. You can force a rebuild by right-clicking your library in the sidebar and selecting "Rebuild Thumbnails".


• Can I move my photos to another hard drive?
  Yes! LocalPhotos builds metadata in the specific folder you chose during library registration. If you move your entire media folder to an external drive, you just need to ensure the metadata folder comes with it or you point the app to it, and all your faces and albums will transfer instantly.


• Does the app require an internet connection?
  No. LocalPhotos runs fully on your Mac — indexing, faces, duplicates, and search — and your photos are never uploaded to our servers. The only optional network use is map tiles in the Location view. Mobile companion apps are still in development.


• Is the free trial the full app?
  The free trial unlocks every feature so you can test LocalPhotos against your own library before buying. There is one limit: during the trial you can remove up to 100 detected duplicates. After purchase, duplicate removal is unlimited. We recommend completing the trial to confirm the app works for your setup.


• What does the "Lifetime Pro" license include?
  It's a one-time purchase that gives you a perpetual license to the version you buy — no subscription. It is provided as-is and does not promise future feature upgrades, new versions, or guaranteed compatibility with future macOS releases. Full details are in our License Terms.

Mobile Companion Apps — In Development

The iPhone, iPad, and Android apps have not yet been released. The information below previews intended behavior and may change before submission.

• How do I connect the companion to my Mac?
  Connection instructions will be published after the mobile apps are approved and available. They cannot currently be downloaded from the App Store or Play Store.


• Can I connect when I'm away from home?
  Remote connection over a private network is planned and is being tested before release.


• Is the companion free, and can it work offline?
  Pricing and final availability will be confirmed at submission. Offline browsing and optional original downloads are planned features.


• Does the companion upload my photos anywhere?
  No. Photos move directly between your Mac and your device over your own network. There are no servers, no accounts, and no analytics or tracking.

Need More Help?

If you're experiencing a bug or need further assistance, please check out our Contact Us page.