Support & Help Center

Get answers to common questions or reach out to us directly for assistance.

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. Syncing to the iPhone and iPad companion happens directly between your own devices over your network, never through the cloud.


• 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.

iPhone & iPad Companion

• How do I connect the companion to my Mac?
  In LocalPhotos on your Mac, open Sync settings and turn on "Companion Sync." On your iPhone or iPad, open the free LocalPhotos Companion app, choose your Mac, and enter the 6‑digit PIN shown on the Mac (it refreshes periodically for security). Keep both devices on the same Wi‑Fi to pair. Once paired, they reconnect automatically.


• Can I connect when I'm away from home?
  Yes. On the companion, use "Connect by Address" and enter your Mac's Tailscale or VPN address plus the port. This lets you reach your Mac from another network. The connection is always encrypted.


• Is the companion free, and can it work offline?
  The companion is free. It browses and curates the library your Mac creates — you can view photos, faces, places, and search even with no connection, using the synced thumbnails. For full‑resolution offline viewing, use "Download for Offline" to keep chosen photos (by date range or album) on the device.


• 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.