Terms
Platform
- System
- Refers to iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.
- Local
- Refers to something that exists only within HashPhotos on the specific device.
Libraries
- System Library
- The photo library managed by the Apple Photos app. HashPhotos can directly manage albums and photos within this library.
- Local Library
- A photo library managed exclusively within HashPhotos, independent of Apple Photos. (See: Local Library Guide for more details.)
- External Library
- Folders from external drives in the Files app, Dropbox, or WebDAV and SMB servers, that you can browse in HashPhotos. (See: External Library Guide for more details.)
Organization
- Folder
- Used to group multiple albums and subfolders for better organization. A folder cannot contain individual photos or videos — only albums or other folders.
- Album
- These hold your photos and videos. Unlike folders, albums are where your actual media files are stored and managed.
Keywords & Descriptions
- Keywords
-
Labels you add to photos so you can search and organize them. In the System Library, keywords are the same keywords used by Apple Photos — changes in HashPhotos appear in Apple Photos, and changes in Apple Photos appear in HashPhotos. When using iCloud Photos, they sync across devices.
See Add Keywords. - Caption
-
A description of a photo. In the System Library, captions are the same captions used by Apple Photos — you can add and edit them in HashPhotos or in Apple Photos. When using iCloud Photos, they sync across devices.
See Add/Edit Caption. - Rating
-
A 1–5 star rating. In the System Library, ratings are the same ratings used by Apple Photos. When using iCloud Photos, they sync across devices.
See Rating & Flag.
On iOS 26 and earlier
- System Keywords
- Keywords managed by Apple Photos. They can be added or edited on macOS, or in HashPhotos using System Keywords. HashPhotos Keywords are separate and used only in HashPhotos unless you import or update System Keywords.
- Caption
- A description stored by Apple Photos. HashPhotos can read it, but cannot add or edit it.
- Memo
- HashPhotos-only description, used because iOS did not allow apps to edit captions. A memo is written to metadata when sharing or exporting (it overwrites a caption if one exists).
- Rating
- Managed by HashPhotos and not shared with Apple Photos. Use Sync to copy ratings to other devices.
File Size
- File Size
- The size of the main photo or video. For Live Photos, the size is the photo file size plus the video component. For edited photos, the size is the final edited file size.
- Disk Usage
- The total file size, including the main photo or video, Live Photo video, and all original files for edited images.