Keep the photo with the memory you wrote.
On iPhone and iPad, complete app-owned media copies give entries a durable reading, sharing, and export source.
Updated October 19, 2026
Can I remove a Photos original after saving an entry?
Once DiaryThreads has successfully saved a complete app copy, the attached photo, video, or Live Photo remains available even if its Photos original is deleted or Photos access is later removed. New attachments finish their local copy before publication. Earlier Photos-linked attachments need a successful migration first; Settings → Writing → Media Storage shows progress and retry actions.
- Platforms
- iPhone and iPad media storage workflow
- New selections
- Complete local copy before publication
- Live Photos
- Both the still image and paired video are saved
- Camera default
- App-only storage
- Extra Photos copy
- Optional device setting, saved after successful publication
- Earlier attachments
- Published entries, ordinary and Article drafts, and retained Recently Deleted media
- Premium
- Local media ownership and migration are available to everyone
The entry reads its own media
Images, video, and Live Photos are read from protected app files for viewing, sharing, and export. Earlier Photos identifiers help deduplicate or migrate older attachments.
Deleting the app can remove its local data. Keep appropriate system backups or explicitly enabled Premium private iCloud sync when planning device replacement.
Camera captures stay in the app by default
Settings → Writing → Media Storage has a device-local option to also save newly captured media to Photos after publication. It begins switched off.
If an optional Photos save fails, the published entry and its app copy remain available. Retry from Media Storage. Discarding a draft does not create an extra Photos copy; completed independent Photos copies remain yours to manage.
Earlier media migrates when its source is available
Published attachments, ordinary and Article drafts, and retained Recently Deleted media are checked independently of Premium or iCloud settings.
Migration may wait for permission, a Photos download, or free device storage. Missing originals retain a placeholder and a replacement path. The settings screen exposes progress, authorization, and retry actions without promising recovery of unavailable source files.
Questions about this topic
Does every older attachment already have an app copy?
Earlier attachments need to complete migration. Check Media Storage for pending items, permission requests, or retry actions before removing originals.
Do camera captures automatically appear in Photos?
They stay in the app by default. Turn on the optional setting to create an extra Photos copy after successful publication.
Does local media migration require Premium?
No. Local media copying and migration work for free users and in local-only mode. Private iCloud sync retains its Premium requirement.