One of the key advantages of Mylio Photos is that you can view and manage all your media within the application while still having access to your files through your computer’s file system.
Where Are My Photos?
The location of your media files depends on how you added them to Mylio Photos+.
- If you copied or moved files into Mylio Photos, they are stored in the Mylio System Folder on your computer or phone.
- If you linked a folder from your computer or an external drive, the files remain in their original location. Mylio Photos generates optimized versions and stores them in the Mylio System Folder on your computer.
Types of Files in Mylio Photos
Mylio Photos+ maintains three versions of each photo:
- Original – The full-size, uncompressed file.
- Optimized – A smaller version (approximately 5% of the original size) that maintains high visual quality for most screens.
- Thumbnail – A compact version (about 1% of the original size) ideal for quick browsing.
Storage in Mylio Photos
Files added using the Copy or Move option are saved in the Mylio System Folder along with metadata (XMP files) and other Mylio-related files. By default, this folder is located in:
- macOS:
/Users/yourname/Mylio - Windows:
C:\Users\yourname\Mylio
Alternatively, you can use Linked Folders to keep your media in its original location while allowing Mylio Photos to generate and store thumbnails and optimized versions in the Mylio System Folder.
Additional Storage Options with Mylio Photos+
With a Mylio Photos+ subscription, you can designate additional devices, such as external hard drives, as Vaults. A Vault stores:
- The complete Mylio Photos+ Library
- Metadata and Mylio-related files
- Thumbnails and optimized versions
Having two or more Vaults provides backup protection in case of device failure or loss.
Keeping Track of Your Original Files
The best way to ensure all your original-quality photos are in one place is to set up a Vault device. However, this is optional. Without a Vault, original files may be stored in multiple locations, such as external drives or different computers.
How to Locate Your Original-Quality Images
To find where your original files are stored:
- Click the Folders icon
in the left sidebar and select a folder.
- Right-click (or tap the Actions Menu icon
in the right sidebar).
- Select Reveal In > Explorer*/*Finder or External:
- Explorer/Finder: Opens a Windows Explorer or macOS Finder window showing the folder location on your current device.
- External: If the originals are on an external drive, this option opens the location in Explorer or Finder.
What Happens If I Stop Using Mylio Photos?
If you decide to stop using Mylio Photos, your photos and videos remain fully accessible. Mylio Photos is not a closed system, meaning:
- Your files remain in their original locations on any linked computer or external drive.
- Any organization, folder structures, and duplicate removals remain intact.
- Metadata such as face tags, ratings, labels, and keywords are saved as industry-standard metadata, making them readable by other applications.
- Any GPS or map locations you’ve added will be retained.
- Albums and Calendar Events are stored only within Mylio Photos and won’t transfer to other applications.
While we’d love for you to continue using Mylio Photos, we ensure that your photo library remains well-organized and accessible, even if you choose to leave.
Need more help with this?
Need more help? Visit our Support website.


