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Desktop release notes

PhotonFile Desktop Release Notes

Follow the latest PhotonFile Desktop release, recent meaningful updates, and a compact archive of older desktop changes.

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Release notes policy

How release notes are organized

This page is the central hub for PhotonFile Desktop release notes and updates. It covers the latest major release, recent updates, security and privacy changes, breaking changes, installer and update behavior, platform compatibility, and important changes to storage, encryption, sync, transfers, Vaults, teams, and account behavior. Smaller maintenance patches are consolidated in the archive to keep this page readable while preserving the complete release history.

Smaller maintenance patches are consolidated in the archive to keep this page readable while preserving the complete release history.

Latest release Released July 16, 2026 Build 214

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.1

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.1 is a recommended stability update for the agent-based desktop architecture. It strengthens Vault deletion and Vault Sync recovery, improves coordination between the desktop app and PhotonFile Agent, and adds local crash diagnostics across Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Safer Vault deletion and Vault Sync recovery

  • Deleting a Vault and its matching local sync folder is now more resilient, with stronger safeguards for data that has not finished syncing.
  • Local folder removal now handles complete folder trees more consistently, including files that are still waiting to sync.
  • Vault Sync recovers more reliably when an interruption occurs while deletion changes are being applied.
  • Deletion changes now coordinate more cleanly with active scans and transfers.
  • Vault data remains more consistent after reconnecting or recovering from interrupted work.

More reliable desktop app and agent coordination

  • The desktop app and PhotonFile Agent now coordinate more reliably while Vault transfers and Vault Sync continue in the background.
  • Long-running desktop actions complete more smoothly, with clearer diagnostics when an operation takes longer than expected.
  • Vault browsing and detail views remain consistent during rapid navigation between folders and files.
  • Unsaved changes in Vault Settings are preserved while refreshed information arrives in the background.

Local crash diagnostics

  • PhotonFile Desktop and PhotonFile Agent have improved local crash reports on Linux, macOS, and Windows to help diagnose issues.
  • Crash reports remain on your device and are never uploaded automatically.
  • Desktop packages include the support components required for these local diagnostics.

Update guidance

  • This update is recommended for all 2.0.0 installations, especially for users of Vaults and Vault Sync.
  • DEB and RPM installations update through the system package manager. Tar.gz, PKG, and MSI installations use the PhotonFile updater.
  • When an update is pending, allow PhotonFile Agent to finish staging it before quitting or restarting the desktop app.

Recent releases

Recent meaningful desktop updates

Released July 10, 2026

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.0

Linux, macOS, Windows

PhotonFile Agent foundation

This major release moved long-running desktop work into the per-user PhotonFile Agent, while the desktop app became the interface for commands, prompts, file pickers, windows, and status.

  • Agent-managed sign-in, Vault, Vault Sync, Relay, and update staging.
  • Authenticated, encrypted local UI-to-agent communication.
  • New PKG, MSI, DEB, RPM, and tar.gz installer and update paths.
  • Improved Relay reconnection, Vault transfers, and Sync recovery.

Released July 7, 2026

PhotonFile Desktop 1.0.6

Linux, macOS

DMG to PKG bridge update

This Mac bridge release improved DMG update reliability while preparing PhotonFile for the PKG installer path.

  • More reliable Mac update detection for DMG installs.
  • Foundation for the upcoming PKG installer.
  • Cleaner Mac installer handoff during the transition.
  • Groundwork for separating the agent from the desktop UI.

Linux package-manager update cutover

Linux DEB and RPM installs now move from PhotonFile self-updates to signed PhotonFile package repositories and system-managed upgrades.

  • DEB and RPM packages configure the PhotonFile APT or DNF repository.
  • PhotonFile self-updates are disabled for repo-managed Linux installs.
  • Future Linux upgrades are managed by the system package manager.

Archive

PhotonFile Desktop 1.x Archive

Older 1.x patch releases are consolidated here. Small UI wording changes, internal cleanup, and low-impact polish are not preserved as standalone public pages.

PhotonFile Desktop 1.0.5 added sync trash controls for Vault Sync

Released June 27, 2026 for Linux, macOS, and Windows. This release added direct Sync Trash controls in Vault Settings so retained local sync trash could be reviewed, restored, or cleaned up from the desktop app.

  • Manage Sync Trash from Vault Settings.
  • Restore a batch or selected files.
  • Adjust Sync Trash retention and empty retained files.
  • Cleaner Vault controls and support for longer names.

Initial desktop release

Desktop 1.0.0 launched native PhotonFile apps for Linux, macOS, and Windows with Vault workspaces, Vault sync, native transfer handling, and desktop packages.

Vault and Relay behavior fixes

Early 1.0.x updates improved Vault settings refresh, upload and sync pacing, transfer startup, download visibility in Transfers, and background work recovery after sync interruptions.

Compatibility and reliability

The 1.0.x series improved sync behavior for larger encrypted workspaces, dense folder trees, and busy Vaults while keeping desktop transfer state clearer.

Installer and signing improvements

Early desktop releases established Linux DEB, RPM, and tar packages, a Mac installer path, and Windows installer support for direct desktop distribution.