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 October 15, 2026 Build 366

PhotonFile Desktop 2.2.0

Cloud Transfer is now available in PhotonFile Desktop and the Web App. Send encrypted files and folders through a single link. Recipients can start downloading before your upload finishes, and once it's complete, your computer no longer needs to stay online.

Cloud Transfer

Choose Cloud Transfer in Photon Transfer to send individual files or entire folders. Share one download link, even while your files are still uploading. Recipients can begin downloading as data becomes available, and the link remains usable after you go offline, until it expires or reaches its delivery limit.

Uploads continue in the background if you close the desktop window. Just keep your computer online until the upload finishes. Live Relay is still available for direct transfers when both sides can remain online.

Encrypted before upload

Files and filenames are encrypted on your device before they leave your computer. The download link contains the key needed to decrypt them, and you can add a password for additional protection.

Flexible download periods

Free and File Pass transfers support download periods of one to seven days. Transfers covered by a Relay plan can remain available longer. The default is seven days, starting when the upload completes.

Manage Cloud Transfers

The Cloud tab under Transfers lets you track uploads, check expiration dates, and access saved links. You can also extend eligible Relay-funded transfers or revoke links early.

Previous release Released September 28, 2026 Build 350

PhotonFile Desktop 2.1.1

This hotfix corrects desktop sign-in with certain special characters and adds a way to view your password as you enter it. Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Previous release Released September 25, 2026 Build 349

PhotonFile Desktop 2.1.0

Your biggest deliveries just got more room to move. Desktop 2.1.0 brings parallel file streams and horizontal Relay distribution to multi-file transfers, built to put more of your bandwidth to work.

Multi-file transfers, built for throughput

Photo shoots, video projects, and large client handoffs can now travel as concurrent file streams within the transfer allowance. Each active file has its own stream, and those streams can spread across multiple Relay servers. Network, encryption, and file processing run in parallel on your desktop, helping the whole transfer move faster.

Select your files, share one link, and send directly from disk. Your plan or File Pass determines how many streams can run together.

Keep your delivery moving

An interrupted file can recover from saved progress while the other files keep moving. Better automatic retries handle temporary connection problems, and pause and resume carry your progress across app restarts. Clearer speeds and time estimates show how each file and the whole delivery are progressing.

Vault folders, ready to use

Download selected Vault files and folders straight to your computer, with the folder structure and empty folders intact. Pause, resume, or cancel the transfer as needed. Resumed downloads verify saved contents before reusing them, and uploads stop if the source files change.

Verify a Vault export for yourself

On Linux, you can now export an eligible Vault file as an encrypted package and a separate key file, then use the PhotonFile Verifier to check its content and layout outside the Desktop app. Enable verification exports in Settings > Advanced to get started.

Everyday refinements

For authenticated users, shorter single-file Relay links make sharing easier. This release also improves layouts at larger display scaling, and tidies up menus, status messages, and cancelled transfers.

Upgrade notes

New empty (zero-byte) files cannot be uploaded to Vault or Vault Intake. Existing empty files remain accessible.

Recent releases

Recent meaningful desktop updates

Released August 31, 2026 · Build 263

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.10

Linux, macOS, Windows

Relay transfer recovery hotfix

This update includes Relay reliability and recovery refinements for a smoother experience when a receiver disconnects during a transfer.

  • Reduced delays before the sending desktop begins recovery when a receiver goes offline during a transfer.
  • Improved reconnection for interrupted Relay transfers, including File Pass transfers, so receivers using Desktop or a browser can continue from saved progress faster.

Released August 26, 2026 · Build 262

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.9

Linux, macOS, Windows

Relay capacity and desktop reliability

Expanded Relay flexibility and improved longer-running desktop transfer workflows.

  • Pro and Studio Relay plans gained support for transfers without a fixed transfer-size limit when Additional usage is active.
  • Added clearer progress while preparing multi-file transfers for delivery.
  • Added an option to keep the computer awake during active Relay and Vault transfers.
  • Improved Relay recovery and Vault Sync reliability during longer-running work.

Released August 16, 2026 · Build 253

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.8

Linux, macOS, Windows

Relay and File Pass correction

Corrected a regression affecting Relay and File Pass usage.

Released August 14, 2026 · Build 248

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.7

Linux, macOS, Windows

Encrypted transfer format readiness

Prepared the desktop apps for PhotonFile's next encrypted transfer format while keeping existing encrypted transfers supported.

  • Added the desktop foundations needed for the coordinated format transition across supported platforms.
  • Kept Vault, Vault Intake, public-sharing, and Relay workflows ready for the rollout.
  • Maintained access to existing Vaults and their files through the format transition.

Archive

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.x and Earlier Archive

Desktop 2.0.6 and earlier releases are consolidated here. Small UI wording changes, internal cleanup, and low-impact polish are not preserved as standalone entries.

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.6: Vault Intake transition

Secure Inbox became Vault Intake throughout PhotonFile, keeping the familiar workflow for receiving files into a Vault.

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.5: continuity and reliability

Improved recovery after interruptions, reconnects, and device sleep, with clearer desktop status during longer sessions.

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.4: Vault and transfer reliability

Refined Vault browsing, Sync responsiveness, and transfer recovery across supported desktop platforms.

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.3: desktop and Vault Sync coordination

Improved desktop and Agent coordination, Vault controls, and Vault Sync recovery during busy background work.

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.1: Vault Sync reliability

Strengthened Vault Sync recovery, Vault deletion, and local diagnostics across supported platforms.

PhotonFile Desktop 2.0.0 introduced PhotonFile Agent

Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, this major release moved long-running desktop work into the per-user PhotonFile Agent while keeping the desktop app focused on controls, prompts, and status.

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

PhotonFile Desktop 1.0.6 DMG to PKG bridge update

Available for Linux and macOS, this bridge release improved Mac update reliability while preparing the PKG installer path and moving Linux packages toward system-managed upgrades.

  • More reliable Mac update detection and installer handoff.
  • DEB and RPM packages configure the PhotonFile APT or DNF repository.
  • Future Linux upgrades are managed by the system package manager.
  • Groundwork for separating the agent from the desktop UI.

PhotonFile Desktop 1.0.5 added sync trash controls for Vault Sync

Available 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.