Projects, Archive & Recently Deleted

iPhone

Start with the steps below. Editing tools appear beneath the canvas; tap the active tool to hide or show its controls.

iPad

Use the same task steps. The sidebar gives you access to Layout Builder, Templates, and Projects. In a wide editor window, controls can sit alongside the canvas; narrower windows use the compact panel. A missing control may be inside a collapsed section or the page’s options.

Find a project

1. Projects lists projects by last activity. Tap one to continue editing; returning Home saves your changes.
2. Use the project filter in Projects to switch between All Projects, Archive, and Recently Deleted.
3. Use a project’s actions to rename it, open its All Captions, or manage its place in the library. Pin projects you want to keep out of automatic cleanup.

Understand cleanup

1. Exported projects can move to Archive automatically. Inactive projects archive after 7 days and move to Projectsly Deleted after 30 days; pinned projects stay put.
2. Restore a project from Archive or Recently Deleted when you need it again. Deleted projects are permanently removed after 30 days by default; change the period in Settings, including Never. Original and exported photos are never deleted.
3. Project cleanup does not delete your original photos or the images you exported to Photos.

Mac

Open Projects in the library or choose Navigate → Go to Projects (Command-1). Check Archive when an exported project is no longer in the main list. Use Decks → Settings → Storage to inspect storage. Preserve original media outside Decks; a template is not a backup of photographs.