This guide covers the normal backup and restore workflow, explains the safety checks, and lists the most common causes of an unavailable or incomplete result.
For support, email vkefun@foxmail.com. Include only the information needed to investigate the issue, and do not attach original media or backup files unless necessary.
Create a backup
- Grant Photos access. Full access is recommended when backing up the entire library or checking suspected duplicates.
- Choose a save location on this device or select a folder on an external drive in Files.
- Set the date range, media types, and album scope, then scan the library.
- Review the backup options and check whether original files are local or need to download from iCloud.
- ArchiveDock keeps the display awake while this task runs. Keep the app in the foreground and the device charging; manually locking the device or leaving the app can still interrupt this backup.
- Open the final verification step and confirm the backup is healthy before relying on it.
Restore from a backup
- Choose a completed ArchiveDock ZIP file. Partial files and incomplete work folders are not valid restore sources.
- Wait while ArchiveDock reads and verifies the backup contents.
- Choose the media types, destination album, album recreation option, and duplicate handling rule.
- Review the final item count and estimated size before starting.
- After the restore completes, review the result and verify the source backup if you still depend on it.
Verification levels
- Quick verification checks the package structure and expected records.
- Custom verification runs the Quick checks and lets Pro users confirm 5–10 items they expected the backup to contain. If fewer than five items are available, select all of them.
- Standard verification checks the expected original files and the hashes recorded for the latest backup session.
- Full verification recalculates SHA-256 for all supported archived resources and can take significantly longer.
- A Custom spot check compares exact items from the Photos library used for backup. It can catch an unintended backup selection, but it is not proof that every library item was included.
- A healthy result confirms the checks that were selected at that time; it cannot guarantee future storage reliability.
iCloud Photos
If Optimize iPhone Storage is enabled, some originals may exist only in iCloud. ArchiveDock requests those originals through PhotoKit, and iOS controls the download. Network conditions, power state, iCloud availability, and available device storage can affect the result.
Restored items are added to Photos. If iCloud Photos is enabled, iOS may upload and sync them to your other devices. ArchiveDock can check local free space but cannot see or reserve your iCloud storage quota.
External drives and Files
- Keep the drive connected and the device awake until the operation finishes.
- Do not rename, move, or edit an in-progress work folder.
- If a historical file is unavailable, reconnect the original folder or drive when prompted.
- Eject external storage only after the operation has stopped and Files has finished writing.
- A backup stored only on this device is one copy, not an independent disaster-recovery copy.
Duplicates and albums
ArchiveDock compares available Photos records with backup metadata to identify suspected duplicates. The comparison is intentionally conservative and may produce false positives or miss items that were edited, converted, or re-imported.
Turning off “Skip Suspected Duplicates” can create duplicate photos or videos in the system library. Original album recreation is best effort because Photos may restrict some album names, relationships, or metadata.
If an operation appears stuck
- Keep ArchiveDock in the foreground and wait for the on-screen status to change.
- Confirm that the external drive is connected, writable, and has enough free space.
- Confirm that Photos permission is still granted in iOS Settings.
- Check the network if original files must download from iCloud.
- Cancel only if necessary. After confirmation, ArchiveDock stops the task and permanently removes that attempt's temporary files.
- Interrupted backup attempts cannot be resumed. Choosing the same save location again removes the unfinished workspace before a new attempt starts.
Pro Lifetime and support
Pro Lifetime is a non-consumable App Store purchase. Use Restore Purchases on the Pro Lifetime page after reinstalling the app or moving to another device signed in with the same Apple Account.
For support, use the App Support link on ArchiveDock’s App Store product page. Include the app version, iOS version, the step where the issue occurred, the displayed error, and whether the backup was on this device or an external drive. Do not send original media or a backup file unless it is necessary and you choose to do so.