Tides Photos

Support

Help with Tides Photos, the photo editor for iPhone and iPad.

Contact us

For questions, problems, feedback or privacy requests, email us. We aim to reply within a few business days.

If something isn't working, tell us your device model, its iOS or iPadOS version, and the app version from Settings ▸ Version in Tides Photos, along with what you did just before the problem. A screenshot helps.

Getting started

What do I need?

An iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 26 or later. Manual editing works offline. The AI assistant needs an internet connection and your own DeepSeek API key.

How do I see the feature tour again?

Open Settings ▸ Show Feature Tour in Tides Photos.

Which formats can I export?

JPEG, PNG and HEIC. If the original photo has location data, exports keep it unless you remove it in the export options.

The AI assistant

How do I get a DeepSeek API key?

Sign in at platform.deepseek.com/api_keys and create a key. Then, in Tides Photos, open Settings, paste it under DeepSeek API Key and tap Save Key. The key is stored in this device's Keychain and sent only to the AI server. DeepSeek bills you directly for what you use, under its own terms.

Can I use a different server?

Yes, any server compatible with DeepSeek's API, such as your own proxy. In Settings ▸ Model & Endpoint, enter its address under Base URL. The address must start with https://; plain http:// works only for a local proxy (localhost, 127.0.0.1 or a .local name). If you change the server, the app asks your permission again before uploading a photo to it.

How do I stop photos being uploaded?

Turn off Settings ▸ Allow Photo Uploads. Nothing is sent to an AI server while it's off, and everything else keeps working on your device. The Privacy Policy lists exactly what a request contains.

Projects and your photos

Where are my projects stored?

On your device, inside the app. Each project keeps its own copy of its photos, so your edits never change the originals in Photos. Projects don't sync between devices or through iCloud.

Does deleting a project delete my photo?

No. Deleting a project removes it and its copies from Tides Photos only. Your Photos library isn't affected. Exports you saved to Photos stay there too.