How Much Storage Do I Need for Mylio Photos?

One of the most common questions new users ask is: How much storage space do I need? The honest answer is: it depends on your library. There's no universal number. A casual user with a small archive might have 10,000 photos. An enthusiast who shoots RAW might have hundreds of thousands of files. Your storage needs will reflect your library, and your goals.

This article walks through common scenarios to help you set realistic expectations before you get started.

Minimum System Requirements

Before thinking about library storage, make sure your device meets the minimum requirements to run Mylio Photos. Note that the 64 GB requirement for Mac and Windows is for the application and its working files, not your photo library. Your library storage needs are separate.

Understanding Vaults

Mylio Photos uses a local-first approach to storage. Your photos live on your devices, not just in the cloud.

A Vault is a device that holds your complete, full-resolution library.

• Having at least one Vault consolidates your media from multiple sources — phones, cameras, computers — into a single, organized place.
• Adding a second Vault gives you redundancy. If one device fails, your library is protected.

Other devices, like a phone or tablet, can sync previews and thumbnails without storing every original, which keeps their storage footprint small.

An external hard drive connected to your computer is the most common starting point for Mylio Photos. It keeps your full library off your computer's internal drive, so you're not at risk of filling it up.

Scenario 1: Family archive and casual photos

You have years of family photos such as birthdays, vacations, everyday moments, mostly shot on a phone or a point-and-shoot. Your library might be anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 images.

Most of these files are JPEGs, which are relatively compact. A 2–4 TB external hard drive is a comfortable fit for a library like this, with room to grow.

Your computer’s internal drive doesn't need to hold your full library. Mylio can use the external drive as your primary storage (Vault) while your computer stores only previews. This keeps your internal storage free for everything else.

Scenario 2: Photography enthusiast with a large library

You shoot regularly with a mirrorless or DSLR camera. You work in RAW format. Your library could be tens of thousands of files (or significantly more) and individual files can run 20–50 MB or larger.

A 2 TB drive may not be enough. Depending on your volume, you may want to start with a 4–8 TB drive, or larger. It's worth estimating your current library size before you buy. If you're not sure, check the total size of your photos folder on your current computer or backup drive.

Quick Reference: Choosing a Drive Size