Purchasing and Unlocking

Choose an App Store purchase for iPad/iPhone access, or a direct PhotoCuller license for Mac with any included mobile access. These are separate purchase routes; iCloud settings sync does not activate a license.

Free and Full Version on iPad and iPhone

Without an active unlock, the browser shows up to 50 media items from the loaded source. A RAW+JPEG pair can be one item, not two files. Filtering or selecting photos does not reveal the rest of that source. Ordinary Ingest is also limited to 50 items per run, across its sources—not 50 per folder.

Some tools require Full Version even within the 50-item limit:

Basic copy/export, rename, ordinary Ingest, and image conversion, crop, resize, or Auto Enhance do not by themselves require Full Version. Adding a paid option, IPTC template, or code replacement can make the run require it. Check remembered settings when a seemingly simple job opens the upgrade screen. Creating a preset is not the same as having access to apply it.

Full Version removes the 50-item limit, not source permissions or platform limitations. Follow the mobile workflow guide for supported steps.

Purchase or Restore on iPad and iPhone

1. Tap Upgrade below the grid when the 50-item limit is shown, or in Ingest. Trying a Full Version tool also opens the Full Version purchase screen.
2. Choose Monthly, Annual, or Lifetime. Monthly/Annual are subscriptions; Lifetime is a one-time mobile purchase.
3. Review the App Store confirmation, including the price, billing period, and any introductory offer, then confirm. Wait for access to activate; a pending approval is not a completed purchase.

A subscription trial is offered only when available and eligible. Check the price and trial terms in Apple’s confirmation; the Mac’s 30-day trial is separate. Subscriptions renew unless canceled through Apple; removing a desktop key does not cancel an App Store subscription.

After reinstalling or changing devices, use the same Apple Account for App Store purchases, open the purchase screen, and tap Restore. It restores App Store purchases, not a desktop license key. If nothing restores, check the purchasing account, connection, and whether the purchase is active. Do not buy again just to troubleshoot.

Settings > Unlock is for desktop keys, not the App Store plan picker. An App Store mobile purchase does not provide a Mac license key.

Unlock Mobile with a Desktop License

Current Standard and Plus direct licenses include mobile access during their included period. Older licenses, including Mac + Mobile offers, depend on what that key includes; a desktop-only key does not automatically unlock mobile.

1. Connect to the internet. Open More > App > Settings > Unlock on iPad/iPhone; Unlock can also appear directly in More.
2. Enter the complete desktop license key and tap Apply.
3. Wait for validation. Each activated iPhone/iPad uses one of that license’s shared device slots. Repeat on each device you want to use.

Unlock normally disappears from Settings after a key is applied or an App Store purchase is active. If mobile access expires, use Renew License or Extend License when offered, then reconnect so the renewed license can be checked. Without another active purchase, expired mobile access returns to the free limits; it does not delete your photos or saved metadata.

For a rejected key, check that it is the right key, includes mobile access, has not expired or been suspended, and has a free device slot. Contact [email protected] if the message does not match your purchase. Do not post license keys publicly.

Mac Trial and Direct Licenses

The direct Mac app has a 30-day trial, separate from the mobile free version and App Store introductory offers. Connect for initial trial activation; startup can activate an eligible trial automatically, or offer Start 30-Day Free Trial. Check Settings > License for the trial status and end date. Reinstalling does not create a new trial.

To activate a paid key, open PhotoCuller > Settings > License, choose Activate or Change Key, enter the key, and confirm. Check the license status, Includes, and Update Coverage Ends. The direct Mac app uses trial/license access rather than the mobile 50-item model.

Current direct-purchase options are:

Both include a perpetual license for the covered Mac versions. When coverage ends, those Mac versions remain usable; newer versions can require an extension. Mobile access ends with its included period unless extended. Direct-license extensions are optional one-time purchases, not automatic renewals. Use Manage in Mac License settings or Extend License when offered. If a newer Mac version is not covered, the license screen can offer a download of an eligible version instead.

See pricing for current offers, prices, and existing-customer options. Use your own license details for older purchases; current plan terms do not redefine an earlier offer.

Free a Device Slot

On a Mac activated with the same key:

1. Open Settings > License > Devices and choose Refresh Devices.
2. Find a device you no longer use, click Remove, and confirm. To release the Mac you are using, choose Release This Device instead.
3. Once removal succeeds, activate the key on the replacement device.

Removing a device affects license activation, not its photo files. Stop using the old device with that key; opening it again can register it again and consume the slot. Do not rely on uninstalling the app to free a slot. If you cannot access a Mac with that license, contact support for help. App Store restoration is separate from this device list.

Offline Use and Missing Access

Activate and check your purchase/license while connected before traveling. A desktop key allows offline use for a limited time between online license checks. Mobile access still ends when its license expires. Reconnect periodically and after renewal or a Mac update. App Store access likewise depends on a valid purchase; buying, restoring, or refreshing access can require a connection.

An offline license does not download your photos. Keep the required originals/previews locally; iCloud-only Photos, remote servers, and unavailable Files providers may still need the network.

See Also

• Getting Started on iPad & iPhone
• CullSync
• Settings on Mac