PHOTO QUALITY GUIDE

Photo compression, quality, and metadata

Photo compression changes how image data is stored so a photo can use less space. Depending on the compression method and setting, some visual information may be reduced. A smaller file does not guarantee that every image will look identical.

How to check image quality

Compare the original and compressed versions at the same zoom level. Look at fine detail, edges, gradients, and areas that matter to you. Reclaim’s comparison tool lets you change the compression level and inspect the sample before you process your own photos.

Results depend on the source photo and selected setting. Photos that look nearly identical at a small on-screen size may show differences when viewed larger.

What about photo metadata?

Photo metadata can include details such as capture date, camera information, or location. Reclaim is designed to carry photo metadata and capture details over when replacing an original with its compressed version. After processing, check the details of a few representative photos in your gallery to confirm they meet your needs.

Protect originals you need

Reclaim replaces selected originals with compressed versions. That replacement is permanent within the app’s workflow, so keep a separate backup before processing if you need the original image files.

Are photos sent to a server?

No. Compression takes place on your device; photos are not uploaded to Reclaim for processing. Anonymous app-specific analytics are separate from photo content. See the privacy policy for details.

For the best balance, test a few photos at different levels before processing a whole folder.