Local videos vs online videos on iOS

Why the iOS app shows two libraries, and how they sync.

The iOS app shows two libraries on the videos tab: local and online. They look similar but mean different things.

LocalOnline
Where the video livesOn your phone (camera roll).In your equiReelz cloud library.
Counts toward equiReelz storageNo.Yes.
Visible to othersNo — never. Local is on-device only.Only when you share or set public.
Plays without signalYes.Cached portions yes; otherwise needs connectivity.
EditableTag locally, trim, then upload.Edit metadata, share, transfer, delete.
SearchableYes — by tags you've added on-device.Yes — full search across your library.

The flow most people end up with

Film at the show → tag on the phone (still local) → bulk-upload after the day → online versions shared automatically via rules. Local copies can stay on the phone or be deleted to free space; online copies are the durable record.

Tagging carries over

Anything you tag in the local library before uploading transfers automatically to the online video. You don't re-tag after upload.

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Last updated April 25, 2026