Rolls — Support

Where are my photos stored? Does Rolls move or change my files?

No. Rolls references your original files where they already live and never copies, moves, or alters them. Your catalog (rolls, film stock, ratings, notes, and so on) is saved in a library folder that you choose.

How do I open or switch libraries?

Use File ▸ Open Library… to choose or create a library folder. Rolls remembers the last library you opened.

How does the watch folder work?

Point Rolls at a folder to watch, and each subfolder is imported as its own roll automatically — ideal for lab-scan drops or Lightroom exports. You can configure this in Settings.

How do I back up my catalog?

Rolls makes automatic, catalog-only backups and can restore them from Settings ▸ Backups. Backups cover your catalog data; your original image files are always kept safe on disk and are never modified by Rolls.

Why is the "Use on-device AI parsing" setting greyed out?

That feature requires a Mac with Apple Intelligence (macOS 26 or later). On other Macs the toggle is disabled and “Describe this frame” uses the built-in rules instead.

Does Rolls collect any data or need an account?

No. Rolls has no accounts, no sign-in, and no network access at all. Nothing about your photos ever leaves your Mac. See the Privacy Policy.

I found a bug or lost data — what should I do?

Email rolls.support@gmail.com with the details above. If it relates to your catalog, note that Settings ▸ Backups may let you restore a recent copy.

What does Rolls Logger do?

It’s a fast, one-handed notebook for shooting film: load a roll, log each frame (subject, aperture, shutter, notes), meter with the built-in spot meter, track a roll to the lab and back, and export a .rolls file to Rolls on your Mac.

Does it need an account or the internet?

No. It works fully offline and stores everything on your iPhone. It’s included in your normal device backups.

Why does it ask for camera access?

Only for the built-in spot meter and to attach an optional reference photo to a frame. Both happen on your device and nothing is uploaded. You can decline and still use everything else.

How do I get my logs onto the Mac?

Complete a roll, then use Export to share the .rolls file (AirDrop, Save to Files, and so on) and open it in Rolls on your Mac.

How do I avoid duplicate gear between the apps?

In Rolls on the Mac, export your gear catalog as a .rollsgear file and import it once in Rolls Logger (Gear ▸ ＋ ▸ Import from Mac…). Names are matched case- and accent-insensitively, so nothing duplicates.

The spot meter — is it a calibrated light meter?

It’s a reflected reading through the phone’s camera: usable and approximate, meant as a shooting convenience, not a lab instrument. Point the ring at the tone you want rendered mid-grey.

Why is the app light even in Dark Mode?

Rolls Logger uses a light “card” design throughout; the spot meter is the one intentional dark, full-screen exception.