Set up FramePilot on Mac

Install and open FramePilot

Use the Mac download button on the FramePilot homepage. The PKG includes Python and the required libraries. macOS 12 or later is required, on Intel or Apple silicon. Close any running copy, open the package and follow the installer steps. No Terminal commands are needed for the normal installation.

Open the app in Applications. The installed bundle may still be named Pixel Photo Batch Uploader.app. This beta is unsigned and not notarized. Version 7.5.0 has passed automated package checks; installation and workflows still need testing on a Mac. If macOS blocks the package, keep the exact message and contact the developer rather than disabling system-wide security settings.

Choose a folder or Apple Photos

Duplicate review works without a phone. Choose an ordinary folder on your Mac or an attached drive, or choose Apple Photos to scan your System Photo Library directly. Do not modify files inside the Photos Library package.

For Apple Photos, grant full Photos access when asked. To work with another managed library, first make it the System Photo Library in Apple Photos. The direct scan excludes videos and hidden items. Preview similarity can miss matches and is only a candidate hint.

Review, verify and protect your copies

Start with a small test and a separate backup. Compare the candidates and review the right-hand action list. Auto-add duplicates uses the current filters; check its choices before continuing. Preferences controls filename and date priority and favorite and album protection. Unknown album membership is protected by default.

Verify all selected checks the queued Apple Photos items. Stop pauses verification; Resume verification reuses completed, unchanged fingerprints. Open originals in Photos for full-resolution inspection. The app requires a kept byte-identical copy before requesting deletion in this workflow. Album membership and metadata are not merged.

Apple Photos removals go to Recently Deleted and may sync through iCloud. Recover removed photos through Photos while they remain available there. Ordinary folder removals use Trash. Undo reverses queue and keep-both decisions; it does not replace checking Recently Deleted or Trash.

Arrange panels and recover unavailable previews

Drag a panel title to move it, or an edge or corner to resize it. Click an overlapping panel to bring it forward. Reset panels restores the starting arrangement.

Retry failed previews retries unavailable still-photo previews from the saved scan. Review history records removals and kept copies, including thumbnails that were previously previewed.

Use Pixel backup and check the companion

Pixel backup requires a compatible Pixel, USB connection and Google Photos account. Keep the originals on your computer and verify cloud backup before clearing phone copies. Use Mode → Backup / Duplicates to switch without restarting after finishing active work.

For the companion certificate check, connect one phone by USB, unlock it and approve USB debugging. In the app choose Help → Check phone companion certificate → Check connected phone. You can copy or save the report. This read-only check does not reinstall the companion or change photos or settings.

Update without deleting your saved work

In Mac version 7.5.0 and later, Check for updates downloads the Mac package and verifies its SHA-256. Finish or stop active photo jobs first; paused work is still active. Install Mac update saves the review workspace, opens Apple Installer and closes FramePilot. After installation, reopen the app from Applications.

Earlier versions can use the Mac download on the homepage after closing the app. Do not delete the old app’s saved data. Saved scans and settings are kept separately from the application.