Ente Photos: private AI photo search, 10 GB free
Ente says its photo app has 10 GB free forever and runs its AI face grouping and photo search on your own device. More storage is paid, and the AI is not on the web app.
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What it is
Ente Photos is an app for backing up and searching your photos, with end-to-end encryption. Its AI features are Face recognition, which groups the same person across photos, and Magic search, where you describe a photo in plain words such as "red flowers" or "birthday cake". Ente says this machine learning runs entirely on your own device, and that your unencrypted photos and ML data are never sent to Ente's servers. Encrypted copies of your photos are uploaded for backup.
Is it free
Partly. Ente's home page says "10GB free forever". Paid plans exist for more storage, and this post quotes no prices. Ente says the AI features work in its mobile and desktop apps.
How to turn the AI on
- Install Ente Photos on your phone or computer. Ente lists Android, iOS, web, Mac, Linux and Windows apps.
- On mobile, open Settings > Machine learning. On desktop, open Settings > Preferences > Machine learning. Enable Machine learning and/or Local indexing.
- Wait while the app indexes your photos. Ente says this takes time and recommends Wi-Fi.
- Search with words, or browse the people groups.
Limits to know
- Ente says machine learning is not available on its web app. Use the mobile or desktop app.
- Indexing downloads your photos to your device first, so it uses data, battery and time. Ente suggests the desktop app for big libraries.
- 10 GB can fill up fast with phone photos and video.
- Face grouping can make mistakes. Check names before you rely on them.
- We did not test the app ourselves.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ente see my photos?
Ente says its servers never see your unencrypted photos or ML data.
Is it open source?
Ente's home page says its apps are open source.
Sources: Ente Photos, Ente Help, Machine learning. Checked 9 October 2026.