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Where is my Hive library stored?
In a folder you choose. That can be on the device, in iCloud Drive, or on an external SSD formatted as APFS, which needs Pro.
Choosing a location
Each location suits a different way of working.
- On the device. The fastest option, and the library stays on that device.
- iCloud Drive. The one to choose if you use more than one device. With Pro, the same library appears on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- An external SSD formatted as APFS, with Pro. Good for a very large library that you don't want filling the device.
Locations to avoid
A NAS or an SMB share isn't recommended on iPhone and iPad. The system's rules for apps don't allow a dependable cache over the network, and access can be around 200 times slower than local storage. Drives formatted as exFAT are also too slow for a library. Folders in Google Drive or OneDrive can't be used as a library location.
Moving a library
You can move a library after creating it.
- Move the library folder to its new place, keeping everything inside it as it is.
- In Hive, open the library selection and choose the folder in its new location.
- If the new place is in iCloud Drive, wait until the files have finished downloading before you start working.
One thing to watch for
Don't create a library inside another library's folder. Hive warns you if you try, because two libraries sharing a folder can confuse each other.
Questions
Does Hive collect my data?
Hive's App Store privacy label reads Data Not Collected.
Can I see how much space Hive uses?
Yes. Hive shows its storage use and lets you clear the cache safely.
Which location is fastest?
A library on the device, or one in iCloud Drive whose files are kept downloaded. An APFS SSD comes next.