FAQ
Short answers to the questions that come up most. For the product FAQ, see avlok.ai/faq.
Do I need Cloud AI Access to use Avlok with an assistant?
Section titled “Do I need Cloud AI Access to use Avlok with an assistant?”Only for web assistants. Claude Desktop connects locally, with nothing sent to our servers, and that works on every tier including Free. Claude on the web and ChatGPT need Cloud AI Access, which is included with Pro and Family.
Does connecting an assistant send my photos to the cloud?
Section titled “Does connecting an assistant send my photos to the cloud?”With the local Claude Desktop connection, no. With Cloud AI Access, small thumbnails and short descriptions of the folders you choose are stored so a web assistant can search them. Your full-resolution photos never leave your device in either case. See How Avlok handles your data.
Can an assistant change or delete my photos?
Section titled “Can an assistant change or delete my photos?”No. Every tool is read-only. An assistant can find and describe photos, never modify your library.
Which folders can an assistant see?
Section titled “Which folders can an assistant see?”On the local connection, your local library is searchable on your machine, except folders you marked private. On the cloud connection, only the folders you included in Cloud AI Access. Folders you left out stay on your device, and folders marked private are never shared.
Which assistants work with Avlok?
Section titled “Which assistants work with Avlok?”Claude Desktop, Claude on the web, and ChatGPT are verified. Because Avlok speaks standard MCP, other compliant clients can connect too. See Connect other MCP clients.
Can I use the local and cloud connections at the same time?
Section titled “Can I use the local and cloud connections at the same time?”Yes. Use Claude Desktop locally and a web assistant over the cloud at once if you like. They are independent.
How do I disconnect?
Section titled “How do I disconnect?”Remove the Avlok connector in your assistant, or turn off Cloud AI Access in Avlok’s Settings → AI Integration to cut every cloud connection at once. For the local connection, turn off the server in Settings → AI Integration or remove the entry from your assistant’s config.
Is there a cost?
Section titled “Is there a cost?”The local Claude Desktop connection is free. Cloud AI Access is included with Pro ($4.99 a month or $44.99 a year) and with Family ($12.99 a month or $119.99 a year for up to five people). You can try Cloud AI Access free for 7 days before subscribing, one trial per account. See avlok.ai/pricing.
I am on a Family plan. Do I get Cloud AI Access?
Section titled “I am on a Family plan. Do I get Cloud AI Access?”Yes. Family members each get their own Cloud AI Access on their own private library. Family shares the plan, never the photos: members never see each other’s photos or searches. See the Family plan for the details.
Where is my data stored, and for how long?
Section titled “Where is my data stored, and for how long?”Local connection: nothing about your library is stored on our servers. Cloud AI Access: thumbnails and descriptions for your chosen folders, kept while it is on, and deleted 14 days after you turn it off. Full detail is in How Avlok handles your data.