Source: https://restorebunny.com/guides/audit-a-photo-library-export/ # Audit a Photo Library Export Before Closing an Account Check files, captions, dates, albums and edit versions before relying on a photo-library export. Digital organization2 min readUpdated 16 October 2026 ## Try it on your own photo Repair a copy of your photo, then compare faces and details with the original. [Restore my photo]()1 credit per successful photo · Account required[See credit packs]() Quick answer ## The short version An export is complete only for the information you actually checked. Images, album membership, metadata and edit history may be delivered differently by different services. Keep the account accessible while you compare a sample against the source library, and consult the service’s current export documentation for its exact behavior. ## Define the job before editing An export is complete only for the information you actually checked. Images, album membership, metadata and edit history may be delivered differently by different services. Keep the account accessible while you compare a sample against the source library, and consult the service’s current export documentation for its exact behavior. ## Test representative edge cases Include an old photo with an estimated date, a recently edited image, a video or animation, an album member and an item with a caption. Check file counts by type as well as total counts. Look for sidecars and separate originals rather than assuming every exported folder is a second full copy. ## Make the decision from evidence Do not delete the source collection immediately after downloading an archive. Open important files on a second device, check how dates are represented and make an independent copy. A ZIP file sitting unopened in Downloads is not an audited archive. ## A worked planning example Example: A service exports 500 images and 500 metadata sidecars. The 1,000-file total does not mean there are 1,000 photos. Keep pairs together, sample captions and record which edit versions were included in the export. ## A practical checklist 1. Keep the source account available. 2. Identify image and sidecar file types. 3. Compare representative records with the source library. 4. Verify independent copies before account changes. ## Keep a traceable result Keep the source file, the working copy and the delivery copy as separate items. Record the input and the changes you actually made so another person can understand the result later. These workflow examples are planning examples, not documented customer outcomes or proof of a successful restoration. ## FAQs Does an export always include album structure? No universal assumption is safe. Check the current service documentation and inspect the exported folders and metadata yourself. Should I replace my original with the edited copy? Keep the source unchanged and save a separate working or sharing copy. An export, edit or AI interpretation can omit information that remains useful in the source. ## Sources Preservation and technical guidance reviewed for this article. - Library of Congress: [Personal archiving: digital photographs]() ## Related - [Open the related free tool]() - [Use Sidecar Notes for Photo Names, Dates and Stories]() - [Copy Photos from Old CDs While They Are Readable]() - [Browse photo guides]() - [Free image tools]() ## Ready to restore your photos? Upload an image, choose your settings, and preview results with a before/after slider. [Restore my photo]()[View Pricing]() RestoreBunny Source-backed photo workflows Guides follow our [editorial policy]() for sourcing, product claims, AI limitations, updates, and corrections.