When to Download a ZIP vs Transfer Directly
Pick the right IMGLoader workflow based on whether you need a local backup, a platform migration, or a clean archive for later use.
Tested against the current IMGLoader workflow and provider UI available as of April 1, 2026. Where platform rules or API limits affect results, this guide calls them out explicitly.
IMGLoader supports two different jobs that solve different problems. If you choose the wrong one, the app still works, but the result may be less convenient than it needs to be.
Choose a ZIP export when...
- You want a local backup on your device or in your own storage.
- You need a portable archive that can be extracted, renamed, or uploaded elsewhere later.
- You care about folder grouping and file organization in the exported result.
Choose a direct transfer when...
- You are actively moving content from one provider to another.
- You want to avoid downloading everything locally first.
- You want the destination provider to receive the files immediately as part of the same workflow.
A simple rule of thumb
If your goal is backup or archive, start with a ZIP. If your goal is migration or republishing, start with a direct transfer.
When both make sense
Some workflows benefit from both: create a ZIP export first for your records, then run a transfer into the destination platform once you know the source batch looks right.