Images & Media
Image & Media File Support
Vector Messenger supports uploading a wide range of image, video, and file formats. All downloaded media can be found in the vector folder within your device's Downloads directory. Images and files can be shared by dragging and dropping them directly into the chat, or by clicking the Upload Files icon to the left of the message input at the bottom of the app.
Metadata
EXIF and location data stripped from photos by default, opt-in toggle to keep original metadata.
Vector includes built-in features to maintain privacy by default, including protection against accidental metadata leaks. Photos often carry hidden metadata such as the device that captured them, camera settings, timestamps, and precise GPS coordinates of where they were taken. This information travels with the file and can reveal far more than the image itself.
By default, Vector strips EXIF and location data from every photo before it is sent, so this information never leaves your device. As always, users retain full control and can opt out of this behavior in their settings if they need the original metadata preserved.
Automatic Mirroring
When you send an attachment, Vector automatically uploads a copy to a second media server at the same time, and the message itself carries a record of both locations. If the original server goes offline, is taken down, or simply stops responding, recipients can still retrieve the file from the backup without you needing to resend anything. This happens silently in the background with no extra step on your end, so files you share stay available even when individual servers do not.
ThumbHash
Vector Messenger previously used BlurHash, which is a compact representation of a placeholder for an image that saves the user time and disk space. As of v0.3.1 Vector switched to ThumbHash, which is an improved and optimized version of perceptual image hashing or image placeholders.
Vector uses fast-thumbhash, a custom open-source Rust crate developed by Formless Labs, to generate compact image placeholder hashes for media shared in chats. Based on the ThumbHash algorithm, it converts images into a tiny ~26 character string that decodes client-side into a smooth, color-accurate blurred preview. So, images feel instant to load rather than popping in from nothing. The implementation is a 12x performance improvement over the standard
thumbhashcrate, achieved through separable 2D DCT transforms, Chebyshev cosine recurrence, and fully stack-allocated buffers with zero heap allocation in the hot path. It also uses base91 encoding, which is more efficient than the base83 used by BlurHash. Thumbhash produces smaller strings while carrying more information, including alpha channel support and embedded aspect ratio. The crate is MIT licensed and available at GitHub.
Image Compressor
When sending an image, Vector shows a preview with the file name, format, and current size before it goes out. Compression is enabled by default and the preview displays exactly what you will save, showing both the projected file size and the percentage reduction. If you would rather send the original at full quality, toggle compression off and the file is sent untouched. Either way you see the outcome before committing, so there are no surprises about what your recipient receives.
Image Viewer
The image viewer opens instantly with no flicker or layout shift, and gives you full control over how you view an image. A rotate button (90 degrees) lets you correct orientation on the fly, and zooming works smoothly whether you pinch on mobile or use a trackpad on desktop. Zoom anchors to your cursor or fingers rather than drifting toward the center of the screen, so you can move around a detailed image without constantly repositioning it.
Clipboard Files
Files move in and out of Vector through your system clipboard just like they do in any other app. Copy a file from your desktop or file manager and paste it directly into a chat to send it, or copy a file you have received in Vector and paste it wherever you need it. This works across macOS, Windows, Linux, and Android, so you can move files without opening a file picker or saving to disk first.
Supported Media
Vector Messenger currently supports the most common filetypes for pictures, videos, and audio. With future releases, Vector will be adding support for new filetypes to improve the overall user experience. The complete list of supported media types is listed below in the dropdown menu.
Unsupported Media
With the current v0.4.4 release, there are many filetypes that Vector now supports, but for unsupported files, there is a visual display letting the user know the filetype, size, and name. Referencing the images above, you will see the in-app display when certain filetypes are not supported. For security purposes, Vector also plans to add a support prompt confirming if this is the correct file the user wants to send, as well as the risks downloading certain files online to improve overall safety.
GIFs
GIFs are built into Vector through GIFverse, accessible via the Emoji Panel. In the top right of the panel, you can toggle between the Emoji and GIF tabs. Once on the GIF tab, the most popular GIFs are displayed first, with a search bar available to find something more specific. GIFs can be used throughout Vector, from private messages to group chats and communities.
To protect your metadata privacy, it is recommended to enable Tor in Settings before using GIFs, as GIF requests can potentially expose your IP address to third-party servers. This may not be a concern for the average user, but understanding your risks and adopting best privacy practices is always encouraged.
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