Storage & Retention covers two things: where uploaded files go (the Storage tab) and how long submissions are kept (retention, on the General tab). Together they let you send file uploads to the cloud and hold entry data only as long as you need it.
Where: Tiger Forms → Settings → Storage (files), and Tiger Forms → Settings → General (retention).
File storage driver
The Storage tab chooses where files uploaded through File upload fields are stored. Pick a Driver:
- LOCAL — files stay on your own server in the WordPress uploads area (the default; no configuration).
- S3 — Amazon S3 (Pro).
- R2 — Cloudflare R2 (Pro).
- BUNNY — BunnyCDN storage (Pro).
Cloud drivers use chunked uploads and serve files through short-lived signed download URLs, so uploads never sit publicly accessible. After entering a driver’s credentials, use the buttons on this tab to verify things work:
- Test upload (1 KB file) — pushes a tiny file to the active driver to confirm the connection and credentials.
- Clean up orphaned files — removes files that no longer belong to any submission. Leave Dry run checked first to preview what would be deleted, then run it for real.
Submission retention (General tab)
How long the entries themselves live is set on the General tab:
- Store submissions — keep a database copy of every entry, or turn it off to rely on email and payment records only.
- Delete entries after (days) — a daily job permanently removes submissions older than N days;
0keeps them forever. - Anonymize entries after (days) — keep older entries for statistics but scrub their personal data (name, email, IP, field values);
0never anonymizes.
Privacy
These controls work with the GDPR tab (WordPress data export/erase integration, consent log and a data-processing-agreement URL) to help you hold only the data you need. Payment and integration credentials are encrypted at rest.
Tips
Move heavy uploads off the server. If a form collects large files, point the driver at S3, R2 or BunnyCDN so your web host isn’t storing (or serving) them. Run Clean up orphaned files with Dry run first to see what would go before deleting anything.
What happens to already-uploaded files if I switch drivers?
The driver setting affects new uploads. Existing files remain where they were stored, so keep the previous driver’s credentials available if you still need to serve older submissions.
Why can’t I download an uploaded file directly?
Cloud-stored files are served through signed, time-limited URLs for security rather than as public links — open them from the submission view so a fresh signed URL is generated.