> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://v2.spacedrive.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Back Up Photos from iPhone

Spacedrive provides automatic photo backup from your iPhone to any Mac, PC, or NAS you own. Your photos transfer directly between devices using encrypted peer-to-peer connections, keeping them private and under your control.

This guide covers setting up photo backup, configuring automatic transfers, and managing your photo library across devices.

## Requirements

Before starting, ensure you have:

* iPhone running iOS 16 or later
* Mac, Windows PC, or Linux machine as backup destination
* Both devices on the same WiFi network (for initial setup)
* Spacedrive installed on both devices
* Sufficient storage space on destination device

<Note>
  Photo backup works completely offline after initial pairing. No internet connection required for transfers.
</Note>

## Install Spacedrive on iPhone

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download from App Store">
    Search for "Spacedrive" on the App Store or visit [spacedrive.com/ios](https://spacedrive.com/ios) for a direct link.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the App">
    Launch Spacedrive and grant necessary permissions:

    * **Photos access** to read your photo library
    * **Local network** to find and connect to your devices
    * **Notifications** for backup status updates (optional)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Mobile Library">
    Follow the setup wizard to create your library. Choose "Mobile Library" when prompted for library type.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Without photo access permission, Spacedrive cannot back up your photos. iOS requires explicit permission for privacy protection.
</Warning>

## Set Up Your Backup Destination

Configure the computer where photos will be stored:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Spacedrive Desktop">
    Launch Spacedrive on your Mac, Windows, or Linux machine. Ensure the daemon is running (check status bar).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Backup Location">
    Navigate to Settings → Locations and add a folder for photo backups. Name it clearly like "iPhone Photos" or "Mobile Backup".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Network Discovery">
    In Settings → Network, ensure "Device Discovery" is enabled. This allows your iPhone to find this computer.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Create a dedicated folder structure like `/Photos/iPhone/[Year]` for better organization.
</Tip>

## Pair Your Devices

Connect your iPhone and computer for secure transfers:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start Pairing on iPhone">
    In Spacedrive iOS, tap the devices icon and select "Add Device". Your phone begins scanning for nearby Spacedrive instances.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Computer">
    Choose your computer from the discovered devices list. If not visible, ensure both devices are on the same network.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Security Code">
    Confirm the 6-digit code matches on both devices. This ensures you're connecting to the right computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name the Connection">
    Give this pairing a friendly name like "John's MacBook" for easy identification.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Pairing uses end-to-end encryption. Even on the same network, your photos remain private during transfer.
</Info>

## Configure Backup Settings

Customize how and when photos back up:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Backup Settings">
    On iPhone, go to Settings → Photo Backup. Toggle "Enable Photo Backup" to on.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Backup Destination">
    Select your paired computer and choose the specific folder created earlier.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Transfer Conditions">
    Configure when backups occur:

    * **WiFi Only**: Prevents cellular data usage (recommended)
    * **While Charging**: Runs backups only when plugged in
    * **Background Backup**: Allows transfers when app is closed
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Photo Types">
    Choose what to back up:

    * Photos (HEIC/JPEG)
    * Videos
    * Live Photos
    * RAW files (if shooting ProRAW)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Start Your First Backup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initiate Backup">
    Tap "Start Backup Now" for immediate transfer or wait for automatic backup based on your conditions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor Progress">
    View real-time progress showing:

    * Photos queued
    * Transfer speed
    * Estimated time remaining
    * Individual file status
  </Step>

  <Step title="Keep App Active">
    For initial backup, keep Spacedrive open. Subsequent backups run in background.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  First backup may take hours depending on library size. A 10,000 photo library typically transfers in 2-4 hours on WiFi.
</Note>

## Manage Ongoing Backups

Spacedrive handles incremental backups intelligently:

### Automatic Detection

The app identifies new photos since last backup. Only new items transfer, saving time and bandwidth.

### Duplicate Prevention

Content-based deduplication ensures the same photo never backs up twice, even if edited or renamed.

### Conflict Resolution

If you organize photos on computer, Spacedrive preserves both versions without overwriting.

### Storage Management

Monitor backup status and storage usage:

```
Settings → Photo Backup → Storage

Backed up: 15,234 photos
Storage used: 45.2 GB  
Last backup: 2 hours ago
Next backup: When charging
```

## Advanced Configuration

### Multiple Backup Destinations

Back up to multiple computers for redundancy:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pair Additional Devices">
    Repeat pairing process with other computers or NAS devices.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Destinations">
    In Photo Backup settings, enable multiple destinations and set priorities.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Sync Strategy">
    Select between:

    * **Mirror**: Same photos on all destinations
    * **Distribute**: Split photos across devices
    * **Archive**: Move older photos to specific devices
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Network Optimization

Improve transfer speeds:

* **5GHz WiFi**: Use 5GHz networks when available for faster speeds
* **Direct Connection**: Create device-to-device network for maximum speed
* **Quality Settings**: Adjust compression for faster transfers (preserves originals)

<Tip>
  For fastest initial backup, connect devices to ethernet on same network switch.
</Tip>

### Backup Rules

Create smart backup rules:

```
Only backup:
- Photos from last 30 days
- Favorites marked in Photos app  
- Photos with faces detected
- Media larger than 1MB
```

## Troubleshooting

### iPhone can't find computer

* Verify both devices on same WiFi network
* Disable VPNs temporarily
* Check firewall allows Spacedrive
* Restart both devices

### Backup seems stuck

* Check available storage on destination
* Verify WiFi connection stable
* Force quit and reopen app
* Check job manager for errors

### Photos missing after backup

* Confirm backup completed (check status)
* Verify correct destination folder
* Check if filters excluded some photos
* Look in Spacedrive's trash for accidents

### Battery draining quickly

* Enable "While Charging Only" option
* Reduce backup frequency
* Lower transfer quality setting
* Disable background backup

## Best Practices

**Regular Backups**: Enable automatic daily backups while charging overnight.

**Verify Backups**: Periodically check destination folder to confirm photos transferred correctly.

**Organize Early**: Set up folder structure before accumulating thousands of photos.

**Monitor Storage**: Keep 20% free space on destination for smooth operations.

**Test Recovery**: Occasionally verify you can access backed-up photos from another device.

<Warning>
  Photo backup is not a sync service. Deleting photos from iPhone doesn't remove backups. Manage storage separately on each device.
</Warning>

## Next Steps

With photo backup configured, explore these features:

* **[Manage Your Libraries](/guides/manage-libraries)** - Organize across devices
* **[Add and Index Locations](/guides/add-index-locations)** - Include existing photos
* **[Search and Tag Photos](/guides/search-tag)** - Organize your collection

Your photos now back up automatically and securely to devices you control. No subscriptions, no privacy concerns, just your memories safely preserved.