Don't Use Google For Photo Backup!, by Naomi Brockwell TV on YouTube. 14 min 57 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 57 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Check what your phone backs up by default. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Photos. On Android, open Google Photos and check the Backup settings.
Decide whether you trust the default cloud. Both iCloud and Google Photos store your images on company servers, so switch the default photo backup off if you want more privacy.
For a simple no-skill option, install the Proton Photos app and sign in to a Proton account. Turn on automatic photo backup in the app settings.
If you want full control, set up a Synology NAS on your home network. Create a shared folder for photos and install the Synology Photos package from the Package Center.
Install the Synology Photos app on your phone, sign in to your NAS, and enable automatic backup of your camera roll.
Alternatively, run Nextcloud on your own server or a hosted Nextcloud account. Install the Nextcloud app on your phone and turn on auto upload for the camera folder.
Test the backup by taking a new photo and confirming it appears in your chosen service. Then check that uploads only run on Wi-Fi if you want to save mobile data.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep a second copy on an external drive, since a single cloud or NAS can still fail.
Use a strong unique password and two-factor login on any self-hosted service you expose to the internet.
Back up your NAS to an external drive regularly so a disk failure does not wipe your photos.
Check upload settings after phone updates, as some apps reset automatic backup.
Questions
Is iCloud or Google Photos backup private?
Your photos are encrypted in transit, but the provider can access them to run services. For sensitive images, a self-hosted or end-to-end encrypted option gives you more control.
Do I need technical skills for a private backup?
No. Proton Photos works like any photo app. A Synology NAS or Nextcloud needs more setup but gives you full ownership of the files.
Will automatic backup use my mobile data?
Most apps let you limit uploads to Wi-Fi only. Turn that on in the app settings to avoid data charges.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
