Automatically uploading photos to Nextcloud (and what to do if it stops)

The Nextcloud app can automatically upload every photo and video you take with your phone to your WebOké Nextcloud. That way you always have a copy, even if your phone breaks or gets lost. Below you can read how to turn it on and what to do if the upload stops.

Don't have the app yet? See Setting up the Nextcloud App on iPhone or Setting up the Nextcloud App on Android.

Turning it on on the iPhone or iPad

1. In the Nextcloud app, tap More › Settings at the bottom.
2. Choose Auto upload photos (in some versions Auto Upload) and turn it on for photos, videos or both.
3. Give the app access to all photos if iOS asks. With limited access, the app only sees the photos you've chosen.
4. Choose the folder in your Nextcloud where the photos will go, and whether you only want to upload via wifi.

iOS gives apps very little time in the background. So open the app every now and then and leave it open for a bit, plugged in and on wifi.

Turning it on on Android

1. In the Nextcloud app, tap the three lines in the top left and choose Settings › Auto Upload.
2. Turn on the folder you want to upload, for example Camera.
3. Tap the three dots next to the folder to choose the destination folder in your Nextcloud, and whether you only want to upload via wifi or only while charging.
4. For Original file will…, leave the photo on your phone. Don't choose to delete it.

Also turn off the battery restriction for Nextcloud: in Android settings under Apps › Nextcloud › Battery, choose Unrestricted.

All options step by step: Automatically uploading photos.

The upload has stopped

Automatic upload sometimes stops without a clear message. Go through these points:

• Storage full? A full Nextcloud stops every upload. Check in your browser at the bottom left under Files how much space you have left.
• Battery saving: turn off power saving mode (iPhone), or set the battery for Nextcloud to Unrestricted (Android). Some brands, such as Samsung and Xiaomi, also put apps to sleep. Remove Nextcloud from that list.
• Permissions: the app needs access to all photos. On the iPhone, Background App Refresh must also be on for Nextcloud.
• Only via wifi: if that's on, the app waits until you're on wifi again.
• After an app update (Android): check whether the folder is still turned on and tap Sync now. See Resuming photo upload on Android after an app update.
• Update the app: install the latest version via the App Store or Google Play.

Are photos missing? Upload them manually: open the destination folder in the app, tap the + and choose the photos. Photos that are already there won't be uploaded twice. The full checklist per phone is in Photo upload on the phone stops.

Viewing your photos

Your photos are in the folder you chose and count towards your storage space. You can view them in the Files app, and more nicely in Photos or Memories. In Memories you see all your photos on a timeline. The first time, choose the folder your phone uploads to as the basis. See Photos or Memories: which app for what?.