Mobile App Setup

The Immich mobile app lets you access your photos on the go and automatically back up new photos and videos from your device to your PixelUnion server.

Download the App

The Immich app is available for:

• iOS: App Store
• Android:
  • PiXelUnion App: PiXelUnion provides a custom Android app specifically for our users. This app is optimized for our infrastructure and provides the best experience when connecting to PixelUnion servers.
  • Official Immich App: Google Play - The official Immich app is also available and fully compatible with PixelUnion servers.

Connecting to Your Server

1. Open the Immich app (or PiXelUnion app on Android)
2. Enter your PixelUnion server URL (e.g., https://yourname.pixelunion.eu)
3. Enter your username and password
4. Tap “Login”

Once connected, you’ll have full access to your photo library from your mobile device.

Automatic Backup Feature

The automatic backup feature is one of the most powerful features of the Immich mobile app. It continuously monitors your device’s photo library and automatically uploads new photos and videos to your PixelUnion server in the background.

How Backup Works

When automatic backup is enabled, the app:

• Monitors your photo library: The app watches for new photos and videos added to your device’s camera roll or selected albums
• Uploads automatically: New media is uploaded to your server without any manual intervention
• Preserves metadata: All photo metadata (location, date, camera settings, etc.) is preserved during upload
• Handles duplicates: The app intelligently detects and skips photos that have already been backed up
• Works in background: Uploads continue even when the app is closed (with proper permissions)

Setting Up Automatic Backup

To enable and configure automatic photo backup:

1. Open the Immich app and navigate to Settings → Backup
2. Toggle “Automatic Backup” to enable the feature
3. Select albums to back up: Choose which albums or folders from your device should be backed up
   • You can select specific albums or choose to back up all photos
   • The app will only upload photos from selected sources
4. Configure backup options:
   • WiFi only: Enable this to only upload when connected to WiFi, saving mobile data
   • Background backup: Allow uploads to continue when the app is in the background
   • Foreground backup: For faster uploads when the app is actively open
   • Battery optimization: Adjust settings to balance battery usage with backup speed

Backup Status and Monitoring

You can monitor your backup progress and status:

• Backup screen: Navigate to the Backup section in the app to see:
  • Number of photos/videos pending upload
  • Current upload progress
  • Successfully backed up items
  • Any errors or failed uploads
• Notifications: The app can send notifications when backups complete or encounter issues
• Upload queue: View and manage items waiting to be uploaded

Backup Best Practices

• Initial backup: For your first backup, consider using “Foreground Backup” for faster uploads. This is especially useful when backing up a large existing photo library
• Regular backups: Once set up, automatic backup will handle new photos seamlessly
• WiFi preference: Enable “WiFi only” to avoid using mobile data, especially if you have a large photo library
• Battery considerations: Background backup may use battery. Adjust settings based on your device’s battery life and charging habits
• Storage management: The app uploads photos but doesn’t automatically delete them from your device. You can manually manage device storage as needed

Tips

• Enable “Background Backup” for seamless uploads that work even when you’re not using the app
• Use “Foreground Backup” for faster initial uploads when setting up the app for the first time
• Check backup status regularly in the app’s backup screen to ensure everything is syncing correctly
• On Android, consider using the PiXelUnion app for the best experience with PixelUnion servers
• Keep the app updated to access the latest features and improvements