On by default
Nearby
- Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network
- No internet connection needed
- Fastest way to do the first big sync
Frames 01 to 04
How it
works.
Four steps, about a minute the first time. After that, open the app and tap Sync.
01 — Pair
Pair with a QR code
Open sync.photos on both devices and tap Pair with a QR code. One shows its code, the other scans it. Either device can do either job.
- No account, email or password, ever.
- Each device makes its own keys, and they never leave it.
- Works the same between iPhone, Android and Mac.
02 — Check
Check the numbers
Both devices show six digits. If they match, tap Codes match. If not, cancel; someone may be trying to join.
- Matching numbers prove it’s your device, not a stranger’s.
- Only tap Codes match when both screens show the same digits.
03 — Review
Review what will sync
Before anything moves, Review shows every photo, video and album coming and going, what stays private, and how long it will take.
- Time left in plain words, like about 4 min 7 secs.
- Free space checked on both devices before you start.
- A warning to stay on the same Wi-Fi while internet sync is off.
- Nothing is deleted, on either side.
04 — Sync
Sync
Files go straight across, checked on arrival. If the connection drops, it picks up where it stopped.
- Nearby, keep the app open for the fastest sync; it keeps going in the background only where your device allows.
- Over the internet, keep sync.photos open on both devices.
- After the first time, open the app and tap Sync.
05 — Two ways to connect
Nearby by default. Anywhere when you want.
Either way, photos go from one of your devices to another, end-to-end encrypted. If a relay is ever needed, it only forwards data it can’t read.
Off by default
Over the internet
- Turn on Internet sync in Settings
- Your devices can be anywhere in the world
- Works while sync.photos is open on both devices
With Internet sync off, both devices need to stay on the same network until a sync finishes. Review shows how long that will be before you start.
06 — What syncs
What syncs.
iPhones and Android phones keep photos differently. Here is exactly what matches where.
Every device
- Photos and videos in original quality
- Capture dates and places
- Albums and folders, complete in sync.photos
- Favorites (Android: depends on the gallery app)
Between iPhones and Mac
- Album order you set by hand
- Edits you can undo later
- Live Photos that move
- Captions and keywords (iOS 27)
Stays on each device
- People, Pets and Memories
- Smart albums and shared albums
- Hidden album (you can change this)
- Photos kept only in iCloud, unless you turn on Download originals from iCloud
On Android, each photo shows in one gallery folder. All its albums stay complete inside sync.photos.