Documentation

Getting Started

Welcome to Bombajom Photos. Getting your photos safely backed up takes just a few minutes. You can back up to a USB external drive, a folder on your computer, or network storage like a Synology or QNAP.

What You'll Need

• A storage device: a USB external drive, a shared folder on your computer, or a NAS (Synology, QNAP, etc.)
• Your storage device should support standard file sharing
• An iPhone or Android phone
• Both devices connected to the same WiFi network
• Your storage device username and password (if required)

Quick Start (5 Minutes)

1. Download the app
   Get Bombajom Photos from our download page. Android users can install it directly today. The App Store and Google Play listings are in final review.
2. Grant photo access
   When prompted, allow access to your photo library. This lets the app see which photos need backing up.
3. Choose where your photos go
   The easiest option is a USB drive or folder on your computer: install Bombajom Server, our small helper app, and it shows a QR code (see External Drive Setup). Have a Synology, QNAP, or other network storage? Tap "Add NAS" and the app finds it on your WiFi.
4. Connect
   Using the helper app? Tap "Scan a Setup QR Code" and point your camera at the screen. Connecting to a NAS? Enter your NAS username and password. These are stored securely on your device.
5. Choose a folder
   Select where you want your photos stored, or let us create a "Bombajom Photos" folder.
6. Start syncing
   Tap "Start Using Bombajom Photos" and your backup starts automatically. Want to run one by hand? Tap "Sync now" in the gallery anytime.

Installation

Get Bombajom Photos installed on your device in under a minute.

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the App Store
   Look for the blue App Store icon on your home screen.
2. Search for "Bombajom Photos"
   Tap the search icon at the bottom, then type "Bombajom Photos".
3. Download the app
   Tap the "Get" or "Install" button next to Bombajom Photos.
4. Wait for installation
   The app will download and install automatically. This usually takes 30-60 seconds.
5. Open the app
   Once installed, tap "Open" or find the Bombajom Photos icon on your home screen.

Android

1. Open the Google Play Store
   Look for the colorful Play Store icon on your home screen or app drawer.
2. Search for "Bombajom Photos"
   Tap the search bar at the top, then type "Bombajom Photos".
3. Install the app
   Tap the green "Install" button.
4. Wait for installation
   The app will download and install. Progress will be shown in a notification.
5. Open the app
   Tap "Open" when installation completes, or find the Bombajom Photos icon.

External Drive Setup

The easiest way to start backing up your photos. Plug a USB external drive into your computer, install Bombajom Server (our small helper app), and you're ready to go. No network setup needed.

What You'll Need

• A USB external hard drive (Seagate, WD, Samsung, Toshiba, LaCie, or any brand)
• A computer (Windows or Mac) to plug the drive into
• A USB cable (usually included with your drive)
• Your phone and computer on the same WiFi network

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Plug in your drive. Connect your USB external drive to your computer. It should appear as a new drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
2. Install Bombajom Server. Download it from our download page. Installers are available for Windows and Mac.
3. Pick your drive in the server. When Bombajom Server starts for the first time, it shows a "Choose Backup Folder" screen. Your external drive will appear at the top of the list with its name and available space. Select it.
4. Scan the QR code. The server displays a QR code. Open the Bombajom Photos app on your phone, tap "Scan a Setup QR Code," and point your camera at the screen. That's it. Your photos start syncing automatically.

Supported Drives

Bombajom works with any USB external drive formatted as exFAT, NTFS, HFS+, APFS, or ext4. Popular drives that work great:

• Seagate: Backup Plus, One Touch, Expansion
• WD (Western Digital): My Passport, Elements, My Book
• Samsung: T7, T9 portable SSDs
• Toshiba: Canvio Advance, Canvio Basics
• LaCie: Rugged, Mobile Drive

Brand-Specific Notes

Troubleshooting

First Time Setup

This guide walks through the full setup wizard, including connecting to a NAS. Using an external drive or your computer? External Drive Setup above is shorter: install the helper app and scan a QR code.

Step 1: Welcome Screen

When you first open Bombajom Photos, you'll see a welcome screen explaining what the app does.

• Read through the introduction
• Tap "Get Started" to begin setup

Step 2: Permissions

The app needs permission to access your photos and connect to your local network.

iOS Permissions

1. Photo Library Access
   • When prompted, tap "Allow Access to All Photos"
   • This lets Bombajom Photos see which photos need backing up
   • The app never modifies or deletes your photos
2. Local Network Access
   • When prompted, tap "Allow"
   • Required to find and connect to your NAS
   • No internet is needed for this. Discovery happens entirely on your home WiFi.

Android Permissions

1. Photos and Media Access
   • Tap "Allow" when prompted
   • Needed to read your photos for backup
2. Notification Permission
   • Tap "Allow" for notifications
   • Keeps you informed about backup progress

Step 3: Discover Your NAS

Bombajom Photos will automatically search for NAS devices on your network.

Automatic Discovery

1. Wait 5-10 seconds for the scan to complete
2. Your NAS should appear in the list with its name (e.g., "Synology-DS920")
3. Tap your NAS to select it

Manual Entry (If Not Found)

If your NAS doesn't appear automatically:

1. Tap "Enter Manually" at the bottom
2. Fill in the connection details:
   • Host: Your NAS IP address or hostname (e.g., 192.168.1.100 or mynas.local)
   • Connection Type: Leave as the default (recommended), or choose an alternative if your device requires it
   • Port: Leave as default unless your device uses a custom port
3. Tap "Continue"

Not sure of your storage's address? The Synology and QNAP guides show where to find it.

Step 4: Enter Credentials

Enter your NAS login information.

1. Username: Your NAS account username
2. Password: Your NAS account password
3. Tap "Test Connection" to verify
4. If successful, tap "Save"

Step 5: Choose Storage Folder

Select where on your NAS you want photos stored.

• Select Existing Folder: Choose from your NAS shared folders
• Create New Folder: Let the app create a "Bombajom Photos" folder
• Use Recommended: Use the default photos folder (varies by NAS)

Step 6: Choose How Photos Are Organized

Pick how your photos are arranged in your backup folder. You can change this later in Settings.

Folder Organization

• Year / Month: /2026/01/photo.jpg (organized, easy to find)
• Year / Month / Day: /2026/01/15/photo.jpg (very organized)
• Year / Month Name: /2026/January/photo.jpg
• Year only: /2026/photo.jpg
• No folders: All photos in one folder (simple, but can get cluttered)

Other Sync Options

After setup, you can adjust how the app syncs in Settings:

• WiFi only: Only sync when on WiFi (recommended)
• Auto sync: Back up new photos automatically
• Sync videos: Turn off to back up photos only

Step 7: Start Your First Backup

You're all set. Time to back up your photos.

1. Tap "Start Using Bombajom Photos" to finish the wizard. Your backup starts automatically.
2. Watch the progress as photos upload
3. First backup may take a while depending on how many photos you have
4. You can minimize the app. It will continue in the background.

Want to run a backup by hand? Tap "Sync now" in the gallery anytime.

Choosing Your Storage

The easiest place to keep your backups is a USB drive plugged into your computer. Want something that's always on? A NAS (a small storage device that lives on your home network, like a Synology or QNAP) works like your own personal cloud, except the data stays in your house. Here are our recommendations for getting started.

USB External Drives (Under $100)

The simplest option. Plug it into your computer and you're ready to go.

• Seagate One Touch 2TB: ~$55. Compact, reliable, works with Windows and Mac.
• WD My Passport 2TB: ~$55. Slim, bus-powered, hardware encryption available.
• Samsung T7 1TB: ~$80. Portable SSD, much faster than traditional hard drives.
• Toshiba Canvio Advance 2TB: ~$50. Budget-friendly, no-frills reliability.

Best for: Individuals or couples. Great if you want the simplest possible setup and don't need 24/7 availability (your computer needs to be on to sync).

Budget-Friendly Options (Under $200)

• Synology DS124: Single-bay, great for individuals. Easy to set up with DiskStation Manager.
• TerraMaster F2-212: Dual-bay at a low price point. Good value for families.
• Raspberry Pi + External Drive: The DIY option. Run OpenMediaVault for a low-cost NAS.

Recommended for Families (Under $400)

• Synology DS224+: Dual-bay, excellent software, our top pick for most families.
• QNAP TS-233: Dual-bay with good multimedia features.

What to Look For

• Standard file sharing support: Required for Bombajom Photos (all major NAS brands support this)
• At least 1 drive bay: 2 bays recommended for data redundancy (RAID 1 mirroring)
• Gigabit Ethernet: For fast local transfers

Don't Want to Buy a NAS?

The easiest option is a USB external drive plugged into your computer. Bombajom Server, our small helper app, handles everything automatically. If you'd rather share a folder without the helper app, any computer on your network that can share folders also works.

NAS Setup

Before connecting Bombajom Photos, you'll need to ensure your NAS is properly configured.

Protocol Support

Bombajom Photos supports two protocols:

• SMB (Samba) - The most common file sharing protocol. Recommended for most users.
• WebDAV - HTTP-based protocol. Useful if SMB is blocked or unavailable.

Creating a Dedicated User (Recommended)

For security, we recommend creating a dedicated user account for Bombajom Photos:

1. Create a new user (e.g., "photos-backup")
2. Create a shared folder for photos
3. Give the new user read/write access to only that folder
4. Use these credentials in the app

Synology NAS Setup Guide

This guide walks you through setting up your Synology NAS for Bombajom Photos.

Prerequisites

• Synology NAS running DSM 6.2 or later (DSM 7.x recommended)
• Admin access to your Synology NAS
• NAS connected to your home network

Step 1: Enable SMB Service

1. Open DSM
   Access your Synology NAS web interface (usually http://synology.local:5000 or your NAS IP)
2. Go to Control Panel
   Click the Control Panel icon in the top-left corner
3. Open File Services
   Click "File Services" under the "File Sharing" section
4. Enable SMB
   Go to the "SMB" tab and check "Enable SMB service"
5. Configure SMB Settings
   Set "Minimum SMB protocol" to SMB2 or SMB3 (SMB1 is not supported for security)
6. Save Settings
   Click "Apply" at the bottom

Step 2: Create a Shared Folder for Photos

1. Open Shared Folder Settings
   In Control Panel, go to "Shared Folder"
2. Create New Folder
   Click the "+" or "Create" button
3. Folder Name
   Name it something like "Photos", "BombajomPhotos", or "PhotoBackup"
4. Choose Location
   Select which volume to store the folder on (usually "volume1")
5. Enable Encryption (Optional)
   Check "Encrypt shared folder" if you want extra security
6. Configure Permissions
   For now, give your admin user full access. We'll create a dedicated user next.
7. Finish
   Click "Apply" to create the folder

Step 3: Create a Dedicated Backup User (Recommended)

For security, create a user account specifically for Bombajom Photos with limited permissions.

1. Open User & Group
   In Control Panel, go to "User & Group"
2. Create New User
   Click "Create" → "User"
3. Set Username
   Enter a username like photos-backup or bombajom
4. Set Password
   Choose a strong password (store it somewhere safe)
5. Skip Groups
   Click "Next" (we'll set permissions directly)
6. Configure Permissions
   Under "Shared Folder", find your Photos folder and set permission to "Read/Write"
7. Deny Other Folders
   Ensure "No access" for all other shared folders (for security)
8. Complete Setup
   Click "Next" through remaining screens, then "Apply"

Step 4: Configure Advanced Settings (Optional)

Enable SMB Encryption

1. Go to Control Panel → File Services → SMB
2. Check "Enable transport encryption"
3. This encrypts data in transit for extra security

Set Static IP (Recommended)

Prevent connection issues by giving your NAS a static IP:

1. Go to Control Panel → Network
2. Click "Network Interface"
3. Select your network interface → "Edit"
4. Choose "Use manual configuration"
5. Set IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
6. Set subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0)
7. Set gateway (your router IP, usually 192.168.1.1)

Step 5: Find Your NAS IP Address

You'll need your NAS IP address for manual connection if automatic discovery doesn't work.

Method 1: DSM Dashboard

1. Log into DSM
2. Look at the top-right corner of the window
3. Your IP address is displayed there

Method 2: Synology Assistant

1. Download Synology Assistant from Synology website
2. Run it on your computer
3. Your NAS will appear with its IP address

Method 3: Router Admin Page

1. Access your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
2. Look for "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients"
3. Find your Synology NAS in the list

Synology Photos Integration

If you use Synology Photos (DSM 7.x), you can integrate with it.

1. Install "Synology Photos" package from Package Center if not already installed
2. In Bombajom Photos, set your backup folder to /photo
3. Photos will automatically appear in Synology Photos app
4. You can access them from any device with Synology Photos installed

Testing Your Setup

Before connecting from Bombajom Photos, verify your setup:

1. From a Windows computer: Open File Explorer → Type \\synology-ip in address bar
2. From a Mac: Finder → Go → Connect to Server → Type smb://synology-ip
3. Enter your credentials and verify you can see the Photos folder
4. Try creating a test file to ensure write permissions work

Troubleshooting Synology-Specific Issues

"Cannot connect" with QuickConnect ID

• Bombajom Photos requires direct local network connection
• Use your NAS local IP address, not QuickConnect ID
• QuickConnect is for remote access, not local backups

"Permission denied" for /photo folder

• The default /photo folder has special permissions for Synology Photos
• Create a new shared folder instead, or
• Use /home/username/photos folder (accessible to your user)

SMB not working after DSM update

• Go to Control Panel → File Services → SMB
• Verify SMB service is still enabled
• Check that minimum SMB protocol is still SMB2 or higher
• Restart SMB service if needed

QNAP NAS Setup Guide

Complete guide to configuring your QNAP NAS for Bombajom Photos.

Prerequisites

• QNAP NAS running QTS 4.4.1 or later (QTS 5.x recommended)
• Admin access to QTS
• NAS connected to your home network

Step 1: Enable SMB Service

1. Open QTS
   Access your QNAP NAS web interface (usually http://qnap.local:8080 or your NAS IP)
2. Go to Control Panel
   Click the Control Panel icon in the top menu
3. Open Network Services
   Navigate to "Network & File Services" → "Win/Mac/NFS/WebDAV"
4. Enable Microsoft Networking
   Go to "Microsoft Networking" tab and check "Enable Microsoft network service"
5. Configure SMB Version
   Set "Highest SMB version" to SMB3 for best performance and security
6. Save Settings
   Click "Apply" to save changes

Step 2: Create a Shared Folder

1. Open Shared Folders
   Go to Control Panel → "Privilege" → "Shared Folders"
2. Create New Folder
   Click "Create" → "Shared Folder"
3. Folder Name
   Enter a name like "BombajomPhotos", "Photos", or "PhotoBackup"
4. Select Volume
   Choose which storage pool/volume to use
5. Configure Access Rights
   Set permissions - for now, give admin user access. We'll create a dedicated user next.
6. Advanced Options (Optional)
   Enable encryption, recycle bin, or quotas as needed
7. Finish
   Click "Create" to finish

Step 3: Create a Dedicated Backup User

1. Open User Settings
   Go to Control Panel → "Privilege" → "Users"
2. Create New User
   Click "Create" → "Create a user"
3. User Information
   Enter username (e.g., photos-backup) and password
4. Set Permissions
   Go to "Shared Folder Permissions" tab
5. Grant Access
   Find your Photos folder and set permission to "Read/Write"
6. Deny Other Folders
   Ensure all other folders are set to "No Access" (for security)
7. Save User
   Click "Apply" to create the user

Step 4: Configure WebDAV (Alternative to SMB)

If you prefer WebDAV or SMB isn't working, you can use WebDAV instead:

1. Enable WebDAV
   Go to Control Panel → "Applications" → "WebDAV"
2. Enable Service
   Check "Enable WebDAV"
3. Set Port
   Note the port number (default: 8080 for HTTP, 8081 for HTTPS)
4. Configure HTTPS (Recommended)
   Enable "Enable secure connection (HTTPS)" if available
5. Set User Permissions
   Configure which users can access WebDAV
6. In Bombajom Photos
   Use URL format: https://qnap-ip:8081/Photos

Step 5: Find Your QNAP IP Address

Method 1: QTS Dashboard

1. Log into QTS
2. Check the main dashboard - IP address is shown in system info

Method 2: Qfinder Pro

1. Download Qfinder Pro from QNAP website
2. Run it on your computer
3. Your QNAP NAS will appear with its IP address

Method 3: Router Admin Page

1. Access your router's admin interface
2. Look for "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients"
3. Find your QNAP NAS in the list

Troubleshooting QNAP-Specific Issues

"Connection timeout" when connecting

• Verify SMB service is running: Control Panel → Network Services → Check service status
• Check firewall settings: Control Panel → Security → Firewall
• Ensure port 445 (SMB) isn't blocked

"Authentication failure" with AD/LDAP account

• Try using a local QNAP account instead of AD/LDAP
• AD accounts may require domain prefix (e.g., DOMAIN\username)
• Create a dedicated local user for Bombajom Photos

SMB performance is slow

• Ensure SMB3 is enabled (not SMB2)
• Check NAS CPU and disk usage - may be under heavy load
• Try connecting via 5GHz WiFi if using 2.4GHz
• Consider using WebDAV instead if issues persist

Nextcloud Setup Guide

Use Bombajom Photos with your Nextcloud server for cloud-like photo backup.

Prerequisites

• Nextcloud server (self-hosted or cloud instance)
• WebDAV enabled (usually enabled by default)
• Your Nextcloud username and password (or app password)

Step 1: Get Your Nextcloud WebDAV URL

Your WebDAV URL follows this format:

https://your-nextcloud.com/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/

To find it:

1. Log into Nextcloud web interface
2. Click your profile picture (top right) → Settings
3. Scroll to "WebDAV" section
4. Your WebDAV URL is displayed there

Step 2: Create App Password (If Using 2FA)

If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you'll need an app-specific password:

1. Go to Settings → Security
2. Scroll to "Devices & sessions"
3. Click "Create new app password"
4. Name it "Bombajom Photos"
5. Copy the generated password (you won't see it again)
6. Use this password in Bombajom Photos instead of your regular password

Step 3: Create a Photos Folder

1. In Nextcloud, click "+" → "New folder"
2. Name it "Photos" or "Bombajom Photos"
3. Click the checkmark to create

Step 4: Configure Bombajom Photos

1. In Bombajom Photos, tap "Add NAS" → "Enter Manually"
2. Connection Type: Select "WebDAV"
3. Host: Enter your Nextcloud domain (e.g., nextcloud.example.com)
4. Port: 443 for HTTPS (default)
5. Path: /remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/Photos/
6. Username: Your Nextcloud username
7. Password: Your Nextcloud password or app password
8. Tap "Test Connection" → "Save"

Remote Access

Unlike SMB, WebDAV works over the internet, so you can back up photos even when not on your home network.

• Works on any WiFi network (home, work, coffee shop)
• Requires internet connection
• Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS)

Troubleshooting Nextcloud

"WebDAV not working" error

• Verify WebDAV is enabled: Settings → Administration → Basic settings
• Check URL format - must end with your username: /remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/
• Ensure folder path is correct and folder exists

"Authentication failed"

• If using 2FA, you must use an app password, not your regular password
• Verify username is correct (case-sensitive)
• Check password doesn't have special characters that need encoding

Other NAS Systems

Bombajom Photos works with any NAS that supports SMB or WebDAV.

TrueNAS / FreeNAS

1. Go to Sharing → Windows Shares (SMB)
2. Click Add
3. Select your dataset path
4. Enable and configure as needed

Unraid

1. Shares are enabled by default in Unraid
2. Create a new share via Shares → Add Share
3. Set security to "Private" and configure users

Raspberry Pi (Samba)

# Install Samba
sudo apt install samba

# Create photos directory
sudo mkdir -p /srv/photos
sudo chown pi:pi /srv/photos

# Edit Samba config
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

# Add to end of file:
[Photos]
  path = /srv/photos
  writeable = yes
  valid users = pi

# Set Samba password
sudo smbpasswd -a pi

# Restart Samba
sudo systemctl restart smbd

Generic SMB Connection

For any SMB-compatible NAS:

• Server: Your NAS IP address or hostname
• Share: The shared folder name
• Username: Your NAS username
• Password: Your NAS password

Sync Settings

Customize how Bombajom Photos backs up your media. You'll find these in the app under Settings.

Sync Toggles

• WiFi only: Only sync when connected to WiFi (recommended)
• Auto sync: Back up new photos automatically in the background
• Sync videos: On by default. Turn off to back up photos only.
• Upload speed limit: Cap upload speed so backups don't slow down the rest of your network

Folder Organization

Choose how your photos are organized on your storage:

• Year / Month: /2026/01/photo.jpg
• Year / Month / Day: /2026/01/15/photo.jpg
• Year / Month Name: /2026/January/photo.jpg
• Year only: /2026/photo.jpg
• No folders: All photos in one folder

Duplicate Handling

Nothing to configure here. When a file already exists on your storage, Bombajom Photos handles it automatically: identical files are skipped, and a different file that happens to share a name is kept side by side under a new name. Nothing is ever overwritten.

Advanced Features

Fine-tune your backup with these extras.

Upload Speed Limit

Keep backups from hogging your connection:

• Go to Settings and tap "Upload speed limit"
• Pick a preset: Unlimited, 10 MB/s, 5 MB/s, 1 MB/s, or 512 KB/s
• Useful when you want bandwidth free for streaming or video calls

File Naming Patterns

Customize how files are named on your storage:

• Keep original: Original names (e.g., IMG_1234.jpg)
• Date + Original: 2026-01-15_IMG_1234.jpg
• Date and Time: 2026-01-15_14-30-45.jpg
• More presets (Friendly Date, Date + Counter, Device + DateTime, Weekday + Time), plus a custom pattern editor

Backup Verification

Ensure files were uploaded correctly:

• Each upload is verified automatically by comparing SHA-256 file hashes
• Failed uploads are retried automatically
• Files larger than 50 MB skip hash verification to save bandwidth
• Failed items are listed in Settings under "Sync statistics"

Multiple Storage Connections

You can save more than one storage connection:

• Add several connections (for example, a NAS and an external drive)
• Photos back up to the connection that's currently active
• Switch the active connection anytime in Settings

Troubleshooting

Having issues? Here are solutions to common problems.

Can't Find My NAS

Symptoms: NAS doesn't appear during automatic discovery

• Check network connection: Ensure your phone and NAS are on the same WiFi network
• Verify services are running: Check that SMB or WebDAV is enabled on your NAS
• Try manual entry: Tap "Enter Manually" and enter your NAS IP address directly
• Check router settings: Some routers block mDNS - try disabling "AP Isolation" or "Client Isolation" in router settings
• Restart discovery: Pull down to refresh the discovery list and wait 10-15 seconds
• Firewall blocking: Ensure ports 445 (SMB) or 8080/8081 (WebDAV) aren't blocked

Connection Failed

Symptoms: "Cannot connect" or "Connection failed" error

• Verify credentials: Double-check your username and password (they're case-sensitive)
• Check user permissions: Ensure the user has read/write access to the shared folder
• SMB protocol version: Ensure SMB2 or higher is enabled (SMB1 is not supported for security reasons)
• Try IP address: Use your NAS IP address instead of hostname (e.g., 192.168.1.100 instead of synology.local)
• Test from computer: Try connecting to your NAS from a Windows/Mac computer to verify it's working
• NAS is online: Verify your NAS is powered on and accessible

Authentication Failed

Symptoms: Username/password rejected

• Log into NAS web interface: Verify your password works there first
• Check account status: Account might be disabled or locked
• Special characters: Some special characters in passwords can cause issues - try a simpler password temporarily
• Two-factor authentication: If your NAS uses 2FA, you may need an app-specific password
• Domain accounts: For Active Directory users, try format: DOMAIN\username

Sync is Slow

Symptoms: Photos uploading very slowly

• WiFi frequency: Connect to 5GHz WiFi instead of 2.4GHz if available (much faster)
• Router proximity: Move closer to your WiFi router
• Network interference: Check for interference from other devices (microwaves, baby monitors, etc.)
• NAS load: Ensure your NAS isn't under heavy load (check CPU and disk usage)
• WiFi congestion: Too many devices on WiFi can slow things down
• File size: Large videos will take longer - this is normal
• SMB version: Ensure SMB3 is enabled (faster than SMB2)

Sync Stops in Background

Symptoms: Sync pauses when you switch apps or lock your phone

iOS Solutions:

1. Go to Settings → Bombajom Photos
2. Enable "Background App Refresh"
3. Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Make sure it's enabled globally
4. For large initial syncs, keep the app open or plugged in

Android Solutions:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Bombajom Photos → Battery
2. Set to "Unrestricted" or "Don't optimize"
3. Enable "Background activity"
4. Some manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.) have additional battery optimization settings - disable those too

Photos Not Appearing on NAS

Symptoms: App says "synced" but files aren't on NAS

• Check sync status: Open Settings and tap "Sync statistics" to see failed items
• Verify folder path: Double-check the folder path in settings matches where you're looking on NAS
• Check storage space: Ensure there's enough free space on your NAS
• NAS logs: Check your NAS logs for permission errors or file system issues
• Folder permissions: Verify the user has write permissions to the folder
• Hidden files: Some file managers hide files starting with "." - check "Show hidden files"

Duplicate Photos

Symptoms: Same photo uploaded multiple times

• Duplicate detection is automatic: Files identical to what's already on your storage are skipped. There's no setting to check.
• File names changed: If you renamed files on your storage, they may be uploaded again
• Different locations: Photos in different folders are treated as different files
• Same name, different photo: A file that shares a name with a different photo is kept side by side under a new name, not treated as a duplicate

Battery Drain

Symptoms: Phone battery drains quickly during sync

• Charge while you sync: Keep your phone plugged in during big backups
• WiFi Only: Don't sync on mobile data (uses more battery)
• Pause large syncs: Break up large backups into smaller sessions
• Close other apps: Free up resources for Bombajom Photos

Large Videos Failing

Symptoms: Large video files fail to upload

• Unstable connection: Move closer to your router. Uploads resume automatically if the connection drops.
• Memory limits: Very large files (4GB+) may hit device memory limits
• WiFi stability: Ensure stable WiFi connection during long uploads
• NAS file size limits: Check your NAS has no file size restrictions
• Skip videos: Turn off "Sync videos" in Settings to back up photos only

Getting More Help

If you're still experiencing issues, contact us at support@bombajom.com with the following information:

Required Information:

• Device model: e.g., iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24
• OS version: e.g., iOS 17.2, Android 14
• App version: Check in Settings → About
• NAS model and firmware: e.g., Synology DS920+ DSM 7.2
• Error messages: Exact error text or screenshot
• Steps to reproduce: What were you doing when the issue occurred?
• App diagnostics: Run Settings → Health check and include what it reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and answers about Bombajom Photos.

General Questions

How much does Bombajom Photos cost?

Pro costs $4.99/mo or $39.99/yr and covers up to 3 devices. Family costs $9.99/mo or $79.99/yr and covers up to 8 devices. Prefer to pay once? Pro Lifetime is $119.99 and Family Lifetime is $199.99, with no recurring charges. All new users get a 7-day free trial with full Pro features. There are no storage limits because you use your own storage.

Do I need internet for Bombajom Photos to work?

Not for local backups. If your phone and your storage (a computer, external drive, or a Synology/QNAP NAS) are on the same WiFi network, no internet is needed and your photos stay inside your home. Backing up to a remote server such as Nextcloud does use the internet, encrypted over HTTPS.

What happens if I lose my phone?

Your photos are safe on your storage. Install Bombajom Photos on your new phone, connect to the same storage, and all your backed up photos are right where you left them.

Can I access my photos when I'm away from home?

Backing up while away from home already works if your storage is reachable over the internet, for example a Nextcloud server (see the Nextcloud guide). For browsing your library remotely, use your NAS's built-in remote tools for now (like Synology QuickConnect or QNAP myQNAPcloud). We're working on making remote access easier in future versions.

How is this different from Google Photos or iCloud?

Google Photos and iCloud keep your photos on company servers, under their terms. Bombajom Photos keeps everything on hardware you own. Your photos go straight to your storage, never pass through our servers, and are never seen by anyone else.

Technical Questions

What NAS devices are supported?

Any NAS that supports standard file sharing works with Bombajom Photos. This includes:

• Synology: All DiskStation models
• QNAP: All TS/TVS models
• Nextcloud: Self-hosted or cloud instances
• TrueNAS/FreeNAS: All versions
• OpenMediaVault: All versions
• Unraid: All versions
• Windows File Shares: Any Windows PC with shared folders
• Linux with Samba: Raspberry Pi, Ubuntu Server, etc.

Does it work with videos too?

Yes. Bombajom Photos backs up both photos and videos from your camera roll. Videos wait in a lower-priority queue behind your photos, so your photos finish first and large files don't hold everything up.

How much storage do I need?

That depends on how many photos you have! A rough estimate:

• 1,000 photos ≈ 3-5 GB
• 10,000 photos ≈ 30-50 GB
• 100,000 photos ≈ 300-500 GB
• Videos take much more space - 1 minute of 4K video ≈ 400 MB

Check your photo library size in your phone's settings to get an exact estimate.

Can I delete photos from my phone after backup?

Yes, but we recommend:

1. Wait for the backup to fully complete (all photos show green checkmarks)
2. Verify a few photos are accessible on your NAS
3. Then you can safely delete from your phone to free up storage

Your photos are safely stored on your NAS, so deleting them from your phone is safe once backup is confirmed.

What file formats are supported?

Bombajom Photos backs up all formats that your phone's photo library supports:

• Photos: JPEG, HEIC, PNG, RAW (DNG, CR2, etc.)
• Videos: MP4, MOV, HEVC/H.265
• Original format is preserved - no conversion

Does it compress my photos?

No. Photos are backed up exactly as they are on your phone: no compression, no quality loss. Original quality is preserved.

Sync Questions

How often does it sync?

By default, Bombajom Photos syncs automatically:

• While the app is open: New photos are detected and queued as you take them
• In the background: About every 15 minutes, when your phone's operating system allows it
• Manually: Tap "Sync now" anytime for an immediate sync

You can turn automatic syncing on or off with the "Auto sync" setting.

Why isn't it syncing when my phone is locked?

iOS and Android limit background activity to preserve battery. To ensure reliable background syncing:

• iOS: Enable "Background App Refresh" in Settings
• Android: Disable battery optimization for Bombajom Photos
• For large initial backups, keep phone plugged in and app open

What happens if I lose WiFi during upload?

Bombajom Photos automatically handles network interruptions:

• Pauses the upload when connection is lost
• Remembers exactly where it stopped
• Automatically resumes when connection returns
• No data is lost: files are verified before being marked complete

Can I sync multiple devices to the same NAS?

Yes. Install Bombajom Photos on multiple devices and configure each to connect to your storage:

• Each device can use separate folders (e.g., /photos/mom/, /photos/dad/)
• Or all devices can use the same folder; duplicate detection prevents re-uploading
• Perfect for families backing up multiple phones to one NAS

Security & Privacy Questions

Are my photos encrypted?

Photos are transferred using encrypted connections:

• SMB: Uses SMB3 encryption when available (most modern NAS devices)
• WebDAV: Uses HTTPS (encrypted) for secure transfer
• Storage: Photos stored on NAS in their original format
• Enable NAS encryption for additional protection at rest

Where are my credentials stored?

Your NAS username and password are stored securely:

• iOS: In the Secure Enclave / Keychain (protected by Face ID/Touch ID)
• Android: In Android Keystore (hardware-backed on supported devices)
• Credentials are encrypted and never leave your device
• Never sent to any server or cloud service

Do you see my photos?

No. Bombajom Photos works entirely on your own devices:

• Photos go directly from your phone to your storage
• No Bombajom servers are ever in the path
• We never see, analyze, or process your photos

Performance Questions

How fast is the backup?

Backup speed depends on several factors:

• WiFi speed: 5GHz WiFi is much faster than 2.4GHz
• NAS performance: Faster NAS devices (better CPU/disk) upload faster
• File size: Larger photos/videos take longer
• Network load: Other devices using bandwidth can slow things down

Typical speeds: 10-50 photos per minute on a good WiFi connection.

Will syncing slow down my NAS?

During active syncing, there may be some impact:

• CPU usage increases while writing files
• Disk activity increases (normal for any file operation)
• Network bandwidth is used for transfers
• Impact is usually minimal unless you have a very slow NAS

Schedule syncs for off-peak hours if concerned about performance.

Does it drain my phone battery?

Background syncing does use battery, but the app is careful with it:

• Syncs over WiFi by default, not mobile data
• Uploads run one at a time from a queue, so the app never does more work than it needs to
• Pauses when your battery drops low (below about 15%)

For initial large backups, keep phone plugged in.

Privacy & Security

Your privacy is our top priority. Here's how we protect your data.

What We Don't Do

• We never see your photos. They go directly to your storage.
• We don't have servers that touch your media
• We don't analyze, scan, or process your photos
• We don't store your photos on our servers
• We don't track what photos you have
• We don't collect analytics on your photo library
• We don't sell or share any data (because we don't collect any)

What We Do

• Store your NAS credentials securely in your device's encrypted keychain
• Send photos over an encrypted connection whenever your storage supports it (SMB3 or HTTPS)
• Process everything locally on your device
• Verify file integrity using SHA-256 hashing
• Follow security best practices for credential storage

Credential Storage

Your NAS username and password are stored securely:

• iOS: Secure Enclave / Keychain (protected by Face ID/Touch ID and device encryption)
• Android: Android Keystore (hardware-backed encryption on supported devices)
• Credentials are encrypted at rest
• Never stored in plain text
• Never transmitted to any server

Network Security

• Local by default: When you back up to storage on your home network, everything stays local and no internet is needed
• Encrypted in transit: Transfers use SMB3 encryption or HTTPS whenever your storage supports it
• Remote servers are direct too: If you connect to your own server such as Nextcloud, photos travel encrypted (HTTPS) straight to it
• No Bombajom servers: Your photos never pass through our servers

Data Flow

Here's exactly how your photos are handled:

1. Photos stay on your device until you explicitly start a backup
2. Connection is made directly from your phone to your NAS (no intermediary)
3. Photos are transferred over an encrypted connection whenever your storage supports it
4. Photos are stored on your own storage. We never see or touch them.
5. File integrity is verified using cryptographic hashing

GDPR & Privacy Compliance

Bombajom Photos is designed with privacy in mind:

• Your photos are never collected: We never collect your photos or any data about them. Your account (email and license status) is the only information we hold, and it's never linked to your photo library.
• No Tracking: No analytics, tracking, or monitoring
• Data Ownership: You own and control all your data
• Local Processing: All processing happens on your device