Android backup on the backgroud doesn't work

[podhorsky-ksj]

The bug

Android backup on the background doesn't work, I have to open the app to start synchronization.
Allow background usage in settings is allowed. Nothing else like "no optimization" is not available.

The OS that Immich Server is running on

Arlinux

Version of Immich Server

1.103

Version of Immich Mobile App

1.103

Platform with the issue

• Server
• Web
• Mobile

Your docker-compose.yml content

Not applicable. Using https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/immich-server.
Backup is working, but not on the background, so it is not issue in server.

Your .env content

Not applicable.

Reproduction steps

1.set backup on background in android app and backup only when wifi is available
2.close app
3.take photo of something
4. wait
5. nothing will happened, until I open the app. Then photo is uploaded.

Relevant log output

No response

Additional information

Android is 14, clean lineage os for whyred (xiaomi redmi note 5 pro)

[mmomjian]

Are there any errors in the Immich logs? In general We have no control over this. https://immich.app/docs/FAQ/#why-does-foreground-backup-stop-when-i-navigate-away-from-the-app-shouldnt-it-transfer-the-job-to-background-backup

[techmattr]

I experience a similar or same issue on two different Samsung Galaxy phones. My S22 Plus and my wife's S23. The mobile app successfully uploads new photos that are taken if the app is in the background. But mainly the initial sync or a new album add do not upload unless I have the app open and I'm watching the backup progress screen. If I even switch to a different screen in the app, let the phone screen timeout or switch to a different app the upload stops. It immediately resumes uploading if I go back to the backup progress screen.

[podhorsky-ksj]

Are there any errors in the Immich logs? In general We have no control over this. https://immich.app/docs/FAQ/#why-does-foreground-backup-stop-when-i-navigate-away-from-the-app-shouldnt-it-transfer-the-job-to-background-backup

There are a lot of errors in logs, but not from the time until the app was opened. It was 22:44-22:46

Immich_log_2024-05-01T22_47_29.404099.log

So that probably mean the app was suspended, when was not visible.

Can't you really do anything about it? Some apps are using wake lock - e.g termux and it works on background perfectly. It shows icon in upper panel, close to clock.

[masterwishx]

Have same issue in j710f android 8.1, disabled optimization of battery, like made for nextcloud and nextcloud sync is working but not immich...

[brianmiller]

Same issue here. I've disabled battery optimizations and disabled the ability for android to pause background activity. The app only backups up when the app is open and the backup screen is up.

[mikelagase]

Same issue here on Samsung S21. The only thing I see in the server logs is this when my phone screen goes to sleep and it locks my phone but even then Immich doesn't log when a file is uploaded in the logs even with Debug logging.

LOG [Api:EventRepository] Websocket Disconnect: aQO-qaz7P1CR7LulAAC5

Once I unlock my phone again it starts syncing again and I see the connect again

LOG [Api:EventRepository] Websocket Connect: s5WqFHcfYTR-1mzdAAC7

This is definitely something up with Immich Android as the screen locking should not cause this to stop syncing especially when background sync is enabled.

[gomaaz]

Problem still persists with the newest app
App Version 1.109.2
Google Pixel 7
All Battery Optimizations off
App Grants set to be functional in background

[gomaaz]

update:

my experiments show a result:

• deselect all albums to be synced.
• go back to main screen of the app (timeline)
• go back to Sync - Choose desired albums
• close the app

After that background syncing starts.

Can someone reproduce?

[SimonTeixidor]

This worked for me, thanks.

[dasrohr]

Can confirm. This worked for me, too.

I also tried the usual other things the internet tells you to try beforehand.
I am on a Samsung s22 Ultra (Android 14 OneUI 6.1)
No battery restictions, using Samsung's "Good Guardians" thingy, using "Keep open" feature from the recent apps menu and such.

So hard to tell if it was only the reconfiguring for the backup, or a combination of things. But it now says "background backup in progress" in the back overview, which it did not before.

Thanks for the hint.

[kimdre]

Thank you, also worked for me.
I wonder what causes that.
It worked for me before when I set it up the first time and let the background service run over night, but after I changed some of the backup albums and settings it no longer worked until I reconfigured everything.

[kartikgola]

Thanks, but it only worked for a few mins before background sync stopped again

[bombela]

Same problem on the latest version (1.132.3 build.197).

Pixel 5a. Foreground backup off. Background backup on. Allow background usage on. Pause if unused off.

After opening Immich. Background backup will run for a while. Maybe a few days. And at some point, it will stop working.

For example today I noticed that the last upload was from a week ago even though I took pictures almost every day. Starting the Immich app awoken it, and now the background backup is working.

Google photo doesn't have this issue. I also have Syncthing uploading the photos in the background as well. (Yes I know, I am uploading every thing 3 times. Ultimately I want to rely on Immich only).

I don't have logs or actionable items to offer. Merely adding my observation to the list.

[calderonth]

I also can confirm this is what I am seeing on my Pixel 6a (latest Android/Immich app/server).

[bombela]

To add to it, I was on WiFi. Internet went down. Phone switched to cellular temporarily. I took photos. When it was back on WiFi, Immich never resumed backing up. Opening the application resumed the backup process right away.

…

On Wed, May 14, 2025, 01:39 Thomas Calderon ***@***.***> wrote: I also can confirm this is what I am seeing on my Pixel 6a (latest Android/Immich app/server). — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#9205 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AABUZDAYNBMQ5SNKTOJMC7T26L6MRAVCNFSM6AAAAAB35NY6LGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTGMJUGIYTANQ> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[charettepa]

I am partially having the same issue

I have my battery settings for Immich set to "do not optimize" and i allow full unrestricted background use
even if i am not in the app, it DOES backup in the background

but if the screen turns off, it stops immediately

some people think google photos has "special" permission, as its Google
and that's why it works
but.... there is 100% has to be a way to get around this
I am currently migrating from Synology photos
it functions at all times even with screen off
so there has to be a way to achieve this, be it special app permission in the background or specific api calls, etc....

[bombela]

I wonder if this is because somehow immich doesn't get to see the new files at all. On android 13, sync thing cannot see the files at all after the initial scan. I haven't debugged far, but it literally do not see any new files, it's like they do not exist. As if it is given an old view of the filesystem. Adding new files manually via a shell did not change this view. I could see them, see my new files. The file explorer on this flavor of Android could seen my shell create files. But not synctning. Resetting the state of sync thing and then going to the permission grant to access the directory gave access to the files to syncthing. But any new files after that were invisible. Could it be some sort of android security somehow presenting a stale view of the filesystem? But after saying all that I am aware that Immich uses the photo API. Not sure if helping but that's something.

…

On Mon, May 26, 2025, 17:57 charettepa ***@***.***> wrote: I am partially having the same issue I have my battery settings for Immich set to "do not optimize" and i allow full unrestricted background use even if i am not in the app, it DOES backup in the background but if the screen turns off, it stops immediately some people think google photos has "special" permission, as its Google and that's why it works but.... there is 100% has to be a way to get around this I am currently migrating from Synology photos it functions at all times even with screen off so there has to be a way to achieve this, be it special app permission in the background or specific api calls, etc.... — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#9205 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AABUZDBQ4Z635SHOILLDDVL3AO2AZAVCNFSM6AAAAAB35NY6LGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTGMRXG4YTCMA> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[AngryJKirk]

Android 16, Pixel 9 Pro, still no changes. Everyday I just open the app to backup the data, otherwise it can be stale for weeks.
Everything is on and every battery optimization available in Pixel is off.

[gamb1t9]

Pixel 7a but same

[maxiking445]

Same here. Nothing Phone 1&2

[KieranFletcher]

Pixel 9 Pro, still stuck

[Quemaqua]

Pixel 6 here, neither foreground or background automatic backups work for me. Have to manually start the process. Usual suspects turned on/off on phone (sleep, battery optimization, etc.).

[bombela]

pixel5a. opening the app is enough to refresh and trigger the background backup.

…

On Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 12:11 Quemaqua ***@***.***> wrote: Pixel 6 here, neither foreground or background automatic backups work for me. Have to manually start the process. Usual suspects turned on/off on phone (sleep, battery optimization, etc.). — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#9205 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AABUZDE54OZZVOIMOPAQFF33MZBU3AVCNFSM6AAAAAB35NY6LGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTIMBVHEYDKNA> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[henfri]

Hi, I Love Immich, but without a reliable Backup, I cannot use it.

Any fix in sight?

[maxiking445]

Hi, I Love Immich, but without a reliable Backup, I cannot use it.

Any fix in sight?

With the new Beta it is way better for now. Beta is rolled out to everyone.