SyncPhoto Features: The Complete Guide to Backing Up Camera Photos

SyncPhoto is an Android app that keeps your camera memories safe in Google Photos while leaving videos, screenshots, and downloads alone. It is deliberately focused: photos only, and only from the folders you choose. This guide walks through every feature so you know exactly what the app can do.

Camera photos only, by default

The core idea of SyncPhoto is that your camera folder is where your real photos live. The app reads only the camera folders on your device, so the things that usually clutter a Google Photos library never get backed up:

• Videos stay out unless you turn the video option on.
• Screenshots never appear in the backup.
• Downloaded images from messaging apps, browsers, and editors are ignored.

For a deep dive, see our guide on how to backup only camera photos to Google Photos.

A clean photo grid

After you sign in with Google, SyncPhoto shows every eligible photo in a tidy grid, newest first. Photos that have already been uploaded are marked and removed from the grid, so you always know exactly what is left to back up.

One-by-one sync with live progress

When you tap Sync, each photo is uploaded to your own Google Photos account one at a time. The app shows the current file name, how many photos are done, and a live progress bar. Because uploads are sequential, a failed photo never blocks the rest of the queue and you always know what is happening.

Background sync

SyncPhoto can keep uploading while you use other apps. You control this with the Sync in background toggle in Settings (it is off by default). When enabled, the app keeps going even if you switch apps, and you can stop the upload at any time. Swiping the app away from recents stops the sync, so nothing runs forever without your knowledge.

Optional video backup with size and duration limits

Videos are excluded by default, but SyncPhoto gives you full control if you change your mind. In Settings you can:

1. Turn on Allow upload videos.
2. Set a minimum and maximum file size (for example, only videos between 10 MB and 100 MB).
3. Set a minimum and maximum duration (for example, 30 seconds to 3 minutes).

Only videos inside your limits are backed up, so you can include short clips without letting gigabytes of footage eat your storage. See how to backup photos without videos for the photo-only workflow.

Choose extra folders

Camera folders are always synced. If you keep photos elsewhere, for example in a WhatsApp or Instagram folder, you can add it:

1. Open Settings and scroll to Sync folders.
2. Tick any folder you want to include in the backup.
3. The grid updates immediately.

Folders are listed alphabetically and deduplicated, so internal storage and SD card copies of the same folder appear once.

Exclude filters with wildcards

Even inside a synced folder you might want to keep specific files out. SyncPhoto lets you add exclude filters that match against both file names and paths, using * and ? wildcards:

• *.png excludes every PNG file.
• IMG_edit_* excludes files whose names start with IMG_edit_.
• *Screenshot* excludes anything containing "Screenshot".

This is a simple but powerful way to keep your Google Photos library exactly the way you want it.

Preview photos and videos

Tap any photo or video in the grid to preview it full screen. Photos can be zoomed in, and videos play inline with simple tap-to-play controls. In the grid, videos are clearly marked with a play button and a duration badge, so you can always tell what you are looking at.

Private by design

• Sign-in uses Google OAuth 2.0.
• Uploads go directly to your own Google Photos account over HTTPS.
• SyncPhoto never stores, copies, or looks at your photos.

Pricing

SyncPhoto has a free plan forever. Free users can browse their camera photos and sync up to 10 photos a day and 50 photos a month. When you need more, SyncPhoto Plus removes every limit and unlocks background sync, video upload, additional folders, and exclude filters for $1.99/month, cancellable anytime from your Google Play account.

FAQ

What does SyncPhoto do?

SyncPhoto backs up only your camera photos to Google Photos, one by one, with optional background sync. Videos, screenshots, and downloaded images stay out by default.

Can SyncPhoto back up videos?

Videos are excluded by default. You can turn on the video toggle in Settings and set minimum and maximum file size and duration limits.

Can I choose which folders to back up?

Yes. Camera folders are always included, and you can add extra folders or exclude files with wildcard filters in Settings.

Is SyncPhoto free?

Yes. Browsing your camera photos is free, and the free plan lets you sync up to 10 photos a day and 50 photos a month. SyncPhoto Plus removes the limits and unlocks advanced features for $1.99 per month.

Will SyncPhoto delete anything on my phone?

No. SyncPhoto only uploads copies to your Google Photos account and never deletes files from your device.