Pho
Pho is a photo backup and gallery app for Android, iOS, and macOS.
What Pho is
Pho is a photo backup and gallery app for Android, iOS, and macOS. It syncs camera-roll images in original quality to storage selected by the user, then displays local and remote photos together in a timeline. Storage options include SMB, WebDAV, NFS, Google Drive, Baidu Netdisk, and S3-compatible services such as AWS S3, Backblaze B2, Cloudflare R2, and MinIO. Pho says photos travel directly to user-controlled storage rather than through its servers, and that it has no central database, analytics pipeline, or ads. Its sync engine is built into the app and does not require a separate Docker container, database, or reverse proxy. Photos use a date-based directory structure that can be browsed with a file manager. The free tier includes local gallery and basic cloud sync for personal use. The annual Pro plan costs $19.99 per year and adds AES-256 encryption, custom filters, multi-threaded sync, additional directory options, theme colors, a Release Space tool, and priority support. The app also supports RAW photo files and backup to external drives and NAS devices.
Good
- Syncs original-quality camera-roll photos in the background.
- Supports several network and cloud storage options.
- Files can be browsed in a file manager.
- Free tier includes basic cloud sync.
- iOS sharing exports originals without compression or watermarks.
Watch out
- Free tier is intended for personal use.
- AES-256 encryption is a Pro feature.
- Pro is listed at $19.99 per year.
Who it suits
Pho suits people who want to back up mobile photos to storage they control and view local and remote images in one gallery. The free tier is described for personal use, while Pro adds encryption and further sync controls.
Verdict
Pho combines photo backup and browsing with storage choices that include NAS and cloud services. The free plan covers personal use; encryption and additional sync features require the annual Pro plan.
Plans and prices
From Pho's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Local gallery · Basic cloud sync · Personal use · $0 forever |
| Pro (Annual) | $19.99 a year | AES Encryption · Custom Sync Filters · Multi-threaded Sync · Multiple Directory Structures · Custom Theme Colors · Release Space tool · Priority support · $19.99 / year |
The facts
Each one read from Pho's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Background backup
- Pho watches the camera roll and uploads original-quality photos in the background.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Encryption
- AES encryption is a Pro feature, and the product page specifies AES-256 encryption.checked 3 Oct 2001
- File access
- Photos are stored in a transparent date-based directory structure and can be browsed directly with a file manager.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Intended users
- Pho describes its free tier as intended for personal use and positions the app for people backing up photos to storage they own.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Open source
- Pho says its core sync engine is open source on GitHub, while Pro features extend that open core.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Privacy
- Pho says photos go directly to user-controlled storage and do not pass through its servers; it also says it has no central database, analytics pipeline, or ads.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Pro features
- The Pro plan lists custom sync filters, multi-threaded sync, multiple directory structures, custom theme colors, a Release Space tool, and priority support.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Pho is a photo backup and gallery app that syncs mobile camera-roll photos to storage chosen by the user.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Serverless design
- Pho says its sync engine is embedded in the app and requires no separate Docker container, database, or reverse proxy.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Sharing
- The iOS app can share originals through the native share sheet without compression or watermarks and export originals to the camera roll or other apps.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Storage integrations
- Pho lists SMB, WebDAV, NFS, Google Drive, Baidu Netdisk, and S3-compatible storage including AWS S3, Backblaze B2, Cloudflare R2, and MinIO.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Unified gallery
- The app displays local and remote photos together in a single timeline with pinch-to-zoom and full-screen viewing.checked 3 Oct 2001
The company
- Headquarters
- Chengdu, Sichuan, Chinachecked 28 Sep 2001
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