Alternatives to iCloud (iOS/Mac OS/Windows)
Alternatives to iCloud (iOS/Mac OS/Windows)
I’m looking for a SaaS to offload photos and files/backups. I don’t want to have to do a manual sync or process - I am too used to iCloud photo backup at this point, I would be paying for something I wouldn’t be using.
The most common solutions are typically Google Drive, OneDrive, and (before they closed it ) Amazon drive. I’ve been syncing to a personal OwnCloud deployment that is backed up to Wasabi and it’s pretty cheap. I have friends using BackBlaze that are happy with it but it’s not as seamless. Curious if there are better options out there like a Wasabi but for iCloud.
I trialed BackBlaze and quickly realized the apps are really geared towards desktop devices, the mobile apps seem to just be read-only.
I've been using OneDrive for a while. I get MS 365 and get office + 1TB of drive space/user for 5 users for $10/month. Works great across devices and it's pretty darn cheap for covering the entire fam.
Also recommend OneDrive, iOS app works great for automatically syncing photos, and has a decent document scanning/pdf feature I use a lot.
Nextcloud
Are you comfortable with selfhosting? Nextcloud is great... I use the Memories app in Nextcloud to manage photos.
This isn't just a tech problem, it's an issue with a lot of consumer brands. Brands slowly go downmarket over time and quality diminishes.
Yeah - there are PLENTY of options for me, but I really want something that auto-syncs behind the scenes for me. Having to manual do it means I'm just gonna forget. I need the app to take that mental load.
I don’t think there is anything as seamless if you use iOS. What is your reason for changing services?
undefined> What is your reason for changing services?
I'm trying to decouple myself from major providers. I'm not dead-set on it, if iCloud works (which, it does), then I'm not opposed to keeping it.
I went through a big push to move my stuff off Google - so photos and stuff are next.
Using a large provider may actually be an advantage. It is not likely that Apple, MS or so will disappear quickly. Maybe have a look at Cryptomator which you can use together with for example iCloud to add more security/privacy? But they claim to be end to end encrypted now so maybe Cryptomator is unnecessary. If you trust them. iCloud is closed source after all. Otherwise maybe Nextcloud as a provider. Or self host.
I'm using Immich at the moment. Its not perfect but it works, which is more than I can say about some of the other self-hosted options I've tried. It has both a Web fronted and ios and android apps. The auto backup works well for me on android. You can easily set up user accounts for family members and your photo backups are kept separately and you can share photos and albums between the users.
There are still some smaller issues, like handling live photos gracefully, the native apps are not perfect (swiping photos could be more fluid), and some weird limitations where you can't seem to further share photos from shared albums.
However it is actively being updated and can run as a docker container meaning its easy to set up and maintain once you're familiar with docker.
You will still need to set up some form of dynamic dns so you can find your home server from the Internet. DM me if you need any help.
If you email me all of your files, I promise to send them back to you when you ask.
IMPORTANT EDIT: please don't email me your filesExcuse me, I thought I was to type out all of the file contents in each BTC payment to your wallet? Are those files retained??
Huh? I don't speak BTC, we will NEVER access your wallets and steal all of your magic Internet Money.
Bet it was fun while it lasted...
Is something ending?
Yeah.. not sure what they're talking about.