Recallio

What Recallio is

Recallio is a self-hosted photo and video backup for phones. After setup, its Android app backs up a phone’s library automatically, storing media on hardware the user controls, such as a local disk, NAS, or USB drive. The server installer is intended for an Ubuntu home server and installs FFmpeg and Tailscale. Recallio uses Tailscale’s WireGuard mesh for encrypted access between devices. Its web library supports search, favorites, albums, full-resolution originals, grid browsing, and lightbox previews. Users can also point it at folders on internal disks or external drives, with subfolders shown as albums. Deleted photos move to a Bin with configurable retention, set to 10 days by default. The maker says media travels directly between the user’s devices, with no telemetry, advertising SDKs, or content scanning. A server with 2 GB of RAM is enough according to the maker; storage needs depend on the library. The server checks for releases nightly during a chosen window and installs updates automatically. The server, web panel, and mobile app are free. Face recognition and shared albums are on the roadmap; family sub-accounts are planned for v2.

Who it suits

Recallio suits people who want phone photos and videos backed up to storage they control and are comfortable setting up an Ubuntu home server. Its web library also supports browsing existing folders on internal or external drives.

Getting started

1. Set up an Ubuntu home server and run the Recallio server installer, which installs FFmpeg and Tailscale.
2. Provide storage on a local disk, NAS, or USB drive sized for your library.
3. Set up the Android app to back up the phone’s library automatically.
4. Open the web library to browse media or point Recallio at existing folders on internal or external drives.

Verdict

Recallio pairs automatic Android backup with self-hosted storage, remote access, and a searchable web library. It does not currently list face recognition, shared albums, or family sub-accounts as available features.