The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Use UGREEN’s desktop client and UGOS Sync & Backup app to back up selected Windows or Mac folders, and the mobile app’s Photos > Settings > Photo Backup workflow to copy phone photos and videos. Keep the devices awake and connected during the first run, then open files on the NAS to verify them before deleting anything. These workflows copy files and media; they do not, by themselves, create a complete restorable phone backup or protect against losing the NAS.
Choose backup or sync before you set up the PC
UGREEN’s desktop workflow offers two different ways to handle computer folders. Choose Backup this computer when your goal is a recoverable copy on the NAS. Choose Sync this computer when you want working folders kept aligned between the computer and NAS. Those goals can sound similar, but the difference matters when a file is removed or changed.
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| Choice | Best suited to | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Backup this computer | Keeping a copy of selected folders for recovery | UGREEN presents this as its computer-backup workflow. Review the selected folders and NAS destination before starting. |
| Sync this computer | Keeping active folders consistent across locations | Two-way sync can propagate deletions across both locations. It is not a substitute for a separate recoverable backup. |
If a misplaced deletion would be a serious problem, prioritize a backup task rather than relying only on synchronization. Sync can be useful for day-to-day access, but changes—including deletions—may be reflected on the other side.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Back up selected Windows or Mac folders
The desktop-client procedure below is for selected folders, not a complete computer image. UGREEN’s guide describes it for Windows and Mac. Menu labels can change as the desktop client or UGOS is updated, so use the current labels shown in your installation if they differ slightly.
#1 Best Overall
- Entry-level NAS Home Storage: The UGREEN NAS DH4300 Plus is an entry-level 4-bay NAS that's ideal for home media and vast private storage you can access from anywhere and also supports Docker but not virtual machines. You can record, store, share happy moment with your families and friends, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage, or external drives to create your own private cloud, access files from any device.
- Smart Photo Backup & AI Album: Automatically back up photos and videos from your phone in real time and keep growing family memories organized with AI-powered photo albums. Semantic search, custom learning, and recognition of people, objects, pets, and similar photos help you quickly find the moments you want. Duplicate photo removal also helps keep your library organized—ideal for families and users with large photo collections.
- User-Friendly App & Easy Setup: Connect quickly via NFC, set up simply and share files fast on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and smart TVs. You can access data remotely from any of your mixed devices. What's more, UGREEN NAS enclosure comes with beginner-friendly user manual and video instructions to ensure you can easily take full advantage of its features.
- More Cost-effective Storage Solution: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, A UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $629.99 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $1,439.76 for 2 years, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $7,198.80 for 10 years. You will save $6,568.81 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH4300 Plus + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
- Your Data, You Control：No third-party clouds, no hidden access, UGREEN NAS provides a more secure and private data storage solution. It stores data locally on your private hard drives and does automatic backups. Thus, you can keep full control over it. The advanced encryption is TRUSTe certified in the United States and is awarded the first (and only) ETSI EN 303 645 certification mark for NAS products by TÜV SÜD Group.
- Install and sign in. Install the UGREEN NAS desktop client on the computer and sign in to the NAS.
- Check the NAS app. In UGOS, make sure the Sync & Backup app is installed.
- Open the backup workflow. In the desktop client, open Sync & Backup, choose Back up & Restore, click Add, and select Backup this computer.
- Select the source folders. Choose the folders you want to protect. Be deliberate: the task covers the folders you select, not every file on the computer.
- Choose the NAS destination. Select where the backup should be stored on the NAS. Check that the intended destination is selected before you proceed.
- Review and start. Review the task settings, then start the backup.
- Keep the task able to run. Leave the computer powered on, awake, connected to the NAS, and the desktop client open while the initial backup runs.
The first run may take a while, particularly when it includes a large number of files. UGREEN says Ethernet can be useful for a large initial transfer and gives a rough estimate of about 110 MB/s over 1GbE under favorable conditions. That is the manufacturer’s estimate, not an independent benchmark or a guaranteed transfer speed. Wi-Fi, many small files, sleep, and other network activity can extend the transfer.
When a Mac needs backup history, consider Time Machine
For selected Mac folders, the desktop-client procedure above is the relevant UGREEN workflow. If your goal is Mac backup history that includes files, applications, and settings, UGREEN positions Time Machine as the alternative. Its guide describes configuring a dedicated Time Machine destination over SMB and Bonjour, with a separate backup folder and quota for each Mac.
Follow the current UGOS and macOS interfaces for the actual setup: menu names and behavior can vary by version, and the available procedural information does not establish a universal sequence of current macOS screens. Keep the Time Machine destination distinct from general shared folders and assign each Mac its own folder and quota as UGREEN recommends. This separates each computer’s destination and lets you plan the space allocated to its backup history.
Back up phone photos and videos
UGREEN’s mobile Photos Backup workflow copies photos and videos available to the app from the phone. It is a media-copy workflow, not a complete image of the phone. In particular, it does not provide a restorable copy of the phone’s settings, apps, messages, passwords, or Home Screen arrangement.
- Open the mobile app’s photo backup settings. In the UGREEN NAS mobile app, go to Photos > Settings > Photo Backup.
- Choose what to copy. Select all photos or choose particular albums, depending on what you want on the NAS.
- Choose the NAS destination. Select a personal or shared destination as appropriate for your use.
- Set the organization and scope. Choose any available date range and folder-organization options that suit the archive you want to create.
- Review connection and background options. Where available, choose whether backup may run in the background, at night, or over cellular data. Check cellular behavior before enabling it if you want to avoid using mobile data.
- Allow the initial upload to finish. Keep the phone connected to the NAS and allow the app to run with the permissions it needs. After the initial backup, UGREEN says the task copies new media.
- Verify the NAS copy. Open representative photos and videos from the NAS before removing copies from the phone.
Available options and labels can differ with the app and phone operating system. The app can only copy media it can access; a completion message does not prove that every intended original is present at full resolution.
Check iPhone originals when iCloud Photos is optimized
If iCloud Photos is enabled with Optimize iPhone Storage, some full-resolution originals may remain in iCloud rather than stored locally on the iPhone. UGREEN’s iPhone guidance describes backing up from the iPhone Photos library, not from iCloud Drive. Before treating the NAS as a full-resolution archive, make sure the originals you need are downloaded to the phone or transfer them through a computer using a method that provides those originals.
This distinction matters most when you plan to delete phone copies or reduce cloud storage. A NAS task can only copy the file available to the app; it cannot be assumed to retrieve every cloud-only original simply because a thumbnail appears in the Photos library. UGREEN also advises checking both components of iPhone Live Photos on the NAS to confirm they were retained.
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Keep the apps authorized and running
Initial backups are especially sensitive to interruptions. The device must be able to reach the NAS, and the relevant app must be permitted to read the files it is meant to copy. Phone operating systems may also restrict background activity. The exact controls vary by iOS or Android version and device manufacturer.
- On the computer: Keep it powered on and awake, connected to the NAS, and leave the desktop client open until the run finishes.
- On iPhone: Check Photos access and Background App Refresh. Low Power Mode or force-closing the app may interfere with background uploads, according to UGREEN’s guidance.
- On Android: Grant the app the required Photos or Gallery and local-network access. If background upload stops, check whether battery-optimization settings are restricting the app.
- On either phone platform: Keep the app authorized for the relevant media and background operation, and verify that the phone can connect to the NAS.
These are vendor-described troubleshooting points, not identical settings on every phone. If the app’s exact permission names differ, use the operating system’s current app-permission and battery controls rather than assuming a particular menu path.
Verify files before deleting originals
A task marked complete is useful, but it is not the same as confirming that the files you care about are present and usable. Perform a basic check after the first computer and phone runs, before deleting originals or changing cloud-storage settings.
- Check the destination. Open the NAS location selected for the task and confirm that the expected folders or media appear there.
- Compare counts where practical. For a defined folder or album, compare the expected number of items with the NAS copy. Counts may not match if the selected scope or available local files differ, so investigate discrepancies rather than assuming they are harmless.
- Open representative files. Test several documents, photos, and videos from the NAS. Choose examples from different folders or dates, not just the first item in the list.
- Check special media. For iPhone Live Photos, confirm that both components were retained. For optimized iCloud media, check that the NAS version is the original quality you intended to archive.
- Investigate before removing anything. If files are missing or will not open, leave the originals in place and check the task’s selected folders or albums, permissions, connection, and local availability.
Do not use a completion indicator alone as a reason to delete phone or computer originals. The NAS copy should be verified at the intended destination and opened successfully first.
Rank #2
- Entry-level NAS Home Storage: The UGREEN NAS DH4300 Plus is an entry-level 4-bay NAS. It is designed for home users or beginners who need home media and vast private storage, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage, or external drives to create your own private cloud, access files from any device. It supports Docker but not virtual machines. You can record, store, share happy moment with your families and friends.
- 120TB Massive Capacity Embraces Your Overwhelming Data: The NAS offers enough room for your digital life, no more deleting, just preserving. You can store 41.2 million pictures, or 4 million songs, or 80.6K movies or 125.6 million files! It also does automatic backups and connects to multiple devices regardless of the OS, IOS, Android and OSX. *Storage disks not included.
- "User-Friendly App & Easy to Use: Connect quickly via NFC, set up simply and share files fast on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and smart TVs. You can access data remotely from any of your mixed devices. What's more, UGREEN NAS enclosure comes with beginner-friendly user manual and video instructions to ensure you can easily take full advantage of its features. *Storage disks not included."
- AI Album Recognition & Classification: The 4 bay nas supports real-time photo backups and intelligent album management including semantic search, custom learning, recognition of people, object, pet, similar photo. Thus, you can classify and find your photos easily. What's more, it can also remove duplicate photos as desired. *Storage disks not included.
- More Cost-effective Storage Solution: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, A UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $629.99 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $1,439.76 for 2 years, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $7,198.80 for 10 years. You will save $6,568.81 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH4300 Plus + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
Protect the NAS copy with another destination
A computer-to-NAS or phone-to-NAS copy adds a useful copy of your data, but the NAS itself can still be lost or damaged. RAID can help maintain availability after certain drive failures; it does not recover from every event. Accidental deletion, ransomware, theft, fire, or damage beyond the array’s tolerance can affect the NAS data.
UGREEN recommends keeping another copy on an external drive, in cloud storage, or on a second NAS. The 3-2-1 framework is a planning aid: keep three copies, use two types of storage, and keep one copy elsewhere. It is not a guarantee against every failure, but it helps avoid treating one NAS as the only place important files exist.
Use an external backup mode suited to recovery
UGREEN distinguishes incremental backup from mirror mode for external-drive copies. In incremental mode, a file deleted from the source can remain in the prior backup. Mirror mode also deletes the destination copy when the corresponding source file is deleted. For a recovery-oriented copy, UGREEN recommends incremental mode. If you want offline protection, disconnect the external drive after the backup run so it is not continuously attached to the NAS.
That distinction also illustrates why a synchronized or mirrored copy is not always a historical backup: deletion can be reproduced at the destination. Choose a mode based on whether you need the destination to reflect the current source exactly or retain files removed from it.
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Common problems and what to check
The first backup is taking longer than expected
Large collections, many small files, Wi-Fi, other network traffic, or a computer going to sleep can extend the first run. Keep the computer awake and connected, leave the client open, and consider Ethernet for a large computer backup. UGREEN’s rough 1GbE estimate of about 110 MB/s applies only under favorable conditions; it is not a promise for a specific home network or file set.
Phone photos stop uploading in the background
Check that the app still has Photos or Gallery access and local-network permission, and that background activity is allowed. On iPhone, review Background App Refresh and Low Power Mode; do not force-close the app while expecting it to upload in the background. On Android, examine battery optimization for the app. These settings differ across OS versions and device models.
Some photos appear, but the NAS copy is incomplete
Check the selected albums or date range, then verify whether the originals are locally available on the phone. On an iPhone using Optimize iPhone Storage, a full-resolution original may remain in iCloud. Open files from the NAS and confirm expected counts and quality before deleting anything on the phone.
A two-way sync removed a file from both places
That outcome is consistent with sync propagating deletions. For future protection, configure a separate Backup this computer task for the folders you need to recover, and keep an independent copy of important NAS data. A sync destination should not be the sole recovery plan for files where deletion history matters.
Plan the destination around the data you need to keep
Before starting a large archive, decide whether you need selected working folders, Mac backup history, phone media, or all three. Those are different data sets and may use different UGREEN workflows. Also decide where the NAS copy will be stored and what independent destination will protect it.
- For a Windows or Mac folder set: Select only the folders you intend to recover and use the computer backup workflow.
- For Mac history that includes applications and settings: Consider the Time Machine approach described by UGREEN, with a dedicated destination and separate folder and quota for each Mac.
- For phone media: Select all photos or chosen albums, and account for originals that may exist only in cloud storage.
- For long-term resilience: Plan an external, cloud, or second-NAS copy rather than counting RAID or the primary NAS as independent protection.
How much space these tasks require depends on the files and history you choose; the procedural information does not establish a universal capacity figure. Keep the scope of each task clear, verify the actual copy, and preserve a separate destination for recovery.
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