Backing up your precious photos is essential in this digital age. If you own a Synology NAS and use Google Photos, you might be wondering how to connect these two services for seamless photo backup. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up Synology Cloud Sync with Google Photos step by step.

Synology NAS devices offer excellent storage solutions, while Google Photos provides convenient access to your images from any device. Combining them gives you both local backup security and cloud accessibility. Let's dive into how you can set this up without any hassle.

What You'll Need Before Starting

• A Synology NAS device with DSM 6.0 or later installed
• A Google account with Google Photos
• Stable internet connection
• Cloud Sync package installed on your Synology NAS

Installing Cloud Sync on Your Synology NAS

Before connecting to Google Photos, you need to make sure the Cloud Sync package is installed on your Synology device:

Step 1: Access Package Center

• Log in to your Synology DSM (DiskStation Manager) interface
• Open the Package Center from the main menu
• In the search bar, type "Cloud Sync"
• Click on the Cloud Sync app in the search results
• Click "Install" and wait for the installation to complete

Once installed, you'll see the Cloud Sync icon in your main menu. This application will allow your Synology NAS to connect with various cloud services, including Google Drive (which we'll use to access Google Photos).

Setting Up Cloud Sync with Google Photos

Now that you have Cloud Sync installed, it's time to connect it with Google Photos. Since there's no direct Google Photos integration in Cloud Sync, we'll use Google Drive as the bridge:

Step 2: Launch Cloud Sync and Add a New Connection

• Open Cloud Sync from your DSM main menu
• Click the "+" button to add a new sync task
• From the list of cloud providers, select "Google Drive"

Step 3: Authorize Your Google Account

• Click "Next" after selecting Google Drive
• A new window will open asking you to sign in to your Google account
• Enter your Google account credentials
• Allow the permissions requested by Synology Cloud Sync to access your Google Drive
• After authorization, you'll be redirected back to the Cloud Sync setup

Step 4: Configure Sync Settings for Google Photos

Now you need to set up the specific folders and sync direction:

• In the "Remote path" dropdown, select "Google Photos"
• For "Local path," click "Select" and choose where on your Synology NAS you want to store your photos
• Select the sync direction:
  • "Upload local changes only" if you just want to back up to Google Photos
  • "Download remote changes only" if you want to download from Google Photos to your NAS
  • "Bidirectional" if you want changes in either location to sync to the other
• Click "Next" to continue

Step 5: Set Advanced Options

You can fine-tune your sync settings with these options:

• Choose whether to sync all files or only specific file types (like .jpg, .png, etc.)
• Set up a sync schedule if you don't want continuous syncing
• Enable encryption if you want additional security
• Select conflict resolution preferences (what happens when the same file is modified in both locations)
• Click "Next" when you're done configuring these options

Step 6: Review and Complete Setup

• Review all your settings on the summary page
• Give your sync task a descriptive name (e.g., "Google Photos Backup")
• Click "Apply" to create the sync task

Your Synology NAS will now begin syncing with Google Photos according to the settings you specified.

Understanding Sync Directions and Their Uses

Choosing the right sync direction is crucial for managing your photos effectively:

Sync Direction	Best For	What It Does
Upload local changes only	Backing up photos from NAS to Google Photos	Only uploads new or modified files from your NAS to Google Photos
Download remote changes only	Archiving Google Photos to your NAS	Only downloads new or modified files from Google Photos to your NAS
Bidirectional	Keeping both locations in sync	Changes in either location are copied to the other

Managing File Versions and Conflicts

When syncing photos between your NAS and Google Photos, you might encounter version conflicts. Here's how to handle them:

Setting Up Conflict Resolution

• Open Cloud Sync and select your Google Photos sync task
• Click "Edit" to modify the task settings
• Go to the "Advanced Settings" tab
• Under "Conflict Resolution," choose one of these options:
  • "Skip" - Keeps both versions without syncing the newer one
  • "Rename" - Keeps both versions with different names
  • "Last modified time" - The newer file replaces the older one
• Click "Apply" to save your settings

Optimizing Your Photo Sync Setup

To get the most out of your Synology-Google Photos integration, consider these optimization tips:

Creating a Dedicated Photo Folder Structure

Before starting your sync, organize your photos in a logical folder structure on your NAS:

• Create a main "Photos" folder
• Use subfolders organized by year and month (e.g., "2023-01")
• Consider additional category folders for events or themes

This organization will make it easier to find specific photos and manage your collection as it grows.

Setting Up Bandwidth Limitations

If you have a limited internet connection, you can restrict how much bandwidth Cloud Sync uses:

• In Cloud Sync, click on the three dots in the top-right corner
• Select "Settings"
• Go to the "Transfer" tab
• Check "Enable transfer speed limitation"
• Set your preferred upload and download speed limits
• Click "Apply" to save these settings

Scheduling Syncs During Off-Peak Hours

Instead of continuous syncing, you can schedule syncs during times when you're not actively using your network:

• Edit your sync task in Cloud Sync
• Go to "Advanced Settings"
• Check "Enable sync schedule"
• Set up your preferred sync times (e.g., overnight)
• Click "Apply" to save the schedule

Troubleshooting Common Sync Issues

Even with a perfect setup, you might encounter some issues. Here's how to solve the most common problems:

Sync Not Starting or Completing

If your sync task isn't starting or completing properly:

• Check your internet connection
• Verify that your Google account has enough storage space
• Restart the Cloud Sync package:
  • Go to Package Center
  • Find Cloud Sync
  • Click "Action" and select "Stop"
  • Once stopped, click "Action" again and select "Run"
• Check DSM logs for any error messages:
  • Go to Control Panel > Log Center
  • Look for Cloud Sync related errors

Authorization Errors

If you see authorization errors with your Google account:

• Edit your sync task
• Click "Reauthorize account"
• Follow the prompts to sign in to Google again
• Make sure to accept all permission requests

Missing Files After Sync

If some files aren't syncing properly:

• Check if the file types are supported by Google Photos
• Verify that the files aren't exceeding Google's size limits
• Make sure the files aren't in a folder excluded from syncing
• Try manually triggering a sync by clicking the "Sync now" button

Advanced Google Photos Integration

For users who want to take their Synology-Google Photos integration to the next level:

Setting Up Auto-Upload from Synology Photos

If you use the Synology Photos app, you can set it up to automatically send new photos to your Cloud Sync folder:

• Open Synology Photos
• Go to "Settings"
• Enable "Auto-import"
• Select the same folder you configured in Cloud Sync
• New photos added to Synology Photos will now automatically sync to Google Photos

Creating Multiple Sync Tasks for Different Photo Collections

You can create separate sync tasks for different types of photos:

• In Cloud Sync, create a new sync task for each collection
• For example:
  • One task for family photos
  • Another task for work-related images
  • A third task for creative projects
• Configure each task with different settings as needed

Using Synology Drive with Cloud Sync

For even more flexibility, you can combine Synology Drive with Cloud Sync:

• Install the Synology Drive package from Package Center
• Create a Drive shared folder
• Set up Cloud Sync to sync this Drive folder with Google Photos
• Use the Synology Drive client on your computers to easily add photos to this folder
• These photos will automatically sync to Google Photos

Comparing Sync Methods: Direct vs. Scheduled

Feature	Continuous Sync	Scheduled Sync
Real-time updates	Yes - changes sync immediately	No - changes sync only during scheduled times
Network impact	Higher - uses bandwidth throughout the day	Lower - concentrates bandwidth usage to specific times
System resources	Higher - constant monitoring required	Lower - only active during scheduled periods
Best for	Small photo collections with frequent changes	Large photo collections or limited network connections

Maintaining Your Synology-Google Photos Sync

Once your sync is set up, regular maintenance will keep everything running smoothly:

Regular Checks and Updates

• Check your sync status weekly to ensure it's working properly
• Keep your Cloud Sync package updated to the latest version
• Monitor your Google Photos storage usage to avoid running out of space
• Periodically review your sync settings to make sure they still match your needs

Handling Large Batches of New Photos

When adding a large number of new photos:

• Consider temporarily increasing bandwidth limits
• Monitor the initial sync to ensure it completes successfully
• Be patient - large syncs may take several hours or even days
• Consider splitting very large uploads into smaller batches

Backup and Recovery Options

To protect against sync issues or accidental deletions:

• Enable the Synology Hyper Backup package to back up your photo folders
• Create a snapshot schedule for the volume containing your photos
• Periodically export your Cloud Sync settings for easy recovery if needed
• Document your sync setup for future reference

Alternatives to Cloud Sync for Google Photos

While Cloud Sync works well, there are other methods to consider:

Using Synology Photos with Google Photos

Synology Photos is a native photo management app for DSM:

• Provides a similar interface to Google Photos
• Offers facial recognition and auto-tagging
• Can be accessed remotely through Synology's QuickConnect
• Lacks some Google Photos features but gives you complete control

Third-Party Solutions

Some users prefer third-party tools for Google Photos integration:

• Google Drive desktop client (installed on a computer that can access your NAS shares)
• Docker containers with specialized Google Photos sync tools
• Custom scripts using Google Photos API (for advanced users)

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Conclusion

Setting up Synology Cloud Sync with Google Photos gives you the best of both worlds: secure local storage on your NAS and the convenience of cloud access through Google Photos. By following the steps in this guide, you can create a reliable, automated system for keeping your precious photos safe and accessible.

Remember that the key to a successful setup is choosing the right sync direction and settings for your specific needs. Whether you're backing up to Google Photos, downloading from it, or keeping both locations in sync, Synology Cloud Sync provides the flexibility to make it happen.

With regular maintenance and occasional adjustments as your photo collection grows, your Synology-Google Photos integration will continue to serve you well for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sync multiple Google Photos accounts with my Synology NAS?

Yes, you can set up multiple Cloud Sync tasks, each connected to a different Google account. This is useful for families or professionals who need to keep different photo collections separate. Simply create a new sync task for each account and authorize each one separately.

Will syncing with Google Photos count against my Google Drive storage quota?

Yes, photos synced to Google Photos through this method will count against your Google account's storage quota unless you choose the "High quality" option in Google Photos settings, which allows unlimited storage for slightly compressed photos. Note that Google has changed its policies over time, so check the current storage policies.

What happens if I delete photos from my NAS that have already synced to Google Photos?

It depends on your sync direction settings. If you've set up "Upload local changes only," deleting photos from your NAS won't affect them in Google Photos. If you've chosen "Bidirectional" sync, deletions on your NAS will also delete them from Google Photos. Always be careful with deletions and consider backing up important photos in multiple locations.

Can I sync photos from my phone directly to both my Synology NAS and Google Photos?

Yes, you have several options. You can use the Synology Photos mobile app to upload photos to your NAS, which then syncs to Google Photos via Cloud Sync. Alternatively, you can use Google Photos on your phone to upload photos, which then sync down to your NAS. Choose the workflow that best fits how you use your devices.

Does Cloud Sync preserve the original photo metadata and quality?

Yes, Cloud Sync transfers the exact file without altering metadata or quality. However, be aware that Google Photos might compress images depending on your Google Photos settings. If preserving original quality is important, make sure to check your Google Photos settings and select "Original quality" (which will count against your storage quota).