Overview

Synology Photos combines personal and shared spaces so each person has a private camera roll and access to family albums.

Plan users and structure

Design a simple folder layout that matches how your family searches for photos.

• Create user accounts for each person
• Decide on a shared library location such as Family or Year based folders
• Set naming standards for events and trips

Create shared libraries and folders

Shared libraries make it easy to organise and view together.

• Create a shared library and enable who can contribute
• Use folders by year and event for predictable paths
• Keep private albums inside personal spaces where needed

User access and permissions

Give access only where needed and keep control simple.

• Use groups such as Parents and Kids for easier management
• Assign view or contribute rights per album or folder
• Enable recycle bin to recover accidental deletes

Mobile app setup and uploads

Enable automatic uploads on trusted WiFi so photos land on the NAS without manual steps.

• Install Synology Photos on each phone and sign in
• Enable background upload to personal space or a shared inbox
• Set mobile data limits and charging only if preferred

Organise albums and tags

Keep albums tidy with a quick routine.

• Review new uploads weekly and move into albums
• Use face recognition and location filters to speed sorting
• Keep album names consistent and short

Remote viewing options

Choose a simple and safe access path for family members.

• Use QuickConnect or a secure reverse proxy
• Enable two factor sign in for admin accounts
• Limit public links and expire them after events

Backup and protection

Protect the family archive with layered safeguards.

• Schedule snapshots on the photo volume
• Back up to a second NAS or cloud
• Test restore a small album monthly

Troubleshooting checklist

If uploads stall or albums go missing, check these items.

• Confirm app permissions and battery saver settings
• Verify user rights on shared libraries
• Let indexing complete before adding more files

FAQs

Helpful answers for common family setups.

• Can kids upload without seeing private albums? Yes with correct permissions
• Do live photos work? They may import as paired files, verify playback on clients
• Can grandparents view remotely? Yes with user accounts and simple remote access