How to Set Up a Synology NAS for Photo and Video Backup: RAID, Remote Access & Auto Phone Sync
Setting Up a Home NAS Server with Synology for Photo and Video Backup
A Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage) is one of the most reliable and user-friendly solutions for backing up your photos and videos at home. With RAID protection, remote access, and automated phone sync, you can build a personal cloud that rivals commercial services—without monthly fees or privacy concerns. This guide walks you through the entire setup process from unboxing to automated backups.
Step 1: Choose the Right Synology NAS Model
Selecting the correct model depends on your storage needs and budget. For photo and video backup, consider these popular options:
| Model | Drive Bays | RAM | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS224+ | 2 | 2 GB | Individuals and couples |
| DS423+ | 4 | 2 GB | Families and prosumers |
| DS923+ | 4 | 4 GB | Power users and 4K video editors |
| DS1522+ | 5 | 8 GB | Professional photographers and videographers |
Step 2: Select and Install Hard Drives
Choose NAS-rated hard drives designed for 24/7 operation:
- Seagate IronWolf — excellent vibration resistance and NAS optimization- Western Digital Red Plus — reliable CMR drives with NASware firmware- Toshiba N300 — budget-friendly with strong endurance ratingsFor photo and video storage, 4TB to 8TB drives per bay offer the best price-per-terabyte. Install the drives by sliding them into the tool-less drive trays and clicking them into place.
Step 3: Configure RAID for Data Protection
RAID protects your data if a drive fails. Synology uses its proprietary Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), which is ideal for home users.
- Power on your NAS and connect it to your router via Ethernet cable.- Navigate to
find.synology.comin your web browser to discover the device.- Install DiskStation Manager (DSM) — Synology’s operating system will guide you through initial setup.- Create a storage pool — go to Storage Manager > Storage Pool > Create.- Select SHR (recommended) for flexible RAID with one-drive fault tolerance.- Choose your drives and confirm the creation. The system will begin building the array.- Create a volume using the Btrfs file system for snapshot support and data integrity checks.
RAID Type Comparison
| RAID Type | Min Drives | Fault Tolerance | Usable Capacity (4×4TB) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHR-1 | 2 | 1 drive | ~12 TB | Best for most home users |
| SHR-2 | 4 | 2 drives | ~8 TB | Extra safety for critical data |
| RAID 1 | 2 | 1 drive | ~4 TB | Simple mirroring |
| RAID 5 | 3 | 1 drive | ~12 TB | Identical drive sizes only |
Step 4: Create Shared Folders for Photos and Videos
- Open Control Panel > Shared Folder > Create.- Create folders such as
Photos,Videos, andMobileBackup.- Enable data checksum for advanced data integrity on Btrfs volumes.- Set permissions so only your user account has read/write access.
Step 5: Set Up Remote Access with QuickConnect and DDNS
Remote access lets you reach your NAS from anywhere without complex router configuration.
- Enable QuickConnect — go to Control Panel > QuickConnect, sign in with your Synology account, and create a QuickConnect ID.- Access remotely via
https://quickconnect.to/YOUR-IDfrom any browser.- For faster speeds, set up Synology DDNS under Control Panel > External Access > DDNS. This assigns a hostname likeyourname.synology.me.- Configure port forwarding on your router for ports 5000 (HTTP) and 5001 (HTTPS) pointed to your NAS IP address.- Enable HTTPS with a free Let’s Encrypt certificate under Control Panel > Security > Certificate.- Enable firewall rules and 2-factor authentication for security.Security best practices: Always disable the default admin account, use strong passwords, enable auto-block for failed login attempts, and keep DSM updated.
Step 6: Automate Phone Photo and Video Sync
Synology Photos is the built-in solution for automatic mobile backup. It works similarly to Google Photos but stores everything locally on your NAS.
- Install Synology Photos from the DSM Package Center.- Download the Synology Photos app on your iPhone or Android device.- Log in using your NAS credentials or QuickConnect ID.- Enable photo backup — tap the menu icon, go to Settings > Photo Backup, and toggle it on.- Configure backup options:
- Select Back up all photos and videos- Enable Upload over cellular data if desired- Choose original quality or a compressed format- Enable Background backup for continuous syncing - Repeat for every family member’s phone using separate DSM user accounts for privacy.For additional backup of other files (documents, downloads), install DS File or use Synology Drive Client on your desktop computer for real-time folder synchronization.
Step 7: Set Up a Backup Strategy (3-2-1 Rule)
RAID is not a backup — it only protects against drive failure. Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule:
- 3 copies of your data (original + 2 backups)- 2 different storage types (NAS + external USB drive)- 1 offsite copy (cloud service or second NAS at another location)Use Hyper Backup from the Package Center to schedule automated backups to an external USB drive or a cloud provider like Backblaze B2, Amazon S3, or Synology C2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access my Synology NAS photos when I’m traveling abroad?
Yes. With QuickConnect or DDNS configured, you can access your photos and videos from anywhere with an internet connection. The Synology Photos app works over both Wi-Fi and cellular data. For the best experience, ensure your home internet has a reasonable upload speed (at least 10 Mbps recommended). You can also enable on-demand thumbnails so that browsing is fast even on slow connections, while full-resolution files download only when needed.
What happens if a hard drive fails in my RAID setup?
If you are using SHR-1 or RAID 5, your NAS will continue operating normally with one failed drive. DSM will alert you through email, push notifications, and a beeping alarm. You should replace the failed drive as soon as possible. Once a new drive is inserted, the system automatically rebuilds the array in the background. During rebuild, performance may be slightly reduced, but all your data remains accessible. Avoid removing a second drive during this process.
How much storage do I actually need for photo and video backup?
A typical smartphone generates about 50–100 GB of photos and videos per year. A family of four might accumulate 200–400 GB annually. If you shoot 4K video or use a mirrorless camera, plan for 1–2 TB per year. For most families, a 2-bay NAS with two 4TB drives in SHR gives approximately 4TB of usable protected storage — enough for roughly 10 to 20 years of phone photos. Starting with 8TB drives future-proofs your setup and avoids the hassle of upgrading too soon.