Set Up Background Auto-Backup

What it does

Background Auto-Backup uses the same backup pipeline as a foreground Backup, but it runs as an iOS background task and focuses on recent months.

Watermelon Backup requests the task when the device has network connectivity and external power. iOS still decides the actual run time, so this feature is best treated as a convenience layer, not an exact schedule.

Turn on the global switch

• Upgrade to Pro if you have not already.
• Open Settings in Watermelon Backup.
• Open Background Auto-Backup.
• Turn on Background Auto-Backup.
• This switch allows background work, but it does not automatically enable every Node.

Choose Auto-Backup Nodes

• Open Auto-Backup Nodes from Settings.
• Open the Node you want to use.
• Turn on Background Auto-Backup for that Node.
• Pick a Minimum interval. This is the shortest allowed gap between completed background runs for that Node; iOS may run it later.
• Use Wi-Fi only if you do not want cellular data to be used. When it is off, cellular data may be used and can incur charges.

Limits to know

• Only remote Nodes are available for Background Auto-Backup, including SMB, WebDAV, SFTP, S3-Compatible, and OneDrive. External Storage is not supported because it depends on iOS Files access.
• Background Auto-Backup backs up the recent-month window. Back up older months manually in the app.
• The run is backup-only. Download and Complete remain foreground actions.
• If iCloud originals may be needed, turn on Allow iCloud Photo Access in Settings and keep the device on stable network and power.
• For SMB, plain-HTTP WebDAV, or plain-HTTP S3-Compatible Nodes, only enable background backup on networks you trust.