Prepare the Linux computer
- Connect the iPhone and Linux computer to the same local network.
- Open link.watermelonbackup.com in a current version of Chromium. You can also use the official shortcut wmlink.app.
- Choose a folder that Chromium can read and write. The folder can be on local storage or a mounted volume that is available to your Linux user.
- Create the Link and keep Chromium open while the session is active.
Connect from the iPhone
- Open Watermelon Backup and use the Backup to Computer / Watermelon Link entry.
- Scan the QR code shown in Chromium.
- After pairing, the Linux computer becomes a temporary Node for this Link session.
- If pairing fails, confirm both devices are on the same local network, then check VPN, proxy, firewall, and network filtering settings.
Run the backup
- Return to Home and wait for the Link connection and remote index sync to finish.
- Check the local-side months you want to back up.
- Tap Execute, review the confirmation, then start Backup.
- Keep the iPhone, Linux computer, selected folder, and Chromium session available until the selected months finish.
Browser and folder permissions
Watermelon Link needs Chromium's folder access APIs to write the selected directory and WebRTC to carry the local data channel. Supporting WebRTC alone is not enough if the browser cannot grant writable folder access.
If the folder picker is unavailable or writing fails, update Chromium and check the selected folder's Linux permissions. Browser sandboxing can also limit which paths or mounted volumes Chromium can access, so choose a folder exposed to that browser installation.
The Linux computer is available only for the current browser session. Watermelon Link does not install a service or save it as a persistent Node.
Download Watermelon Backup
Install Watermelon Backup from the App Store to follow this guide on iPhone.