Prepare the Mac
- Connect the iPhone and Mac to the same local network.
- Open link.watermelonbackup.com in Chrome or Edge on the Mac.
- Choose a backup folder on a disk with enough free space, then create the Link.
- Keep the browser tab open while the Link session is active.
Connect from Watermelon Backup
- Open Watermelon Backup on iPhone and use the Backup to Computer / Watermelon Link entry.
- Scan the QR code shown in the Mac browser.
- After pairing succeeds, the Mac becomes a temporary Node for this Link session.
- If pairing fails, turn off VPN or network filtering and confirm both devices are on the same LAN.
Run the backup
- Return to Home and wait until the Link connection and remote index sync finish.
- Grant Photos access if the app asks for it.
- Check the local-side months you want to back up. Selecting only the local side runs Backup; selecting both sides runs Complete.
- Tap Execute, review the confirmation sheet, then confirm.
- Keep the iPhone and Mac browser session available until the selected months finish.
Implementation limit
Because of the current SMB implementation, Watermelon Backup does not support macOS built-in SMB file sharing as the Mac backup path. To back up to a Mac, use Watermelon Link. SMB Nodes are intended for NAS devices, Windows shares, or other compatible SMB services.
Download Watermelon Backup
Install Watermelon Backup from the App Store to follow this guide on iPhone.