What Is Watermelon Link?

Start on the computer

• Connect the computer and iPhone to the same local network.
• Open link.watermelonbackup.com in Chrome or Edge. On Linux, use a current version of Chromium.
• You can also open wmlink.app. It is the official shortcut for link.watermelonbackup.com and opens the same Watermelon Link website.
• Choose the folder where backups should be stored.
• Create the Link and keep the browser tab open.

Pair from the iPhone

• Open Watermelon Backup and choose the Backup to Computer / Watermelon Link entry.
• Scan the QR code shown in the computer browser.
• After pairing, the computer becomes a temporary Node for that Link session.
• If pairing fails, turn off VPN, proxy, or network filtering and try again.

Back up by month

• Return to Home and wait for the connection and remote index sync to finish.
• Check the local-side months you want to back up.
• Tap Execute, review the confirmation, then start the task.
• Keep the computer browser session open until the selected months finish.

What Watermelon Link is not

Watermelon Link is designed for local transfer between your devices. It creates a temporary Node for the browser session, but that Node is not saved to the long-term Node list. It is not a cloud storage service and does not require installing a desktop app. Transfers are speed-limited by default, and disabling that limit is a Pro feature.

Why Chromium and WebRTC are needed

The browser side needs Chromium APIs for selecting and writing to the backup folder, plus a WebRTC data channel for local transfer. Chrome and Edge provide these capabilities on Mac and Windows; on Linux, use a current version of Chromium.

WebRTC lets the iPhone app and the computer browser establish a local data channel after QR-code pairing. The Link website helps the two sides pair and exchange signaling messages, but it is not a cloud relay for your photos or videos.

If the browser blocks WebRTC, local network access, or folder access, pairing or transfer may fail.