Get Started

Learn how to set up and start using Siloed.

Getting Started with Siloed

Welcome to Siloed, a professional managed backup solution. This guide will help you set up and begin your journey to de-silo your digital memories. Siloed is an independent third-party service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Immich project. Siloed hosts Immich as is - it does not modify, enhance, or fork the project.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, ensure you have:

  • A compatible device (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, or Linux)
  • A stable internet connection
  • A Siloed account (create one on our website)
  • Approximately 500MB of storage space for the initial setup

Step 1: Create Your Account

  1. Visit the Siloed website
  2. Click "Get Started" in the navigation
  3. Enter your email and create a strong password
  4. Verify your email address by clicking the confirmation link
  5. Complete your profile information

Step 2: Download the App

Mobile Users (iOS)

  1. Open the App Store
  2. Search for "Siloed"
  3. Tap "Get" to install
  4. Wait for installation to complete
  5. Open the app and sign in with your credentials

Mobile Users (Android)

  1. Open Google Play Store
  2. Search for "Siloed"
  3. Tap "Install" to download
  4. Wait for installation to complete
  5. Open the app and sign in with your credentials

Desktop Users

  1. Download the Siloed desktop app from your account dashboard
  2. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
  3. Accept the license agreement
  4. Choose your installation directory
  5. Launch the application and sign in

Step 3: Configure Backup Settings

Once logged in:

  1. Navigate to Settings → Backup
  2. Choose which media types to backup:
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Live Photos (iOS)
    • RAW images
  3. Set your backup frequency:
    • Continuous (recommended)
    • Hourly
    • Daily
    • Weekly
  4. Enable WiFi-only backup if desired (conserves mobile data)
  5. Click Save Settings

Step 4: Initialize Your First Backup

  1. Ensure your device is charging or has sufficient battery
  2. Connect to a stable internet connection
  3. Go to Backup → Start Backup
  4. Select the photos and videos you want to back up
  5. You can choose:
    • All media
    • Last 30 days
    • Last 90 days
    • Custom date range
  6. Review the selected items and click Confirm
  7. Backup will begin automatically

The initial backup may take some time depending on the amount of media and your connection speed. You can monitor progress in the Backup Status panel.

Step 5: Set Up Multi-User Access (Optional)

To share your Siloed account with family:

  1. Go to Settings → Users & Permissions
  2. Click Invite User
  3. Enter the email address of the family member
  4. Set their permission level:
    • Viewer: Can view but not upload
    • Contributor: Can view and upload
    • Admin: Full access
  5. Click Send Invitation
  6. The invited user will receive an email and can accept the invitation

Step 6: Explore Features

AI Search

Once your media is backed up, access AI search:

  1. Go to the Search tab
  2. Try searching for:
    • People (e.g., "Sarah")
    • Objects (e.g., "beach", "sunset")
    • Activities (e.g., "hiking", "birthday party")

Map View

Explore your memories geographically:

  1. Navigate to Map
  2. Markers show locations where photos were taken
  3. Click a marker to see all photos from that location
  4. Use zoom and pan to explore

Timeline View

Browse your memories chronologically:

  1. Go to Timeline
  2. Scroll through your media history
  3. Use filters by date range or media type

Troubleshooting

Backup Stuck or Slow

  • Check your internet connection
  • Ensure sufficient storage space is available
  • Close other bandwidth-intensive applications
  • Restart the Siloed app

Photos Not Appearing in Backup

  • Verify that permissions are granted:
    • iOS: Settings → Siloed → Photos → "All Photos"
    • Android: App Info → Permissions → Photos and Media
  • Ensure media files are stored in the standard media folders
  • Try refreshing the app (pull down to refresh)

Authentication Issues

  • Verify your email and password are correct
  • Reset your password if needed
  • Clear app cache and restart:
    • iOS: Settings → Siloed → Offload App → Reinstall
    • Android: Settings → Apps → Siloed → Storage → Clear Cache

Performance Issues

  • Upgrade your internet plan for faster uploads
  • Enable WiFi-only backup to use higher quality uploads
  • Reduce the frequency of backups
  • Contact support for additional assistance

Getting Help

  • Email Support: support@siloed.io
  • Documentation: Visit our full knowledge base
  • Community Forum: Connect with other Siloed users
  • Status Page: Check service status at status.siloed.io

Next Steps

Now that you're set up:

  1. Invite family members to share your Siloed account
  2. Explore AI search with your backed-up media
  3. Review your backup settings regularly
  4. Enable automatic backups for continuous protection
  5. Stay updated on new features and security updates

Best Practices

  • Regular Verification: Periodically verify that backups are completing successfully
  • Strong Password: Ensure your account password is unique and strong
  • Two-Factor Authentication: Enable 2FA in Settings for enhanced security
  • Review Permissions: Regularly review user access and permissions
  • Backup Important Events: During special events, ensure backup is running smoothly

Welcome to the Siloed community! Your memories are now safe, secure, and de-siloed.