Few people know this, but the original Google Pixel (Pixel 1) still offers a hidden gem: unlimited original-quality Google Photos backups. While newer Pixels have lost this benefit, the Pixel 1 can be repurposed as a compact, headless backup server for photos and videos. Here’s how I set mine up and why it works so well.
Why I Chose the Pixel 1
The Pixel 1 is perfect for this task:
- Unlimited original-quality uploads to Google Photos
- Affordable and easy to source second-hand
- Small, energy-efficient, and reliable for 24/7 operation
- Can run completely headless (no screen interaction required)
Its combination of free cloud storage and minimal hardware needs makes it ideal for home lab automation.
The Network Setup
I wanted a secure, always-on solution, so I added the Pixel to my Tailscale network. This:
- Allows secure remote access to the device
- Eliminates the need for port forwarding or exposing services to the internet
- Keeps all transfers encrypted across devices
The Pixel sits on my network alongside my home server running FTP, which acts as the central hub for photo and video collection.
Workflow Overview
The automation is split into four main stages:
1. Devices Upload to FTP Server
All my personal devices automatically push new media to a shared folder on the FTP server. This is configured individually per device, but for my daily Android device, I use the Autosync app.
The Autosync app is a paid, but very reliable sync app that allows for multiple configurations of an FTP connection. This means that I can select multiple different locations on the device’s file system and set them up as folders which will sync to the main server. I use an FTP connection to my server which is on the same Tailscale network, this means that I am able to sync my files from anywhere in the world. This is especially helpful when travelling overseas.
I use vsftpd running in a Docker container on my server to provide the FTP service. This is a very lightweight and simple FTP server that works well for this purpose. This is not exposed to the internet, only accessible via Tailscale.
2. Pixel Pulls Media
I use the same Autosync app on the Pixel device side. This automatically pulls any new files from the FTP server to its local storage. This ensures that nothing is missed.
3. Google Photos Upload
The Google Photos app continuously watches the local folders and uploads everything at ‘original quality’. Because the Pixel 1 has unlimited backup, this is fully free and reliable. The files don’t need to originate from the Pixel 1 itself, they just need to be uploaded from it.
4. Cleanup and Retention
To ensure that I am not taking too much space on my personal devices, I have rules set up in Autosync such that after files have been uploaded, they are removed from the local device after 7 days.
The Pixel device has a similar rule, such that after it has downloaded files from the server, it will remove them from the server after 7 days.
This creates a minimum 7-day buffer where every file exists in three places: the original device, the FTP server, and Google Photos.
Handling Videos
Videos follow the same pipeline as photos, configured to upload from their respective folder locations on the device. This ensures that even high-resolution videos are backed up automatically.
Battery Management
There can be issues with keeping the Pixel 1 device plugged in 24/7. The main one being leaving a phone plugged in all day can degrade the battery.
To address this an option is to limit charging to ~80% using an app such as tasker to toggle a smart plug when the device battery reaches certain levels.
The goal is a reliable, low-maintenance system that doesn’t wear out the device unnecessarily.
I have already needed to replace the battery once in the past since I failed to consider this.
Note: There is info online on how to run the Pixel 1 device without an internal battery, but this requires some electrical work.
Security and Privacy
The setup prioritizes privacy:
- Only the Google Photos account is signed in
- No personal messages, contacts, or apps are installed
- Tailscale keeps all network traffic secure without exposing ports to the internet
By keeping the Pixel isolated, I minimize risk while keeping the automation fully functional.
Tools I Use
- Google Pixel 1 (factory reset + minimal apps)
- Autosync for FTP → Pixel sync
- Tasker for automated cleanup
- Tailscale for secure network access
- FTP server on my server
- Google Photos app for cloud upload
Limitations
- The Pixel 1 is old hardware, so performance is modest
- The unlimited original-quality upload is a Google feature, not a guarantee — future policy changes could affect this.
Future Improvements
I plan to enhance the setup by:
Replacing FTP with Syncthing or something similar.
- I don’t really like relying on a paid Android app to do a lot of the heavy lifting in this flow.
- I may need to reconsider how I clean up files after they have been uploaded / downloaded from the devices.
Having a self hosted media server with a copy of my files locally.
- As I slowly attempt to move away from cloud services, this is something that I would like to implement. Having a mirror at the very least.
Benefits
This system has several advantages:
- Free, unlimited original-quality backups. I currently have at least 100GB+
- True set-and-forget automation
- Centralized media repository without subscriptions
- Works seamlessly across devices
Conclusion
With a single retired Pixel 1, I built a fully automated, secure, and private backup server for all my photos and videos.
It’s cheap, reliable, and effortless.
If you have a Pixel 1 gathering dust, it could become the cornerstone of your home media backup strategy. However, they are starting to become a bit more rare on Ebay these days and the prices are slowly creeping upwards.