try_or_bye

// troubleshooting guide · proton drive

Proton Drive Photo Backup Not Working

Status
Workaround available
platforms:
iOS, Android
updated:
November 15, 2026
reports:
4
Method
how we research
Share

RUNBOOK · proton-drive/photo-backup-not-working6 FIXES

// quick answer

Proton Drive photo backup stops on 'Storage is full', 'Missing permission', 'Waiting for WiFi' or 'Low device storage'. Fix the error shown, allow background activity, keep the app open for big backups, and toggle photo backup off and on if it stays stuck.

Most likely fix: Fix 'Storage is full'

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

  1. FIX 1Fix 'Storage is full'

    1. 01Check usage in your Proton account settings
    2. 02Delete files or emails, then empty the trash
    3. 03Or upgrade your plan
    Did this fix it?

  2. FIX 2Fix 'Missing permission'

    1. 01Open your phone Settings > Proton Drive > Photos
    2. 02Allow access to all photos
    Did this fix it?

  3. FIX 3Fix 'Waiting for WiFi'

    1. 01Connect to Wi-Fi, or
    2. 02In the app's photo backup settings turn on Use mobile data to backup photos
    Did this fix it?

  4. FIX 4Fix 'Low device storage'

    1. 01Free up space on the phone, especially before backing up large videos
    2. 02The app needs a temporary copy of each file to encrypt it
    Did this fix it?

  5. FIX 5Allow background activity

    1. 01iPhone: Settings > General > Background App Refresh > enable Proton Drive
    2. 02Keep the app open in the foreground during the first large backup
    Did this fix it?

  6. FIX 6Restart the backup

    1. 01Turn photo backup off and back on in the app
    2. 02If still stuck, report it via menu (≡) > Report a bug / Report a problem
    3. 03As a last resort log out and back in (this clears cache and offline files)
    Did this fix it?

Symptoms

The Photos tab shows a backup error, the remaining count doesn't go down, or only a few hundred photos upload in hours.

Why it happens

  • C-01Proton storage full (shared with Proton Mail)
  • C-02Photo library permission not granted
  • C-03Backup set to Wi-Fi only
  • C-04Not enough free space on the phone for the encryption copy
  • C-05iOS/Android background restrictions
  • C-06Very large videos (users report failures above about 4 GB on Android)

// this guide also covers

  • proton drive photo backup not working
  • proton drive photos not uploading
  • proton drive backup stuck
  • proton drive waiting for wifi

Still not working?

If Proton Drive keeps failing, you're not alone. See every Proton Drive problem users report or the alternatives people switch to.

Have an app idea? Our small team builds any software: web and mobile apps, games, desktop, AI tools. Price agreed together.

Talk to us

Watch Proton Drive Get an email when its price changes, it has an outage, or we publish a new fix. No spam.

Fixed it? Share this guide

Other Proton Drive errors

All 10 Proton Drive errors and fixes →