Setup guide
Set up Lumen
Two apps, about ten minutes: Tailscale makes your Mac and phone reachable from anywhere, and Lumen's Host mode turns the Mac into your photo library's server. Do them together and your phone syncs the same way at home or away.
Part 1 — Tailscale
Install Tailscale on your Mac
Go to tailscale.com, download the Mac app, and sign in — a free personal account is all you need.
Install Tailscale on your iPhone
Get it from the App Store and sign in with the same account you just used on the Mac.
Part 2 — Turn your Mac into the server
Open Lumen on your Mac, go to Settings
Find the Host section and turn it on.
Choose a folder for your library
Anywhere with enough room works — an external drive is fine. This is where your photographs will actually live.
Set a username and password
Make these up — they're just for your own devices to sign in with. Leave reach on its default, Tailscale only.
Save, and note the address shown
Lumen lists an address starting with 100. — that's your Mac's private Tailscale address. Keep this screen handy for the next step.
Part 3 — Connect your phone
Open Lumen on your phone, go to Settings → Your photo server
Enter the address, username and password
The 100. address from step 6, and the username and password from step 5.
Tap Test
A checkmark means you're connected — at home or anywhere else.
Your phone and Mac now share one library over an encrypted private connection, no matter where either of them is. Import a few photographs on one device and watch them appear on the other.