Is the synchronized folder for photo backups cleaned?

[jtulak]

Hi. Is the To folder in photo backups somehow cleaned (locally, on the phone)? From what I have seen from my short use so far, all photos are copied there (or de-facto moved, if remove saved photos from source is enabled), then a normal synchronization shuffles them to the remote... But then they stay in this folder indefinitely unless I have something on the other side to move the files away to yet another location.

The only way how to deal with this I have found so far is to have the photos folder set to synchronize only selected files and then regularly go to the folder settings and uncheck the Files kept on this device option for already synchronized photos. At least doing this can automatically remove the local copies so I do not have to switch to Files to do it. But it is a clumsy, manual thing to do anyway.

Is there a way how to automate this? Or if not, is it possible to add another toggle, something like do not keep synchronized photos on this phone with a bit of explanation what it does/how it differs from remove saved photos from source?

Thank you.

[jtulak]

Ok, I found out this can be done via a Shortcut Deselect files that are on other devices. (And a great thank you for the extensive Shortcut API!) Still, I think that this would be better as a standard part of the photo backup flow.

[jtulak]

I am adding a screenshot howto for anyone wanting to do the same.

Automation triggered on Camera app open/close:

It repeatedly triggers the backup (so it is likely the photos will be on the way before I even close the camera):

And it triggers a synchronization loop (which is also triggered in other cases) to send the files to a remote node and then remove any already-synced photo files:

[pixelspark]

I considered this, but everyone would want something specific from this feature I think.. Shortcuts is indeed the way to go, for now. I might add a basic 'auto unselect old files' feature at some point in time.

[jtulak]

Yeah, everyone has a different workflow, that's an age-old problem. 😄 All right, I will keep my automations and mark the screenshots as an answer.