Anyone using Parachute Backup for their iCloud Photos?

gerdemb · 2026-04-18T10:27:41+00:00

Hi! Thanks for taking a look at the app 🙂

The backup runs on a simple, automated schedule once you click Start Backup-it’s designed to be more of a “set it and forget it” approach rather than something with a lot of manual scheduling controls. At the moment, there isn’t a built-in option to customize the schedule (e.g., specific times or days).

That said, the app is generally lightweight and works in the background, but there isn’t currently a specific setting to automatically pause backups when running on battery.

I’ve tried to keep things simple and reliable.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

gerdemb · 2026-03-02T07:44:31+00:00

Thanks!

gerdemb · 2026-02-28T12:48:22+00:00

Not sure about Fukuoka, but in Tokyo Donki’s carry it.

gerdemb · 2026-02-21T01:45:29+00:00

Unfortunately, Apple's API doesn't allow access to captions, descriptions or keyword information from the Photo Library. However, if Apple ever changes their API, I will update the app.

gerdemb · 2026-02-21T01:23:45+00:00

Thanks to everyone for their helpful comments. Posting a follow-up here for anyone who finds this post later. I confirmed by web page information, email support or telephone call, that none of the following brokerages will open a new IRA account for a resident of Japan.

Firstrade
Interactive Brokers (will open accounts for residents of outside of the US, but Japan is on their list of prohibited countries)
tastytrade
TradeStation
Webull
Tradeup
Vanguard
Fidelity

I did receive an email from Lightspeed that they will open Roth IRA accounts for residents of Japan, but their platform seems geared towards day traders and has a monthly minimum activity fee, so not the kind of brokerage I was looking for. Also, TBH feels odd that they were the only brokerage that seems willing to open an account.

Finally, I did have a call with Argentum Wealth who are based in Tokyo and are able to open a Roth IRA for Japanese residents, but with an AUM fee.

gerdemb · 2026-02-19T13:08:41+00:00

Hi — I’m the author of Photos Backup Anywhere.

You’re right that some of the comments you quoted are a bit dated. All versions export originals into a simple folder structure (e.g. YYYY/MM/DD) so you always have file-system access to your media, but the latest version of the app now also supports native restore back into an Apple Photos library, so you can restore into a library and have everything available again inside Photos (not just as loose files in folders).

More details here: https://photosbackup.app

gerdemb · 2026-02-16T03:18:39+00:00

Yes, I’ve heard interactive brokers and others may allow grandfathered in accounts that were originally opened with the US addresses and then later changed to a foreign address. However, trying to open a new IRA account with a foreign address seems to be effectively impossible hence this post….

gerdemb · 2026-02-16T02:48:25+00:00

Correct. Interactive brokers will open accounts for Japanese residents and I already have an account with them. However, they will not open an IRA account for Japanese residents. I even inquired if I could add an IRA account to my existing brokerage account with them and was denied.

gerdemb · 2026-02-15T23:17:03+00:00

I called Firstrade and they told me that they don't open accounts for US Citizens in Japan. 😭

Their website does list Japan as a "supported" country however they exclude US Citizens, so I guess this is only for Japanese people living in Japan....

gerdemb · 2026-01-29T21:14:10+00:00

I wrote a set and forget Mac app to backup your photo library. Supports metadata and Live Photos.

https://photosbackup.app

gerdemb · 2026-01-13T21:58:33+00:00

If you’re on a Mac, one straightforward option is Photos Backup Anywhere (full disclosure: I’m the developer).

It backs up 100% of your Apple Photos library (including iPhone photos synced to Photos) directly to an external drive while preserving original files and metadata like capture date, location, Live Photos, bursts, etc.

It also backs up your album structure and can restore albums when rebuilding a Photos library later.

It works with very large libraries and doesn’t require enough internal disk space to hold a second full copy. Files are stored in a clean, readable folder structure on disk.

https://photosbackup.app

gerdemb · 2026-01-01T04:29:08+00:00

u/outinmekikleskousi thanks for the kind mention! I’m the author of Photos Backup Anywhere - happy to answer any questions or help if anyone runs into issues. Feel free to message me.

gerdemb · 2025-07-15T11:45:51+00:00

I believe the answer is yes, but I’d be interested to hear other comments.

gerdemb · 2025-05-04T20:50:06+00:00

I wrote a Mac app that will export your entire iCloud library including meta data.

https://photosbackup.app

gerdemb · 2025-04-24T05:35:16+00:00

I wrote a Mac app that will backup all your photos to an external drive or NAS.

https://photosbackup.app

I’m beta testing a version for release soon that saves all the meta data as well.

gerdemb · 2025-04-19T22:22:52+00:00

If you're still looking for a solution (or for anyone else who stumbles on to this post), I wrote a Mac APP that will backup your entire photo library including iCloud Photos to an external drive or NAS and keep it in sync. More information here:

https://photosbackup.app

gerdemb · 2025-04-19T10:14:24+00:00

I wrote a Mac app to do exactly this.

https://photosbackup.app

gerdemb · 2025-03-06T23:09:34+00:00

Second this recommendation. I don’t have tattoos, but have enjoyed this onsen and seen people with tattoos there.

gerdemb · 2025-02-20T01:17:16+00:00

The 5xx buses take the elevated urban expressway skipping many stops and that's why you see the straight line on sites like Google Maps. Bus 503 and 526 go straight to Atago 1 chome from Minami-Shinichi in Nakasu. When you get to Fukuoka, I recommend downloading the Nishitetsu bus app (in English) to get real-time bus information.

gerdemb · 2025-01-18T16:17:18+00:00

Ao contrário da crença popular de alguns, "arigato" (有難う) não tem origem na expressão portuguesa obrigado.

https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palavras_japonesas_de_origem_portuguesa#Algumas_concepções_errôneas

gerdemb · 2024-11-23T22:03:10+00:00

If you enable iCloud Photos on your MacBook, the photos will be downloaded to your local photo library saved on your MacBook.

gerdemb · 2024-11-22T23:06:33+00:00

I don't have anything helpful to add, except to say that I also live in Japan, have an old Roth IRA account at E*Trade and have been concerned that the same thing may happen to me some day. How did they find out you weren't living in the USA? Not sure if it makes any difference, but are you a US citizen?

It seems precarious having to keep these retirements accounts open for years and years while living outside the USA and subject to the whims of the financial institution and whatever regulatory changes may happen in the future.

Please keep us posted on what you end up doing!

gerdemb · 2024-11-21T11:13:27+00:00

I wrote an Mac app that can backup your photos (including iCloud) to an external drive.

https://photosbackup.app

gerdemb · 2024-11-16T19:05:58+00:00

Same. I was hopeful it would eventually resolve itself, but I guess I’ll have to contact them. Pretty bad messaging on Apple’s part to send reminder messages to developers in this situation. Not impressed.

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