Tech outlet 9to5Mac has reported that with the upcoming iOS 26.1 update, Apple will introduce a major new feature that allows third-party apps to back up photos in the background.

According to the report, one of the long-standing pain points for third-party photo apps has been the inability to perform automatic background backups. To achieve similar functionality, third-party backup apps have had to rely on unreliable “workarounds,” such as requiring users to keep the app running in the foreground or briefly waking it at specific intervals.

With iOS 26.1, Apple plans to add a new framework called “Background Assets Upload Extension” to PhotoKit, the company’s official photo management framework. This enhancement will enable apps like Google Photos and OneDrive to automatically and reliably back up users’ photo libraries in the background.

Apple explains that the system will take over and manage all upload tasks on behalf of third-party apps. In practice, this means iOS will handle network connectivity, power management, and timing automatically to ensure efficient and dependable uploads. Even if the user switches to another app or locks their device, the backup process will continue seamlessly in the background.

To make use of this new capability, developers must adapt their apps according to Apple’s detailed documentation. The process involves creating and configuring an extension target, enabling the extension within the app, handling upload and retry operations, and notifying the system once each task is completed.

The above content is compiled by ModeZone, a fashion and entertainment magazine.