Overview
- Apple’s docs confirm a new PhotoKit Background Resource Upload extension that lets the system schedule and run uploads for third-party photo apps.
- iOS will process backups in the background when users switch apps or lock their devices, with automatic handling of connectivity, power, and timing.
- The implementation requires developers to add a dedicated extension and manage a job workflow that includes creating, processing, retrying, and acknowledging uploads.
- Some operations will prompt for explicit user consent, and Apple notes multiple elements are still labeled beta and could change before final SDKs.
- Coverage and developer signals indicate the capability is new to the iOS 26.1 cycle and is expected to arrive with that release, after which apps will roll out updates.