Shanghai – October 16, 2026 -- ZimaOS 1.8 is available now and adds ZimaOS Photos, a self-hosted photo library that stores every picture on your own ZimaOS device instead of a subscription cloud service. Existing users get it by updating to the latest release.
Browse by year, month or day, or just describe the scene
The library replaces the generic thumbnail grid with a continuous stream of memories. Year, Month and Day views let you scroll at your own pace or jump back through years of photos.
Search works by description: type out a scene and Photos returns matching shots, which you can gather into albums. A Collection section resurfaces older images through interactive map views, Favorites and personalized Memory highlights.
One tap in the Zima Client app starts automatic phone backup
The Zima Client mobile app backs up your existing photos and every new shot directly to your ZimaOS device. On iPhone, live progress appears in the Dynamic Island. If the network drops, the backup resumes automatically when the connection returns.
The upgraded app also offers faster connections. Away from home, you can open your whole library on any mobile device, browse full-resolution originals and share them with friends. You can also manage your other ZimaOS apps remotely in real time.
Live Photos, RAW files and 360° panoramas open without conversion
ZimaOS Photos opens all three formats instantly, with no manual conversion or third-party apps. A Details view shows camera information, pixel dimensions and other metadata next to related shots.
Photos stay on your device, protected by RAID
Photos is built natively into ZimaOS and works out of the box. Every photo and piece of data stays on your own ZimaOS device, protected by automated backups and professional-grade RAID.
New users can install ZimaOS on compatible x86-64 hardware or choose from the Zima hardware lineup.