Turn an Old Android Phone into a Backup Server with UrBackup and Linux Deploy

Step 3: Connect Clients

In the UrBackup web UI, click “Add new client” and choose “Add new Internet client/client behind NAT”. Provide a client name.

Install the UrBackup client on each machine. For Linux, run:

TF=$(mktemp) && wget "https://hndl.urbackup.org/Client/2.4.11/UrBackup%20Client%20Linux%202.4.11.sh" -O $TF && sudo sh $TF && rm -f $TF

Verify the client service is running ( service urbackupclientbackend status) and start it if necessary.

Configure the client to point to the server:

urbackupclientctl set-settings \</code><code>-k internet_mode_enabled -v true \</code><code>-k internet_server -v "YOUR_SERVER_IP" \</code><code>-k internet_server_port -v "55415" \</code><code>-k computername -v "YOUR_CLIENT_NAME" \</code><code>-k internet_authkey -v "YOUR_DEFAULT_AUTHENTICATION_KEY"

In the server’s Settings → Internet page, ensure appropriate options (e.g., disable image backups over the internet if all clients are local).

Set backup directories for each client under “Client settings” → “File Backups”. Multiple directories can be separated by semicolons.

Restart the server ( pkill urbackup && urbackupsrv-start) and refresh the web UI. The clients should now appear online and be ready for backups.

After completing these steps, the old Android phone functions as a fully operational backup server for your home network.