A dedicated-device Android app that takes photos at a fixed interval or at a scheduled time each day, and serves a local web dashboard on the same Wi-Fi so you can view and download the captures from another device. Designed to just run — survives reboots, camera errors, and OS kills.
✨ Features
📥 Download
Sideload the APK onto your Android phone.
⬇ Download APK📱 Scan to download on your phone
This app uses permissions (always-on foreground camera, boot-start, battery exemption) that make Google Play publication difficult. It's distributed as a direct download instead. Perfectly safe — but Android may ask you to permit installs from this source the first time.
🔧 Installing
app-release.apk and tap it. If Android says "For your security…" tap Settings → toggle "Allow from this source" ON, then back out and tap Install.
http://[phone-ip]:8080) from any device on the same Wi-Fi. Use the Settings page to pick interval or daily mode and set the timing.
📱 OEM-specific setup
Stock Android phones (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) need no extra steps. Some manufacturers layer on extra battery restrictions that override Android's defaults — find yours below if needed.
Samsung
- Settings → Apps → TimeLapse Camera → Battery → select "Unrestricted"
- Settings → Device care → Battery → Background usage limits → make sure TimeLapse Camera is not in "Sleeping apps" or "Deep sleeping apps"
Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO
- Settings → Apps → Manage apps → TimeLapse Camera → turn "Autostart" ON
- Same screen → Battery saver → "No restrictions"
- Lock the app in the recents screen (long-press the card and tap the lock icon)
Oppo / Realme / OnePlus (ColorOS)
- Settings → Battery → App battery management → TimeLapse Camera → allow background activity
- Same screen → enable auto-launch
Huawei / Honor
- Settings → Battery → App launch → TimeLapse Camera → turn off "Manage automatically"
- Then manually enable all three: auto-launch, secondary launch, run in background
❓ FAQ
How do I stop the app?
There's no stop button by design — it's built to keep capturing. To pause, force-stop it from Settings → Apps → TimeLapse Camera → Force Stop. To fully disable, uninstall.
Where are the photos stored?
In the app's private storage at Android/data/com.lateraldesign.timelapse/files/timelapse/. The web dashboard provides browsing, thumbnails, and a bulk ZIP download. Uninstalling the app deletes these photos, so grab them via the dashboard first if you need to reinstall.
Will it drain my battery?
Keep the phone plugged in. The camera + foreground service + wake-lock combination is not designed for unpowered operation. On wall power it's indefinite.
Can I view photos from another device?
Yes — that's what the web dashboard is for. Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi. Open http://[phone-ip]:8080 in any browser. The phone's IP is shown on the main screen of the app.
Does it work in the background / with the screen off?
Yes. It runs as a foreground service with a wake-lock, and the ongoing notification keeps Android from suspending it. The screen can be off, the phone locked, and capture continues.
What if the camera fails?
The app rebuilds the camera pipeline automatically after three consecutive capture failures. If another camera app is in the foreground, that app has priority — TimeLapse Camera will resume once it's in the foreground again.