Backing up your photos: the simple way

Phones get lost, computers stop working, and years of family photos can disappear in an instant. A backup is simply a second copy kept somewhere else.

The simple rule

Keep your photos in at least two places, and make sure one of them isn’t in your home. That way a failed computer, or a fire or break-in, doesn’t take everything with it.

Option 1: the cloud (easiest)

Your phone probably already offers this. iPhones use iCloud Photos, Android phones use Google Photos, and Windows computers come with OneDrive. Once it’s turned on, new photos back up automatically over Wi-Fi.

• Pros: automatic, works even if your phone is lost, and you can see your photos on any device.
• Cons: the free storage fills up quickly, so most people need a small monthly plan, usually a few dollars.

Option 2: a portable drive

A small external drive plugs into your computer and holds a copy of everything.

• Pros: a one-time cost, no monthly fee, and you control it.
• Cons: it only backs up when you remember to plug it in, and it lives in your home.

What we usually suggest

Use both. Turn on cloud backup for your phone so new photos are always safe, and copy everything to a portable drive a few times a year. Put a reminder in your calendar, and keep the drive somewhere safe, or at a family member’s house.

One thing to check today

Open your phone’s settings and look for iCloud (iPhone) or Google Photos backup (Android). If it says backup is off, or storage is full, your newest photos may not be protected.

See our picks for the portable drive we recommend.