Computer help
How to back up your photos so you never lose them
Your photos are usually the one thing you truly cannot replace, and they are also the thing most people never back up until it is too late. A lost phone, a dropped laptop or a failed drive can take years of memories with it. The good news: protecting them is simple once it is set up.
Quick answer
Keep your photos in at least two places: the device itself, plus a backup. The easiest safe setup is turning on automatic cloud backup (Google Photos, iCloud or OneDrive) and keeping a second copy on an external hard drive. That way, if any one device fails, your photos are still safe.
The simple rule: two copies, two places
A backup just means a second copy somewhere separate. If your photos only live on your phone, you have one copy, and one accident away from losing them. Aim for the original plus at least one backup, ideally in a different place (so a single mishap cannot wipe out both).
Option 1: the cloud (easiest, automatic)
Turn on automatic photo backup and your phone quietly saves every new photo online:
- iPhone: iCloud Photos.
- Android: Google Photos.
- Either, or your computer: Google Photos or OneDrive.
Set it once and it just happens. You may need to pay a small amount for extra storage once you have a lot of photos, which is well worth it.
Option 2: an external hard drive (a copy you hold)
A one-off purchase, plug it in and copy your photos across. Some people prefer having a physical copy they control. The catch is remembering to do it regularly, so it is best used alongside the cloud, not instead of it.
The best setup for most people
Turn on cloud backup so new photos are saved automatically, and keep an external drive copy as a second safety net. Then it does not matter if your phone is lost or your laptop dies, your memories are safe.
In Bolton and want it set up properly, without wading through settings? I can get your photos safely backed up, show you how it works, and make sure it keeps running on its own. Happy to help all ages and confidence levels.