Use your phone ecosystem’s cloud backup when you need a restoration path to a replacement phone and access to photos from signed-in devices; check your available account storage first. Choose removable storage for an offline copy or a large one-off export, but confirm the phone port, adapter, file system and whether you are copying selected files rather than creating a restorable device backup. For irreplaceable photos, keeping a cloud copy and a separate removable-media copy reduces the risk of relying on one location.
Preserve photos, settings and other data before moving to another iPhone or erasing the old one. Apple Support documents iCloud and computer backups as iPhone backup routes; compatible external storage can be used to copy selected files.
Decide whether Google Account backup covers the supported data you need, or whether a USB drive or SSD should hold a separate copy of photos and files. Google Help notes that restoration can vary by phone, Android version and app support.
Before selling, donating, trading in or factory-resetting a phone, make and check a copy of photos, documents and account details. The National Cyber Security Centre advises confirming access to important accounts, smart-device controls and verification codes before erasing the device.
Work out what must be restored to the replacement phone, then check capacity and connection compatibility before relying on a cloud account or removable drive.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Backup scope | Check whether the route saves selected photos and documents, or supports a fuller device backup. Confirm how the copy can be opened or restored on the replacement phone. | I want important photos, videos and files to remain reachable from somewhere other than the outgoing phone. |
| Available capacity | Compare the size of your photos, videos and device backup with current free space. Apple iCloud includes 5 GB free; Google Accounts have up to 15 GB shared across supported services. | I need enough room without interrupting existing email, photo or file storage that shares the same account allowance. |
| Phone and drive compatibility | Check the phone port, operating system, adapter, file-system support and available power. For SSDs, treat stated maximum speeds as conditional on the host device and cable. | I need to know that a drive can connect to my current phone and that copied files can also be read on another device. |
| Account access before erasure | Open the backup before resetting. Check account recovery methods, SMS verification and smart-device controls from another device. | I want to keep control of accounts and connected devices after the old phone has been factory-reset. |
Cloud storage can also be used by device backups, email attachments and files. A backup may not complete, or future uploads may stop, when the shared allowance is full.
Check the account storage screen and expected backup size before resetting the old phone. Choose additional storage only after allowing for existing files and backups.
A paid cloud-storage subscription may be needed when the available shared allowance is too small for the intended backup.
A reset removes local personal data, but banking, email, social-media sign-ins, SMS verification and smart-home controls may still depend on the outgoing phone.
Verify the backup, update or record recovery methods, and test SMS verification and smart-device controls from another device before erasing the phone.
A USB drive can hold copied files, but that does not automatically provide settings, app data or a restorable replacement-phone setup. Apple distinguishes file transfer to external storage from iCloud or computer backup, while Android restoration varies by device and app support.
Use removable storage for selected media and documents, then separately check the platform backup route if you need settings, app data or a restoration path.
Manufacturer maximum SSD speeds depend on the phone or computer, cable and USB interface. A faster drive may not transfer at its stated maximum through every connected device.
Prioritise usable capacity, connector compatibility and reliable file access first. Check the current phone port and any computer’s USB support before paying extra for a faster tier.
A higher-speed interface may offer little practical benefit if the phone, computer or cable cannot use it at the stated maximum rate.
Relevant for iPhone owners who need an iCloud or computer-based backup before transferring to a replacement iPhone or erasing the current handset.
Relevant for Android owners using a Google Account, Google Backup and Google Photos during a device change.
Relevant for people who already use a Microsoft account and want cloud storage integrated with OneDrive files and photos.
Relevant as a portable SSD option for readers who need a sizeable removable-media copy and have a compatible phone, tablet or computer for file transfer.
Relevant for compact USB-C flash storage or an external SSD used for selective phone-file exports and cross-device transport.
These Joybuy options support a separate removable-media copy of selected photos, videos and documents before a phone reset or replacement. They do not replace the phone ecosystem’s documented backup route when settings or app data must be restored.
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A portable option for a separate copy of selected photos and files from compatible USB-C iPhone 15/16 models, Android phones, PCs and Macs.
Stated 1TB capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection, USB-C-to-C and USB-A-to-C cables, and up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds.
It is a selected-file storage route rather than a confirmed complete phone backup. Check your phone port, case, file system and direct-drive support; MagSafe wireless charging is not supported while the drive is mounted.
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A higher-capacity removable destination for a large photo or video collection that you plan to copy and check through a compatible Android phone or computer.
Stated 4TB capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity, Windows, macOS and Android compatibility, plus USB-C-to-C and USB-C-to-A cables.
A removable drive does not establish a restorable phone backup. Direct phone access, available power and maximum transfer rates depend on compatible hardware and cables.
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A separate 2TB removable-media destination for selected photos, videos and documents before a replacement or reset.
Stated USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection, 2TB capacity, Windows, macOS and Android compatibility, with USB-C-to-C and USB-C-to-A cables included.
Check whether your current phone and file manager can access the drive directly. Its stated fastest performance requires compatible USB hardware and cable support.
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A portable 1TB SSD for holding a separate offline copy of selected photos and files before an Android-to-computer transfer workflow.
Stated USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection, 1TB capacity, Android, Mac and PC compatibility, IP65 dust and water resistance, and up to 3-metre drop resistance.
Check the exact phone model, adapter and file-management method before purchase. Maximum transfer speed depends on compatible host hardware and cables.
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A compact option for copying selected photos, videos or documents between a compatible USB-C phone and computer.
Stated 512GB capacity, USB-A and Type-C connectors, USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, and claimed read speeds up to 570MB/s.
Check your phone’s direct USB-storage support and whether 512GB is sufficient for the current photo and video library. It is not a complete phone restoration route.
No, not if you need Apple’s documented iPhone restoration route. Apple Support describes iPhone backup through iCloud or a computer, while external-storage guidance covers copying files through supported apps. A USB drive can be a separate copy of selected photos, videos and documents.
Apple iCloud includes 5 GB free. A Google Account has up to 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail, WhatsApp backups and Google Photos, while a free Microsoft account has 5 GB shared across OneDrive files and photos, Outlook.com attachments and Microsoft 365 apps. Check current usage before starting a backup.
Choose Original quality when retaining the captured resolution matters, but Google says these uploads count towards account storage. Storage saver also uses storage and may resize photos over 16 MP and videos over 1080p, so it is a capacity trade-off rather than an identical archival copy.
Make and check a backup of every personal item you intend to keep, then confirm important account logins, SMS verification and smart-device controls work elsewhere. The National Cyber Security Centre advises making a backup before erasing a device; only reset the phone after those checks are complete.