A separate local drive gives you a copy you control and can connect for a restore; cloud backup puts a copy away from the device and can update it automatically. For family photos or work files you cannot replace, use a local copy alongside a separately located copy where possible, and check that you can restore files from both. If you also need current files across devices, cloud sync can provide access, but check its recovery limits rather than treating it as your only backup.
If losing a phone or computer would also mean losing family photos or personal records, keep a recoverable copy apart from the original device. The National Cyber Security Centre advises storing important backup data in a separate, safe location.
Changing project files, invoices and customer-related documents call for regular copies that you can restore after a computer problem. If your work involves personal information, also consider how you will control access to the backup.
Access to current files on several devices may make cloud sync useful. Check which folders and devices it covers, how long previous versions remain available and how you would regain access to the account.
Choose where your recoverable copies will live before choosing a drive or service: a local copy helps with direct access, while a separately located copy addresses a different risk.
Consider it when: You want a sizeable archive that you can connect for scheduled copies and local restores.
Bear in mind: A drive kept beside the computer cannot protect that archive from a loss affecting the same location.
Consider it when: You regularly carry a local copy or move large files between devices.
Bear in mind: Transfer speeds and resistance claims depend on the exact model and stated test conditions.
Consider it when: You want an automatically updated copy stored away from your computer.
Bear in mind: Restoring files depends on account access, the connection and the service's restore options.
Consider it when: You need current documents on more than one device and retain a separate copy for recovery.
Bear in mind: Synced changes and deletions can travel between devices, so check version and deletion recovery.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery away from home | Where each copy is stored, and how you would restore it after losing the main device or access to your home. | If a device and the drive beside it were both lost, I would still need my photos and documents. Around 33% of consumers put recovery from a separately located copy first. |
| Automatic, multi-device coverage | Which devices and folders are covered, and the service's account-recovery and file-version options. | My work changes often, and I use a computer as well as a phone; I need recent files to be copied without remembering each update. For around 27% of consumers, that ongoing coverage is the primary concern. |
| Large local restores | Capacity for your existing files and future copies, plus the connection and compatibility of the drive you would restore from. | With a large photo or older-file archive, I want a directly held copy I can use for a full restore. This is the leading need for around 20% of consumers. |
| Portable copies | The exact drive's connection, access protection and any stated drop, dust or water test conditions. | When I carry work files between locations, I need a portable copy while keeping another copy elsewhere in case the drive is lost. Around 20% of consumers place that carrying need first. |
A connected drive may be affected by the same incident as the computer, while a drive kept in the same home does not provide off-site protection.
Keep a copy separate from the main device. The National Cyber Security Centre advises maintaining at least one backup offline or digitally disconnected when it is not in use.
A private encryption key can affect whether you can restore your files: Backblaze says it requires the key for a restore and cannot help recover a forgotten one.
Before enabling a provider's private-key option, decide how you will store the key safely and set up the account-recovery methods available to you.
Samsung specifies test conditions for the T7 Shield's resistance and transfer-speed claims. Samsung also states that liquid, dust and drop damage are excluded from its warranty coverage.
Check the exact model's test conditions and warranty terms, as well as the connection needed for its quoted speed. Keep another copy of files carried on the drive.
These brands represent different local-storage and online routes; compare the particular product or service rather than assuming features apply across a whole brand.
A reference point for external hard drives and SSDs used to keep local copies of photos and documents.
A reference point for portable SSDs when carrying a local copy is part of the plan.
An online-backup route for computer files and connected external drives covered by its Personal Backup plan.
An online-backup route to consider when files are spread across several personal devices.
A cloud-based access and backup route for Apple-device households, to consider alongside a separate local copy.
These external HDD and SSD choices are for keeping local copies of work and family files. A drive alone does not create the separately located online copy discussed above; choose its capacity and connection around the files and devices you intend to back up.
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Consider this local-storage option if you need space for a sizeable file collection and your computer has a suitable connection.
The listed variant is 4 TB with USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. Check your computer's USB capability before relying on the connection's stated speed class.
Keep another copy separately located if the files must remain recoverable after a home or device incident.
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Consider this portable hard drive for a locally held archive of photos, documents and older files.
The listed variant is 5 TB and is identified for Mac. If you plan to use it with Windows, check the required driver and your setup before buying.
Store a separate copy away from the main device or location; one locally kept drive cannot provide off-site recovery.
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Consider this local-copy option if you regularly carry selected files and 1 TB fits what you need to store.
The listed variant uses USB 3.2 Gen 2. Samsung specifies IP65 testing and a 3 m drop-test condition for the T7 Shield; these are not guarantees against damage, and Samsung excludes liquid, dust and drop damage from warranty coverage.
Check your host connection for the performance you expect, and keep a separate backup of files carried on the SSD.
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Consider this drive for a portable local copy of current documents or media when 2 TB meets your capacity needs.
The listed variant has USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2; confirm that the devices you will use have suitable connections.
It remains a local copy, so keep another copy separately located if you need protection from losing the drive and original files together.
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Consider this local-storage option if you want to move files between compatible phones and computers.
The listed variant is 1 TB with USB 3.2 Gen 2 and names iPhone 15/16, PC and Mac compatibility. Check the magnetic mounting arrangement and the connections required by your particular device before relying on it.
A portable drive can be lost or damaged, so retain another copy of files you need to recover.
Do not rely on sync alone for files you need to recover long after a change or deletion. Sync helps keep current files accessible, but recovery depends on the service's version and deletion rules; Microsoft states a 30-day version-history period for the OneDrive files covered by its guidance. Keep a separate backup as well.
An external HDD is worth considering for a large archive copied on a schedule; an SSD is worth considering if you regularly carry the drive or transfer large files. Compare the exact capacity you need, then check the computer and cable conditions behind any quoted transfer speed.
Avoid leaving every backup connected to the computer. The National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping at least one backup offline or digitally disconnected when not in use, because a connected copy may be affected by the same incident.
Confirm that it covers the devices, folders and any connected drive you intend to protect, then check how you would access the account and restore files. Backblaze describes computer and connected-drive coverage under its Personal Backup plan, while IDrive describes scheduled backups across multiple personal devices; the route you choose must match your own devices.
You may be unable to restore files protected by that key. Backblaze says its private key is required to create a restore and that it cannot recover a forgotten key. Before enabling such an option, arrange secure key storage and check the provider's available recovery methods.