For a large photo archive kept mainly at home, an external hard disk drive can provide a local backup destination; choose a portable SSD if carrying and transferring large files matters more. An appropriately configured cloud-backup service offers an off-site copy without relying on you to connect a drive, while a USB stick is better suited to a limited set of manually copied files. Whichever route you take, check what is actually backed up and test that you can restore it.
If you want documents and family photos recoverable after a computer is lost, stolen or damaged, consider an automatic cloud-backup route. Check the included folders, storage allowance, version retention and how you would regain access to the account or encryption key.
A growing collection of photos, videos and documents calls for enough local capacity and a restore process that works with your Windows PC or Mac. Check the drive format and whether your chosen backup tool can make regular copies.
If you regularly move photo or video files between devices, a compact portable SSD may suit your routine. Check the computer, cable and connection needed for any advertised speed; carrying a drive does not make it an off-site backup.
Decide first whether the copy needs to be off-site or on a drive you control, then consider how much you need to store and whether copying must happen automatically.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic off-site recovery | Confirm which folders are included and how long earlier versions remain available. | If my computer is lost or damaged, I want my important files copied elsewhere without remembering to connect a drive. Around 40% of consumers put automatic off-site recovery first. |
| Large local archive | Check capacity for your archive and compatibility with File History or Time Machine; Apple recommends a Time Machine disk with at least twice the Mac’s storage capacity. | As my photo and video collection grows, I need room for a local copy that I can restore on my computer. For around 30% of consumers, local archive capacity is the primary concern. |
| Portable large-file storage | Check the drive’s connection requirements and whether your computer and cable meet the conditions for its rated speed. | I carry large files between devices and do not want the transfer routine to hold up my work. Portable large-file storage comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Limited manual transfer | Check the connector and capacity for the selected files, then open a copied file to test it. | When I only need to carry a small selection of current files, I can manage each copy myself. Around 10% of consumers prioritise this limited manual-transfer need. |
A backup drive connected to an affected computer may also be reachable. The National Cyber Security Centre advises against leaving backup media permanently connected and recommends checking that files can be restored.
Disconnect and store the drive safely when practical, and periodically restore a test file rather than relying only on a completed-backup message.
Microsoft Support says standard folders such as Desktop, Documents and Pictures may not automatically be included in OneDrive. A custom photo archive needs its own coverage check.
Inspect the selected folders and storage allowance before relying on cloud copies, particularly if your files are spread across several locations.
Apple Support says Time Machine cannot back up to a disk formatted for Windows. Changing a disk’s format permanently removes the data already on it.
Copy existing files to another location and check that the copy opens before reformatting a drive for Time Machine.
Backblaze says its optional private encryption key cannot be recovered by its staff if the passphrase is lost, preventing a restore using that key.
If you choose a user-managed key, keep the recovery information securely and make sure your recovery plan works when you need it.
Seagate’s Expansion and Backup Plus portable HDD lines are local-storage options for photo, video and document archives.
Samsung’s T7 Shield is a portable SSD option for people moving large files between compatible devices.
Backblaze Personal Backup is a cloud-backup route for user-created data on a computer and physically connected external drives.
File History offers a Windows route to regular copies on an external drive or network location; OneDrive offers cloud backup for selected folders.
Time Machine provides automatic external-disk backup for Mac; iCloud Drive provides access to enabled cloud-stored files across signed-in devices.
These drives cover portable SSD storage, a larger local HDD archive and limited manual USB transfer. They are local-storage choices; consider a separate off-site copy if recovery after loss of both computer and drive matters to you.
No image available
For carrying a local copy of important files or moving large files between devices.
The product name specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2. Samsung rates this T7 Shield model at up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write; maximum speeds require a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection and UASP support.
Check its format against your intended backup software. A portable local copy alone does not protect files if both the computer and drive are lost.
No image available
For keeping a portable local copy of a larger selection of photos and files.
The product name specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2. Check the target computer’s connection and the drive format required by your backup workflow.
Keep another recoverable copy if loss of the drive would also mean loss of your backup.
No image available
For a portable local copy of photos or other files when you want 2TB of storage.
Check the connector and file format against your computer and chosen backup software before buying. Test that a copied file can be restored, and keep a separate recovery route for loss of the drive.
No image available
For a large local archive of photos, videos and documents kept mainly at home.
Check its format for your Windows or Mac backup setup, and confirm that any backup utility supports the schedule you intend to use. Copy existing files elsewhere before reformatting a drive.
A local HDD is not an off-site copy. The National Cyber Security Centre advises against leaving backup media permanently connected and recommends testing restoration.
No image available
For deliberately copying and carrying a selected set of files, rather than scheduling backups of a whole computer.
The product name specifies USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Type-C interfaces and a stated read speed of 570 MB/s; check the intended device’s port and compatibility before buying.
Manual copies need updating as files change. Open a file from the drive to check that your copy works.
Not in its Windows format. Apple Support says Time Machine requires a suitable disk format; reformatting removes the disk’s existing contents, so preserve and check another copy of those files first.
Apple Support recommends a disk with at least twice the Mac’s storage capacity. It also advises using the Time Machine disk for backups rather than ordinary file storage.
A connected drive is not reliably protected on its own. The National Cyber Security Centre advises against leaving backup media permanently connected and recommends checking that you know how to restore your files.
No—check the service’s folder selection. Microsoft Support says standard folders may not automatically be included in OneDrive, so select the folders you need and check any separate archive location.
Recovery depends on the service and the key arrangement. Backblaze says that if you enable its optional private encryption key and lose the passphrase, its staff cannot recover it for a restore; keep recovery information securely before enabling that option.