Families protecting important photos
If family photos matter, plan for a copy that is separate from the device or account holding the originals. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping backups in a separate safe location.
Who this guide is for
Households using different devices
When phones and computers use different accounts, check which folders and devices a backup can actually collect from and restore. Services from Apple, Google and Microsoft have different account and access arrangements.
Households balancing capacity and ongoing commitment
Compare the space available for photos, videos and documents with the way capacity is provided: local storage or an account allowance shared with other files and services.
What to prioritise when choosing a backup
Decide what must be recoverable, list every device and account holding files, then compare how each option stores and restores a separate copy.
| Concern | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverable copies | Check where each copy is stored and test opening or restoring representative files. | If a device or incident at home could put irreplaceable photos at risk, I want a separate copy I can restore; consumers who prioritise recoverability make up around 36%. |
| Device and account coverage | List devices, accounts and file locations; check app compatibility, upload settings and included folders. | When files are spread across phones, computers and accounts, I need to know each source is included; consumers who put cross-device access first make up around 29%. |
| Capacity and continuing commitment | Measure the library and likely growth; compare usable capacity and the current UK renewal terms. | If videos and documents share space with photos, I want enough room without losing sight of continuing commitments; consumers who prioritise capacity and ongoing cost make up around 21%. |
| Shared-library administration | For a NAS, check supported devices and software, user permissions, and where its separate backup will be kept. | When several devices need a household-controlled library, I want to know who will maintain it and its backup; consumers who put shared-storage control first make up around 14%. |
Backup pitfalls to avoid
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Treating synchronisation as an independent backup
A change or deletion in a synced library can appear across devices, so synchronised copies may not give you a separate version to recover.
Keep another recoverable copy and check it before removing files you want to keep.
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Assuming photo storage also covers videos
Storage allowances can differ by file type. Amazon Photos' UK information, for example, distinguishes photo storage from its video allowance for Prime members.
Measure videos and documents separately before comparing a plan with your library.
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Assuming a NAS completes the backup by itself
A household NAS can centralise files, but it remains a storage destination that can be affected by failure or an incident where it is kept. Synology recommends backing it up to a different destination.
Plan the separate copy and how you will maintain it before choosing a NAS.
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Choosing an SSD for speed without checking the connection
Samsung's stated maximum T7 Shield speeds depend on the host, cable and UASP support.
Check your computer's port and cable before treating the stated maximum speed as a deciding factor.
Relevant brands to consider
Apple
iCloud+ is a cloud option for households using iCloud Photos and Apple devices.
- Apple lists a free 5 GB allowance and paid plans with larger storage tiers. Apple Support UK says a plan can be upgraded from an iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC.
- Apple says deleting a photo in iCloud Photos on one signed-in device deletes it on the others. Keep an independent copy of files you want to recover.
Google One adds account storage for households using Google Photos, Drive and Gmail.
- Google One UK says a Google Account includes 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail and Photos; paid-plan storage can be shared with up to five other people.
- Because these services share account storage, check the total space available for your photos, videos and other files.
Microsoft
OneDrive through Microsoft 365 is a cloud option for households already using Microsoft productivity apps.
- Microsoft UK's plan comparison lists Personal with 1 TB for one person and Family with 2 TB of shared storage for one to six people.
- The Family allowance is shared, not 2 TB per person. Check the displayed plan and renewal terms before choosing.
Western Digital
The My Passport portable HDD is one option for a computer-based local-copy routine.
- Western Digital identifies a 2 TB black My Passport variant with a USB-A cable and USB 3.2 Gen 1.
- A portable drive is one local copy. Keep another copy separately and check compatibility with the computer you plan to use.
Samsung
The T7 Shield portable SSD is relevant to households that frequently transfer files or carry a local copy.
- Samsung UK lists maximum sequential speeds of 1,050/1,000 MB/s for the 2 TB T7 Shield under specified host, cable and UASP conditions.
- Those maximum speeds depend on the setup, and an SSD still needs a separate backup elsewhere.
Synology
The DS223j is a two-bay NAS option for households prepared to manage central files and photo software.
- Synology describes photo organisation and copies from mobile devices for the DS223j.
- Synology recommends backing up a NAS to a different destination; local storage arrangements alone do not remove every data-loss risk.
Joybuy product choices
These Joybuy listings cover external drives and SSDs for keeping a local copy of personal files. A single drive is not a complete backup by itself, so keep a separate copy elsewhere.
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Samsung Portable SSD T7 2 TB, Grey
A portable local copy for a personal file library, provided you keep another copy separately.
2 TB capacity; USB Type-C; USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2).
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Samsung MU-PE1T0S 1 TB, Black
A portable SSD option for keeping a local copy of a smaller file collection; retain a separate backup as well.
1 TB capacity; USB Type-C; USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2).
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Western Digital My Book 22 TB External Desktop Hard Drive
A desktop drive for a larger local archive; it remains one copy, so plan another destination for important files.
22 TB capacity; USB 3.0; password protection and hardware encryption; listed as compatible with PC and Mac.
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WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive 2 TB, Black
A portable local storage option for photos, videos and documents, with a separate copy still needed for backup.
2 TB capacity; USB 3.0; formatted for PC and Mac.
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SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2 TB
A portable local storage option for a PC or PlayStation 5 console; keep a separate copy of important files.
2 TB capacity; the listing states use with PlayStation 5 and PC.
Family photo backup FAQs
If my photos appear on my phone and in iCloud, can I delete them from my phone?
Not if you are relying on iCloud Photos as an independent copy. Apple says that deleting a photo on one device also deletes it from other devices signed in to the same account, so make and check a separate copy before deleting files you want to keep.
How should I maintain an external-drive or NAS backup?
Check that the intended folders are included, make regular copies and test that representative files can be restored. Keep a removable drive separately when it is not in use; if you use a NAS, arrange a backup at a different destination.
Does a two-drive NAS mean I no longer need another backup?
No. Synology says drive or RAID failures can still cause data loss and recommends backing up the NAS to a different destination.
What should I compare between cloud-storage plans?
Compare the current UK plan terms with the space available for all your file types and the people who need access. Check whether photos, videos and documents share an allowance, how renewal works, and what happens to access if the plan ends.
Should I combine local and cloud storage for family photos?
A local copy plus a separately protected off-site copy can suit households that want files to remain recoverable after a device problem or an incident at home. Check that both copies include the intended files and that you can restore them; this approach also means maintaining more than one destination.