Choose a backup by how you would recover your photos, not just by where you would store them: an external drive provides a separate local copy, while an independent cloud service provides an off-site copy. Using both addresses different account, device and location risks, but only if you can retrieve the original files, have enough capacity for photos and videos, and check that a copy opens.
The right arrangement depends on where the originals are now and what would still be accessible if a device, account or location became unavailable.
If phones, computers and a cloud-photo account all hold parts of the collection, bring the full-resolution photos and videos together before sizing another copy. A phone using optimised storage may not show the space the originals require.
If your collection is in Google Photos, iCloud Photos or Amazon Photos, check how you would retrieve it in a usable form. Each service has its own download process; access to an account alone is not a restore test.
If losing a device or access to the home could also mean losing the photos, consider copies in different locations. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises considering both online storage and a storage device, in case one copy is lost, stolen or fails.
Start by retrieving a sample of original files, then measure the whole photo-and-video collection. That makes it easier to choose between a local drive, an independent cloud copy or both without mistaking synchronisation for a recoverable backup.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Getting the originals | Test the service’s download or export route with photos and videos. Check whether files open, retain the resolution you need and include recent additions. Google says a Takeout archive may omit changes made between the request and its creation; Apple documents a whole-library, full-resolution download to a Mac; Amazon’s browser instructions describe selecting items rather than downloading an entire album as an album. | I need a practical way to retrieve thousands of family files, not just view them in an account. If the collection is in Amazon Photos, I would test a representative download before relying on it as my only copy. |
| Capacity | Measure the full-resolution photos and videos you intend to copy. Allow for additions based on your own library’s growth, and compare that requirement with the capacity available on the destination and any computer used during export. | Our videos and original photos need to fit now, with room for future additions. The space shown on a phone using optimised storage might not represent the whole collection. |
| Local storage | Check the drive’s stated capacity, connector and compatibility with the computers used for backup and restore. For a speed-sensitive SSD purchase, check the computer and cable too: Samsung says its cited T7 maximum speeds require USB 3.2 Gen 2 and UASP support. | I want a separate copy I can access locally. If I move the drive between devices or transfer large batches often, I also need to check that it works with each device and my backup routine. |
| Copy resilience | Decide what would remain after an account problem, device failure or incident at home. The National Cyber Security Centre advises considering online and storage-device backups; it warns that ransomware can also affect a USB drive left connected to a computer. | One lost device or inaccessible account should not leave us without the photos. I can keep an independent off-site copy and disconnect a local drive when backup work is finished. |
| Access and privacy | Check cloud sharing and account protection, and whether deleted or changed files can be recovered. For removable media, consider how it will be secured if lost; the Information Commissioner’s Office identifies encryption as protection for information on backup media. | I want relatives who need access to have it without making the collection broadly shareable. I also need to know who can restore the copies if the usual account or device is unavailable. |
Access across devices does not, by itself, establish that an earlier version can be recovered after deletion or an account problem. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends considering both online storage and a storage device for added resilience.
Keep a copy independent of the main library and open a sample of original photos and videos from it. For a cloud backup, check its deletion and version-recovery options.
The National Cyber Security Centre warns that ransomware has affected connected USB and network backup drives as well as the original files.
Connect the drive for backup or restore work, then disconnect it and store it securely. Maintain another usable copy if a problem at home could affect the drive too.
Videos and full-resolution originals affect the storage required; an optimised copy on a device may not reflect the size of the original library.
Measure the files you will actually back up, include videos and allow space for growth before choosing a drive or cloud-storage allowance.
Samsung says the cited T7 maximum read and write speeds require a USB 3.2 Gen 2 host and cable with UASP enabled. A different connection may not meet those conditions.
Check the drive interface against your computer, cable and file-transfer workflow; check file-system compatibility if the copy will move between devices.
These references help with export and drive checks; mentioning a service or product line here does not mean it appears in the Joybuy drive selection below.
Google Takeout can create an archive of selected Google-account data, including Google Photos data, for download or supported delivery methods.
Apple documents a route for downloading an entire iCloud Photos library in full resolution to a Mac using Download Originals to this Mac.
Amazon Photos stores consumer photo and video collections. Amazon’s UK service page states that Prime members receive unlimited full-resolution photo storage and 5 GB for video.
Samsung’s portable T7 and T7 Shield SSD ranges are local-storage options for copying and checking a photo library.
These Joybuy SSDs and hard drives are options for storing a local copy after you have retrieved the photos and videos. Measure the originals and check device compatibility before choosing a capacity; none of these drives replaces an independent off-site copy.
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A portable local destination for a downloaded photo-and-video library, provided the measured originals and expected growth fit. The stated connection is USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; check your computer and cable before planning frequent large transfers, and disconnect the drive when it is not in use.
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This portable SSD is a local-copy option if 1 TB leaves enough room for the full-resolution library and growth. Its stated interface is USB 3.2 Gen 2. Samsung describes resistance features for the T7 Shield, but says real-world resistance varies; keep the drive secure and maintain another copy.
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A portable SSD to consider for a local copy when the exact variant’s capacity meets your measured requirement. The product name specifies USB 3.2 Gen 2x2; check that your computer supports the intended connection, and confirm the capacity of the variant before ordering.
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This external hard drive offers a local destination if 2 TB covers your original photos, videos and planned additions. If you will use it with a Mac, check the required driver and file-system setup for your devices; disconnect the drive after backup work.
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This 5 TB local-storage option still needs to be checked against the measured library and its expected growth. Confirm the USB Type-C connection and file-system setup for your devices, particularly if you intend to use it with macOS; keep a separate usable copy elsewhere.
Google Takeout lets you select Google Photos data and create an archive for download or another supported delivery method. Google says changes made between the request and archive creation may not be included, so check the downloaded files and arrange to copy later additions.
Apple says Download Originals to this Mac downloads the entire iCloud Photos library in full resolution. Make sure the Mac has enough available space, let the download complete and open sample photos and videos before copying the library to another destination.
Amazon’s UK browser instructions describe downloading selected photos or videos and say entire albums cannot be downloaded as albums; those instructions do not establish a one-step whole-library export. Test retrieval of a representative selection, including videos, before relying on the account as your only copy.
Size it from your own full-resolution photos and videos, then allow room for additions based on how quickly that collection has grown. Do not use photo count or a phone’s optimised-storage figure as a substitute for measuring the files you intend to back up.
An independent cloud account can provide an off-site copy, but check that you can restore files after deletion and that account access and sharing settings suit your family. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises considering both online storage and a storage device for added resilience; whichever arrangement you choose, test that original files can be opened from the backup.