For hard-to-replace home photos and files, use a local drive alongside an off-site cloud copy if you can keep both updated; the National Cyber Security Centre advises considering online storage alongside a storage device in its guidance for small organisations. A drive alone needs regular copying and safe storage, while cloud storage depends on your connection, account, available space and the provider’s deletion and restore rules.
If photos and videos would be difficult to replace, a copy away from the original device matters as much as one you can readily restore. The National Cyber Security Centre describes a backup as a copy kept in a separate safe location.
People who rely on automatic copying and access across devices should check which folders a service covers, as well as its version and deletion rules. Apple, Microsoft and Google describe different behaviours for their respective services.
People who move files between computers or update a drive frequently need to check capacity, ports and cables before choosing a portable drive. Samsung’s stated maximum speeds for the T7, for example, depend on a compatible connection.
Decide where a separate copy will live, then choose a capacity and copying routine you can maintain. A second local drive stored elsewhere is another option if you prefer not to use cloud storage, but it needs its own rotation routine.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Separate copies | Where each copy will be kept; whether you can restore a test file. | If losing a computer or access to one account could take my family photos with it, I want copies in separate locations. Around 36% of consumers would put that resilience first. |
| Growing libraries | Current file size and room for growth; any storage shared with other cloud services. | A growing photo and video archive makes me prioritise space I can keep using without relying on a storage plan. Around 29% of consumers would make local capacity their primary concern. |
| Portable local copies | Drive capacity and compatibility with the computer’s ports and cables. | When I carry a copy between devices or update large files often, a convenient connection matters to me. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise a portable local copy. |
| Automatic cloud copying | Included folders, available account storage and version or deletion recovery. | I may forget to connect a drive, so I would rather have files copied automatically and know how to recover an older version. Around 14% of consumers would put cloud automation first. |
Apple says iCloud Photos synchronises deletions across devices and that uploaded photos are not duplicated in iCloud Backup. A synchronised library should therefore not be your only copy of photos you cannot replace.
Keep an additional copy outside that library and try restoring a file from it.
The National Cyber Security Centre warns that viruses can affect storage devices connected to an infected computer. One connected drive also leaves you dependent on that device and its location.
Disconnect the drive when it is not backing up, store it securely and consider another copy kept separately.
Google says its personal-account storage is shared across Drive, Gmail, WhatsApp backups and Google Photos; a full account can stop new uploads and photo or video backups.
Check total account use and allow room for future files before relying on automatic copying.
Samsung says the stated maximum speeds for its T7 require a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 host and cable with UASP enabled. A performance claim for one model does not describe every portable SSD or computer connection.
Match the exact drive and supplied cable to your computer’s ports, and keep another backup copy regardless of a drive’s durability claims.
Samsung’s portable T7 range is relevant to people considering a local SSD for copies they carry or update frequently.
OneDrive is a cloud option for households that want files available across devices and prefer automatic copying to connecting a drive manually.
iCloud Photos suits Apple households that want a photo library synchronised across their devices.
Google’s cloud storage is relevant to households already using Drive and Google Photos across devices.
These portable hard drives and SSDs are options for keeping a local copy of home files and photos. Choose enough capacity for the files you intend to protect, and arrange a separate copy if losing the drive or its location would put those files at risk.
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Consider this portable hard drive for a local copy of photos and documents. Its stated capacity is 2TB; check your library size and how much it may grow before choosing it.
Keep another copy separately if losing this drive would otherwise mean losing the files.
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Consider this Mac-focused portable hard drive for a larger local photo or video archive. It has a stated capacity of 5TB; check the space you need and confirm compatibility before using it with another operating system.
Confirm the applicable warranty terms before purchase, and keep a separate copy of files you cannot replace.
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Consider this portable SSD if you regularly carry a local copy or update large files. It has a stated capacity of 1 TB; check that this covers your backup set and that your computer and cable support the connection you intend to use.
It is still a single local copy unless you keep the files elsewhere too.
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Consider this 2TB portable SSD for a local copy that you need to carry between locations. Check its connection and supplied cable against your devices, and confirm how you will make and maintain the backup.
Store another copy separately if the files would be difficult to replace.
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Consider this portable hard drive for a larger local collection of files and photos. Its stated capacity is 4TB; measure the files you plan to protect and check compatibility with each computer you intend to use.
Plan a separate copy rather than relying on this drive as the only backup.
Not if you need a copy independent of the synchronised library. Apple says iCloud Photos reflects deletions across devices, allows recovery of accidentally deleted items for 30 days and does not duplicate uploaded photos in iCloud Backup; keep another copy if losing the library would be unacceptable.
Choose capacity based on the files you intend to protect, with room for growth and any backup versions you plan to retain. For a cloud plan, count other services using the same allowance: Google says its personal-account storage is shared across Drive, Gmail, WhatsApp backups and Google Photos.
Check the provider’s version-retention period and try restoring a non-critical file. Microsoft says OneDrive version history applies to stored files, including photos and videos, and retains versions for 30 days; do not assume another service follows the same rules.
No: a manufacturer warranty is not your only potential remedy for a faulty drive. GOV.UK says a seller must repair or replace an item returned within six months unless it proves the item was not faulty when bought; keep your order details and check how to contact the seller.