The right arrangement depends on whether your priority is a local copy, access across devices or a shared household library: removable drives, cloud storage and NAS serve different roles. For irreplaceable files, the UK National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping a separate backup; check permissions, capacity, compatibility and account recovery, and test that you can restore a file.
If family photos or important documents would be difficult to replace, plan a separate copy and a routine for checking that files can be restored. The UK National Cyber Security Centre recommends keeping important data in a separate location.
When several people need selected files, check how folders or libraries are shared and who can view, edit or delete them. Google One and Apple describe different sharing arrangements for their services.
Consider how much space your current collection and future files need, then compare removable storage, installed NAS drives and cloud allowances. Check the terms of the specific account or device before deciding how to maintain copies.
Choose when: you can regularly copy and check files and want a local copy that can be disconnected.
Trade-off: a removable drive does not automatically give several people access to one current library, and it should not be your only copy.
Choose when: several household devices need a managed shared location and someone can maintain the accounts, drives and backup routine.
Trade-off: a NAS needs compatible installed drives and setup; its shared location is not, by itself, an independent backup.
Choose when: access and invited sharing across supported devices matter most, and the service’s allowance and account arrangements fit your household.
Trade-off: check ongoing plan terms and permissions; sharing a storage allowance does not necessarily share each member’s files.
Choose when: you want cross-device access as well as a separately maintained copy of files that would be hard to replace.
Trade-off: you need to maintain both workflows, and a synchronised folder or permanently connected drive alone may not protect against deletion or account compromise.
For any route, start by deciding who needs access, which files should stay private and how you would restore a copy if the working device or account became unavailable.
| Concern | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recovering irreplaceable files | Identify the originals and separate copies; check backup scope, version recovery and how to test a restore. | If I could not replace family photos or important documents, I want a copy I can restore independently. Around 29% of consumers put recovering irreplaceable files first. |
| Sharing across devices | List the people and devices that need access; check folder permissions, supported apps and who can edit or delete. | If several people need selected files but not everything, I want to choose exactly what is shared. Around 23% of consumers prioritise shared access across household devices. |
| Capacity for a growing collection | Check the size of your current library and planned growth against drive capacity, NAS configuration or the account’s storage allowance. | If my photo and video collection is growing, I want enough room for the files and the copies I plan to keep. Around 18% of consumers put capacity first. |
| Restricted access | Decide who may view or edit each folder; check encryption settings, account recovery and the availability of any advertised cloud feature. | If some household documents or photos are sensitive, I want to control who can see or change them. Around 18% of consumers prioritise restricted access. |
| Ongoing cost and upkeep | Compare the complete drive-and-backup setup with current subscription, storage and renewal terms for the account you will use. | If I need an arrangement I can maintain over time, I want to understand both the equipment and recurring commitments. Around 12% of consumers put ongoing cost and upkeep first. |
Apple says iCloud Photos changes and deletions propagate across enabled devices. The UK National Cyber Security Centre also warns that connected backup drives and network storage can be affected by ransomware.
Keep a separately maintained copy of irreplaceable originals and test that you can restore files from it.
Google says family members can share a storage quota without seeing one another’s files unless access is granted. Apple’s shared-library features have their own permissions and allow participants to change or delete shared photos.
Set access for the specific folders or libraries you want to share, and keep sensitive files outside broadly editable spaces.
Synology’s DS223j installation guidance requires at least one compatible SATA drive. NAS-held files also need a separately planned backup destination.
Check drive compatibility and plan the NAS configuration and its independent copy together.
Microsoft’s family storage terms describe pooled storage for new subscriptions from October 2026, while existing subscribers should check their own account and renewal terms. Samsung’s quoted maximum T7 Shield speeds depend on the stated host, cable and UASP conditions.
Confirm the current terms for the account you will use, or the exact drive variant and connection, before relying on a headline figure.
Seagate Expansion Portable illustrates computer-connected removable storage for households prepared to update a separate copy.
The T7 Shield 1TB illustrates a portable SSD option for moving files or carrying a local copy.
The DS223j illustrates a home NAS route for shared storage and supported photo and computer-folder workflows.
The TS-233 illustrates a home NAS route for centrally storing and sharing household media.
Google One illustrates cloud capacity sharing for households using supported Google Photos, Drive and Gmail accounts.
iCloud+ and iCloud Photos illustrate cross-device photo access and an optional shared library for supported devices.
OneDrive illustrates cloud file sharing and version history for supported personal accounts.
These Joybuy product choices cover external drives and a household NAS for storing photos and files locally. They do not replace the need to plan a separate recoverable copy.
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A portable local-storage option if you want to keep a copy of household files and protect access to sensitive files.
4 TB capacity; USB Type-C; USB 3.2 Gen 2x2; password authentication and AES 256-bit hardware encryption.
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A high-capacity local drive option for a household storing a large collection of photos, videos and files.
22 TB capacity; USB connectivity; password protection and hardware encryption; described for PC and Mac use.
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A portable computer-based option for keeping a local copy of photos, videos and documents.
2 TB capacity; USB connectivity; password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption; scheduled backup software is described for this listing.
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A desktop-drive option for keeping a large household collection of photos, videos and documents locally.
20 TB capacity; USB connectivity; supplied with a USB-A cable and AC adapter.
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A NAS option if you want household media accessible across devices and can plan its installed storage and separate backup destination.
Two-bay diskless NAS; storage drives are not included. The listing describes media access and backup destinations including cloud services, external drives and remote NAS devices.
No, not for the Google One family-sharing arrangement described by Google: members share a storage quota, while access to files requires permission. Check the specific folder or library settings before inviting people.
Apple says deletion synchronises across devices with iCloud Photos enabled. Apple’s guidance allows recovery from Recently Deleted within 30 days unless an item is permanently deleted, so keep a separate copy of photographs you cannot replace.
Synology specifies at least one compatible 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA drive. Its installation instructions warn that installing a drive containing data will format it, so copy existing files elsewhere first; then plan an additional backup destination for NAS-held data.
No. For the Samsung T7 Shield 1TB variant, Samsung conditions its quoted maximum speeds on USB 3.2 Gen 2 support in both the host and cable, with UASP enabled. Actual results depend on the host configuration.
No, according to Apple’s UK support notice dated 23 September 2025: users in the UK who had not already enabled Advanced Data Protection cannot enable it. Check the protection available for your account before relying on this optional feature.