Family-photo archivists
If your collection is outgrowing a phone or laptop, focus on capacity and a routine that leaves you with a separate, recoverable copy. The National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping backups in a separate safe location.
Who needs which approach?
Cross-device cloud users
If you want to reach photos from several devices, a cloud service may suit you, provided you can maintain the subscription and access to its account. Check how much of your storage allowance photos share with other files.
Frequent large-file movers
If you often copy large photo or video folders or carry your library, consider a portable SSD. Check the connection on the device you will actually use: a drive’s rated speed alone does not determine transfer speed.
What matters when choosing?
Decide first whether your priority is a recoverable second copy, more local capacity, frequent transfers or access across devices. Whichever route you take, check that the files can still be opened from a copy separate from the original device.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Independent recovery | Where each copy is kept, whether a local copy can be disconnected, and how you would regain cloud-account access. | If a phone, drive or account becomes unavailable, I need another way to retrieve photos I cannot replace. Around 31% of consumers would put independent recovery first. |
| Local capacity | Space for the present library and future files, plus the drive’s connector and device compatibility. | My growing archive needs room beyond the laptop, and I am willing to maintain a local backup routine. For around 25% of consumers, capacity would be the primary concern. |
| Portable transfers | The SSD’s stated transfer specification and the USB capability of the device and cable used with it. | When I regularly move large folders, waiting for each copy is the inconvenience I want to address. Portable transfer speed would come first for around 19% of consumers. |
| Cross-device access | The cloud allowance, renewal and downgrade terms, and available account-recovery methods. | I want my photos available after changing or losing a device, without remembering to connect a drive each time. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise access across devices. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Moving photos once and calling it a backup
If the external drive becomes the only remaining copy, losing that drive could mean losing the photos too.
Check that copied files open before removing originals, then maintain another independent copy of files you cannot replace.
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Choosing an SSD by its maximum speed alone
Samsung says the T7 Shield’s stated maximum sequential speeds require a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 host and cable with UASP enabled. A different connection may limit the benefit.
Check the ports and cables on the phone or computer you will use, and whether frequent transfers are part of your routine.
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Reducing cloud storage while the library exceeds the new allowance
Depending on the service, exceeding a reduced allowance can interrupt uploads or syncing. Microsoft says an over-limit OneDrive account can also lose the ability to edit files.
Compare your stored content with the new allowance, move or download excess files, and check when the plan change takes effect.
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Keeping cloud recovery details only on the phone
Losing the phone may also make it harder to sign in to the account holding the photos.
Set up the recovery methods your provider offers in advance. Google provides backup codes for two-step verification; keep any codes somewhere safe away from the phone.
Brands and services to consider
Seagate
Its One Touch range is relevant to computer-based local photo archives.
- Seagate describes HDD, SSD and desktop-hub variants, with USB 3.0 connectivity and backup tools in the One Touch line.
- Check the exact model’s capacity, supplied connection and software compatibility before relying on scheduled backups.
Samsung
Its T7 Shield is relevant when frequent transfers and carrying a portable SSD matter.
- Samsung states sequential speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write for the T7 Shield.
- Samsung says maximum speed needs a compatible host, cable and UASP; its resistance claims are model-specific and do not replace another backup copy.
Apple iCloud+
A cloud option for photos, files and backups across Apple devices.
- Apple says iCloud+ adds storage beyond its 5 GB free allowance.
- Apple advises downloading or removing content above the new allowance before downgrading or cancelling; the change takes effect after the current billing period.
Google One
A cloud option for people using Google Photos, Drive and Gmail across devices.
- Google says stored Photos, Drive and Gmail content is retained for at least two years if the Google One service is deleted.
- Google says information may be processed outside the user’s country. Review its current privacy information if data location matters to you.
Microsoft OneDrive / Microsoft 365 Basic
A cloud option for an individual using OneDrive with Microsoft account services.
- Microsoft lists 100 GB of cloud storage for one person with Microsoft 365 Basic.
- Microsoft says cancellation reduces the allowance to 5 GB shared with Outlook.com attachments; while over that allowance, new uploads, edits and syncing can stop.
External drives on Joybuy
These portable HDD and SSD choices are for keeping a local photo and file copy. If you also choose cloud storage, decide how you will maintain and check both copies; an external drive alone does not provide access through a cloud account.
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Western Digital My Passport Ultra 5 TB portable hard drive, blue
Consider this HDD if your main task is keeping a large local photo archive and you can maintain a regular copying routine.
Capacity: 5 TB. Check the connection and whether your computer can use the backup software you intend to rely on; the product information says macOS use requires reformatting.
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Samsung Portable SSD T7 4 TB, grey
Consider this portable SSD if you want local space and regularly move large photo or video folders.
Capacity: 4 TB. The title specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; check the device port and cable you will use rather than assuming every connection offers the same transfer speed.
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Samsung Portable SSD T7 2 TB, grey
Consider this SSD for a portable local photo copy if 2 TB accommodates your library and expected growth.
Capacity: 2 TB. The title specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; check your device’s connection before choosing it for frequent transfers. Keep another copy if these files cannot be replaced.
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Lexar ES4 2 TB portable SSD with magnetic set
Consider this SSD if you want local storage that can attach to a compatible iPhone 15 or 16 while transferring files.
Capacity: 2 TB; USB 3.2 Gen 2. The title states up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write, not a guaranteed speed for every device. Check the magnetic attachment conditions and file format before use; the product information says the attachment does not support iPhone 14 or earlier.
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Samsung T7 Shield 1 TB portable SSD, blue
Consider this portable SSD if 1 TB is enough for the files you need to carry and copy locally.
Capacity: 1 TB; USB 3.2 Gen 2. Samsung’s resistance claims for the T7 Shield are model-specific: do not treat them as protection against losing the only copy, or as permission to submerge the drive.
Frequently asked questions
Is cloud storage enough to back up my photos?
Cloud storage can hold a copy away from your phone or computer, but it should not automatically be your only protected copy. The National Cyber Security Centre warns that incidents have affected connected local and cloud backup locations; for irreplaceable photos, maintain independent copies and consider disconnecting a local drive when it is not being updated.
Can I connect an external drive directly to an iPhone?
Some iPhones can use external storage if the connector, power arrangement and drive format are suitable. Apple says iPhone 15 and later models have USB-C and lists supported external-storage formats including APFS, exFAT and FAT32; it also specifies a single data partition. Check the requirements for your exact iPhone and drive before buying an adapter.
What should I do before downgrading cloud storage?
Compare the new allowance with what you currently store, then download or move content that exceeds it. Apple advises doing this before an iCloud+ downgrade or cancellation. Microsoft says OneDrive uploads, edits and syncing can stop while an account remains above its reduced allowance, so check the terms of the service you use.
How can I regain access to cloud photos if I lose my phone?
Set up the account-recovery methods offered by your provider before losing access to the phone. Google offers recovery information and one-use backup codes for two-step verification; keep any codes safely somewhere other than the phone.