Start with a local copy that has room for your photos and videos to grow, and keep a separate off-site copy if an incident affecting your home would otherwise put the library at risk. A portable drive suits a copy you need to carry, a desktop drive suits a fixed setup where capacity matters, and NAS suits shared household access—but a NAS still needs its own backup. Check how you would restore files before relying on any drive or cloud service.
The useful distinction is whether you need a fixed local copy, access across devices, or a copy kept away from home.
If photos and videos are spread across phones and computers, measure the whole library before choosing local storage. A drive can hold a separate copy; an additional off-site destination protects against an incident affecting both the everyday device and storage kept at home.
If a photo service is where you normally view your library, check its quality settings, storage allowance and deletion behaviour. Apple says iCloud Photos reflects deletions across devices and advises keeping backup copies; a synchronised view is not a substitute for a separately recoverable copy.
A NAS can provide a shared location for household files and, on supported models, mobile uploads. Synology describes automatic phone uploads for its DS223j, but also warns that RAID and drive failures can cause data loss. Plan another backup destination for the NAS.
Choose the destination for the way you will use the library, then check whether it can hold a separate copy that you can actually restore.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverable copies | Identify which device holds each copy, whether any copy is off-site, and how to restore files to another device. Check whether the backup retains earlier versions if accidental deletion is a concern. | I want to retrieve photos even if my everyday device fails or an unwanted change reaches the main library. |
| Capacity | Measure the entire library, including videos outside the photo app. Allow for new files and any backup history; check the capacity of the exact drive or cloud account. | My library is still growing, so a destination that only fits today’s files will not serve the next full copy. |
| Portable or desktop drive | Decide whether you will carry the copy or leave it connected in one place. Compare the stated capacity and connections of exact models; a desktop drive may also need mains power. | I need a drive I can take elsewhere, or I would rather keep a larger local copy in a fixed home setup. |
| Shared access | If considering NAS, check device and phone-app access, setup responsibilities and the destination for its separate backup. Synology warns that RAID does not remove the risk of data loss. | Several people or devices need the same library, but I do not want the NAS to be its only home. |
| Device compatibility | Check the drive’s file system, connections and backup app before transferring the library. Apple specifies APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for an external Mac Photos library; Microsoft says Windows File History can use an external drive or network location. | I need the copy to work with the computer and photo application I will use to make and restore it. |
| Cloud behaviour | Check whether the service syncs changes, what quality it stores and whether the account has room. Google says Storage saver can resize photos above 16 MP and videos above 1080p; Google account storage is shared across its services. | If I use cloud storage for an off-site copy, I want to know whether I can recover the original files after a deletion or device loss. |
Apple says edits and deletions in iCloud Photos are reflected across devices, and photos in iCloud Photos are not duplicated in iCloud Backup. An unwanted deletion can therefore affect the synchronised library.
Keep another copy that is not simply another view of the same sync service, and try retrieving files from it.
Synology warns that RAID crashes and drive failures can still cause data loss. Drives in the same NAS also remain at the same location.
Set up a backup to a distinct destination and check that its schedule and restore method work.
A distinct copy needs its own storage destination and enough capacity for the files you intend to protect.
A drive may have enough space yet be unsuitable for the intended photo-library setup. Apple specifies particular formats for an external Mac Photos library, while Google documents limits on files uploaded from a computer.
Confirm the format and app requirements, then copy and retrieve representative photos and large videos before relying on the destination.
Google says its Storage saver setting can resize photos above 16 MP and videos above 1080p. Google account storage is also shared across its services.
If recovering originals matters, check the selected upload quality and available account storage before making cloud storage part of the plan.
These brands illustrate different parts of the backup decision; a brand’s documentation does not establish that a particular model or service suits every household.
Its UK materials cover portable and desktop external-drive routes for a local copy.
Its NAS documentation is relevant when a household wants shared access and supported mobile-upload workflows.
Apple’s guidance matters when the library is managed in Mac Photos or iCloud Photos.
Google Photos is a cloud route to assess alongside a separate local copy.
These drives are options for making a local copy. Compare their stated capacity with your whole library, and arrange a separate off-site copy if you need protection from an incident affecting storage at home.
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For a local copy, check the 1TB stated capacity against your complete library before choosing it; it would not hold a 1–1.5TB library in full. The product name specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2). Confirm the file system required by your backup application.
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A desktop option for a local library that will stay in one place. Its product name specifies 12TB and USB 3.2 Gen 1; check the available connection, power requirements and file system for the computer that will make the backup. Keep a separate copy elsewhere if you need off-site recovery.
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A portable local-copy option when you expect to move the drive between compatible devices. The product name specifies 2 TB and USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2). For a library already around 1–1.5 TB, compare the remaining room with expected growth and check the intended device’s file-system requirements.
Choose capacity above the measured size of all the files you intend to copy, rather than matching current use exactly. Include videos outside the photo app and allow room for new files and any backup history; compare those needs with the capacity of the exact drive.
Not without checking its setup. Apple specifies APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for an external drive holding a Mac Photos library and says not to use a device that is also used for Time Machine backups.
Yes. Microsoft says File History can make regular backups of monitored files and folders to an external drive or network location. Check that the folders containing your complete photo and video library are included, then try restoring files.
Do not assume either service meets every recovery need. Apple says iCloud Photos syncs deletions across devices and advises keeping backup copies. If using Google Photos as an off-site route, check upload limits, account storage and whether the selected quality setting preserves the files you intend to recover.
No. Synology warns that RAID crashes and drive failures can still cause data loss and recommends backing up to a different destination. Use a NAS for shared access if that meets your needs, but keep a distinct copy and test how to restore it.