Families replacing a phone
Keep the old phone until you can open photos and videos from the intended backup account or drive on another device. Check that uploads have finished and that you can regain access to the account if needed.
Who needs which backup arrangement?
The right arrangement depends on whether you need to restore a phone, move a library between devices or protect files that have no other copy.
Households moving a library between devices
Account-based storage can make files available after sign-in. For a removable drive, check the ports, cable and file format against the phone and computer you intend to use; a connection that works with one device does not establish compatibility with the next.
Families with irreplaceable photos and videos
Extra capacity alone is not a recovery plan. Keep a separate copy and try opening files from it before treating the originals as safe to remove. The National Cyber Security Centre advises backing up data you would value or find inconvenient to lose.
What should you check before changing devices?
Start with how you would retrieve the photos if the old device stopped working. Then check whether the chosen account or drive has room for the library and works with the replacement device.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverable copies | Open files from the backup, not just the original device. For irreplaceable files, make a separate copy rather than relying on one drive or account. | I want to retrieve family photos if the old phone, computer or first backup becomes unavailable. |
| Automatic uploads | Enable camera backup while the old phone is available; check the account and upload status before resetting it. Google Photos supports automatic backup to a Google Account, according to Google Photos Help. | I would rather have photos copied as I take them than depend on one manual transfer during a phone change. |
| Storage allowance | Compare the whole library with the account’s available space. Apple Support states that iCloud starts with 5 GB; Google One Help says a Google Account’s up to 15 GB is shared across Drive, Gmail and Photos; Microsoft says its 5 GB cloud allowance is shared across OneDrive and other Microsoft services. | Photos and videos from several devices need enough room to finish uploading. If I use a subscription, I also want to understand its renewal terms. |
| Device compatibility | For a drive, check the old and new devices’ ports, cable support and file format before moving files. Samsung UK says the T7 Shield’s stated maximum transfer speeds require a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 host and cable, with UASP enabled. | I need to move a large library, but a drive is useful only if the devices I plan to connect can read it. |
| Account access | Confirm sign-in and recovery details before replacing the device. Apple Support describes recovery contacts for Apple Accounts; Google Account Help advises keeping recovery information up to date. | If my old phone or password is unavailable, I still need a way to reach the photos held in my cloud account. |
Backup mistakes to avoid
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Assuming storage space means a backup has finished
An account can have a backup setting enabled without every photo having uploaded. Apple Support says that when iCloud storage is full, new photos and videos stop uploading to iCloud Photos and the device will not back up to iCloud.
Before resetting the old device, check available space and open a selection of photos and videos from the destination account or drive.
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Keeping only one removable copy
If the drive holding the only copy is lost or damaged, those files may be lost with it.
Keep another copy of irreplaceable files, test that you can open it, and disconnect a removable backup drive when the copying session is over.
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Choosing an SSD by its headline speed alone
Samsung UK conditions the T7 Shield’s stated maximum speeds on compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2 host hardware and cable, with UASP enabled. The figure does not establish the transfer speed of an older or differently configured device.
Check the connections on both devices and the cable you will use. Confirm file-format compatibility before buying a drive for direct phone-to-drive transfers.
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Reformatting the only copy during a move
Seagate UK says its Backup Plus Portable may need reformatting for Mac Time Machine use. Reformatting a drive that holds the only family archive puts that archive at risk.
Copy and check the library elsewhere first, then confirm the target computer’s backup and file-format requirements before formatting.
Relevant brands and services
Cloud services address account-based access and automatic uploads; drive makers offer removable storage for a separate copy or a device-to-device move.
Apple
iCloud is worth considering for a household using iPhone, iPad or Mac that wants photos available through its Apple Account. Apple Support also describes access on a Windows PC through iCloud for Windows.
- Apple Support states that iCloud includes 5 GB of storage.
- Check available storage and account recovery before changing devices; Apple says full iCloud storage stops new photo uploads.
Google Photos offers automatic backup to a Google Account and access from signed-in devices, according to Google Photos Help.
- Google One Help states that a standard Google Account includes up to 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail and Google Photos.
- Google Photos Help lists iPhone and iPad backup limits of 200 MB or 200 MP per photo and 10 GB per video. Google One Help says a subscription renews automatically unless cancelled.
Microsoft
OneDrive may suit a household already using Microsoft accounts and wanting camera uploads alongside files accessible through that account.
- Microsoft describes Android and iOS camera upload as a backup rather than two-way photo synchronisation.
- Microsoft says its free 5 GB cloud allowance is shared across OneDrive files and photos, Outlook.com attachments and Microsoft 365 apps.
Samsung
The Samsung T7 Shield is an example of a portable SSD to assess for repeated transfers of a large photo or video library.
- Samsung UK states sequential speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write for its 2 TB T7 Shield, conditional on compatible host hardware, cable and UASP.
- Samsung UK says its T7 Shield IP65 and drop-resistance claims come from controlled tests; liquid, dust and drop damage are not covered under its stated warranty.
Seagate
A Seagate portable hard drive is a local-copy option to consider when the family library will usually be backed up from a computer rather than moved frequently between devices.
- Seagate UK says Backup Plus Portable may require reformatting for Mac Time Machine. Protect files already on the drive before changing its format.
Joybuy drives for a removable copy
These portable SSDs and a hard drive are options for carrying or keeping a separate local copy of family files. They do not replace the checks needed for cloud access, completed backups or direct compatibility with a particular phone.
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Samsung Portable SSD T7 4 TB Grey
A removable copy for a large photo and video library or repeated transfers. The product name specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2. Check the intended phone’s port and file-format compatibility before planning a direct transfer; keep another copy of irreplaceable files.
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Samsung Portable SSD T7 2 TB Blue
A portable option for making a separate copy while moving a family library. Its product name specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2. Confirm that the receiving device can use the drive and its file format; one drive alone is not a second backup.
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Samsung MU-PE1T0S 1 TB Black
A 1 TB removable option for transferring or retaining family files. The product name specifies USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2. Check the exact phone or computer connection and file-format requirements before moving the only existing copy.
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SanDisk Portable SSD 2 TB
A 2 TB portable SSD to consider for a removable photo and video copy. Before choosing it for a device change, confirm the connection, operating-system and file-format requirements of both devices. Retain another copy of files you cannot recreate.
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Western Digital My Passport 2 TB Black
A portable hard drive for keeping a local copy of a family library. If you plan to use it with a Mac or connect it directly to a phone, confirm the required file format, software and connection before transferring files. Keep another copy of irreplaceable photos.
Questions about moving your photos
Should I erase the old phone once the new one is set up?
Not until you have confirmed that the intended photos and videos have finished copying and can be opened from the destination account or drive. Check account access and recovery details before resetting or trading in the old phone.
Can Google Photos back up pictures from an iPhone?
Yes. Google Photos Help says that enabling backup can save iPhone and iPad photos and videos to a Google Account for access on signed-in devices. Its stated iOS limits are 200 MB or 200 MP per photo and 10 GB per video.
Can I open iCloud Photos on a Windows computer?
Yes, after setting up iCloud and iCloud for Windows. Apple Support says this provides access to photos and videos stored in iCloud on a PC; you will still need access to the Apple Account.
Will deleting a phone photo also delete its OneDrive backup?
Microsoft describes OneDrive camera upload on Android and iOS as one-way backup, not two-way photo synchronisation. Deleting a backed-up photo from the phone does not delete its OneDrive copy, but confirm the upload completed in the intended account before removing the phone’s version.
What should I do with a removable drive after copying photos?
Open a selection of files from the drive to check the copy, then eject it safely and disconnect it when it is not being used for backup. Keep another copy of photos you cannot recreate, rather than making that drive their only home.