Choose a portable hard disk drive (HDD) for a mostly home-based collection, a solid-state drive (SSD) for frequent large transfers, or a desktop drive when a large archive usually stays in one place. Keep a separate off-site copy alongside local storage, whether on another drive or through a cloud service. Check device and file-format compatibility, disconnect local backup media between updates, and test that you can restore your files.
If years of photos and videos would be difficult to replace, plan both a local copy and a separate way to recover them if a device, drive or account becomes unavailable. The National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping important backups in a separate, safe location.
If your collection is expanding and transfers are infrequent, an HDD may suit a substantial local copy. Which? distinguishes HDDs used for long-term file backup from usually faster SSDs; either still needs another recovery route.
If you move files between Windows PCs, Macs and mobile devices, or carry a copy away from home, check the file format, connectors and handling requirements before choosing a drive. A format suitable for shared files may not suit an external Mac Photos library.
Decide how you would recover files after losing the original device, then choose local capacity and a drive type around your library and transfer routine. Check the devices and photo-library software involved before committing to a file format.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverable copies | Identify the original, local and off-site locations; test a restore of representative files. | If losing a computer or drive could take my family photos with it, I need a copy I can actually restore from. Around 36% of consumers put recovery resilience first. |
| Capacity | Measure the current library and allow room for growth; decide where the additional recovery copy will live. | As my video collection grows, I want enough space for future copies without making transfer speed my main priority. Capacity comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Device compatibility | Check which devices must read and write files, and whether the drive will hold shared files or a Mac Photos library. | I move photos between Windows and Mac, so the drive must fit the way I manage those files. Around 21% of consumers place compatibility and workflow first. |
| Portable transfers | Check the computer port and cable needed for an SSD, and whether you will regularly carry the drive. | When I repeatedly move large video batches or take a copy elsewhere, transfer time and portability matter most. Around 14% of consumers prioritise that combination. |
A drive can fail, be lost or be damaged along with the original files. Capacity alone does not show that a usable recovery copy exists.
Map out the original, local and off-site copies, then restore a sample folder of photos and videos to check the process.
The National Cyber Security Centre warns that connected backup media can also be affected by an incident on the computer.
Connect the drive for backup sessions, safely eject it afterwards and store it securely between updates.
Toshiba says its Windows-ready Canvio Basics drive requires reformatting for macOS. Apple specifies APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for an external Mac Photos library, which is a different use from exchanging ordinary files between computers.
Decide what the drive will hold before formatting it, and secure another copy of existing files before any reformat.
Samsung’s stated protection for the T7 Shield has test conditions; the brand says liquid, dust and drop damage are not covered under its warranty.
Choose physical protection for the way you handle a drive, but keep a separate copy and test restoration.
The My Passport Ultra portable HDD line is relevant to households seeking a movable local copy and USB-C connectivity.
The Canvio Basics portable HDD line suits straightforward file copying from a Windows computer.
The T7 Shield portable SSD line is relevant when large transfers and carrying the drive are priorities.
Expansion Portable is a USB-powered HDD line for add-on computer storage and local backup.
These portable SSDs, portable HDDs and a desktop drive can hold local photo and video copies. Choose according to the collection’s size and how often you move files, then arrange a separate off-site recovery copy.
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A portable SSD option if you regularly move photo and video copies. Its stated capacity is 4 TB, with USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity.
Check your intended file format before using it for an external Mac Photos library, and keep another recovery copy.
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A portable SSD option for a large local copy and repeated file transfers. Its stated capacity is 4 TB, with USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connectivity.
Check that your computer has the connection you intend to use and that the file format suits your photo workflow; maintain another recovery copy.
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A portable HDD option for a growing home photo and video collection when frequent fast transfers are not the priority. Its stated capacity is 4 TB.
Check the setup required for your computer before copying files, and keep an off-site recovery copy.
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A desktop HDD option for a large archive that normally stays in one place. Its stated capacity is 18 TB, with USB 3.0 connectivity.
Plan where a separate off-site copy will live and check the required setup before using it with a Mac.
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A portable HDD option for keeping a local copy of a substantial photo and video collection. Its stated capacity is 4 TB, with USB 3.0 connectivity.
Confirm the format needed for your devices before use, and maintain another copy elsewhere.
One external drive provides a useful separate copy, but it should not be your only recovery route. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends keeping important backup data in a separate safe location and disconnecting removable backup media when it is not in use; test that you can restore files from your copies.
Choose an HDD if storing a substantial, mostly home-based collection matters more than frequent fast transfers; consider an SSD if you regularly move large video files or carry the drive. Which? describes HDDs as suited to long-term file backup and SSDs as usually faster. Neither drive type replaces a separate off-site copy.
One drive can hold ordinary files shared between Windows and Mac when it uses a suitable format: Apple lists ExFAT for Windows-compatible volumes over 32 GB. An external Mac Photos library has different format requirements, and a drive supplied in NTFS format may need reformatting for macOS. Secure another copy before changing a drive’s format.
Apple says not to store an external Photos library on a storage device used for Time Machine backups. Plan separate storage for those roles, and use APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for the external Photos library.
For faulty goods in the UK, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 includes a right to insist on repair or replacement, with the trader bearing the relevant repair or replacement costs, as explained by legislation.gov.uk. Keep your order record and model details when contacting the seller; a manufacturer warranty is separate from statutory rights.