How to Back Up Your Photos So You Never Lose Them

Of all the things on your phone or computer, your photos are usually the hardest to replace. A lost phone, a dropped laptop, or a device that simply stops working can take years of memories with it — and unlike most things, photos can't be re-bought.

The reassuring news is that "backing up" your photos is far easier than it sounds, and once it's set up it mostly looks after itself. Here's how it works, without the jargon.

What "backing up" actually means

A backup is simply a second copy of your photos kept somewhere safe, so that if one device is lost or breaks, the photos still exist somewhere else. The golden rule the professionals use is easy to remember: keep your photos in more than one place. One copy on your phone is one accident away from being gone.

There are two common places to keep that second copy:

• The cloud — your photos are copied automatically over the internet to a secure online account (like Google Photos, Apple iCloud, or Microsoft OneDrive). You can then see them from any device.
• An external drive — a small device you plug into your computer to hold a copy of your files.

The cloud is the easiest for most people because, once it's switched on, it happens automatically.

Backing up the photos on your phone

Most phones can back up your photos automatically — you usually just need to switch it on:

1. Open your phone's photo settings. On an iPhone this is under Settings then your name then iCloud then Photos. On an Android phone it's usually in the Google Photos app under your profile picture then "Backup".
2. Turn on automatic backup (sometimes called "iCloud Photos" or "Back up & sync").
3. Make sure it's connected to your Wi-Fi, so it doesn't use up your mobile data.
4. Leave it to do its thing. The first backup can take a while, especially if you have thousands of photos, so plug the phone in and let it run.
5. Check it worked by opening the account on another device or computer — your photos should be there.

Once this is on, every new photo you take is copied automatically. You don't have to remember to do anything.

Backing up the photos on your computer

If your photos live on a computer, the same "more than one place" rule applies. The simplest options are to let a cloud service (like OneDrive or iCloud) sync your Pictures folder automatically, or to copy your photos onto an external drive every so often. Doing both is even better.

A word about "storage full" messages

Many people switch off backups because they get a message saying their online storage is full. That's normal — the free amount is fairly small. You can usually pay a small monthly fee for more space, which is well worth it for peace of mind. If you're unsure what you're paying for or how much you need, it's exactly the sort of thing we can sort out for you in a few minutes.

Not sure if your photos are safe? Let's check together

If you'd like the confidence of knowing your memories are protected, we're glad to help. We can set up automatic backups for you, move photos off an old phone or computer, and explain it all in plain English so you understand what's happening.

It's often something we can do quickly with a Remote Fix, or as part of a home visit or device setup. We help people across Boston and Lincolnshire keep their photos safe every week.

Book a visit online or call us on 01205 625001 and we'll make sure your memories are protected.