If you lost your phone or your computer stopped working today, would your photos and videos be safe?
World Backup Day is the perfect reminder to protect your memories before something goes wrong. The good news? You don’t need to be “techy” to back up your photos. Here are three simple options you can start using right away.
Option 1: Use Google Photos
If you already take pictures with your smartphone, Google Photos is one of the easiest ways to back them up automatically.
How to turn on Backup in Google Photos:
- Open the Google Photos app on your phone.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Look for “Backup” and turn it On.
That’s it. Once Backup is on, new photos and videos you take will automatically save to your Google account when you’re connected to Wi‑Fi or mobile data.
Why people like Google Photos:
- Automatic backup – set it once and it runs in the background.
- Easy sharing – quickly share albums with family and friends.
- Smart search – find photos fast by searching things like “beach,” “dog,” or “birthday.”
Things to keep in mind:
- Google Photos uses your Google storage, which is shared with Gmail, Google Drive, and more.
- You get a limited amount of free space. If you need more, you’ll need to pay for a storage upgrade.
If you want a “set it and forget it” option and don’t mind using some of your Google storage, this is a great place to start.
Option 2: Back Up to Your Computer
Prefer to keep things on your own devices? Backing up to your computer is a solid second option, and it works for both iPhone and Android.
How to back up from your phone to your computer:
- Plug your phone into your computer using your charging cable.
- On Windows, open File Explorer.
On Mac, open Finder. - Find your phone under the list of devices.
- Copy your photos and videos from your phone into a folder on your computer (for example, “Phone Photos Backup”).
Why this works well:
- No internet needed – everything happens over the cable.
- Full control – your files are on your own computer, not just in the cloud.
Things to keep in mind:
- It’s not automatic – you have to remember to plug in and copy regularly.
- If your computer fails and this is your only backup, you could still lose everything.
Tip: Set a monthly reminder on your calendar to plug in your phone and copy your photos so you don’t forget.
Option 3: External Hard Drive – Extra Safe
If you want extra protection—especially for large photo libraries—an external hard drive is your best friend.
Drives like these are popular choices:
- Seagate Portable External Hard Drive
- WD My Passport
How to back up to an external hard drive:
- Connect the external drive to your computer.
- On your computer, find your photo folders (for example, the folder where you copied your phone photos, or your Pictures folder).
- Drag and drop those folders onto your external hard drive.
Why this is extra safe:
- Protects you if your computer fails or is lost or stolen.
- Great for large photo and video libraries that take up a lot of space.
Important tip:
- Store the external drive somewhere safe, not right next to your computer.
Think of it like a “spare key” for your memories—keep it in a drawer, safe, or another room so a single accident doesn’t ruin both your computer and your backup.
Which Option Should You Choose?
If you like simple and automatic:
- Google Photos is probably your best first step.
If you want control and don’t want everything in the cloud:
- Backing up to your computer, plus
- Copying to an external hard drive gives you a strong backup system.
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with the option that feels easiest, then add another later for extra peace of mind.
Need a Reliable Computer for Your Backups?
All of these backup methods work best when you have a computer you can count on.
If you need a new laptop or desktop to safely store your photos, videos, and important files, Adams Fiber can help. We sell computers and can help you choose a device that fits your needs—whether you just want a simple, dependable machine for photos and internet, or something more powerful.
Your memories are priceless. Take a few minutes this World Backup Day to protect them.