Phones get lost, computers break, and accidental deletion happens to everyone. A backup lets you restore photos, documents and contacts.

The 3-2-1 rule

  • 3 copies of your data: the original and two more copies.
  • 2 different media: for example, a computer and an external drive.
  • 1 copy off site: in the cloud or somewhere else.

What to back up

Photos and videos, documents, contacts, passwords, emails, work files.

Options

  1. Cloud services. They automatically save photos and files online. Convenient, but dependent on the internet and often paid above a free limit.
  2. An external drive or flash drive. Connect it and copy once a month. Independent of the network.
  3. A home network storage device. Suitable for large archives.

Setting up a smartphone

Turn on backup in your account settings. For photos, use automatic upload to the cloud.

Tips

  • Automate copying so you do not forget.
  • Every few months, check that the copies open.
  • Encrypt drives that hold important documents.
  • Do not keep a single copy on one device.

Keep especially valuable things, such as document scans and family photos, in two different places.