Quick answer: The easiest free backup is to turn on Google Photos backup (Android or iPhone) or iCloud Photos (iPhone). Both start free but have limited space: Google gives up to 15 GB per account shared with Gmail and Drive, and Apple gives 5 GB. For a second copy that does not depend on any account, copy your DCIM folder to a computer or to an external drive. Keep at least two copies, and check once that the backup really contains your newest photos.
Phones get lost, dropped in water, stolen and wiped by a failed update. Photos of family, trips and documents are usually the one thing people cannot replace. A backup takes about ten minutes to set up and then runs on its own. This guide covers the free options first, then an optional external drive for people who want a copy they control. Facts were checked on 27 October 2026.
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Why one copy is not a backup
A photo that exists only on your phone has no backup at all. A photo that exists on your phone and in one cloud account is better, but if the account is locked or the storage fills up, new photos can stop uploading without you noticing. A common rule of thumb is to keep at least two copies in two different places, and ideally one of them away from the phone and the cloud account. The options below build up to that.
Option 1: Google Photos (Android and iPhone)
Google Photos can back up photos and videos from an Android phone or an iPhone to your Google Account. Google says each account comes with up to 15 GB of storage, and that storage is used across Google Drive, Gmail and Google Photos together. If you already use Gmail heavily, the free space may be smaller than you expect.
How to turn it on (Android)
- Open Google Photos and sign in.
- Tap your profile picture at the top right.
- Open Photos settings, then Backup.
- Turn Backup on.
The same Backup screen has a Back up device folders option. Use it if you also want folders such as WhatsApp Images or Screenshots saved, not just the camera. On an iPhone, install the Google Photos app and sign in; Google notes that Live Photos are backed up when you use the app on an iPhone or iPad.
Storage saver or Original quality?
| Setting | What happens | Counts toward your storage? |
|---|---|---|
| Original quality | Photos and videos keep their original resolution. Google recommends it for photos over 16 MP, videos over 1080p and large prints. | Yes |
| Storage saver | Quality is slightly reduced. Photos over 16 MP are resized to 16 MP and videos over 1080p are resized to 1080p. | Yes |
Both settings count toward your storage, so Storage saver only stretches the free space further. It does not make backup unlimited. Google also lists a rule to know about: content can be deleted after 2 years or more of Google Photos inactivity, so keep using the account.
Check that it is working
- Tap your profile icon. It should say Backup complete. If it says Backup is off, backup is disabled.
- The top of your library also shows the state, such as preparing, backing up, paused or complete.
- Open any photo, tap More, then About, and look for Backed up under Details.
Option 2: iCloud Photos (iPhone)
Apple says every iCloud account gets 5 GB of storage for free, and paid iCloud+ plans start at 50 GB and go up to 2 TB and beyond. Prices differ by country, so check the price shown in your iPhone settings. Apple describes the extra space as for photos, files and backups, so one pool of storage is shared. A 5 GB account fills up quickly if you shoot a lot of video.
To use it, open your iPhone settings, tap your name, open iCloud, then Photos, and turn on iCloud Photos. Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and plugged in for the first upload, because a large library can take a long time.
Option 3: Copy photos to a computer (free)
A computer copy needs no account and no monthly fee. Connect your phone with a USB cable, allow file access on the phone when it asks, and open the phone in your file manager. Copy the DCIM folder, which holds camera photos on most Android phones, into a folder on the computer. Do this every few months and before any phone repair or reset.
Option 4: A drive you own (optional)
A cloud account can fill up, get locked or change its rules. An external drive gives you a copy that does not depend on any account. It is useful if you have a large library, many videos or family photos you cannot replace. If your free cloud space is enough and you also copy to a computer, you do not need to buy anything.
How to choose
- Check the connector. Most newer phones use USB-C. A drive with both USB-C and USB-A can also plug into a computer. Make sure it works with your phone model before you buy.
- Pick the size from your library. Look at your phone’s used photo and video storage and choose a drive with several times that space, so you can keep adding.
- Pen drive or SSD. A pen drive is small and simple for photos. A portable SSD has more space and suits large video libraries, but it is bigger and costs more.
- Label it and keep it somewhere safe. A backup drive kept in the same bag as the phone is lost with the phone.
Check the price, reviews and compatibility with your phone on the product page, because they change.
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A simple routine that works
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Today | Turn on Google Photos backup or iCloud Photos, then confirm it says backup is complete. |
| Every few months | Copy the DCIM folder to a computer or an external drive. |
| Before a phone repair, reset or sale | Check that your newest photos are in the backup before you wipe anything. |
| Once a year | Open the backup copy and confirm you can actually view the files. |
Common mistakes
- Assuming it is on. Backup is often off until you turn it on, or it pauses when storage is full.
- Deleting from the phone too early. Free up space only after the item shows as backed up.
- Syncing is not a full backup. If a sync service mirrors deletions, deleting a photo in one place can remove it in the others. A separate copy on a drive or computer protects against that.
- Forgetting WhatsApp and screenshots. They are saved in separate folders that you may need to add.
- Never testing the copy. Open a few files from the backup to make sure they play.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Photos backup really free?
It is free up to the storage limit of your Google Account, which Google states as up to 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail and Photos. After that you need to free space or buy more.
Does iCloud give enough free space?
Apple gives 5 GB free. That is enough for a small library, but a phone with many videos will need a paid plan or another backup method.
Will Storage saver ruin my photos?
Google says quality is slightly reduced: photos over 16 MP are resized to 16 MP and videos over 1080p to 1080p. For everyday sharing it is usually enough, but choose Original quality for large prints or high-resolution video.
Do I need an external drive?
No. Cloud backup plus a copy on your computer covers most people. A drive is an extra copy for large libraries or for people who prefer not to depend on an account.
Sources
View sources (3)
| Source | What it was used for |
|---|---|
| Google Photos Help, “Choose the backup quality of your photos and videos” support.google.com | storage limit, Storage saver and Original quality. |
| Google Photos Help, “Back up photos and videos” support.google.com | backup steps, status checks and device folders. |
| Apple Support, “iCloud storage plans” support.apple.com | 5 GB free and iCloud+ plan sizes. |
