You should be doing a 3–2–1 backup strategy. You don’t have to do everything, but I would advise to not just rely on iCloud Photo Library. I advise to use unique passwords on all of your accounts and use two-factor authentication whenever available Wrap Upīy deploying this system, I have ended up with multiple backups in multiple locations (home, work, and offsite with Backblaze). Apple’s method includes using another trusted device to verify new devices (using your iPad to verify a new iPhone, etc.). You can use an app like Authy or 1Password to generate the codes for Google and Backblaze. Enabling this allows you to add another layer of security. Apple, Google, and Backblaze all offer two-factor authentication. Getting locked out of your online accounts. One thing I haven’t mentioned is the security of your online accounts. If you have a vast library, it’ll take a while to back it up, but you’ll be left with yet another complete copy of your family photos. So as I add new pictures to my library from my Mac (or take Photos on my iPhone), the Google Photos app uploads whenever I open it on Wi-Fi. The free version downscales your photos slightly, but if you are already keeping all of your copies in iCloud Photo Library, Google Photos can be just a fail-safe to all your other methods. Google PhotosĮven if you are all in on Apple hardware and services, an excellent final backup might be something like Google Photos. Sign up for a free trial of Backblaze here. It’s not trying to sync data between devices, but instead, take what is on your Mac and back it up. One thing that makes Backblaze different from something like iCloud Photo Library is that it’s a one-way backup. If you’ve got a fast internet connection, Backblaze can saturate your connection if you want (how fast it backs up can be customized). Backblaze’s app for Mac is native (no Java), and it’s extremely fast. Unlimited speed.įor $5 per month (or $50 per year), you can backup all of the contents of your computer (including any external drives that get plugged in at least every few weeks). Going back to my original recommendation of keeping an offline copy of your iCloud Photo Library, I also think having a service like Backblaze makes a lot of sense.īackblaze will automatically back up all your files including documents, photos, music, and movies. I am now up to four copies (my laptop, iCloud Photo Library, and two external drives). The one at home gets backed up on the weekends. External hard drives are incredibly inexpensive these days ( 2TB and 4TB models can be bought for less than $100, and here is a USB-C model if you need it). Time Machine Backupsīecause I keep a copy offline, I can use macOS’ Time Machine app to create another copy of my entire library. By keeping full resolution copies offline, I can enable a few more backup mechanisms. This can be done in Photos > Preferences > iCloud. If your Mac can hold all of your media, I recommend having iCloud Photo Library download all of your media. For that reason, I don’t consider iCloud Photo Library a true backup. Syncing means that if you delete a photo on one device, it’ll be deleted elsewhere. One thing to remember is that iCloud Photo Library is a sync service. This service puts a copy of all of my media on Apple’s servers, and that means if I lose my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro, I can sign into a new device using my iCloud account, and all my media will be there. I am only using around 250 GB right now, so I have plenty of room for growth.įor backup #1, I am using iCloud Photo Library. No, iCloud isn’t free, but I think it’s worth the money if you are using all Apple devices. Google Photos a few months back if you want to look at the differences. I’ll do my best to keep this article up to date as things change in the future. Over the years, my strategy has evolved as services have changed. When it comes to pictures of my family, no amount of money can recreate them if I lose them. When it comes to music, movies, and TV shows – I can rebuy anything I lose due to hard drive failure. I am equally as fanatical about getting them backed up. I keep them extremely organized and culled. If there is one thing I am obsessed with when it comes to technology, it’s my pictures.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |