The Two Best Ways to Back Up Your Files
- Bright Concierge
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 16
Our computers and phones hold so many important parts of our lives. If they are lost, damaged, or stop working, it can be frustrating and time consuming.
No one ever thinks these accidents will happen, but they do. And when they do, people usually wish they had kept an extra copy of their important files, a backup.
In this article, you'll learn that cloud storage and external hard drives are the two best ways to back up the files on your phone and computer so you can protect your information and recover it if anything ever goes wrong.
Backups help in many practical ways
With a backup in place, a broken phone is inconvenient instead of terrible. You get a new phone, sign in, and your contacts, photos, and notes return.
A failed computer no longer means losing years of records because you can restore your papers and photos onto a new one.
If you travel, your files can continue backing up anywhere you have an internet connection.
Changes you make to your files on any device can be saved automatically to all other devices.
Types of files you should back up
The most important things to back up on your phone and computer are the things that would be difficult or impossible to replace.
This includes family photos and videos, your contacts, and personal notes or lists you've saved. It can also include passwords, calendar appointments, and text messages. You should also back up documents like papers, family records, letters, and any work or hobby files that matter to you.
Back up your files to a cloud service
Apple, Google, and Microsoft all offer easy-to-use backup services called "the cloud."
Think of the cloud as a large computer on the internet that safely stores your important files. When you use one and turn on "backup," your phone or computer sends copies of your files over the internet to that company's system.
Once your files are saved, you can access them from different devices like your phone, computer, tablet, or other technology.
This means that if you lose your phone, you can sign in on another device and still access your files.
There are three main cloud services to choose from
For most people, the best cloud backup service is the one made by the same company as their phone or computer.
If you use an iPhone or Mac, Apple iCloud is usually the best choice.
If you use an Android phone, Google Drive and Google Photos are often the better fit.
If you use a Windows computer and don't take many photos, Microsoft OneDrive can be a good option.
If you would like help deciding which cloud service is best for you, click this link to set up a session with Bright Concierge. We will sit beside you and get it done together.
Make sure your cloud has enough storage space
Each of the three main cloud services gives you a small amount of free "starter space." Everything you save uses part of that space.
When your storage gets close to full, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan. You always want to have more cloud storage than you do files that need saving.
One paid account can provide enough shared storage for your phone, tablet, and computer.
Lowest cost monthly cloud storage plans:
Apple iCloud+: 5 GB free → 50 GB for $0.99/month
Google One: 15 GB free → 100 GB for $1.99/month
Microsoft OneDrive: 5 GB free → 100 GB for $1.99/month
If you would like help establishing how much storage space you need or would like help upgrading, call Bright Concierge.
It is safe to use cloud services
Apple, Google, and Microsoft spend a great deal of time and money protecting the computers that store your files. For everyday photos, messages, and documents, it is generally fine to use these services.
The next best backup method is a hard drive
For very private items, such as copies of your driver's license, passport, or other important documents, you may prefer to store them on an external hard drive.
An external hard drive is a small box that plugs into your computer and stores copies of your files. This gives you another layer of protection.
An external hard drive has a large one-time fee, you must remember to plug it in, and it can be misplaced because of its small size.
Bright Concierge can help you back up important files stored on your phone and computer
We would be delighted to help you set up a system that safely keeps copies of your important files so that you are never at risk of losing them, even if something happens to the technology that they are stored on.
Call (602) 612-9000 or email hi@brightconcierge.com to schedule an in-person or remote session with Bright Concierge.
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