Your phone may hold years of pictures. Birthdays. Holidays. The grandkids growing up. If the phone is lost or broken, those pictures can be lost too. The good news? Keeping them safe is easier than you might think. Let’s go one step at a time.
Why photos get lost
Many phones keep pictures only on the phone itself, unless backup is turned on. If the phone falls in water, gets stolen or stops working, pictures with no backup are gone.
Step 1: Turn on photo backup
Most phones can copy your photos to safe online storage. This is often called the cloud. Once it’s turned on, it works by itself.
- On an iPhone: open Settings. Tap your name at the top. Tap iCloud, then Photos. Turn it on.
- On most Android phones: open the Google Photos app. Tap your picture at the top. Look for Backup and turn it on.
Free storage space is limited. If your phone says storage is full, you may need to pay for more space, or move some photos somewhere else.
Step 2: Check that it worked
Wait a day. Make sure your phone has been on Wi-Fi and charging. Then look in the photos app for a note saying your photos are backed up. Not sure? Ask a family member to look with you.
Step 3: Keep a second copy
A second copy is extra safety. You can copy photos to a computer, or to a small USB stick. Keep that copy at home, in a drawer. Once or twice a year, add your newest pictures.
Step 4: Share your favorites
Sharing is a kind of backup too. Send special photos to family. Then the memories live in more than one place.
Step 5: Tidy up, if you like
Backed up photos are safe even when the phone gets full. Some phones can save space by keeping smaller copies on the phone and the full pictures in the cloud. Ask a family member to help you find this setting. Only delete photos from the phone once you’ve checked they are backed up.
A word about scams
Real backup services won’t phone you out of the blue. If someone calls to say your photos will be deleted unless you pay, hang up. Read how to tell if a call or message is a scam.
You did it
That’s all there is to it. Turn on backup. Check it. Keep a second copy. Share. Your backup account needs a good password too, so see our tips on keeping track of your passwords. If you get stuck, have a look at the help we offer.