No Computer, No Software. 3 Insanely Easy Ways to Back up Your iPhone
As iPhones have evolved beyond mere communication devices to encompass leisure gaming, business applications, and even professional photography, they now store vast amounts of personal data, including photos, contact information, and important documents. However, is your data secure enough? With the looming possibility of data breaches and loss, iPhone backup has become a significant concern for users today.
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- Many people use computers to back up their iPhones, but is it truly convenient?
- Method 1: Backing up to iCloud
- Method 2: Connecting a Flash Drive or SD Card Reader
- Method 3: Backup to Google Photos
- Comparison of Three Methods: Advantages, Disadvantages, and CostMany people use computers to back up their iPhones, but is it truly convenient?
Traditional iPhone backup methods often rely on computers for storage, whether through iTunes or USB transfer cables, with the final storage destination typically being the computer itself. However, as the functionality and popularity of tablets have increased, many individuals no longer rely solely on laptops or desktops for academic, presentation, or business purposes. Since not everyone owns a personal computer, backing up an iPhone to a computer is evidently no longer suitable for current trends.
Moreover, even if you do own a computer, using it to back up your iPhone may seem convenient and cost-free, but it not only occupies valuable hard drive space but also offers lower portability compared to cloud storage, flash drives, or other external devices. Additionally, there is the risk of hard drive damage. So, apart from computer backups, what other methods are available for easily backing up files from your iPhone?
Method 1: Backing up to iCloud
What is iCloud?
iCloud is a cloud service provided by Apple that allows users to store photos, files, notes, passwords, and other data from their iPhone or iPad on remote servers. This makes it convenient for users to transfer data when switching phones and eliminates the worry of losing files due to phone loss or damage.
How to use iCloud to back up your iPhone?
iCloud backup can be done manually or automatically. The process is as follows:
Manual Backup:
1. Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to “Settings” > “Your Name” and click on “iCloud.”
3. Select “iCloud Backup.”
4. Click “Back Up Now” and maintain the Wi-Fi connection.
Automatic Backup:
1. Go to “Settings” > “Your Name” > “iCloud” > “iCloud Backup” and ensure “Back Up This [Device]” is enabled.
2. Connect your iPhone to a power source and a Wi-Fi network.
3. Ensure the device screen is locked.
If you receive a prompt indicating insufficient iCloud storage space to complete the backup, you can purchase more storage by upgrading to iCloud+.
➺ Advantages:
- Convenient operation: If automatic backup is selected, iCloud backup will be performed automatically every day when the device is connected to a power source, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi.
- Ease of use: If you also use an iPad or Mac, iCloud allows you to share data across different devices, making it a convenient choice.
- By adjusting the WhatsApp settings, even WhatsApp chat records can be automatically backed up.
➺ Disadvantages:
- High cost: Beyond the free 5GB of storage, additional space is priced on a monthly subscription basis, resulting in higher cumulative costs over time.
- Dependence on network: iCloud transfer speeds depend on Wi-Fi speed, which can be inconvenient if there is no network available or if the network speed is slow.
Method 2: Connecting a Flash Drive or SD Card Reader
Strictly speaking, as long as it can be connected to the iPhone and transfer data to an external device, whether it’s stored on a memory card, flash drive, or external solid-state drive (SSD), it can effectively back up photos, videos, and even the contents of the WhatsApp messaging app. There are now many external storage devices with Lightning or USB Type-C interfaces available in the market, offering an increasing number of options for connecting to phones. However, before making a purchase, it is essential to check whether your phone supports the USB OTG (On-The-Go) function.
What is USB OTG (On-The-Go)?
USB OTG is a supplementary standard to the USB 2.0 specification, with the primary function of changing the master-slave relationship. Originally, the USB host (computer) was the “master,” while USB peripherals were the “slaves.” As a result, only the USB host could determine the settings and data transfer of the connection, and USB peripherals could not initiate data transfer on their own, only responding to server commands.
However, USB OTG has changed this situation, allowing accessories to also act as the host. For example, a USB printer that supports OTG can directly connect to a USB flash drive and read the files on the device for printing without being connected to a computer. This is because it can act as the controlling host to read the storage device.
Why is USB OTG (On-The-Go) convenient?
OTG has a wide range of applications. If your phone has OTG functionality, it can fulfill the following needs:
- Act as a power bank to charge other phones or devices.
- Connect to a USB flash drive to directly read and store data, solving the problem of insufficient phone memory or the inability to connect an external memory card.
- Connect to a game controller, keyboard, or mouse for convenient operation and gaming.
- Connect to a printer to directly print documents or photos.
- Use a card reader to view files from a camera or dashcam.
Does my phone have OTG functionality?
iPhones running iOS 13 or above can use OTG, while most Android phone models support OTG. If you’re still unsure whether your phone can use it, you can check the manufacturer’s announcement.
Back to the topic, once you’ve confirmed that your iPhone has OTG functionality, how should you choose an external storage device? The following guidelines can serve as a reference for your selection.
How to choose an OTG device?
1. Price-oriented:
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on an external SSD right away, there are other options besides inexpensive OTG flash drives. If you already have memory cards on hand, you can use a card reader or hub to pair them. If you have a USB-A flash drive, you can also use an adapter for backup.
If you don’t happen to have a card reader or adapter on hand, a multi-function adapter/hub is an option. The advantage is that it can not only connect to existing memory cards and USB-A flash drives for backup storage but also provide multi-functional expansion, such as connecting to a large screen to play videos or providing power to a laptop, which a hub can accomplish.
2. Speed-oriented:
If you have larger files to back up and require higher transfer speeds, or if you want to combine the iPhone ProRes feature to directly record high-quality videos to an external device, transfer speed becomes crucial. To use an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to shoot 4K/60 fps video, the external storage device used must support speeds of at least 220MB/s¹. This means you need to choose a high-speed flash drive or external SSD and be aware that the recorded files may require larger storage capacity.
Can WhatsApp content also be backed up?
Many people choose iCloud because it allows for convenient backup of WhatsApp content, so they don’t have to worry about losing important records when their phone is lost or needs an upgrade. However, external storage devices can also be used for WhatsApp backup, requiring only a few steps:
- Open any chat room and tap the contact name in the upper left corner.
- Find “Export Chat” under “Contact Info.”
- Select “Attach Media” or “Without Media”
- Click “Save to file” and then save the file to an external storage device.
➺ Advantages:
- If you already have a USB-A flash drive or memory card for a camera, you can use an adapter or card reader for backup without purchasing expensive equipment.
- If you have higher requirements for transfer speed, external storage devices are usually faster and more stable than iCloud, which relies on network speed².
➺ Disadvantages:
- Requires manual connection and operation each time, lacking the automation of iCloud.
- There is a risk of losing the external storage device.
- If the external storage device is damaged, the backed-up data may be lost.
Method 3: Backup to Google Photos³
Google Drive is a tool used for file management by many teams and can also serve as a storage space for personal data backups. It is a well-known cloud storage option, which is widely recognized and doesn’t need much introduction.
Every Google account is created with 15GB of storage space, which is shared among Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. To store more data, you need to upgrade to Google One, which, depending on the plan selected, increases the total storage space to anywhere from 100GB to 2TB.
How to use Google Drive to backup iPhone?
You can choose the data to sync to your Google account through Google One. Depending on the settings, you can backup photos, videos, and also sync contact information and calendars.
➺ Advantages: Even if you’re not a loyal Apple customer, files can be easily shared across different devices, including phones, tablets, and computers.
➺ Disadvantages: It poses the same issue as iCloud; beyond the free 15GB of storage space, if more is needed, it is priced monthly. For 200GB, it costs 90 (NTD) per month. The longer you use it, the higher the cumulative cost. Additionally, if you need to transfer larger files, it heavily relies on internet speed.
Comparison of Three Methods: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Cost
Cost Comparison for One Year
Comparing the annual cost⁴ of subscribing to iCloud or Google One, and purchasing an OTG disk with a three to five-year warranty, the expenses are as follows:
The above table compares the prices of USB flash drives and external SSDs with iCloud and Google One; apart from what can be clearly seen in the table, an OTG disk can save about half the cost. These products also almost always come with a three to five-year warranty, and their durability generally meets military standards or other waterproof and dustproof certifications.
Before choosing a method for iPhone backup, it’s worth assessing your needs: If you only have short-term backup needs, then choosing iCloud or Google One might be an eco-friendly and convenient option. However, since most people want their file backups to last several years, purchasing an OTG disk, or using an existing card reader or SD card, may be more cost-effective than the cumulative monthly expenses of cloud storage.
Experience of Use, Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages
1.Backup to iCloud
For Apple enthusiasts, iCloud is really convenient across devices. However, due to the ease of automatic backup, the free 50GB capacity quickly becomes insufficient, necessitating the purchase of additional storage space at a significant cost.
➺ Advantages: Easy to operate; if auto-backup is selected, there’s no need to manually plug in the device for backup. If you’re an Apple product fan, you can also share data across different devices.
➺ Disadvantages: Transmission relies on the internet, and the price is high. The longer you use it, the higher the accumulated cost.
2.Connecting to a USB Flash Drive or Card Reader
Many people have USB-A flash drives as promotional gifts. If you don’t want to buy additional storage devices compatible with the iPhone interface, choosing an adapter is a good option.
➺ Advantages: If you already have a memory card, there’s no need to buy expensive devices. You can use a card reader or Hub; if you have a USB-A flash drive, you can also use an adapter for backup. Overall, it’s more cost-effective and data transferring speed does not rely on the internet.
➺ Disadvantages: Each backup requires plugging in the device, and external storage devices are at risk of damage. However, paying attention to the warranty period and protection certifications at the time of purchase can mitigate these concerns.
3.Backup to Google Drive
Many who use iPhone may use computers and tablets from other brands, making Google Drive a considerable option. It not only meets personal backup needs but also facilitates team collaboration.
➺ Advantages: Even for those not exclusively using Apple products, files can be easily shared across different devices, phones, tablets, and computers.
➺ Disadvantages: Transmission relies on the internet, and the price is high. The longer you use it, the higher the accumulated cost.
Conclusion
In summary, the common issues with iCloud and Google Drive include: dependency on internet speed for data transferring and the incremental costs of purchasing storage capacity. If you have long-term backup needs, it is still recommended to purchase physical storage devices to avoid significant long-term costs.
If you still wish to use iCloud and Google Drive for automatic backups and the functionality of utilizing them across phones, tablets, and computers, then it is advised to weigh your usage habits and degree of reliance on Apple products and Google accounts before making a decision.
1. Source based on Apple's site
2. Transfer speed may vary depending on the cable type and device
3. Source based on Google's site
4. Calculated by multiplying the monthly fee by 12
Photo credit: Unsplash, Silicon-Power
