The short answer: keep at least one copy of your photos and videos somewhere other than the phone. You can do that with a cloud service that stores them in your account, or with a local copy saved to a USB flash drive or SSD using Samsung’s Smart Switch app. Many owners use both.
Menu names, available services and storage support vary by phone model, software version, country and carrier. The Samsung support pages referred to below are the US, UK, Australia and Singapore versions. If you live elsewhere, look for the matching regional page, and check the menus on your own phone before following any step.
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Why a copy on the phone is not a backup
The photos on your phone are one copy. A lost, stolen, damaged or failing phone takes that copy with it, and so does an accidental deletion you notice too late. A second copy only helps if it is stored somewhere the phone cannot wipe out and if you can reach it when you need it.
That is why the first decision is what kind of second copy you want. The routes Samsung documents fall into two groups that behave differently:
#1 Best Overall
- USB-C STORAGE ON THE GO: This sleek drive is supported by Samsung NAND flash and is incredibly compact to fit in the palm of your hand; Count on reliable performance and fast transfer speeds while staying compact
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- MODERN MEETS ICONIC: The ultra-sleek USB-C drive looks as good as it performs; Featuring a reversible plug, the Type-C inserts into your devices seamlessly every time; Transfer large files with style and ease
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: USB-C is compatible across devices, including laptops, tablets, phones and cameras, with enough space for 63,730 photos or maximum 12 hours of 4K video; With up to 256GB of storage space, this pocket-sized thumb drive comes in handy wherever you go
- TOUGH & TRUSTED: Files stay secure, no matter the terrain; Samsung's flash memory technology makes the Type-C a trustworthy drive to store your valuable data; It's waterproof, shock-proof, magnet-proof, temperature-proof, and X-ray-proof body, plus it's backed by a 5-year limited warranty
- Cloud synchronization keeps your library available from other devices and the web. Changes can flow both ways, so a file deleted in one place may disappear from another. A synced folder is useful for access, but it is not automatically an independent archive.
- Device backup or a local copy saves a copy that you control. Smart Switch to external storage or to a computer is a manual run that produces a copy you can open later, even if the phone is gone.
Choose a route before you start
The table below compares the routes covered in Samsung’s official support pages. Limits are quoted from the page named in each row and apply only to that region and date.
| Route | Where the copy lives | How it runs | Conditions and limits stated by Samsung |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Cloud | Samsung account cloud storage | Automatic backup and restore of supported data | Automatic backup needs charging, screen off and Wi-Fi. Files above 1 GB cannot be backed up (Samsung Singapore guide, 2026). |
| OneDrive | Microsoft account storage | Synchronization, which Samsung UK lists separately from backup and restore methods (overview updated June 23, 2025) | Not stated in the cited Samsung pages for file size limits or regional availability. |
| Google Drive device backup | Google Account storage | Automatic device backup | Runs over Wi-Fi while charging and unused for at least two hours. Drive device-backup data, excluding Google Photos items, is deleted after 57 consecutive days without device use (Samsung Singapore guide, updated September 8, 2026). |
| Smart Switch to USB flash drive or SSD | A physical drive you keep | Manual backup you start from the phone | Needs an adapter on some phones, enough free space on the drive, and a supported connection. Some data categories may not be saved (Samsung Australia, updated August 11, 2025). |
| Smart Switch on Windows or Mac | Your computer | Manual backup over a USB cable | Needs Smart Switch installed on the computer and a USB cable. Storage size limits not stated in the cited Samsung US page. |
Cloud routes
Use a cloud route if you want to reach your photos from another device or after a phone change, and you are comfortable with the account’s storage limits. Pick the service that matches the account you already use.
Rank #2
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- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
Samsung Cloud
Samsung Cloud backs up and restores supported Galaxy data and can synchronize selected Samsung account data. Samsung’s Singapore support page explains the automatic backup condition in its own words: “For auto backup to work, your device must be charging with the screen off and connected to Wi-Fi.”
Two limits matter for photos. Files larger than 1 GB cannot be backed up to Samsung Cloud according to that page, so very large videos may need another route. Supported countries, carriers, models and item categories also vary, so open the Samsung Cloud app on your phone and confirm which categories it offers before relying on it.
Rank #3
- USB-C STORAGE ON THE GO: This sleek drive is supported by Samsung NAND flash and is incredibly compact to fit in the palm of your hand; Count on reliable performance and fast transfer speeds while staying compact
- PERFORMANCE WITH SPEED: No need to choose between performance and reliability; Experience a fast, powerful flash drive that transfers 4GB files in just 11 seconds with up to 400MB/s USB 3.2 Gen 1 read speeds and is backward compatible with USB 3.0/2.0
- MODERN MEETS ICONIC: The ultra-sleek USB-C drive looks as good as it performs; Featuring a reversible plug, the Type-C inserts into your devices seamlessly every time; Transfer large files with style and ease
- ALWAYS CONNECTED**: USB-C is compatible across devices, including laptops, tablets, phones and cameras, with enough space for 63,730 photos or maximum 12 hours of 4K video; With up to 256GB of storage space, this pocket-sized thumb drive comes in handy wherever you go
- TOUGH & TRUSTED***: Files stay secure, no matter the terrain; Samsung's flash memory technology makes the Type-C a trustworthy drive to store your valuable data; It's waterproof, shock-proof, magnet-proof, temperature-proof, and X-ray-proof body, plus it's backed by a 5-year limited warranty
OneDrive
Samsung UK’s methods overview lists OneDrive alongside Smart Switch, Samsung Cloud and Google One, but it treats OneDrive as synchronization rather than as a backup or restore method. Treat it as a way to keep your photos available from your Microsoft account. If you need a copy that is separate from the synced library, pair it with one of the other routes in this guide. The cited Samsung pages do not state file-size limits or the full regional availability for OneDrive, so confirm both in the OneDrive app.
Google Drive device backup and Google Photos
Google Drive device backup and Google Photos are separate services. Samsung’s Singapore Google Drive guide, updated September 8, 2026, says a Drive device backup can include apps, photos and videos, SMS and MMS, call history, device settings and Google Account data. Storage comes from your Google Account.
Rank #4
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
The retention rule is the important part. The guide says that after 57 consecutive days without device use, Drive backup data is deleted, except items that were backed up to Google Photos. If you rely on Drive for photos, do not treat it as permanent storage, and keep a separate copy elsewhere. Google Photos is the route in which your images remain in their own service, so check its settings directly on your phone. This guide does not cite a Samsung page dedicated to Google Photos.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMake a local copy with Smart Switch
The local route saves photos and videos to a drive you hold. Samsung’s US support page, “Transfer content with external storage and Smart Switch,” says: “You can create a backup of your pictures, videos, or documents that will be easily transferable to a new phone or tablet.” The same page explains that external storage connects to the phone’s charging port and names USB flash drives and SSDs as supported options. An OTG adapter may be required.
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Steps
- Check the free space on the drive. Make sure it has more room than your photo and video library takes up.
- Connect the drive to the phone. Use an OTG, USB-C or SD-card adapter if your phone’s port or slot requires one. Samsung Australia notes that some devices do not have an SD card slot and may need one of these adapters.
- Open Smart Switch on the phone.
- Tap the external storage or SD card icon.
- Select Back up. On the US page, the destination choice is shown as “Back up to,” with SD Card as one option.
- Choose the data to include. Select photos and videos, and any other categories you want.
- Wait until the screen shows Done. Do not unplug the drive before this message appears.
Hardware checks before you buy or connect
- Connector: confirm your phone’s port type and whether you need an OTG or USB-C adapter. Samsung Australia’s instructions are for Australian variants and mention OTG, Type-C and SD-card adapters.
- Drive type: Samsung’s US guide names USB flash drives and SSDs. A microSD card works only through a compatible adapter or slot, and only where your phone supports it.
- Capacity: a larger library needs a larger drive. A drive with less free space than your library will not finish the backup.
- Categories: Samsung Australia lists categories that Smart Switch may not save. Check the summary in Smart Switch before you assume every item is included.
Restoring uses the same external-storage route in Smart Switch, so a drive you use for backups also serves as your restore source.
Back up to a computer with Smart Switch on PC or Mac
If you have a Windows PC or Mac and a USB cable, Smart Switch can copy your Galaxy’s data to the computer. This route keeps the copy on hardware you already own, and you control where it is stored.
- Install Smart Switch on your Windows PC or Mac.
- Connect the Galaxy phone to the computer with a USB cable.
- Open Smart Switch on the computer and choose Backup.
- Select the data you want to back up, including photos and videos.
- Complete the operation and wait for it to finish before disconnecting.
Menu wording on the computer side can differ between Smart Switch versions. Follow the on-screen labels rather than these exact names if they do not match.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Verify that your backup worked
A backup that never finishes, or that skipped a folder, is easy to miss. Build a short check into your routine:
- Open the destination: the drive’s folder on a computer, the Samsung Cloud, OneDrive or Google Photos app, or the Smart Switch backup on your computer.
- Confirm that your most recent photos and videos are present by date, not just the oldest ones.
- Open a few files, including a video, to confirm they play.
- For cloud routes, confirm automatic backup is still on and that your phone meets the stated conditions: charging, screen off or unused for the required period, and connected to Wi-Fi.
- After a new phone, a major software update or a big trip, repeat the check.
No Samsung page cited here promises that a backup will restore cleanly on your device. A test restore, done on a spare folder or a second device, is the only reliable way to know that your setup works.
Quick Recap
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