The Single Backup Error That Could Lead to Losing Years of Photos

The main problem lies in how services like Google Photos, iCloud, and Microsoft’s OneDrive actually work. They are often marketed as both file synchronization and backup services. However, most people tend to use them only as file syncing services to keep their files easily accessible across all their devices.

There are still some files you shouldn’t upload to cloud storage, but if you’re trying to protect your everyday photos or files, cloud services can be very easy to use. However, if you don’t fully understand the difference between a proper backup and a file sync, you risk losing everything.

With cloud services, there is an inherent danger not everyone realizes: these services sync the latest version of a file across all of the user’s connected devices. This means that if you edit a photo on your phone and open the same file on your PC without closing it on your phone, you risk overwriting the edits you make on your PC if you then close the photo on your phone. This is because the cloud service is designed to sync the most recent version of a file to prevent changes from being lost. However, it cannot determine which of the two versions of the file you want. This means that a file could be overwritten during sync if you haven’t saved it as a new file.

This is where one of the biggest problems with backing up via cloud services comes into play. Synchronizing your photos with the cloud is very useful. However, if you only sync your files across multiple devices, anyone with access to your phone or another connected device could delete all your photos by removing them from one device in the chain. Depending on the cloud service and how the bad actor chooses to delete your data, they could actually erase these files from all connected devices – that’s exactly how iCloud photo backup works.

Beyond the risk that bad actors can wreak havoc on your personal files, there are other syncing issues you should be aware of. Cloud services typically offer only a limited amount of storage space for your data. Google Photos, for example, uses the free 15GB of Google Drive storage included with your Google account, and iCloud Photos relies on iCloud storage to save your photos.

When you run out of space, most services will send you warnings and stop allowing you to sync or create new files until you delete some of your stored files or upgrade your plan. In some cases, these services may delete your files after you have exceeded the available storage limit for a set period. If you’re constantly receiving storage space alerts, it might be worth exploring cheaper cloud services. However, make sure to stay aware of how you use file storage to avoid losing files.

You don’t need to rely on cloud services to protect your memories. There are many other backup options available, and you can create your own backup by storing your photos on a compact external hard drive. Ultimately, you want to make sure you have a backup that isn’t affected by any changes you make in the moment, as this will prevent accidental deletions or file sync errors. You may even want to follow a set backup structure, like the 3-2-1-1-0 rule.