Apple Photos is a “Sync” Not a Backup

We all love capturing memories through photos and videos, and with smartphones, it’s easier than ever to store and manage these moments. Apps like Apple Photos make syncing your pictures across devices a breeze. But there’s a big difference between syncing and true backup, and understanding this can save you from losing precious memories. Let’s break it down.

What is a Sync?

Apple Photos uses iCloud to sync your photos and videos, meaning they appear on all your Apple devices automatically. Snap a photo on your iPhone, and it shows up on your iPad and Mac too. This is super convenient and lets you access your pictures from anywhere.

The Downside to Syncing

However, syncing is not the same as backing up. Syncing means the same file is available on all your devices. If you delete a photo from one device, it disappears from all of them. Plus, if something goes wrong with your iCloud account or Apple’s servers, you could lose everything.

What is a Backup?

A true backup means making additional copies of your photos and storing them separately. This could be on an external hard drive or a cloud service like Amazon Photos. True backups protect your photos even if your main storage fails. The SIMPLE PHOTO SYSTEM recommends at least one local backup and one cloud backup to keep your photos safe.

How to Keep Your Photos Safe

You need a solid backup plan!

Here’s what you can do:

  1. Backup your photos in 3 locations: Besides iCloud, use external hard drives and other cloud storage services like Amazon Photos or Dropbox to make extra copies of your photos.
  2. Regularly Back Up Your Photos: Have a system to back up your photos regularly. Automate the process if you can. The SIMPLE PHOTO SYSTEM walks you through exactly how to set it up and maintain it.
  3. Check Your Backups: Occasionally check your backups to make sure they’re working correctly. You can do this by spot-checking some files or using tools provided by your backup service.

While Apple Photos is great for syncing, it’s crucial to understand the difference between syncing and a true backup. Relying only on syncing can leave your photos at risk for loss. By having a solid backup strategy with copies stored in different places, you can ensure your memories are safe and sound.

Ready to organize and back up all of your photos? We would love to have you join us in the SIMPLE PHOTO SYSTEM, making it easy for you to enjoy your photos without fear of loss.

Sync vs. a true backup