How To Backup Iphone To External Hard Drive

Introduction

The ability to backup your iPhone is crucial for safeguarding your valuable data, such as photos, contacts, messages, and app data. While cloud services like iCloud offer convenient backup options, they may have limited storage capacities or subscription fees that can become costly over time. To overcome these limitations and take full control of your backups, you can explore the option of backing up your iPhone to an external hard drive. This method provides you with ample storage space and allows you to maintain physical control over your backups. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of backing up your iPhone to an external hard drive, ensuring that your data remains secure and accessible.

To begin, you will need an external hard drive with sufficient storage capacity and compatibility with your iPhone. Additionally, ensure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer, as it serves as a vital tool for the backup process. We will outline the steps for both Windows and Mac users, providing clear instructions for each platform.

By following these instructions, you can establish a reliable backup system that protects your iPhone data and offers peace of mind. Whether you’re concerned about running out of iCloud storage or simply prefer having physical copies of your backups, backing up to an external hard drive is a practical and efficient solution. Let’s dive into the process and safeguard your iPhone data for the long run.

How do I backup my iPhone photos to an external hard drive?

Use the lightning cable to connect the iPhone to an external hard drive. Check if the connection is established and open the photo app to select all the images that you want to transfer. Transfer these photos to the file app and select the hard drive that you want to save your photos to.

To backup your iPhone photos to an external hard drive, follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to your computer using a USB cable or any other appropriate method. Make sure the drive is recognized and accessible by your computer.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable that came with it. Unlock your iPhone and, if prompted, trust the computer.

Step 3: On your computer, open the default photo management software. If you’re using a Windows PC, it may be File Explorer or the Photos app. For Mac users, it’s typically the Photos app.

Step 4: In the photo management software, locate your iPhone under the connected devices or devices section. Open it to access your iPhone’s photo library.

Step 5: Select the photos you want to backup. You can choose specific albums, events, or individual photos by holding down the Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) key while making selections.

Step 6: Once you’ve made your selections, navigate to the external hard drive on your computer and create a new folder to store the backup.

Step 7: Drag and drop the selected photos from your iPhone’s photo library to the newly created folder on the external hard drive. You’ll see a progress bar indicating the transfer process.

Step 8: Wait for the transfer to complete. The time it takes will depend on the number and size of the photos being transferred.

Step 9: Once the transfer is finished, safely eject the external hard drive from your computer.

How to backup an iPhone directly to Seagate external hard drive?

Download the Seagate Backup app from your app store. Open the app and sign in using the same account that you used for Seagate Dashboard. Create and run a backup plan. Use a Wi-Fi backup plan when your mobile device is connected to the same net-work as your Seagate storage device.

To backup your iPhone directly to a Seagate external hard drive, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Ensure that your Seagate external hard drive is properly connected to your computer. Use a compatible USB cable or connect it wirelessly if applicable. Make sure the drive is recognized and accessible by your computer.

Step 2: Install and open the Seagate Dashboard software on your computer. This software is specifically designed for managing and backing up data on Seagate drives. If you don’t have it installed, you can download it from the Seagate website.

Step 3: Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable that came with it. Unlock your iPhone and, if prompted, trust the computer.

Step 4: Once your iPhone is connected and recognized by the computer, launch the Seagate Dashboard software.

Step 5: In the Seagate Dashboard, navigate to the Backup tab or section. Look for the option to create a new backup plan or add a backup location.

Step 6: Select your iPhone as the source or device you want to back up. Choose the specific data you want to include in the backup, such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, or app data.

Step 7: Choose your Seagate external hard drive as the destination or backup location. Select the appropriate folder on the drive where you want to store the backup.

Step 8: Customise any additional settings or preferences for the backup, such as scheduling regular backups or encrypting the data for added security.

Step 9: Start the backup process. Depending on the size of your iPhone data and the transfer speed, the process may take some time. Monitor the progress through the Seagate Dashboard or any notifications provided.

Step 10: Once the backup is complete, safely disconnect your iPhone and eject the Seagate external hard drive from your computer.

By following these steps and utilising the Seagate Dashboard software, you can conveniently backup your iPhone directly to your Seagate external hard drive. This method offers a seamless and efficient way to safeguard your iPhone data while taking advantage of the storage capacity and reliability of your Seagate drive. Remember to regularly perform backups to ensure the most up-to-date copy of your iPhone’s data is stored on the external hard drive.

Can I transfer video from the iPhone directly to an external hard drive?

If you shoot video with the Apple Camera app the video files will be stored in your camera roll and when you connect your phone to your computer with a Lightning cable, you can just copy the files across as you would with files off an SD card for example.

Alternatively, you can use third-party file management apps specifically designed for transferring files from an iPhone to an external hard drive. These apps provide additional features and flexibility for managing your files. Some popular examples include iMazing, Documents by Readdle, and FileBrowser. You can download these apps from the App Store and follow their specific instructions for transferring videos to an external hard drive.

Can an iPhone use Google Drive?

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Drive app. In “My Drive,” you’ll find: Files and folders you upload or sync. Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms you create.

Once you have the Google Drive app installed on your iPhone, you can perform various tasks such as uploading files, creating folders, organizing your files, sharing files with others, and accessing files that have been shared with you.

The Google Drive app also integrates with other Google apps, such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, allowing you to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations directly within the app. Any changes you make to files within the Google Drive app will be synced to your Google Drive account, ensuring that your files are accessible across different devices and platforms.

Additionally, Google Drive provides a seamless backup option for your iPhone. You can enable the backup feature within the Google Drive settings on your iPhone to automatically back up your photos, videos, contacts, and calendar events to your Google Drive account.

Can you transfer photos from iPhone to Seagate external hard drive?

Click the Share icon at the top left of your screen and then select Seagate Media. If you do not see Seagate Media on the list of apps, tap More and enable Seagate Media by tapping its slider. Note: The storage device must be connected to your iOS device to view Seagate Media on the list of apps.

Alternatively, you can use third-party apps designed for transferring photos from your iPhone directly to an external hard drive. Apps like iMazing, FileBrowser, or Documents by Readdle offer functionality to access and transfer files between your iPhone and external storage devices. You can download and install one of these apps from the App Store, follow their instructions for connecting and transferring photos to your Seagate external hard drive.

Remember to ensure that your Seagate external hard drive is properly formatted and compatible with your iPhone. If it’s not recognized by your iPhone, you may need to use a compatible adapter or make sure the drive is formatted in a compatible file system (such as exFAT) that both your iPhone and the external hard drive can read and write to.

Can I airdrop to an external hard drive?

Airdrop is designed by Apple to transfer files between Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and Macbook wirelessly. It can only function on the Apple device. So actually you can’t directly airdrop photos between iDevice and external disk.

AirDrop works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, establishing a direct connection between two Apple devices. It requires both devices to be in close proximity to each other and have AirDrop enabled.

If you want to transfer files from your iPhone to an external hard drive, you would typically need to connect the external hard drive to a computer and then transfer the files from the iPhone to the computer first. Once the files are on the computer, you can then copy or move them to the external hard drive.

Alternatively, you can explore other methods such as using third-party apps or cloud storage services to transfer files from your iPhone to an external hard drive. These methods may require additional steps or the use of specific apps designed for file transfers.

Can I backup my phone directly to a hard drive?

Connect your Android device to your computer. You can use the cable from your charger to establish the connection. Access your Android device’s files using your computer and select the ones you wish to back up. Choose “Copy” or “Cut” and save the files in a folder.

For Android Devices:

Connect your external hard drive to your computer using a compatible USB cable.

• On your Android device, go to “Settings” and search for “Backup” or “Backup & Reset.”
• Tap on the backup option and select the data you want to back up, such as contacts, photos, or app data.
• Choose the external hard drive as the destination for the backup. You may need to select “External Storage” or “USB Storage” as the backup location.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to start the backup process. The time it takes will depend on the amount of data being backed up.

For iPhones:

• Connect your external hard drive to your computer using a compatible USB cable.
• Launch iTunes (for macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later) on your computer.
• Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable that came with it. Unlock your iPhone and, if prompted, trust the computer.
• In iTunes or Finder, select your iPhone when it appears.
• Choose the option to back up your iPhone to your computer. Select the external hard drive as the location to save the backup.
• Click on “Backup Now” or “Back Up Now” to initiate the backup process. The time it takes will depend on the size of your iPhone’s data and the transfer speed.

By following these steps, you can directly backup your phone’s data to an external hard drive, ensuring the safety and accessibility of your valuable information. Remember to regularly perform backups to keep your data up to date and protected.

How to move photos from iPhone directly to external hard drive Mac?

Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac with a USB cable. Open the Photos app on your computer. The Photos app shows an Import screen with all the photos and videos that are on your connected device. If the Import screen doesn’t automatically appear, click the device’s name in the Photos sidebar.

Connect your external hard drive to your Mac using a compatible USB cable or adapter. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using the USB cable that came with it. Unlock your iPhone and, if prompted, trust the computer. On your Mac, open the “Finder” application. It is typically located in the dock or can be accessed from the “Applications” folder.

In the Finder window, locate your iPhone under the “Devices” section in the sidebar. Click on it to access your iPhone’s files. Open the “DCIM” folder on your iPhone. This folder contains your iPhone’s photos and videos.

Can I use Google Drive instead of iCloud?

If, on the other hand, you want more storage for less and more business-oriented features, Google Drive is probably for you. Realistically, though, the choice is even easier; if you have an Apple product, use iCloud. If you use Android, choose Google.

Yes, you can use Google Drive as an alternative to iCloud for storing and managing your files on an iPhone. While iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage service that seamlessly integrates with iOS and offers features like device backups and syncing, Google Drive is a cross-platform cloud storage service provided by Google.

Conclusion

Backing up your iPhone to an external hard drive offers a valuable alternative to cloud-based backups, providing you with control, ample storage space, and added security. By following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this guide, you can easily establish a reliable backup system that ensures the safety of your important data.

One of the primary benefits of using an external hard drive for iPhone backups is the increased storage capacity it provides. Unlike cloud services, which often have limited free storage options and require subscriptions for additional space, an external hard drive allows you to back up your entire iPhone without worrying about running out of storage or incurring extra costs.

Additionally, backing up to an external hard drive gives you physical control over your backups. This means that even if your cloud storage is compromised or unavailable, you can still access and restore your data directly from the external drive, offering peace of mind and an added layer of protection.

Moreover, the process of backing up to an external hard drive is relatively straightforward and accessible to both Windows and Mac users. With the latest version of iTunes and a compatible external hard drive, you can easily initiate and manage your iPhone backups.