Follow the 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of important files, on 2 different types of storage, with 1 copy off-site (like the cloud). Turn on automatic cloud backup for your phone and photos today, and you've solved most of it.
The 3-2-1 rule
- 3 copies of anything you'd hate to lose.
- 2 types of storage (e.g., your device + an external drive or cloud).
- 1 off-site — a cloud backup protects you from theft, fire, or a dead drive.
The easy version
Turn on automatic cloud backup for your phone (photos, contacts) and your computer. For anything truly irreplaceable, keep an extra copy on an external drive too. Set it and forget it — automatic backups are the ones that actually happen.
Nobody thinks about backups until the moment they desperately need one. Spend ten minutes turning on automatic backup now, and that terrible day becomes a shrug.
Common questions
Is cloud storage safe?
Reputable providers are encrypted and reliable — far safer than a single phone that can break or get lost. Protect the account with a strong password and 2FA.