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Best Photo & Video Backup for Your Phone 2023
Losing your precious files isn't an option. Luckily, keeping them safe and secure is very easy. We have tested the top backup app for your smartphone and picked the best of the best.

Table of Contents
Think outside the box but keep your files in it
When it comes to important files - only the best will do. A safe, secure, and trustworthy platform is just what you need and Box seems to fit this role down to a T.
Why we chose Box:
- The free plan offers no less than 10 GB of free space
- It is extremely easy to set up, even for inexperienced users who have never backed up their files
- It covers not only videos and photos but all other types of files in existence
- The search function allows you to trawl through the contents of all your PDF and DOC files
In short, you can't go wrong with Box, especially if you are looking to save a bit of your hard-earned cash.
Spring for the upgrade if you need more than 10 GB of storage space and want to backup a genuinely large database.
Read Box's Full ReviewAs cool as ice
Box is as straightforward as it gets. The beauty of Icedrive, however, lies in the details. With a wealth of options, it is an amazing solution for those who like a diverse offer.
Why we chose Icedrive?
- 10 GB of free space to play with - and fairly affordable paid plans
- Great attention to detail and a good selection of options
- The ability to backup your entire device - files and settings included
- A way to stream media on the go
Positioning itself somewhere between personal and business use, Icedrive offers a fine balance that just about anyone can benefit from.
Read Icedrive's Full ReviewPretty great for business
Good old Microsoft still has a trick or two up its sleeve. OneDrive is not the one you should miss, especially if your main aim is to use it for business.
Why we chose OneDrive?
- 5 GB of free space available - up to 1 TB with Microsoft 365
- Good integration with Windows and the ability to easily sync files between your phone and desktop computer
- Great platform for working in a team
- Strong password protection
A fairly decent option for the casual user and a powerful tool for business, OneDrive is well worth exploring - and potentially investing in.
Read Microsoft OneDrive's Full ReviewEverything We Recommend
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Our PickWinner of PC Magazine's Editors' Choice Award: "There are plenty of excellent file-syncing storage services, but, on Android, the Box app takes the cake."
Securely store, manage and share all your files, photos and documents with 10GB of free cloud storage from Box.
With Box, you can easily:
* Access and work on all your files at your fingertips
* Access your content online, from your desktop, and on your Android phone or tablet
* Share important documents, contracts, visuals and more
* Preview 200+ file types with full screen quality
* Give feedback from anywhere by commenting and mentioning colleagues and partners
Box for Android features:
* 10GB of free cloud storage to back up all your docs
* Upload PDFs, Microsoft Office files, photos, videos and other files to Box
* View and print 200+ file types, including PDF, Word, Excel, AI, and PSD
* File-level security controls
* Offline access to files and folders
* Share huge files with just a link - no need for attachments
* Add comments to documents to send feedback
* Real-time search
* Search within PDF, PowerPoint, Excel, Word files
* Updates feed to find recently viewed or edited files
* Open files in hundreds of partner apps that let you annotate, e-sign, edit and more
Box helps you get work done on the go. It's fast, secure and simple to use, so you can be productive from anywhere, which is the reason 57,000 businesses, including Eli Lilly and Company, General Electric, KKR & Co., P&G and The GAP securely access and manage their critical information with Box.CostFreeFreeIn-App PurchasesNo$79.99 - $99.99 per item -
Runner Up
Icedrive #Secure Cloud Storage
4.1 Ratings 5K+ Reviews 100K+ DownloadsBackup your photos, documents and videos with Icedrive, the coolest cloud storage and backup service to hit the scene.
Need a quick solution? Instantly backup your entire device with our backup wizard.
Never lose a photo again with our auto camera uploading feature.
Stream your media on-the-go with our built-in audio and video streamer.
Busy professional? We've got you covered. Preview & Share all popular document and vector file types with our built in document preview tool.
Keep your friends, family and colleagues in the loop with our advanced file sharing options. Send files instantly to other Icedrive users or create a public page with a link.
What are you waiting for? Make the switch to Icedrive today!CostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$1.99 - $179.99 per item$3.99 - $349.99 per item -
Also Groovy
Microsoft OneDrive
4.6 Ratings 5M+ Reviews 1B+ DownloadsMicrosoft OneDrive gives you more storage space for your photos and files. OneDrive’s cloud storage will secure photos, videos, files and keep them safe. Keep your files protected, synced, and accessible on all your devices. The OneDrive app lets you view and share photos files, photos, and videos with friends and family for safe and free storage. Plus, you can use the app to automatically back up your phone’s photos and videos. Start with 5 GB of free storage space or upgrade to a Microsoft 365 subscription to get up to 1 TB or 100 GB of cloud storage.
Microsoft OneDrive offers the following features:
Back up photos & videos
• More storage for all of your important files. Upload photos, videos, documents & more
• Automatic photo backup & secure photo storage when you turn on Camera Upload
• Find photos in the photo locker easily with automatic tagging
• View & share photos on your phone, computer & online
• Free storage & photo locker will secure photos & keep them safe
• Upload videos & keep them in secure photo storage
• Bedtime Backup is a dedicated backup state for seamless photo backup while you’re snoozing
File sharing and access
• Secure photo storage for all of your photos, videos & albums
• Share files, photos, videos & albums with friends & family
• Share photos & upload videos easily
• Get notifications when a shared document is edited
• Secure folder settings offer password-protected or expiring sharing links*
• Access selected OneDrive files on the app without being online
Security
• All OneDrive files are encrypted at rest & in transit
• Personal Vault: protect important files with identity verification in secure folder storage
• Secure photos, upload videos & keep them safe with secure photo storage
• Restore files with version history
• Stay protected with ransomware detection & recovery*
Collaboration with Microsoft
• Share files across platforms & share photos in the photo locker
• Use Microsoft Office apps to edit & collaborate in real time on Word, Excel, PowerPoint & OneNote files stored in OneDrive
• Back up, view & save Office documents
Document scanning
• Scan, sign, markup & send docs right from the OneDrive mobile app
• Keep documents safe in a secure folder
Search
• Search photos by what’s in them (i.e. beach, snow, etc.)
• Search docs by name or content
The OneDrive app for Android offers 5 GB of free cloud storage to sync photos and files across your devices, share photos and docs, and keep your digital life backed up in the cloud.
Microsoft 365 Personal & Family Subscription
• Subscriptions begin at $6.99 a month in the US, and can vary by region
• More storage with 1 TB per person for up 6 people with the Family subscription
• OneDrive premium features accessible for everyone in the plan
• Share files, folders and photos for specific time windows for added security
• Protect your passwords with password-protected sharing links
• Secure file sharing app with added ransomware detection and recovery security features
• File Restore: Recover files up to 30 days after malicious attacks, file corruption, or accidental edits or deletions
• Share up to 10x more content a day with friends and family
• Access premium versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook and OneDrive
Microsoft 365 subscriptions and OneDrive standalone subscriptions purchased from the app will be charged to your Google Play store account and will automatically renew within 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription period, unless auto-renewal is disabled beforehand.
To manage your subscriptions or to disable auto-renewal, after purchase, go to your Google Play store account settings. A subscription cannot be canceled or refunded during the active subscription period.
Using this OneDrive app for work or school
For you to sign into your work or school account on OneDrive, your organization needs to have a qualifying OneDrive, SharePoint Online or Microsoft 365 business subscription planCostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$0.99 - $99.99 per item$1.99 - $99.99 per item
The 411 from our Appventurer
How we tested?
Apps devoted to photo and video backup come with their own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. There are many ways in which they can fail - so we made sure that our top 3 were able to jump over every hurdle and perform well - no matter what.
Obviously, ease of use is always of paramount importance. Can you start using the software immediately, or need a textbook-sized instruction manual to navigate the basic tasks? We also shouldn't forget about safety and security.
Next, come photo and video quality. Once you finally download your files - is there any obvious loss? Do your pictures seem intact - or grainy? Are your videos as good as they once were? They better be, or we're tossing the app into our "rejects" section.
Frugal as we are, we couldn't possibly neglect one of the main factors - price. Comparing the amount of cash (if any) is something we always pay great attention to. The less a good app costs, the better!
Why get the app?
The first and most common reason will be the lack of storage space on your device. Most phones and tablets come with pretty tiny memory cards, so an online cloud service will come in handy with some chunky video files or large photo collections.
Next comes the question of security. A device can easily crash, break, or get stolen. To avoid losing all your precious memories or important work-related data, keeping it under lock and key - on a remote server - can be a great way to avoid stress.
Of course, you can also install one of these to transfer your files onto a new device without having to deal with any cables, passwords, or additional software for your desktop computer. It's so much easier, especially when you're on the go.
More About Box: Our Pick
Box. It sounds a bit silly, doesn't it? Don't laugh just yet. A simple name and an equally simple interface hide something far greater than the average user might expect. All your needs are about to be met, all your questions about security answered and, most importantly, all your files will be stored without much hassle.
Using it is beyond easy. Once you start the app, sign up, and get to the main screen, you will find two files already in your cloud. One will be a thorough video tutorial that will guide you through the process of using Box. The other will turn out to be a PDF file containing 10 great tips on how to take full advantage of the platform you are currently dealing with. Awesome as these may be - you don't really need them. Everything is so straightforward, so intuitive, so simple that you will get the hang of it upon the first try when it comes to Box. Still, it's very thoughtful of them to include such a manual.
The app possesses a good selection of options that allow you to store not just videos and photos but also any other type of file. Entire movies will upload rather quickly - mostly depending on the speed of your internet connection. The platform itself almost appears to have no limits in this department.
The download is just as smooth, with no loss of quality in any of the files. Any compression method used leaves them practically intact, and your videos will be just as crisp as they were before you put them on this cloud.
An update feed will let you find any recently posted files. If you have a larger number of them (and these days - who doesn't?) you will be able to search through them using a pretty powerful tool. So powerful, in fact, that it will also allow you to peer into the contents of each PDF and DOC file. This will definitely be a pleasant surprise for all book lovers and college students out there. You can also expect to be able to preview more than 200 different file types in full screen - videos and pictures reproduced perfectly.
If your budget is your top priority, you can stick to the basic plan and use the 10 GB available to all free users. In case you feel like you need a bit more - Box has got you covered. The Starter pack costs $4.99 per month and will give you access to 100 GB of space. The Business plan, costing $14.99, will grant you unlimited amounts of cloud storage. Yes, that is right. There are no limits to how much you can upload - from more than a couple of different devices. Sounds brilliant? That's because it is and that's why we've chosen Box as our definite winner.
Snags but not drags:
With a fast and reliable platform as this one, it can be a challenge to find a genuine flaw. It's free (for the most part), it's easy to use (all the way) and satisfies all the needs the average user may have when it comes to backing up their files. So what's the catch?
The only tiny little problem we could detect lies in the "tasks" section. This bit of the app is aimed at teams and companies who wish to collaborate online, working together on audio and video content. The intention is noble enough, but the execution leaves a bit to be desired.
This attempt of moving into the realm of Asana and Slack still needs a good deal of work before it can be touted as an effective solution. For now, it is better to focus on all the amazing things Box has to offer and skip this part altogether. For now.
More About Icedrive: Runner Up
Sometimes, it all boils down to personal preference. Certain users will love a minimalist design - others will like to push buttons and explore. For the latter, Icedrive offers an amazing opportunity to discover new options and get the most out of a seemingly simple premise of backing up files.
Of course, things can also be easy if you want them to. For example, you don't need more than two taps on your screen to upload the entire contents of your portable device onto a cloud. Seriously - files, settings, everything will be put on a remote server so you can clean up and reset your phone. What could be more convenient than that for anyone who likes to keep their device malware-free?
You can also focus on specific areas of your phone - with the auto camera uploading feature being a particular standout. Another convenient option is to stream any uploaded content on-the-go - along with the ability to share any file with your friends, family, and colleagues. In fact, this is where Icedrive beats Box by a long shot.
However, such a wealth of options can be a bit difficult to take in at first and the average user will need a day or two before they are fully used to the interface and all its wonderful features. We urge you not to give up on it as getting over the learning curve is well worth the effort. If you find yourself a bit lost and confused, an amazing selection of frequently asked questions will set you on the right path. You'll get the hang of things quickly enough.
Strong encryption and a keen focus on safety are also worth mentioning. After all, you don't want to have someone hack into your account and steal all your data. Icedrive simply won't allow for that to happen.
When it comes to storage space - arguably the most important piece of the puzzle - the app offers just as much as Box. 10 GB should be enough for basic tasks while more (much more!) is available once you pay. The prices are similar, so the choice will ultimately depend on what you need for your device (or devices). We are definitely great fans of both apps.
More About Microsoft OneDrive: Also Groovy
Microsoft has been around for a very long time, longer than most companies in the digital world. It has had some changing fortunes during these decades - from the undisputed top spot in the world of operating systems, down to chucking out some pretty clunky software (yes, we all remember Internet Explorer). Still, to this day, it remains an important player in the game and will occasionally come up with something genuinely impressive. OneDrive is one such release that we simply cannot skip when talking about backup software.
Available for desktop as well as portable devices, this online service can be used as a cloud for storing your documents, a backup service for just about anything on your phone or tablet, or even a tool for teamwork.
Sharing photos is easy, and you can even get a notification each time any of your files are edited by other group members - if you allow them to do so, that is. You have full control of your privacy - through encryption, password protection, and an extra "vault" feature (with identity verification included!).
Automatic photo backup allows you to get all your pictures copied onto your remote drive - each time you snap a new one. Browsing them is easy and finding just what you need even easier with automatic tagging. In addition, you can scan, sign, and share documents, making this a great platform for business.
In fact, it is precisely in the realm of small and medium-sized companies that OneDrive will shine the brightest. Teams up to 100 can work seamlessly through it, making it a decent alternative to Google Drive or even Asana.
Our only complaint is the amount of space you get. 5 GB will be enough for smaller updates, but a subscription to Microsoft 365 will be in order for anything more substantial. With it, you will get no less than 1 TB of storage. Still, if you aim to run a serious business, this won't be much of an issue. A robust and comprehensive system such as this is well worth the price.
Other Apps Considered
Many users would pick this one, if for no other reason, then for the fact that it is bound to be well integrated into the Google eco-system. This is a fair enough assumption and one that is, for the most part, accurate. The app seems safe and secure, but we still cannot help but wonder - do you want to keep all your eggs in one basket? What if something goes wrong? What if you get locked out of your account? It may be better to diversify your backup options. In addition, we have noticed that the app tends to report errors during upload, interrupting the process on more than a couple of occasions. Because of this, we have decided to skip it and look elsewhere.
Perhaps the biggest name on the list, Dropbox definitely doesn't hold the same position when storage is concerned. While some of our top contenders offer 10 GB of space, this well-known platform gives but 2. For anything above that, you will need to pay $9.99 per month. It seems that the longer a website or app has been around, the more it tends to boost the price without boosting the quality of its services. Perhaps, just perhaps, it may be better to opt for a newcomer instead.
This one has a peculiar tendency to pause any upload the second the app is not in the foreground. Minimize it to do something else and the process won't budge an inch until you turn your attention to it once again. It's an odd bug that will waste your time for sure. It renders the app borderline useless - even if the program initially promises a good deal. The upload speed is actually surprisingly decent so, if only this glitch would be fixed, this could easily be one of our favorites.
This platform seems decent enough until you try to download the videos you have uploaded. You will be unpleasantly surprised by the distinct reduction in the quality of the footage. An odd kind of encryption shrinks them to about two-thirds of their original size and doesn't bother decompressing them afterward. Instead, you get something quite grainy and, frankly, we don't think that any serious user would be willing to put up with it. There are much better alternatives out there - even if photo storage on pCloud doesn't seem to suffer from the same flaw.
This one "blessed" us with an unusually complex interface. We felt as if we were running around in circles trying to figure things out. Much like Amazon Drive, the app could really benefit from a complete revamp. A more minimalist design and a more intuitive layout of the options would make things so much easier. We're not just talking about the visual aspect of it - but about general functionality. It's simply not there. Not for us. Not at this moment. Better luck next time, SugarSync.
Stefan Racic
My phone tends to be filled to the brim with apps I am either trying on for size of using on a regular basis. I use them for a variety of tasks, including sketching and creating art, keeping in touch with friends, being up to date with the latest news, learning about diverse spiritual practices and, of course, playing games!
With over 10 years of experience as a translator and writer, I channel my creativity into writing about things I enjoy. My education in business (I hold a bachelor's degree in operations management) is but one part of expertise. I have worked for art magazines, spiritual blogs, news and business sites, and now I explore the fascinating world of apps.
My previous work is as diverse as my interests. Fresh out of college, I was employed as a translator and interpreter at the fringes of the corporate world and the NGO sector. After switching to writing, I first focused on business news, then shifted to working for a series of art magazines (WideWalls perhaps being the most well known), and even wrote content for a couple of spirituality-focused apps for Labyrinthos Academy. Little did I know that I would eventually devote a good chunk of my time to writing about all sorts of interesting new apps out there.
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The smartphones and tablets of today nearly always have limited capacity. A year worth of photos will max out on their storage space easily. A few larger video files and your portable device will start slowing down to a crawl. What can be done? Unless phone makers start showing more mercy towards us, regular users need to find a different way to fix this problem.
Photo and video backup services are a great way to go around it, not to mention that they single-handedly solve another issue - data loss occurring due to device failure. With more and more people working online, this sort of software is becoming a "must-have." If you're wondering which ones have survived our rigorous testing, please, do read on.