How To Backup iPhone to External Hard Drive

TECHNOLOGY / December 5, 2023 / admin / 1

To backup your iPhone to external hard drive is really important as it helps to create extra space in your iPhone and also of good help in case of phone loss or damage. It is also quite simple to do and I will be listing the steps on how to do that.

But before I begin, let me discuss briefly what a hard drive is. Taking care of the hard drive is also very important and I will also list some steps on how to care for your external hard drive.

What Is A Hard Drive

A hard drive is a non-volatile storage device where you can store your data such as documents, photos and files on rapidly rotating platters with magnetic surfaces. The hard drive keeps everything accessible, which makes it a good component for storing and retrieving data.

An external hard drive is just like a removable storage device that you can connect into your computer  to move some of your documents into it to create extra space in your phone/computer. This device helps to safeguard your photos, videos, files, backups once kept well. They are very portable and makes it easy to transfer data between different devices.

How To Backup iPhone To External Hard Drive

The steps to backup your iPhone to an external hard drive may vary depending on your iTunes or finder version and your computer operating system. And before you back up, always make sure that your external hard drive has enough space and is properly connected. Below are steps on how to backup your iPhone to an external hard drive.

1. Connecting the hard drive: First step is to connect your external hard drive to your computer using the appropriate cable.
2. Connecting your phone: Next, connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable, and if an option is prompted in your iPhone, you have to trust your computer.
3. Open iTunes in computer: Open/launch iTunes on Windows or Finder on Mac. Then In iTunes or Finder, select your iPhone once it appears
4. Locate backup section: In iTunes, look for the “backup” section and under it, select “This computer” . But in finder, you will see option to select a backup location, then choose your external hard drive.
5. Start backing up: Once you are done choosing location for the backup, click “Back Up Now” in iTunes or Finder and allow the backup process to complete.
6. Verify the backup: After backing up your iPhone to an external drive, it is important to ensure that the backup was successful. So you can do that by checking the backup on your external hard drive to make sure it includes the data you backed up, confirm the date and time of back up too.
7. Eject the hard drive: Carefully eject the hard drive from your computer and store in a clean place to avoid damage or data loss.
8. Update and Secure your backups: Try to schedule a regular backup to keep your data current, mostly if you add or change any information on your iPhone. Also, if your hard drive supports encryption, consider encrypting your backup for security purposes.

How To Take Care Of The External Hard Drive

The hard drive have few precautions since they are more protected by being sealed in airtight cases. Though when damage occur, it can be very serious as larger amount of data can be lost. So below are ways you can take care of the hard drive;

• Avoid careless dropping: You have to treat your hard drive gently, and avoid dropping or subjecting it to physical shocks because this may damage its internal components.
• Keep away from dust and debris: Make sure to keep the hard disk in a clean environment to prevent dust/debris from entering it. Dust can corrupt the hard disk and thus affect its performance.
• Connecting and Ejecting it safely: While connecting your hard drive, do that carefully and don’t put much pressure while doing that. Also, before unplugging your hard drive, click on “eject” or “safely remove” option on your system before you can now physically remove it.
• keeping it in a cool place: Avoid placing the hard drive in direct sunlight. Ensure there is proper ventilation where it is to avoid over heating.
• Using a surge protector: Always try to connect your hard drive through a surge protector to guard it against power surges or fluctuations which may damage the drive.
• Backup: Always try to backup your important files or documents to avoid potential loss.

Frequently Asked Question

 PS4 External Hard Drive 

A PS4 external hard drive is also an external storage device you connect to your PS4 in order to store games, app and other data if you no longer have enough space in your console built-in storage.

Steps In Connecting External Hard Drive into PS4 For Back Up

In connecting your PS4 into external drive, try to follow the specific instruction that appears on your PS4 screen, cause your system might bring out additional steps based on your set up. Below are ways to connect your PS4 to external hard drive for backups;

1. Preparing the hard drive: Firstly, ensure that the external hard drive is compatible with PS4, and it should use USB 3.0 for a good performance. Then you format the hard drive if it’s new to a compatible file system. The PS4 do support exFAT and FAT32.
2. Connect the hard drive: Then turn on your PS4 and log in to your account. After that, you plug in the external hard drive into the USB ports on your PS4.
3. Move to settings: On your PS4 home screen, go to “settings”. On the settings, go to “system”. Then choose “backup and restore” from the system settings, you then select “backup PS4” from options available.
4. Start backup: Then select everything you want to back and start the backup. Allow the PS4 to complete the backup process before you carefully eject it.

You can also decide to use the external hard drive as your default location for installations on the PS4. You can do this by;

• Plugging the external hard drive in the USB ports on your PS4
• On the PS4 home screen, you go to “settings”. On the settings, you go to “devices”, then select “USB storage devices “
• If “format the external hard drive” options pops up, then you have to follow the instruction on the screen to do that. Note that formatting erases all data on the drive
• Once done formatting. In “storage” , you can now set the hard drive as your default location for installations or when downloading new games, you can then choose the external hard drive as the storage location once its connected.

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