How to back up the videos on your iPhone

By Con, founder of Music Wide Selfie · Updated 22 October 2026

Short answerTurn on iCloud Photos with enough iCloud storage, or regularly copy videos to a computer or external drive. Two copies in different places is the safest.

iCloud Photos

Settings › [your name] › iCloud › Photos. Your library syncs to iCloud. Free iCloud storage is small, so large video libraries usually need a paid plan.

A computer

On a Mac, use the Photos app or Image Capture. On Windows, use the Photos app or File Explorer with the phone connected and unlocked.

An external drive

On iPhones with USB-C, many drives connect directly and appear in the Files app. Older Lightning iPhones may need an adapter.

Make it a habit

Back up after important shoots, not just occasionally. A backup you never made can’t help.

Questions

Is iCloud a backup?

iCloud Photos syncs, so deleting on one device deletes everywhere after 30 days in Recently Deleted. A separate copy elsewhere is a true backup.

About Music Wide Selfie

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