Backing up Video for Vlogging

Whether important documents, photos from a recent holiday, or heartwarming home videos, most of us have had to deal with lost content on our tech devices at some point. Losing files not only causes us a lot of frustration, but it also costs us a lot of time and money. And this is exactly why you need this backup guide, especially if you’re a vlogger who doesn’t know how to backup videos.

YouTube vloggers who haven’t backed up their vlogs, for example, deal with lost video files quite frequently. Vlogs usually consist of special and unique moments that happen to us only once, and losing that kind of footage takes an emotional toll on many content creators. In order to avoid these unpleasant feelings, it’s wise to always back up your documents and files and do it often.

And that’s where this backup guide for vlogging comes in. Today, we’ll go through all the ways you can back up your vlogs so that you don’t have to deal with any issues regarding lost data. Backing up vlog footage and data is easier than you think – it simply requires a little planning on your side and spending a few hours copying your documents and files.

Nowadays, there are plenty of ways you can achieve this, and we will cover all of them in our backup guide. But first, let’s go over why vloggers should bother with backing up their data.

Why Backing Up Your Vlogs and Personal Data is Important

Plenty of things can cause accidental data removal, from viruses or software and hardware problems and malfunctions, to permanently deleting your files by mistake.

Many times, we’re responsible for bringing havoc on our devices. This can cause us to start tip-toeing around technology, or worse, start to fear it. Needless to say, we can’t utilize the full potential of our devices if we fear that something might go wrong. By backing up your files regularly, you will get a sense of security, so you will no longer get a mini panic attack every time you press that delete button on accident. You will know that there is an exact copy of your video file somewhere else!

Most of us keep important documents such as bills and tax returns on our devices, and vloggers are no exception. Backing up your data on a regular basis can save you from a lot of trouble, both financial and legal, and plenty of headaches. My files got deleted is the adult version of “the dog ate my homework” excuse, so take action on time in order to avoid being in this situation.

One perk of backing up data which is strictly vlogger-related is that your subscribers won’t have to wait for days on end in case your vlog footage disappears on accident. This will, in turn, keep your upload schedule consistent at all times, which is always a plus in the YouTube world.

And last but certainly not least, backing up data saves you a lot of time. Think about the amount of work you will have to put in in case you lose your footage, especially if you’ve already edited those clips and had them ready for upload. Putting separate vlog footage together and going through the editing process takes a lot of time. So, if you don’t want to lose hours (or days) on redoing your vlogs from the start, have at least one backup plan for your vlog footage.

How to Back up Your Vlogs and Personal Data

Now let’s move onto the first way you can safely back up your vlogs.

Backup Videos Using an External Drive

One of the easiest and safest ways to back up your files is to purchase an external hard drive and store all your important information on it. The process differs depending on whether you have a Windows computer or a Mac computer.

Windows

If you have a Windows computer, the first step you need to do is get a hard drive from your nearest tech store that has plenty of space. It’s good to ensure the hard drive has twice the space that the files on your computer occupy. After all, you will be storing more and more information as time goes on. The next step is to actually install the hard drive in your Windows computer. Luckily, the installation process is easy; start by plugging the hard drive in your computer. The computer will register the drive and it will ask you whether you want to use it as a backup drive. After clicking ‘yes’, you need to follow a simple installation procedure until you get to the point where you can click the option to “Save Settings and Run Backup”.

Mac

If you have a Mac computer, after purchasing the hard drive (the same tip about the space on the hard drive applies)  and plugging it in, you need to select the option to “Use as a Backup Disk”. The installation process will continue in the background and all your information will be securely stored on the backup drive from that point on.

That being said, external hard drives are prone to getting physical damage. So, you need to make sure that you’re taking care of your external hard drive and keep it in the same place so that you don’t lose any valuable information.

Backup Videos Using Internet Services

Perhaps a less known way to back up your data, internet services like Backblaze allow you to store all your files and documents safely online in a web storage space. Usually, you’ll need to pay on a monthly basis for these services.

The way they work is by automatically running a complete computer backup in the background, meaning you don’t have to do any of the work. With that said, you will need to take into account the fact that there is a monthly fee to be paid each month, as long as you keep using the service. On the other hand, it’s a safe way to backup videos, and you won’t have to worry about getting any external damage that can result in missing or corrupt files.

Some companies we recommend are Backblaze, iBackup, and ElephantDrive.

YouTube Backup Using Cloud

When learning how to back up YouTube videos, the option of using a cloud will inevitably come up. There are multiple cloud services that allow you to back up your data, some of which even allow you to do it for free up to a couple of GB. The one that’s right to you will depend on what your particular goals with cloud backup are, as well as how much data you need to back up.

Backup Videos Using Dropbox

Dropbox allows you to use their services for free if you’re planning on backing up files that are smaller than 2 GB. But let’s face it, when it comes to YouTube backup, vloggers need a lot more space than merely 2 GB. So, you’ll need to purchase a plan. There is a plan that allows you to store files on Dropbox for only $9.99 per month, with a space limit of 2 TB.  

The first step to using Dropbox is having the application installed in your computer. The installation process is quick and easy and at the end, you will need to create a Dropbox account. As soon as you’re done with those steps, you can move any files you want to back up on your Dropbox account.

Backup Videos Using OneDrive

OneDrive is another amazing service that will keep your files safe and protected. It’s created by Microsoft, but both Windows and iOS devices can use and access it. The best part is – you have the option of using 5 GB for free, which is quite generous. The rest of the plans vary in prices. You also have the option of purchasing an Office 365 Home plan that up to six people can use.

Downloading OneDrive is pretty straightforward – all you have to do is download the program from their official website and install it on your computer. The next step is creating your own account which shouldn’t take you longer than a couple of minutes. After this process is finished, you can go ahead and access the dedicated OneDrive folder on your computer (which can be easily found using the search bar), and start dragging and dropping the files you wish to save in the folder so they can be safely moved on the cloud.

Backup Videos Using Google Drive

Perhaps a lesser-known cloud system, Google Drive allows you to keep files up to 15 GB for free. The cloud is called Backup and Sync and anyone can download it from their official website.

Since vloggers typically need more than 15 GB of space, you can purchase the paid plans which cost $2 per month for 100 GB, $10 per month for 1 TB, and $100 per month for 10 TB.

When the installation process is finished, the Backup and Sync app will ask you which files you want to save. Once you have selected the folders you want to back up, select the “Choose Folder” option and they will be safely added to the cloud in no time.

As you can see, Cloud backups are easy to use and you won’t have to worry about creating any physical damage to your files, as is the case with external hard drives. That said, with some Cloud apps, the backup process might take some time, so be wary of that.

Backup Videos Using a USB

Here is a way of backing up information that’s well known to most of us – backing up using a USB flash drive. Probably the most obvious difference between the methods mentioned earlier concerning backup videos and this one is the fact that using a Cloud or an external drive to store your information provides more space than a USB flash drive. Most USB drives offer from 1 GB to 8 GB of space, which in vlog terms probably isn’t that much. But you can also find USB drives with a few hundred GB of space up to 1 TB. There is always the option of deleting some of your video files as soon as your YouTube vlog goes up. This will save space, but try doing this only with video clips that don’t include special moments or memories.

On the other hand, the advantage of using a USB is that you don’t have to go through any tedious installation process since most USBs don’t require any installation at all. You won’t need to set up an account on a website either – all you have to do is purchase the USB and plug it in your computer. From that point on, you simply locate the USB and transfer any files you want to have backed up in there. If your computer doesn’t register the USB, you can find the USB folder under “This PC”. If you still can’t find it, try removing it and plugging it back in, and if that doesn’t work either, you should troubleshoot the problem. 

Unlike using an external hard drive for YouTube backup, you can carry your USB around with you everywhere you go, which is certainly a plus. This will allow you to work outside your home and edit your vlogs from any place you’d like. 

YouTube Backup By Cloning Your Hard Drive

What if I told you that you can create an exact clone of your hard drive? Thanks to the latest technology, we can do so by simply following a couple of different steps.

You don’t need to go through hours and hours of copying or imaging files; all you have to do is choose one of the following software tools that will do all the hard work for you.

Acronis Backup

By using Acronis, you can clone your entire computer and all the files that can be found inside at one go. It’s one of the safest ways out there to clone your hard drive and the price starts from $50. If you’d like to find out more about all its features, make sure you visit their website.

Active@ Disk Image

This backup software allows you to store data, mount images as virtual drives, schedule backups, create and restore raw disk image, and plenty of other features that come with a standard or pro version. The standard costs $39, while the pro version costs $69. You can see all the features this software offers, as well as get a free trial from their official website.

AOMEI Backupper

AOMEI Backupper comes in multiple editions: Professional, Workstation, Server, and Technician edition and the prices vary depending on which edition you go for. They offer features such as data protection and full backups. 

How to Back up Your iPhone

Some vloggers prefer filming on their phones. After all, phones are easier to carry around and it’s way more convenient than bringing a giant camera with you everywhere you go along with other filming accessories. If you’re a vlogger, chances are you have some video footage on your phone which requires backing up just like the video files on your computer. So, how can you backup videos if you’re an iPhone user? We’re here to answer that question. 

Backing up your phone is a smart habit to get into, especially before you install any updates (which is usually the time when iPhones fail or certain files get deleted). Luckily, backing up an iPhone is an easy and quick task. 

Just like with PC and Mac computers, you have the option of transferring your important files on a Cloud, which in the case of Mac is iCloud. All you need for a secure backup is a fast and stable Wi-Fi connection. You can access the iCloud backup on your iPhone settings and select “Back up now”. Syncing your files is an automatic process and you won’t have to select the option manually when you feel like some file is worth saving. That being said, you can only get 5 GB of free space on iCloud. If you want more space, you can always purchase it from Apple. 

You can also back up your iPhone using iTunes. A great option is to combine the two methods in order to ensure maximum safety. When you open your iTunes app, there is an icon that says “iPhone” in the upper left corner. By opening the “Summary” tab, you can select the “Back up now” option, after which your iPhone will be automatically backed up. 

How to Back Up Your Android Phone

Android users have a couple of options when it comes to backing up their files. One way is by using your Google account. Whenever you want to backup videos or other files, you simply need to go to the Settings and tap the “Accounts and Backup” option. You will then have to choose “Backup and Restore” and add in the information regarding your Google account. As soon as you have everything you need, the phone will automatically do all the work required and backup your videos and other phone files.

Just like with an iPhone, you have the option of using a Cloud service like OneDrive. You can find it on Google Play and after installing the app your phone will be automatically synced and backed up. You can even access other devices, assuming you have OneDrive installed in them. 

Any Android phone can be backed up by using Google Photos as well. It’s essentially an app that backs up your photos and videos, which is crucial data for a YouTube vlogger. Google Photos is automatically installed on your Android phone, but in case you don’t have it, start by downloading the Google Photos app from the Play Store. When the download is finished, install the app and set it to automatically back up any photos or videos you have on your phone. Then, open the app and select “Backup and Sync” which is located under “Settings”. Google Photos is an excellent backup solution because it doesn’t have a space limit, unlike some other methods we’ve discussed. And the best part is – the app is completely free!

That completes our backup guide for vlogging where we hopefully explained everything you need to know about how to backup videos! 

What kind of method are you thinking about using so you can ensure that your vlogs stay safe and protected? Or, better yet, will you be combining two or more backup strategies? Let us know!

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Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Our editors may earn a small commission if products are purchased via our external partner links.