How to Back Up SD Card on the Go with Every Possible Method

If you store media or files on your SD card, it's crucial to back it up, as SD cards can be unreliable despite claims of lasting over ten years.

You can technically back up your SD card on the go. Continue reading to find out how to backup SD card on the go.

The Importance of Backing Up SD Cards Backing up SD cards is an essential practice for anyone who relies on these small storage devices to keep their valuable data safe. Whether you're a professional photographer, videographer, or simply someone who stores important files on your SD card, regular backups can protect you from potential data loss and ensure that your precious memories and projects are always secure. 1. **Preventing Data Loss**: SD cards, like any other digital storage medium, are prone to failure. They can get corrupted, damaged, or even physically broken due to wear and tear, water damage, or other environmental factors. A backup ensures that you have a secondary copy of your files in case of such unforeseen events. 2. **Accidental Deletion**: Human error is inevitable, and accidentally deleting critical files from your SD card is a common occurrence. Once files are deleted, they may be irrecoverable without a backup. Regularly backing up your SD card can save you the hassle and potential heartache of losing important data. 3. **Virus and Malware Attacks**: In today's digital age, malicious software can pose a significant threat to your data. If your SD card gets infected, it could lead to the corruption or loss of your files. A backup ensures that your data remains safe even if your SD card becomes compromised. 4. **Software and Hardware Compatibility Issues**: Sometimes, issues with software or hardware can make it difficult or impossible to access files on an SD card. Backing up your data regularly ensures that you have a recent copy of your files that can be accessed through another device or platform. 5. **Multiple Versions and Edits**: For creative professionals, having multiple versions of a project is crucial. Backing up your SD card allows you to maintain different versions of your work, so you can easily revert to an earlier version if needed. 6. **Peace of Mind**: Knowing that your valuable data is backed up provides peace of mind. It allows you to focus on your work or enjoy your photos and videos without constantly worrying about the possibility of losing them. 7. **Regular Updates and Organization**: Backing up your SD card encourages you to regularly review and organize your files. This process can help you identify duplicates, outdated content, or files that can be safely deleted, keeping your storage space optimized. In conclusion, the importance of backing up SD cards cannot be overstated. By implementing a consistent backup strategy, you can safeguard your valuable data against various risks and ensure that your memories and projects remain intact.

There are numerous reasons why it's essential to back up your SD card. Chief among these is the fact that SD cards have a relatively shorter lifespan. Frequent usage, transferring, or storing large files can often lead to SD cards failing or becoming corrupted.

Although it is guaranteed to last over ten years, it often doesn't, and the reasons are very simple: large file transfers, storage, and hot weather, as previously mentioned.

If you live in a hot location, you might have noticed your SD cards deteriorating quickly.

The second reason to back up your SD card is to free up space. If you frequently take photos and videos and save them on your SD card, we understand the substantial size of these files and how precious these memories are to you.

Considering the advancements in smartphone camera technology in recent years, these files have only grown larger, rivaling those from mirrorless and DSLR cameras to some extent. By storing them on your SD card, you free up space on your smartphone's internal storage.

By manually backing up your SD card contents to your PC or the cloud, or using a specialized SD card backup device, you can free up space on your SD card to accommodate newer photos, videos, or documents.

Moreover, your SD card might be susceptible to viruses or malware. Hence, it's essential to regularly back up your SD card to avoid losing your valuable data. We comprehend the significance of your SD card and the data it holds for you.

By backing up your SD card, you can have peace of mind knowing that even if it fails unexpectedly, you have already secured the contents of your SD card.

Two Methods to Backup SD Cards while On-the-Go

Backing up your SD card isn't as complicated as you might think. Actually, you can easily create a backup while on the move. If you're unsure how to back up your SD card on the go, feel free to try any of the methods suggested in this section. Here's how:

1. Solution 1. Backup Phone SD Card to PC/External Drive
2. Solution 2. Backup SD Card to Google Drive

Solution 1: Backup Phone SD Card to PC/External Drive

You can easily back up your SD card to your PC or an external drive. If you haven't done that before, it's a straightforward process. You'll have your SD card backed up in no time.

Without further delay, here's how to back up your SD card on the go to a PC.

Step 1. Connect your smartphone to your PC.

Step 2. On your smartphone, choose an option labeled "File transfer" or a similar option.

Step 3. On your PC, open "File Explorer" and click on the phone icon in the left pane.

Step 4. Select the SD card folder, and press "CTRL + C" to copy.

1. Navigate to the desired location where you want to save the files. 2. Press "CTRL + V" on your keyboard to paste the folder into that location.

Here's how to back up your SD card to an external drive: 1. Connect the External Drive: Plug in your external hard drive to your computer using a USB cable or connect it wirelessly if it supports that functionality. 2. Insert the SD Card: Insert the SD card into your computer's SD card reader or use an external SD card reader if your computer doesn't have one built-in. 3. Open File Explorer: On Windows, press the 'Windows' key and 'E' simultaneously to open File Explorer. On a Mac, click on the Finder icon in the Dock. 4. Locate the SD Card: In File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), look for the SD card, which is usually labeled with its capacity or a default name like "SD Card" or "NO NAME." 5. Select Files to Backup: Navigate through the folders on your SD card and select the files you want to back up. You can also choose to copy the entire contents of the SD card. 6. Create a Backup Folder: On your external drive, create a new folder named "SD Card Backup" or any other preferred name to organize your backed-up files. 7. Copy Files: Right-click on the selected files or the SD card's contents, then choose "Copy" (Windows) or "Command + C" (Mac). Next, navigate to the backup folder you created on the external drive and right-click, then choose "Paste" (Windows) or "Command + V" (Mac). 8. Wait for the Process to Complete: The transfer process may take some time depending on the size of the files. Do not remove the SD card or external drive until the transfer is finished to avoid data loss. 9. Verify the Backup: Once the transfer is complete, check the files on the external drive to ensure they've been copied correctly. 10. Safely Remove the Drives: Before disconnecting the external drive, make sure to safely eject it in Windows by right-clicking the drive icon in the taskbar and selecting "Eject." On a Mac, drag the drive icon to the trash bin in the Dock. Now your SD card is backed up, and you can store or remove the SD card and external drive as needed.

Step 1. Follow steps 1-4 from the solution above.

Step 2. Connect your external drive or a USB drive to your computer.

Step 3. Open another "File Explorer" window and then access the external drive/USB flash drive.

Step 4. Press "CTRL + V" to paste the SD card files into an external drive/USB flash drive, thus backing up the SD card content to an external device.

Solution 2. Backup SD Card to Google Drive Step 1: Connect your Android device to a computer using a USB cable. Step 2: On your Android device, allow file access to the computer by selecting "File transfer" or a similar option in the notification panel. Step 3: Open Google Drive on your computer's web browser and log in to your account. Step 4: Click on the "+" icon at the top-left corner and select "Upload files" or "Upload folder" to choose the files or folders from your SD card that you want to backup. Step 5: Wait for the upload process to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of your files and your internet speed. Step 6: Once the upload is finished, organize your files in Google Drive as desired. Step 7: Safely disconnect your Android device from the computer. Now your SD card content is backed up to Google Drive, and you can access it anytime from any device with an internet connection. Remember that Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage, and you might need a subscription if you exceed this limit.

Google Drive is also an excellent option for storing your data on the SD card, considering Google provides 15GB of free storage space. You can back up your SD card files to Google Drive in two ways: using your smartphone or a PC.

Here's how to back up your SD card using a smartphone to Google Drive: 1. **Connect the SD Card**: Ensure your SD card is inserted into your smartphone. 2. **Open Google Photos**: Download and install the Google Photos app on your smartphone if it's not already installed. Launch the app. 3. **Enable Backup & Sync**: Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner, then select "Settings" from the drop-down list. In the Settings, tap on "Backup & sync." 4. **Choose Backup Location**: Make sure "Back up to Google Drive" is selected, and under "Backup folder," select or create a folder where you want the SD card files to be backed up. 5. **Set Backup Quality**: Choose the backup quality for photos and videos. You can choose between "High quality" (free unlimited storage for photos up to 16 megapixels and videos up to 1080p) or "Original quality" (which may use your Google Drive storage). 6. **Turn on Backup for SD Card**: Scroll down in the "Backup & sync" settings and find "Device folders." Toggle the switch next to your SD card's name to enable backup. 7. **Start the Backup**: If it doesn't start automatically, tap on "Back up now" to initiate the backup process. It may take some time depending on the size of your SD card and your internet speed. 8. **Monitor Progress**: You can monitor the backup progress in the Google Photos app or in the Google Drive app by checking the designated folder. Once the backup is complete, your SD card contents will be securely stored in your Google Drive account, accessible from any device with an internet connection. Remember that original quality backups may count towards your Google Drive storage limit.

Step 1. Open Google Drive and click on the "+" icon to create a new folder. Name the folder as per your preference.

Step 2. Now, open the folder, click on the "+" icon, and select "Upload."

Step 3. Click on "Browse" and select your files individually (You cannot upload an entire folder. You can only upload individual files at this step.)

Step 4. Allow some time for the files to be backed up to Google Drive.

Here's how to back up your SD card on Google Drive using a PC: 1. Connect your SD card to your computer: Insert the SD card into an SD card reader, and then connect the card reader to your PC via USB. 2. Open Google Drive: Launch a web browser and navigate to drive.google.com. If you're not signed in, enter your Google account credentials to access your Google Drive. 3. Create a new folder: In Google Drive, right-click anywhere in the interface and select "New" > "Folder." Name the folder something like "SD Card Backup" for easy reference. 4. Mount the SD card: On your PC, locate the SD card in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). It should appear as a separate drive letter or volume. 5. Copy files from the SD card: Select all the files and folders you want to back up from the SD card. You can do this by pressing "Ctrl + A" (Windows) or "Command + A" (Mac) to select everything, or manually choose specific items. Then, right-click and select "Copy." 6. Paste files into Google Drive: Switch back to your web browser with Google Drive open. Right-click within the "SD Card Backup" folder you created earlier and select "Paste" to transfer the files. This process may take some time depending on the size of the data. 7. Wait for the upload to complete: Monitor the progress of the upload in the Google Drive window. Do not remove the SD card or close the browser until the upload is finished to avoid any potential data loss. 8. Verify the backup: Once the upload is complete, check the contents of the "SD Card Backup" folder in Google Drive to ensure all files have transferred correctly. 9. Safely eject the SD card: Return to your File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), right-click on the SD card, and select "Eject" before physically removing it from your computer. Now your SD card is backed up on Google Drive, and you can access these files from any device with internet access and your Google account credentials.

Step 1. Connect your smartphone to your PC.

Step 2. Launch your web browser and access Google Drive.

Step 3. Next, open "File Explorer" and click on the mobile icon in the left-side menu.

Step 4. Drag the files from the SD card folder and paste them into the Google Drive window.

Step 5. Depending on the size of your SD card folder, it may take some time to copy the folder. Give it some time.

Step 6. Once it's finished, you can disconnect your smartphone from the PC and close the Google Drive window.

A Better Approach: Backing Up SD Card with SD Card Backup Software

Once you connect your SD card to a computer, it becomes part of its local storage. Hence, you can back up an SD card using SD card backup software. In this scenario, professional backup software like Todo Backup comes in handy. If you're looking for a simpler and faster backup process, Todo Backup is the ideal choice.

Todo Backup Home is a practical and multi-functional backup software for Windows users. It enables users to create partition backups, system images, backups of their hard drives, and various other features. It can also facilitate the migration of Windows from an HDD to an SSD and clone a drive. Additionally, it allows users to automatically back up files to an external drive or cloud storage.

Here are the detailed steps to back up your SD card:

Step 1. Begin by selecting the backup content.

Step 2. There are four backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail. Click on Disk.

Step 3. You can choose to back up the entire hard drive or just a specific partition. Select what you need and click OK.

Step 4.  Choose the location where you want to save the backup.

Step 5. For disk/partition backup, you can choose to save the backup to a local drive or to a NAS.

Step 6. Once the backup process is finished, your task will be listed on the left. Right-click on any task and you can manage your backup further, like recovering it, creating an incremental backup, and more.

The Bottom Line

Since SD cards can be quite unreliable, you risk losing all your files and media if the card fails or goes missing. After reading this article, you'll know how to effectively backup SD card on the go. Ensuring regular backups to your PC or cloud will give you peace of mind, knowing that your data is safe and secure.

To regularly back up your PC or SD card, you can utilize the Todo Backup tool to accomplish this efficiently. With just a few clicks, you can directly backup your SD card to the cloud.

FAQs stands for "Frequently Asked Questions."

1. How do I transfer my SD card content to another SD card?

If you have a card reader, insert both SD cards into the card reader and then connect the card reader to your computer. Open File Explorer and then copy and paste the files from one SD card to the other.

2. How do I transfer pictures from an SD card? To transfer pictures from an SD card, follow these steps: 1. **Insert the SD Card**: Insert the SD card into your computer's SD card reader or use a USB SD card reader if your computer doesn't have a built-in slot. 2. **Connect the Device**: If you're using a separate card reader, plug it into a USB port on your computer. 3. **Access the SD Card**: Once connected, your computer should detect the SD card as a new drive. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). 4. **Locate the Pictures**: Navigate to the folder where the pictures are stored on the SD card, usually named "DCIM" or "Pictures". 5. **Copy the Pictures**: Select the photos you want to transfer and right-click (Windows) or control-click (Mac) to choose "Copy" or press "Ctrl+C" (Windows) or "Command+C" (Mac). 6. **Paste to Destination Folder**: Navigate to the location on your computer where you want to save the pictures, right-click (or control-click), and choose "Paste" or press "Ctrl+V" (Windows) or "Command+V" (Mac). 7. **Wait for Transfer**: Wait for the transfer process to complete. This may take some time depending on the number of pictures and their file sizes. 8. **Eject the SD Card**: After the transfer is done, safely eject the SD card by right-clicking (Windows) or control-clicking (Mac) on the SD card in File Explorer or Finder and selecting "Eject". Then, physically remove the SD card from the reader. Now, your pictures should be saved on your computer.

Here's how to proceed:

Connect your smartphone to your PC. Select "Photo and video transfer" or a similar option on your smartphone. Now, choose the photos/videos you wish to transfer and click on "Share."

3. Can an SD card be used as an external hard drive? Yes, an SD card can be used as an external storage device similar to an external hard drive. You can connect it to your computer or other compatible devices via an SD card reader to transfer files, store data, or expand the storage capacity. However, keep in mind that SD cards typically have lower storage capacity and slower read/write speeds compared to external hard drives, and they may not be as durable for long-term or heavy usage.

No, you cannot utilize an SD card as an external hard drive to boot Windows. However, if you intend to store files, photos, videos, or music, you can certainly do so on an SD card just as you would on an external hard drive.

4. What is an SD card DCIM? The DCIM (Digital Camera IMages) folder on an SD card is a standard folder convention used by digital cameras and other devices to store photos and videos captured or recorded by the device. The acronym DCIM stands for Digital Camera Images, and it is typically created automatically when you start using a new memory card in your camera or other imaging device. This folder structure is widely recognized by various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, allowing easy access and organization of your media files. When you connect your device to a computer, the DCIM folder is usually where your images and videos are displayed, making it simple to transfer them to your computer or other storage locations.

DCIM stands for Digital Camera Images. It is a folder that can be found on both your device's internal storage and your SD card, if you have one. This folder houses all the photos and videos that you capture using your digital camera or smartphone camera.