Storage location of photos library files on iPad Air 4

Question

Level 1

9 points

Storage location of photos library files on iPad Air 4

I'd like to be able to make a separate local backup of my iPad photos. I'm already backing up my entire iPad to iCloud, and I occasionally back it up locally to a Macbook Air. I've also occasionally made backups by exporting all my iPad photos to a USB stick. All this provides some security, but I don't like to entirely rely on iCloud. I like to have local backups, so I'd prefer to be able to separately backup just my iPad photos library files to USB or another (non-Apple) device. This was possible on a Mac and on a Macbook, but I can't see how to do it on an iPad.

Thanks for any advice you can offer

iPad Air 4 Wi-Fi

Posted on Nov 7, 2022 12:51 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Community+ 2025

Level 10

301,772 points

Nov 7, 2022 5:33 PM in response to Mike Heden

iOS/iPadOS devices don’t natively support backup to external storage devices or other Cloud services. Natively supported backup methods are to iCloud or to a PC/Mac running iTunes or Finder:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Supported methods offer full system backup - consisting of data and device settings.

It is possible, however, to use a third-party App to backup data (not device settings) and the iPad Photo Library to a variety of external storage options - including third-party Cloud services and network storage. One App that comes readily to mind is FileBrowser Professional by Stratospherix:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/filebrowser-professional/id854618029

While this App will almost certainly meet your stated need, you might wish to review the extensive online Manual and help files to determine suitability for your requirements.

https://www.stratospherix.com/products/filebrowserprofessional/filebrowser-professional-user-guide.php

Speaking of personal experience, I am yet to encounter a file storage or file/photo backup scenario that the App won’t handle. I routinely use USB and Cloud storage for this purpose. File Browser also integrates directly with the native Files App, further simplifying file and photo management.

Reply

Answer 2

Phil0124

Level 10

216,986 points

Nov 7, 2022 1:11 PM in response to Mike Heden

There is no way to directly access the Photo storage in the Photos app for a direct backup.

You can manually select Photos in the Photos app by tapping on the "Select" text at the top right corner, then tapping on each photo you want to copy to select them, and then copy them to an external drive connected to the iPad by clicking on the share icon, then on Save to Files, and then navigate to the connected device under Locations in the Files side bar.

Reply

Answer 3

muguy

Level 10

91,184 points

Nov 7, 2022 1:05 PM in response to Mike Heden

You cannot. You'll need to backup the entire device. You have your photos synced, and have made device backups. If you sync photos to your MacBook Air, you could also then use Time Machine to backup photos. Or, continue to export to USB. You're more than covered.

Reply

Answer 4

Mike Heden Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 9, 2022 1:08 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks to all of you for your helpful replies.

I'm not very surprised that the iPad is a bit inflexible in this area, but I'm a bit paranoid about data loss - hence the multiple backup mechanisms that I like to use. I'll certainly investigate filebrowser - thanks for pointing me in that direction.

Reply

Storage location of photos library files on iPad Air 4

Similar questions