Photos Backup Anywhere
Photos Backup Anywhere is a macOS app that backs up an entire Apple Photos library to storage you provide, including an external drive or NAS.
What Photos Backup Anywhere is
Photos Backup Anywhere is a macOS app that backs up an entire Apple Photos library to storage you provide, including an external drive or NAS. It supports iCloud Photos and can download items missing locally when Optimize Mac Storage is enabled. During a running backup, it scans hourly for new or changed items. Supported media include photos, videos, Live Photos, portraits, panoramas, time-lapse, slo-mo, cinematic, burst, and animated items. Files retain original formats and filenames in YYYY/MM/DD folders. Backups preserve non-destructive edits, albums, locations, capture dates and times, and favorites, and can be restored into a Photos library with supported metadata. The app is designed for very large libraries, including collections of 2TB or more; backups are incremental and resumable. A Verify feature compares backups with the library, finds discrepancies, and repairs them. Deleted items can be ignored, moved to a Deleted Items folder, or removed from the backup, with deletion irreversible. Continuing backups must run on the Mac that created the backup. The app costs $9.99, paid once, supports macOS 15.1 or later, and has no free plan.
Good
- Backs up to external drives and NAS
- Supports iCloud Photos downloads
- Incremental, resumable backups for large libraries
- Preserves edits, albums, locations, and favorites
- Verify feature checks and repairs discrepancies
Watch out
- Mac only
- Requires macOS 15.1 or later
- Continuing backups must use the creating Mac
- No free plan
Who it suits
It suits Mac users who want whole-library backups to their own external drive or NAS. It is particularly relevant for large Apple Photos libraries and iCloud Photos users.
Verdict
Photos Backup Anywhere provides full Apple Photos backup to storage you control, with restoration and verification features. Check the macOS requirement and same-Mac continuation limit before purchasing.
Plans and prices
From Photos Backup Anywhere's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Photos Backup Anywhere | $9.99, paid once | Mac only · macOS 15.1 or later |
The facts
Each one read from Photos Backup Anywhere's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automatic backups
- When a backup is running, the app scans the library every hour for new or changed items.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Backup deletion options
- Deleted library items can be ignored, moved to a Deleted Items folder, or deleted from the backup; the delete option is not reversible.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Format and organization
- Photos and videos are saved in their original formats with original filenames in YYYY/MM/DD directories.checked 9 Oct 2001
- iCloud support
- It supports iCloud Photos and can download items missing locally when Optimize Mac Storage is enabled.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Large libraries
- The FAQ says the app is designed for very large libraries, including collections of 2TB or more, and that backups are incremental and resumable.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Media types
- Supported media include photos, videos, Live Photos, portraits, panoramas, time-lapse, slo-mo, cinematic, burst, and animated items.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Metadata
- Backups preserve non-destructive edits, albums, locations, capture dates and times, and favorites.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Metadata limits
- Smart Albums, Memories, titles, captions, keywords, People, Hidden Items, and Shared Albums are not supported metadata.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Photo library backup
- Backs up an entire Apple Photos library to a chosen storage location, including an external drive or NAS.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Privacy
- The privacy policy states that the app does not obtain information when used, registration is not required, and no data is shared with third parties.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Restore
- Backups can be restored directly into a Photos library while preserving supported metadata.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Support
- The maker's site links to a Contact Support option.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Verification
- The App Store listing describes a Verify feature that compares backups against the photo library, detects discrepancies, and repairs them.checked 9 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Device limitation
- A backup can be moved to another folder, external drive, or network location, but continuing backups must run on the same Mac that created it.checked 9 Oct 2001
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