Hands-On Tech 253: Backing Up a Large Photo Library
Host: Micah Sargent
Date: February 8, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Micah Sargent addresses a listener question from Scott about finding seamless, automated solutions for backing up a massive iCloud Photo Library that’s too large to fit on a single device. Given the increasing size of digital photo collections and reliance on cloud services, Micah explores various backup strategies that range from hardware investments to cloud-to-cloud and third-party services, emphasizing automation and peace of mind—especially for less tech-savvy users.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Scott’s Problem: Backing Up a Massive iCloud Photo Library
- (00:38) Scott describes the dilemma:
- His wife's iPhoto library is too big for her MacBook Pro's SSD.
- Most of their 4TB iCloud storage (Apple One bundle) is used by this library.
- He wants additional backups beyond iCloud—preferably automated and not relying on his wife plugging in an external SSD.
- They already have a Synology NAS for Time Machine backups.
Notable Quote:
“I prefer not to use a large external SSD that is large enough to fit her entire iCloud photo library as it would require her to actually have the disk available on a regular basis. And I don't feel that I can rely on her to do this. She's not a techie.”
— Scott (read by Micah, 01:24)
1. Always-On Mac as iCloud Photo Hub + Synology NAS
(04:00–07:30)
- Solution: Use a dedicated Mac (Mac Mini, Mac Studio, or even an old Intel Mac Mini) always on, logged into wife’s iCloud, with “Download Originals” enabled.
- Storage: Place the Photos library directly on the Synology NAS via a mounted network share.
- All iCloud photos download automatically, in full quality, directly to the NAS.
- No manual intervention required—wife doesn’t have to do anything.
- Expandability: Mac can be set up with large external SSDs if needed.
- Automation: Once set up, photos sync and backup themselves, making it seamless for non-tech users.
Micah’s Insight:
“You would sign into your wife's iCloud on that Mac and then what you'd want to do is in iCloud photos, you want download originals turned on on that Mac...you can take that photo library and make it available on the Synology network attached storage. So…all of the photos…are stored locally.”
— Micah, (04:32)
2. Automated NAS-to-NAS or Cloud-to-Cloud Backup Services
(07:35–10:30)
- Option: If the hardware investment is too steep, use cloud backup services like iDrive.
- How it works: Sync iCloud Photo Library to another location, potentially to a local NAS, via third-party services.
- Advantages: Fully automated after initial setup.
- Caveats: Subscription fees, privacy implications (another company handles your data).
- Listener Tip: Sometimes iDrive and similar services offer discounts if you say you’re leaving.
Listener Testimonial (Discord, paraphrased by Micah):
“They use iDrive and what's great is it supports multiple PCs, so you could sync between multiple PCs as well…perhaps you would be able to then have your photos and your wife's photos all backing up exactly as you need them to.”
— Micah, (09:46)
3. Alternative: Google Photos or Amazon Photos as Supplemental Backups
(12:30–14:30)
- Setup: Use Google Photos or Amazon Photos apps to sync all device photos (iPhone/iPad or MacBook Pro) as another backup location.
- Captures high-res photos before they’re offloaded from the device.
- Straightforward setup on either the device taking pictures or the MacBook.
- Privacy: Photos stored on Google or Amazon servers—decision depends on your comfort level.
- Note: This does not sync to a local NAS.
Micah’s Experience:
“I do still use Google Photos as another backup for me and particularly if your wife has an iPhone or an iPad. This is a great way to take care of this.”
— Micah, (13:15)
4. Legacy Hardware Approach: Repurpose an Old Mac
(15:00–16:00)
- Alternative: Use an older Intel Mac Mini with a large external drive, set up as a backup hub with wife’s iCloud account.
- Older hardware is often cheap and sufficient for this task.
- Once set up, works like the always-on Mac solution above.
Micah’s Suggestion:
“If you've got an old one or you just want to go browsing for an old one…now's the time to sort of jump into that.”
— Micah, (15:30)
Honorable Mention: Listener Solutions to Unrelated Tech Problems (Post-Main Topic)
A. Accessing Encrypted Drobo Files
(17:10–17:50)
- Listener Lance booted Windows XP in a virtual machine to run Drobo’s software and recover encrypted files.
B. Apple Watch Streak Issues
(17:52–18:12)
- Listener feedback confirms it’s very hard to reclaim broken activity streaks on Apple Watch due to Apple's policies.
Memorable Quotes
-
On Justifying a Mac Mini Purchase:
“Maybe this is your opportunity to tell your wife, ‘Hey, you know that Mac Studio or that Mac Mini that I've really been wanting to get…this is the reason to do it where we both benefit, right?’”
— Micah, (04:20) -
On Subscription Discounts:
“Another tip… if you threaten to leave, then oftentimes they're gonna give you half off of the cost of the subscription.”
— Micah, (10:30)
Important Timestamps
- 00:38 — Scott’s question read in full
- 04:00–07:30 — Always-on-Mac plus NAS solution explained
- 07:35–10:30 — Cloud-to-cloud/iDrive backup services discussion
- 12:30–14:30 — Google Photos/Amazon Photos as alternative cloud backups
- 15:00–16:00 — Using older Macs for the job
- 17:10–18:12 — Listener follow-ups: Drobo files & Apple Watch streaks
Summary Flow & Takeaways
Micah offers a problem-solving, listener-focused tone throughout, mixing practical advice and real-world anecdotes. The central point is that seamless, hands-off backups for massive photo libraries are achievable, but often require either hardware investment (dedicated always-on Mac + NAS) or accepting subscriptions and/or privacy tradeoffs via third-party services. One solution doesn’t fit all, but options exist for all budgets and technical comfort levels. Listeners are encouraged to share their own strategies, further fostering the show’s collaborative atmosphere.
Useful for:
Anyone struggling with oversized photo libraries, especially those wary of relying solely on iCloud or needing solutions that don’t demand day-to-day manual backups.
Listener engagement shown:
Micah incorporates alternative ideas, listener tips, and feedback from the Discord, keeping the discussion lively and inclusive.