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LisaMReny
Inspiring
May 2, 2017
Answered

How to backup photos and catalog to external hard drive

  • May 2, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 42888 views

Beginner Here!

I have a iMac desktop and CC. I am concerned about making sure that I have dual backups of my photos and catalogs. I have purchased an external hard drive and would like that to be one of my two backups.  How do I get LR CC to backup photo folders/files and catalogs to my external hard drive? My second backup is my Time Machine that backs up my entire iMac desktop.

Thank you

Lisa

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer dj_paige

Lightroom does not make backups of your original photos, except at Import. So you need to use a third party backup solution -- as far as I know Time Machine works fine -- to back up your photos.

The catalog itself can be backed up by setting the proper option in Lightroom. Under Catalog Settings, there is a backup option. You want to set it to make backups at the desired frequency (the  choice is up to you), and when Lightroom asks you if you want to make a backup, choose a location on the external drive.

3 replies

JoeKostoss
Community Expert
JoeKostossCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 3, 2017

I keep all my photos on an External Hard Drive rather than the computer Hard Drive and use Super Duper by Shirt Pocket for auto backup to a second hard drive for a Mac. SuperDuper!

If both EHDs are kept in your home next to the computer, you are not protected from home disasters than can wipe out both drives.

You might consider cloud back up as another method, such as CrashPlan, which offers unlimited storage for about $60 per year.

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    CosmicCruiser
    Inspiring
    April 6, 2018

    not trying to hack the thread but I have a similar situation. I have my LR photos on an ext HD and I back up to another ext HD using CCC. I noticed last night that if I double click on the back up hd I see the master folder "my photos" and below the LRCat. Clicking on  lrcat opens LR Classic and I can see all my previews. But on the left ALL the folders have "?" on them and trying to open a photo in develope gets me "file is missing". And  on the left side just above the master folder the HD name has a greyed out "online" light. I can't figure out what's wrong and yet the GB load is the same as my master HD so it appears the photos are there.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    April 7, 2018

    Great but what would be the process if I really needed to use the backup HD? I was hoping to go into the backup andclean house but I guess that's not an option.

    thanks Robert


    CosmicCruiser  wrote

    Great but what would be the process if I really needed to use the backup HD? I was hoping to go into the backup andclean house but I guess that's not an option.

    thanks Robert

    To restore any backup of any data or software (not just Lightroom) ... you copy the files to their original location.

    SolonasM
    SolonasM
    Inspiring
    May 3, 2017

    I suggest Carbon Copy Cloner

    As dj_paige says, you can make backups of your photos at import but i can`t recommend it .

      dj_paige
      dj_paigeCorrect answer
      Legend
      May 2, 2017

      Lightroom does not make backups of your original photos, except at Import. So you need to use a third party backup solution -- as far as I know Time Machine works fine -- to back up your photos.

      The catalog itself can be backed up by setting the proper option in Lightroom. Under Catalog Settings, there is a backup option. You want to set it to make backups at the desired frequency (the  choice is up to you), and when Lightroom asks you if you want to make a backup, choose a location on the external drive.

        L
        LisaMRenyAuthor
        Inspiring
        May 3, 2017

        Thank  you both for your help..

        But another question comes to mind;

        What is the difference between LR Catalog Settings for your back location of your Catalog and the LR Box that appears when you exit LR (it too offers a location for your Catalog Backup)?

        dj_paige
        dj_paige
        Legend
        May 3, 2017

        There is no such thing as LR Catalog Settings "for your back location of your catalog". You can only set the frequency of backups under Catalog Settings.

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