How to set up an encrypted backup

Why this matters

Without a backup, a stolen laptop, ransomware attack, or simple hardware failure destroys your data permanently. A backup that’s stored only on a device you also carry (e.g. an external drive in the same bag as your laptop) doesn’t protect against theft. Encryption ensures your backup can’t be read if the drive is lost or stolen.

How to do it

macOS:

1. Connect an external drive. Open System Settings → General → Time Machine. Select the drive and enable “Encrypt backup.”
2. Also enable iCloud Drive as a second copy for your most important documents.

Windows:

1. Open Settings → System → Storage → Advanced storage settings → Backup options. Add a drive and turn on backups.
2. For encryption, BitLocker-encrypt the backup drive: right-click it in File Explorer → “Turn on BitLocker.”

iPhone / iPad:

1. Enable iCloud Backup: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now.
2. Confirm “End-to-End Encryption” is on: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Advanced Data Protection.

Android:

1. Settings → System → Backup → Back up to Google One. Enable “End-to-end encrypted backup” if prompted.

All platforms — add a cloud backup:

• Backblaze ($9/month) — backs up everything on your computer continuously, encrypted, off-site.

What you don’t need

You don’t need to back up to multiple cloud providers simultaneously — one reliable encrypted cloud backup plus one local backup is sufficient for most people.