Losing travel photos is heartbreaking. And iCloud? It’s pricey, slow on weak Wi-Fi, and constantly nagging you to upgrade storage.
After testing different setups (including a near meltdown in Morocco when I thought I lost everything), here’s what finally works — no iCloud required.
☁️ 1. I Use Proton Drive for Encrypted, Cloud Storage
Proton Drive is like Google Drive… if it actually cared about your privacy. It’s encrypted, easy to use, and works great even on slower connections.
- I upload all my best shots over Wi-Fi at night
- The app syncs quietly in the background
- It doesn’t snoop through my files or compress images
🔗 Try Proton Drive with ProtonVPN here — you get both tools in one account.
📶 2. I Use an eSIM to Upload on the Go
Some hotels throttle upload speeds. If I want to back up on the go or in the cab to the airport, I pop on a prepaid eSIM.
- Works in 200+ countries
- Connects instantly — no physical SIM swapping
- Uploads are faster than random hotel Wi-Fi
🆕 New users: 15% off Airalo here
🔁 Already used it? Here’s 10% off
🔌 3. I Use a Mini Travel Router for Stable Uploads
I used to get kicked off hotel Wi-Fi mid-upload. Then I found GL.iNet’s mini travel router.
Now I:
- Stay connected through one secure network
- Automatically upload to Proton Drive overnight
- Route all traffic through a VPN if I want
Set it once and let it quietly handle your backups.