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Help How do I ?
- Thread starter Lilmomo
- Start date
svim
Extreme Android User
You photo library should be stored in a folder named 'DCIM' (Digital Camera IMages). If you use Samsung's default file manager 'My Files' app (buried in your App menu) you can copy the contents of that DCIM folder to your microSD card.
Off hand it does sound like you don't have your photos backed up. Copying your photo library to microSD card is a really good idea, something you should do even if you're not planning on switching to a different phone. I'm going to suggest an alternative so you'll have a backup of your photos in your online Google account. Instead of manually backing up your photos, install the 'Google Photos' app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos&hl=en
Be sure to go into its Settings menu. Tap on the 'Back up & sync' option and confirm the 'Back up & sync' option is enabled. There are other functions you might want to enable/disable too. Note that if you have a really large number of photos accumulated, it's going to take some time for everything to get backed up into your online Google account. If anything leave your S5 as is overnight and just let it upload your photo library. (Preferably using your home WiFi network, unless you have an unlimited mobile data plan.) Once that initial backup is done, whenever you take more pictures they'll just get automatically uploaded for you. If you edit, rename, or whatever to a photo on your phone the altered photo will get synced to your online archive. You can also access your photo library using any computer web browser and go to https://photos.google.com Any changes you make here will later get changed on your S5.
When you do get a different phone, you just need to install the Google Photos app on it to access your photo library.
As for migrating from a S5 to a J5, as far as hardware specs the two are pretty similar. What are your thoughts as to why you're thinking of changing? Are you having problems with your S5?
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Samsung-Galaxy-J5,Samsung-Galaxy-S5/phones/9466,8202
Off hand it does sound like you don't have your photos backed up. Copying your photo library to microSD card is a really good idea, something you should do even if you're not planning on switching to a different phone. I'm going to suggest an alternative so you'll have a backup of your photos in your online Google account. Instead of manually backing up your photos, install the 'Google Photos' app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos&hl=en
Be sure to go into its Settings menu. Tap on the 'Back up & sync' option and confirm the 'Back up & sync' option is enabled. There are other functions you might want to enable/disable too. Note that if you have a really large number of photos accumulated, it's going to take some time for everything to get backed up into your online Google account. If anything leave your S5 as is overnight and just let it upload your photo library. (Preferably using your home WiFi network, unless you have an unlimited mobile data plan.) Once that initial backup is done, whenever you take more pictures they'll just get automatically uploaded for you. If you edit, rename, or whatever to a photo on your phone the altered photo will get synced to your online archive. You can also access your photo library using any computer web browser and go to https://photos.google.com Any changes you make here will later get changed on your S5.
When you do get a different phone, you just need to install the Google Photos app on it to access your photo library.
As for migrating from a S5 to a J5, as far as hardware specs the two are pretty similar. What are your thoughts as to why you're thinking of changing? Are you having problems with your S5?
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Samsung-Galaxy-J5,Samsung-Galaxy-S5/phones/9466,8202
I did what you said to do but it didn't do anything when I switched on the back up and sync so now will my photos be saved to my sd card. I keep getting messages everyday that my sd card is invalid and other messages about it on my drop down menu. I have clicked onto it but couldn't see what was wrong looked ok.
Reason I'm changing mobile is only because my contract is ending and rather than hang onto this S5 that's goin a bit unresponsive lately I chose to upgrade though think I'm having a change of mind now to a S7 I can return it and order that instead within 14 days. What would your opinion be I would truly appreciate someone who is savvy about mobiles to give me their input. Thank you for your help already.
Maureen
Reason I'm changing mobile is only because my contract is ending and rather than hang onto this S5 that's goin a bit unresponsive lately I chose to upgrade though think I'm having a change of mind now to a S7 I can return it and order that instead within 14 days. What would your opinion be I would truly appreciate someone who is savvy about mobiles to give me their input. Thank you for your help already.
Maureen
svim
Extreme Android User
So the Google Photos app isn't going to copy your photo library to your microSD card, it's backing up your photos to your online Google account. And it's not going to happen within minutes, as I wrote out previously if you have a large number of photos the backup process could take while. Depending on how many photos you have and the speed of your online connection it could take several hours. By using Google Photos instead of manually backing up your photo library to a microSD card, all you need to do with your next phone is install the Google Photos app to access your photos again, plus you have access to all your photos even if you don't have your phone with you.
As for your microSD card, that's another issue. Going by the error messages you've referred to, it sounds like the card needs to be formatted so your S5 can actually use it. You can do this by going to your Settings >> More >> Storage and scroll down to the bottom option 'Format SD card' Note that this will wipe everything that might be stored on card. If you have saved anything to that card previously, DON'T format the card. Take your S5 to a phone center/dealer or to a more tech savvy friend and tell them what's going on. If you do have things like photos or music stored on the card that data has to get backed up first, then format the card. If you've never used the card before and you haven't saved anything to it, then go ahead and format it. Unless the card itself has gone bad at that point your S5 should be able to recognize it properly, and that should take care of those '... invalid' messages from popping up.
Just my opinion but moving to a S7 instead of a J5 is much better option. The J5 would be more of a lateral move from your S5, the S7 on the other hand is an upgrade.
As for your microSD card, that's another issue. Going by the error messages you've referred to, it sounds like the card needs to be formatted so your S5 can actually use it. You can do this by going to your Settings >> More >> Storage and scroll down to the bottom option 'Format SD card' Note that this will wipe everything that might be stored on card. If you have saved anything to that card previously, DON'T format the card. Take your S5 to a phone center/dealer or to a more tech savvy friend and tell them what's going on. If you do have things like photos or music stored on the card that data has to get backed up first, then format the card. If you've never used the card before and you haven't saved anything to it, then go ahead and format it. Unless the card itself has gone bad at that point your S5 should be able to recognize it properly, and that should take care of those '... invalid' messages from popping up.
Just my opinion but moving to a S7 instead of a J5 is much better option. The J5 would be more of a lateral move from your S5, the S7 on the other hand is an upgrade.
I honestly don't know if my photos are on my sd card now or not I do still get on the from down list that u have to clear away always something regarding the sd card..It's been removed when it hasn't. .It's corupt..unsupported..I truly don't know what these are on about. Is there any of telling if my pictures are on the card or on the mobile please. Thank you
Svim I think I'm going to return the J5 And order the S7 I did a comparison between what I have S5 and J5 and it even comes out better so wouldn't be any good goin backwards. The J5 will be okay for hubby as he uses my old Sony Experia and it's totally woeful just to touch responsive I was glad to let him have it.
svim
Extreme Android User
I'm assuming your photos are stored on your phone's internal storage memory, from what you've described previously it doesn't sound like the microSD card is even formatted and accessible by your phone.
But I still think you should install the Google Photos app on your phone and let it back up your photo library, it doesn't sound like you have them backed up anywhere. Or take your phone to someone who will set up some kind of backup solution for you. Relying on any phone as the only place to store things like photos is NOT a good practice. Really, don't ignore this. Way too many people make posts to forums like Android Forums who have lost their photos and other irreplaceable data because they never backed up anything.