---
id: backups.how-do-i-back-up-to-an-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/how-do-i-back-up-to-an-external-drive
category: "Backups & restore points"
subcategory: "Where backups go"
question: "How do I back up to an external drive with Data Backup?"
alt_questions:
  - "back up folders to external SSD Storage Studio"
  - "use a USB drive as backup destination"
  - "Choose a folder for backups"
  - "backup to external hard drive mac Storage Studio"
  - "set a drive as backup destination"
short_answer: "Plug the drive in, open the set's Destination menu, choose Choose a folder… and pick the drive. Drive backups are encrypted automatically, with no passphrase to remember."
tags: ["external drive", "destination", "setup"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/where-can-i-back-up-to", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/what-happens-if-the-backup-drive-is-unplugged"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I back up to an external drive with Data Backup?

Connect the drive, then on your backup set open the **Destination** menu and choose **Choose a folder…**. Pick the drive (or a folder on it) and the set starts backing up there.

Backups to a drive are **encrypted automatically** — there's no passphrase to set or remember. Each Mac keeps its backups in its own folder on the drive, named after the computer.

An external SSD is the fastest destination for a big first backup. If the drive isn't connected when a backup is due, the set waits and backs up once the drive is back. See [when the drive is unplugged](https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/what-happens-if-the-backup-drive-is-unplugged).