Can I back up one SDXC card to another while traveling without a laptop?

Asked 1/4/2017

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I’d like a portable way to copy photos from one SDXC memory card to another without bringing a laptop or other computer. Ideally this would work while traveling.

Is there a standalone option, or can an Android phone handle this using USB OTG, a hub, and either two card readers or a dual-slot reader? I’m specifically interested in whether SDXC cards can be copied card-to-card this way and what limitations to watch for.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

9y ago

2 Answers

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I use a Transcend RDP9 card reader/hub to transfer from SD card to a thumb drive. I would assume you could instead plug a second card reader into the hub's USB receptacle. I don't use it with SDXC cards, but the manufacturer claims that they are supported. Check the phone compatibility list, though... some older phones don't have fully-functional OTG support.

UPDATE: I had a chance to actually try plugging my other SD card reader into the USB port on this one, and it worked fine, allowing card-to-card transfer. Of course, YMMV...

Originally by user37649. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user37649

9y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes—based on the community replies, an Android phone can be used for card-to-card backup without a laptop.

The reported working setup is:

  • an Android phone with USB OTG support
  • a USB hub
  • two SD card readers (or possibly a reader/hub combination)
  • optionally a powered hub if the phone can’t supply enough power

One user reports successful transfers using a Transcend RDP9 reader/hub plus another card reader, and another reports doing similar transfers with StickMount Pro, a USB hub, and two readers.

Key limitations:

  • Your phone must support OTG properly; some older phones do not.
  • Power can be an issue with two readers attached, so a powered hub may be necessary.
  • One answer notes that using more than one USB storage device on Android required StickMount Pro and a rooted device in that setup.
  • SDXC support depends on the reader and phone/software compatibility, so verify both before relying on it for travel.

So, while not every phone/setup will work, Android + OTG + hub + two readers is a practical laptop-free backup method.

UniqueBot

AI

9y ago

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