This post is sponsored by Maktar, Inc. and contains affiliate links.
Qubii is a smart little device that makes photo backup even easier than the cloud. Here’s why.
This little white cube is an adapter that acts as an intermediary between your smart phone and your phone charger. With the aid of a micro SD card, your key data, like photos, videos, contacts, and even social media, is automatically backed up and stored with NO MONTHLY FEES.
(Also, I have a discount code for you at the end!)
How Qubii Works
Qubii is designed to make backup and storage of important phone data, like photos, simple and easy. In fact, it’s as easy as plugging in your phone.
If you’re like me, you have one set time where you know your phone will be charging. It might be on your nightstand at night or in the kitchen when you go to bed (if you’re one of those people that can part with your phone as bedtime). For me, it’s when I sit down at my desk.
You’ll need the following equipment to make Qubii work (most of which you probably already have).
- Qubii with MicroSD Card included
- Maktar USB-C Cable
- Maktar USB-C Fast Charger
- Maktar Qubii Bundle (this includes everything!)
If you just need an SD card, you can can out this Micro SD card for the Qubii (they recommend a card with at least the same capacity as your phone).
*you can also plug directly into your computer if it has the appropriate USB port
You’ll also need to download the Qubii or Qubii Pro app for your phone.
Place the Micro SD card into the appropriate slot on the Qubii. Plug the Qubii into your wall charger and put it in an electrical outlet. Plug your charging cord into the Qubii and then to your phone.
This should enable the appropriate Qubii app on your phone which will take you through a few quick steps and preferences before starting your initial back up.
The time of your initial back up will depend on how much data you need to back up. My first back up took well over an hour as I had over 10,000 photos to back up (yes, I have deletion issues!).
Subsequent backups take significantly less time as the Qubii will only save additional information.
The good news is that your phone is still fully functional while it is backing. I even took a phone call while it was working. But I do recommend using a Micro SD card like the one above which operates at a high data transfer speed.
Once you’ve done the backup, you can easily transfer the data directly to your computer. Simply plug your Qubii directly into your computer and you’ll be able to see all of the backup files on the Micro SD card and transfer them as needed.
Accessing Your Data
Accessing your data from the Micro SD card is as easy as plugging your Qubii directly into your computer. Once plugged in, you’ll see two folders – photo backup and contacts backup. You can choose to transfer these files directly to your computer or to an attached external hard drive (I use this external drive for all my video and audio files).
And a new feature exclusive to the Qubii Duo is the SD lock. This lock is enabled through the app and allows you to password protect the card so that the data cannot be accessed without the password (and it’s also a good deterrent for accidentally overwriting your data).
Once the SD lock is turned on, you’re only able to access the content through the Qubii app on your smart device. Once it’s been locked, no one else can access your SD card content on another device. Make sure your SD Card is unlocked when plugging into your computer.
Why You Need an Alternative to iCloud (or any cloud storage)
Let’s say you’re already backing up phone regularly to the cloud. Maybe you keep giving in to the repeated Apple messages telling you that you don’t have enough storage space.
Apple is in the business of making money and they don’t do a good job of helping you manage your space efficiently and effectively.
If you’re not an Apple user, no need to worry because the latest device, Qubii Duo works for Apple and Android devices!
Cost
So the first reason might want to ditch the cloud is cost. Apple gives you 5GB of free monthly storage. And if that’s not enough, you can choose from a total of 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB monthly storage with costs ranging from .99 to 9.99 USD per month.
The Qubii photo storage device ranges from about $40 to $65 depending on the device you choose. A high capacity, high speed micro SD card will run you about $20 and can hold up to 68,000 photos.*
* for the 128GB SanDisk Ultra
Storage
Even if I was willing to shell out the cash, I have a 256GB phone so I’d have to purchase the 2TB plan just to do a full backup of my phone. That’s $120 per year just to store a backup of my phone. The plan can be shared among family members but my husband greedily purchased a 512GB phone so we could easily plow through the 2TB now that my teenage son is a phone user too.
You also don’t need to worry about using up all of your hard drive space on your computer or about losing all your photos if your computer crashes.
Privacy
Finally, there’s one last issue with using iCloud or any cloud service.
You are giving them all of your data and information willingly. Think that your privacy matters? Even Apple has stated that they promise privacy and security but only if you don’t back up your information to iCloud.
You’re letting someone else hold onto your private information and use as they see fit. And in 2014, iCloud was hacked and celebrity photos were leaked all over the internet.
I read Qubii’s privacy policy in detail. Your data is your data. They collect your name and email address in relation to your product usage but the rest is all yours on your little micro SD card.
Qubii Product Information
Qubii offers the following devices:
Qubii – $39.99
- Automatic Backup When Plugged In
- Non-Interface Technology – Qubii Backs Up in the Background
- Photos Automatically Categorized by Dates and Devices
- Replaceable microSD for Limitless Storage
- Elegant Design in Portable Size – Perfect for Home and Travel
Qubii Pro – $54.99
- Automatic Backup When Plugged In
- Non-Interference Technology – Qubii Backs-up in Background
- Replaceable microSD card for Limitless Storage
- Can now save iOS (i.e. Keynote) and Microsoft Office Files
- 30% Faster Charge and 3X Faster File Transfer than Qubii
Qubii Duo – $64.99
- Same features as Qubii Pro
- Available for USB-A or USB-C connectors
- Works for both iOS and Android devices
- Offers SD card locking to ensure your data is kept private
Use my code to get 15% off all Qubii products: 15QubiiFadra
Video Review of Qubii Duo
Read my other tech takes here and check out all the Really Cool Stuff I review on YouTube!