Help
How to use WildCard Backup
A practical guide for moving from captured media to safe backups to long-term archives.
Connect your source folder or drive
Connect the SD card, media card, camera folder, or source drive that contains your original files. In the app, add it as a source folder or drive.
Add backup folders or drives
Choose where copies should be saved. This can be an external USB drive, a folder on your laptop, a cloud-backed folder, or network storage. More than one backup location gives you extra protection.
Run Back Up Now
Tap or click Back Up Now to copy new files from source locations to your backup destinations. If enabled for a backup drive, WildCard Backup can organise files into metadata-based folders.
Confirm before cleaning
Before cleaning a source card or folder, confirm the files exist in your backup locations. Cleaning removes files from the source so it can be reused for the next shoot.
Work from backup storage
Import files from your backup drive into tools such as Lightroom, Photoshop, Final Cut, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, or your publishing workflow.
Move finished work to archive
When a project is complete, move selected files from backup storage to an archive folder or drive. This clears working backup space for the next project.
Troubleshooting
A card or USB drive is not showing up
Make sure the device is connected, unlocked if needed, and visible to your operating system. On mobile devices, some external storage requires the system file picker and may need explicit permission.
Backups are slow
Large photo and video files can take time. Speed depends on the source card, destination drive, cable, adapter, and device performance.
The app asks for file or folder permission
Grant access only to the folders or drives you want WildCard Backup to use. The app needs permission to copy, clean, and archive files in the locations you choose.