In today’s digital age, our smartphones have become an extension of ourselves, holding precious memories, important notes, and essential files. But what would you do if you permanently lost all the photos, notes, and other files on your phone?
If you have a backup system in place, you’d likely know what to do next: Restore it all to a new phone. But if you haven’t thought about it, fear not: The backup process has become so simplified that it takes just a few screen taps. Here’s a quick overview of some ways you can keep your files safe, secure, and up to date.
When you first set up your phone, you created (or logged into) a free account from Apple, Google, or Samsung to use the company’s software and services. This account gives you access to free iCloud storage space from Apple, or online storage from Google and Samsung. This server space is used as an encrypted digital locker for your phone’s backup app, but it can fill up quickly — especially if you have other devices connected to your account and storing files there.
If you start getting messages about running out of online storage space for your backups, tap the upgrade option to buy more on a monthly or yearly payment schedule. But online backup is just one approach. You can keep your files on a local drive instead with a few extra steps.
Apple, Google, and Samsung all have specific setup instructions for cloud backup in the support area of their sites. On an iPhone, tap your name at the top of the Settings screen and then tap iCloud. On many Android phones, tap System and then Backup. Here, you can set the phone to back up automatically or opt for a manual backup that starts when you tap the button.
Backup apps usually save a copy of your call history, phone settings, messages, photos, videos, and data from apps. Synchronizing your files is not the same as backing them up. A backup saves file copies at a certain point in time, while syncing keeps information in certain apps current across multiple devices.
You don’t have to use the backup tools that came with your phone. Third-party apps for online backup are available by subscription. If losing your camera roll is your biggest nightmare, services like Google Photos, iCloud Photos, Amazon Photos, and Dropbox can automatically back up all your pictures and keep them in sync across your connected devices.
In conclusion, it’s essential to have a backup system in place to protect your valuable data on your phone. Whether you choose to use the built-in backup tools or opt for third-party apps, ensuring that your files are safe, secure, and up to date is crucial in today’s digital world.
