How to Back Up Your Data Before a Repair

You likely know the importance of backing up your computer, but have you thought about backing up your smartphone?

Backing up your phone is easy and quick. This way, if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, you won’t worry about losing cherished photos and videos.

Scroll down to the bottom, and you will learn how to back up your phone data before a repair.

What Does Backing Up Your Phone Do?

Creating a backup of your phone helps ensure that you keep all the necessary data safe and sound, including things like:

• Contacts keep us connected with friends and family.
• Photos and videos help us share memories.
• Wi-Fi provides easy internet access.
• Music and apps enhance our daily entertainment.

How to Back Up Your Android Phone

Your phone safeguards your digital life, storing precious memories like your child’s first words and messages from loved ones.

Backing it up takes just a few minutes. If you’re an Android user needing repairs, this guide makes it easy to back up your data.

1. Backing Up to Google

For a simple backup, Google’s cloud service is built into Android.

• Go to Settings > Google > Backup.
• Check available storage for your Google account.
• Turn on Backup to Google Drive.
• Tap “Backup now”.
• The first backup may take hours; keep your phone charging and connect it to Wi-Fi overnight.
• Toggle “Photos & Videos” in backup details.
• Tap the Google Account data below to choose what to sync. Options vary by app.

2. Managing Backups and Extra Storage

Go to backups in the Drive app by tapping the menu at the top left.

Staying within Google Drive’s free 15 GB can be challenging, so consider a Google One plan. Google One subscription offers 100GB for £1.59/month, and 2TB can be purchased for £7.99/month for those needing more.

The Google One app gives better control over backups in the Storage tab under Device Backup.

3. Backing Up to Your Windows PC

Backing up files from your phone to Windows is easy. Here’s how:

• Link your phone to the PC via USB.
• Swipe down and select “Charging this device via USB.”
• Choose “File Transfer.”
• Go to File Explorer and navigate your device under This PC to browse and copy files from the DCIM Camera folder.

4. Backing Up to Your Mac

Here’s how to back up Android files to a Mac:

• Install the Android File Transfer on your Mac.
• Connect your phone via USB.
• The app displays your phone’s files and folders. Make a backup of the DCIM folder.

Some premium macOS apps provide an iTunes-like experience, but we don’t recommend any.

5. Backing Up to Your Chromebook

Learn how to make a backup on your device:

• Connect via the USB port on your Chromebook.
• Check the notification shade for “Charging via USB.”
• Tap it, then select File Transfer.

6. Backing Up to Another Cloud Service

You may have run out of Google storage or used a different service. Consider alternatives like Dropbox, OneDrive, MEGA, and Box, which offer free storage options. Backup methods may differ.

Previously, we discussed backing up mobile photos, which can often be automated, while other files may need manual backup.

Consider the Autosync app for Dropbox, OneDrive, and MEGA for automatically syncing pictures and files across devices.

How to Back Up Your iPhone

If you’re an iPhone user and planning to get your phone fixed but aren’t sure how to perform a phone backup before repair, you’ve come to the right place!

1. Backing Up to iCloud

The easiest way to back up your iPhone is to use iCloud. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings > iCloud.
3. Enable iCloud Backup for daily backups while charging and locked. Tap ‘Back Up Now’ to initiate a backup and select what to back up by unchecking unwanted items.

Apple provides 5 GB of free iCloud storage, which may not be enough for everyone. You can buy more, but it keeps you in Apple’s ecosystem. iOS 15 allows temporary iCloud backups without storage.

If you want alternatives to iCloud, options are available.

2. Backing Up to Your Mac

If your phone is full, back it up. Link your iPhone to a PC and follow the steps to save your data. The process varies by macOS version.

To check your Apple operating system, click the Apple icon at the top left of your Mac desktop and select About This Mac. Your version will appear in a window.

Backing Up to macOS Catalina 10.15 or later

macOS Catalina replaced iTunes with separate apps for music, podcasts, and TV, and you can now back up your iPhone using Finder.

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open Finder and select your iPhone.
3. Go to General and choose “Back up all the data to this Mac.”
4. To encrypt, check “Encrypt local backup.”
5. Click “Back Up Now.”

Backing Up to macOS Mojave 10.14 or Earlier

iTunes is not dead yet. The service remains available on older OS versions, allowing you to back up everything. Here’s how:

1. Connect your device to your Mac and open iTunes.
2. Go to the Device button, choose your iPhone, and pick “Back Up Now”.
3. To encrypt the backup, check “Encrypt iPhone backup,” enter a password, and click OK.

Pro tip: Restore older backups easily by going to iTunes Preferences, clicking Devices, and selecting your iPhone. Find the required backup and click Restore Backup.

3. Backing Up to a Windows PC

Back up your iPhone on a Windows PC with iTunes. Here’s how:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Windows computer.
2. Open iTunes and select the iPhone icon.
3. Click ‘Summary’.
4. Select ‘Back Up Now’.
5. To encrypt, check ‘Encrypt local backup’, enter a password, and click ‘Set Password’.

Final Thoughts

Whenever you’re getting ready to repair your iPhone or Android, don’t forget about your backups! These handy data backup tips for smartphones are designed to assist you.

Having backups ensures that all your files and data stay safe and sound in one spot. Once your phone is repaired and up and running again, you can easily download the backup and pick up right where you left off!

If you’re thinking about getting your phone repaired but haven’t yet found someone you can trust, don’t worry! We’re here to help.

Reach out to Fone World Hove for top-notch mobile phone repair service. Feel free to explore our website to learn more about us and what we offer!