How To Backup Android Devices?

By Author: Brooke Perry
Total Articles: 84
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What is your most valuable possession without which you can’t leave your home? Majority will take smartphone/tablet or notebook for an answer. These are not only used as computing devices but also as decent gadgets to store and carry our personal and vital data such as contacts, emails, photos, text messages, files, documents, favorite music and video files.

Android devices like smartphone, tablet or notebook are the most used smart gadgets across the globe. These are highly preferred for high-end features, standard designs and versatile usability. But the fear of data loss always sticks to these portable Android devices as these gadgets can get stolen or may get lost. So it is important for every Android user to keep data backup of their devices on regular basis.

The following tutorial will help you in learning how you can keep the back up for your Android data:

The First Backup Method

As the first backup you can keep a copy of your Android data on your computer. For this you need to copy the data of your SD card or memory card and save it on your PC hard drive. Doing this is simple. For your assistance, ...
... the basic steps are listed below.

Using a USB cable, connect your Android device to your desktop or laptop. Usually you receive the cable along with the Android device as an accessory.
Now, check the main menu of your Android and select "USB connection."
On the next page, choose “USB Mass Storage” and tap on “OK.”
Now, check your computer or laptop and you'll see the "Removable Disk" Appearing on the desktop.
Open it, now select all those data that you want to copy.
Return to your computer, create a new folder and give it a relevant name like ‘Android Data Backup 2013.’
Now paste the copied files in this newly created folder on your computer.
Later on you can create separate folders for documents, pictures, contacts, text messages etc.

It is very much recommended to have Android data backup on your computer and laptops. However, there are chances that one won’t update Android SD card backup on the computer quite often. Hence as an alternative to this method, there is a second backup method that can be frequently updated.

The Second Backup Method

Under second backup method, you get three options of Android data backup:

First Option:

Use a Backup App:This is usually a paid method, but a "set it and forget it" solution where you don’t need to employ much effort. Listed below are the Backup Apps that you can use to maintain a safe backup of all the data stored on your Android device.

Helium Premium ($4.99)
G Cloud Backup (1GB cloud storage space for free, 32GB is $32 )
MyBackup Pro ($4.99)

Second Option:

Take a DIY method:It is mostly a free method but provides piece-by-piece backup. This method will require you to put some efforts as you will be storing different kinds of information at different places.

For the backup of Apps, Contacts, Email, Calendar, and Settingsyou can use Google as the source.
Go to Settings > Privacy.
Tick two boxes: Back up my settings and Automatic restore.
Go to Settings > Account & sync.
Select Google.
Tick the boxes: Sync Contacts, Sync Gmail, and Sync Calendar.

For the backup of Photosuse Google+ Instant Upload for Android 2.2 and later versions. For this install the Google+ app and log in with your Google account. Next, enable Instant Upload. Return to your Android's home screen and go to Settings > Accounts & sync.

Next select your account and tick the box. Once you are done with this setting, whenever you click photo on your Android device, it will automatically get uploaded to a private folder in your Google+ account.

For the backup ofSMS, MMS, call logs, you can use Google Voice. If you don’t have that you can use third-party apps. A few are listed below:
Backup to Gmail ($1.99)
SMS Backup & Restore Pro ($1.49)
SMS Backup + (free)

Third Option: Use Android backup system:This is for root users only and a complex method also, hence not been covered in the article.

Now, you know so many paid and free, simple and complicated methods of keeping the backup of your Android device. Select your method and give coverage to your data from the risk of data loss.


About the Author: Brooke M. Perry is an ardent technician associated with Qresolve computer security, with wide experience of fixing issues with PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. With a strong track record of devising effective ways of android tablet support and system security, she has so far helped thousands of users across the globe. Her writings on tech issues are the reflection of her in-depth interest and command she carries as a online pc repair technician. Her blogs and articles have been rated high for their lucid style and easy to understand language.