Back up your data - Smartphone edition

"Redundancy is ambiguous because it seems like a waste if nothing unusual happens. Except that something unusual happens—usually" - Nassim Taleb

Why even backup?

We are here to help you with all cybersecurity problems, but at the end of the day, prevention is better than cure. We cannot emphasize this enough — you really need to back up your data.

When all else fails, backups can help you recover lost or stolen data. This is often overlooked, but you will realize its importance only when you experience a hack.

General rules to remember when backing up data

Remember these rules when backing up data for smart phones:

• Enable automatic backups: This way, you don’t have to manually initiate backups. Ensure the backup frequency is set to at least once a week. Check periodically to ensure backups happen without errors - the most common problem you may encounter is when you run out of storage available to backup.

• Backup what matters to you: Make sure essential data, such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, app data, and settings, is selected for backup.

• Cloud is not the only option: If you’re running low on cloud storage, remember that it’s not the only option. You can back up data to external hard drives or your computer.

Enabling Backup on iOS

Instructions to enable Backup on iOS phones:

The official documentation from Apple can be found here.

What gets backed up:

By default, the following data is backed up to iCloud:

• Apps and app data.

• Device settings

• Home Screen and app organization

• App data

• Apple Watch backups

• Photos and videos (if not using iCloud Photos)

• Messages (iMessage, SMS, MMS) (if not using Messages in iCloud)

• Purchased ringtones

• Visual Voicemail password (requires SIM)

If you chose to back up to a Computer (using iTunes/Finder):

Everything listed above plus the following:

• Saved passwords

• Health data

• Call history

• Website history

• Wi-Fi settings

• Generate Audio Overview

Enabling Backup on Android

Instructions to enable Backup on Android phones:

The official documentation from Google can be found here

What gets backed up:

• Apps and app data.

  • A caveat here: it depends on the developers of your app and what they chose to back up.

• Call history

• Contacts

• Device settings

• SMS and MMS messages

• Additional items get backed up if you use one of these Google services:

  • RCS messages when you use Google Messages

  • Phone call settings and blocked numbers when you use Phone by Google

  • Pictures and videos when you use Google Photos