How to Back Up Your iPhone or Android Before Any Repair

Most phone repairs, like screens, batteries and charging ports, do not touch your data at all. Still, it is always smart to back up before handing your phone to anyone. Phones that have been dropped or gotten wet can fail unexpectedly, and some repairs or diagnostics may require a reset. A fresh backup means your photos, contacts and messages are safe no matter what.

It is also a good habit in general. Here is how to do it, step by step.

Before you start

• Connect to Wi-Fi for cloud backups. They can be large.
• Plug in your phone or make sure it is well charged, unless it has been in water. Never charge a wet phone.
• Know your passwords, including your Apple ID or Google account password. You will need them to restore.

Backing up an iPhone

You have two good options. You can use one or both.

Option 1: iCloud backup

1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap iCloud, then iCloud Backup.
3. Turn on Back Up This iPhone (on older versions, simply iCloud Backup).
4. Tap Back Up Now and stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
5. When it is done, check the time of the last successful backup on that same screen.

If iCloud says you are out of space, you can choose what gets backed up, delete old backups from devices you no longer own, or use a computer backup instead.

Option 2: Back up to a computer

On a Mac with a recent version of macOS:

1. Connect your iPhone with a cable.
2. Open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar.
3. If asked, tap Trust on the iPhone and enter your passcode.
4. Under the General tab, choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
5. Check Encrypt local backup if you want to save passwords and health data, and write that password down somewhere safe.
6. Click Back Up Now.

On a Windows PC or an older Mac, use the Apple Devices app or iTunes. Connect the phone, select it, and choose Back Up Now in the summary or general section.

Also check your photos

If you use iCloud Photos, your pictures sync separately. Go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Photos, and make sure syncing is on and finished.

Backing up an Android phone

Menus vary a little between brands and software versions, but the steps are similar.

Option 1: Google backup (most Android phones)

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Google, then Backup (on some phones, look under System, then Backup).
3. Turn on Backup by Google One or Back up to Google Drive.
4. Tap Back up now.

This saves apps, call history, contacts, settings and texts on most phones.

For photos and videos, open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture, and make sure backup is on and complete.

Option 2: Samsung backup (Galaxy phones)

Galaxy phones can use Google backup and also Samsung's own tools:

1. Open Settings and tap Accounts and backup.
2. Tap Back up data under Samsung Cloud, choose what to include, and tap Back up now.
3. For a full local copy, use Smart Switch to back up the phone to a computer or to an external drive.

Other things worth saving

Some data does not live in the standard backup:

• Chat apps such as WhatsApp have their own backup settings inside the app.
• Two-factor authentication apps may need their codes transferred or backed up separately. Check the app's settings before any reset.
• Downloaded files and voicemails may not be included on every phone.

What if the phone is too broken to back up?

If the screen is black, touch does not work or the phone will not turn on, you can still have options. Do not keep trying things that could make it worse, and do not charge it if it has been wet. Bring it in and tell us your data matters. We offer data recovery for phones and computers, including devices that will not boot and water-damaged devices.

Make it a habit

Turning on automatic cloud backups takes a few minutes and protects you every day, not just before a repair. We are happy to help set that up when you come in, and we can help small offices in Canton and Woodstock set up backup to disk and cloud for their computers too.

Need a hand?

If you are not sure your phone is backed up, bring it by Alpha Computers at 4280 Hickory Flat Hwy in Canton and we will help you check. When it is time for a repair, you get our 1-year warranty and No Fix – No Fee promise. Call us at 678-899-6800, request a free quote, or browse our phone repair services.