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No matter if you have an iPhone or Android phone, chances are it is full of photos and other information that you don’t want to lose. After all, it’s a terrible feeling to not only lose a smartphone but to also lose all the data stored on it. Back it up, especially when it’s personal and priceless.

The good news is that it’s not difficult to do that regularly, regardless of which phone you’re using. Generally speaking, smartphone manufacturers and mobile operating system developers have backup processes in place that simplify things.

The importance of backing up can’t be understated. Imagine having a camera on vacation and losing the memory card. All those great images and memories are gone. Multiply that several times over and include your messaging history, contacts, music, video, apps, and personal data (passwords, notes, etc.) and you have a much bigger issue.

Here, I’ll go through each mobile platform and the backup options:

Back up on macOS via Finder

When Apple released macOS Catalina, it also changed the backup process for iPhones. Instead of doing it through iTunes, you could now do it directly through the Finder on your Mac. Plug your iPhone into your Mac, and you will see it appear under “Locations” in the side menu of any open window. Click on it and an interface appears in the window showing you all the basics.

Among the options will be to “Back Up Now”. This is essentially a backup maintaining the status quo at the time you backed up. If you were to lose your phone or need to restore to a new one, you could load the backup file onto the new device and place everything exactly where it was. This is also really helpful if you run into a situation where you need to factory reset your iPhone and want to restore everything afterward.

Note that iOS now allows you to migrate all data from one iPhone to another directly without having to use a Mac or Windows PC to do so. That’s convenient when upgrading to a new iPhone, but when you want to back up to a computer, however, this is one of the methods to do so.

Back up on macOS via iTunes

From the beginning, Apple always offered iTunes as a one-stop shop for syncing and backing up an iPhone. When it added iCloud, there was another option that could also help. Doing it through the Finder came later. If your Mac is running macOS Mojave or earlier, you can use iTunes to back up your iPhone’s data entirely to your computer.

I always found it super convenient to keep a weekly backup that I could use to overwrite the previous one. Not to mention avoiding having to re-download everything. All you need to do is plug in your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC, launch iTunes, and select Backups>Manually Backup and Restore>Back Up Now to make it happen.

If you have an older backup already stored on the computer and want to save space, you can delete the older one by going to the menu bar clicking on Manage Backups, and deleting it from there.

Back up on iOS via iCloud

iCloud is always good at backing up the basics, like contacts, mail, notes, calendars, reminders, and photos. You do get the first 5GB of cloud storage free, but you will have to pay to increase that. The storage options range from 50GB, 200GB and 2TB.

What’s good about iCloud is that it works for you in the background. When entering a Wi-Fi network, it can pull in any new photos, videos, and apps you added to your phone. That automatic upload is like an insurance policy for your images. You just have to make sure you have enough storage to keep it all. To enable that, go to Settings>[your name]>iCloud>iCloud Backup, then turn on iCloud Backup.

Beyond that, iCloud will back up app data, device settings, HomeKit configurations, all your messaging history (text and iMessage), iTunes purchase history, and even voicemail.

Back up on Android

With Android, things are considerably clearer than they used to be. Having a Google account is important to initiate any backup process. It’s pretty basic, so will cover things like contacts, calendars, apps, and media purchased from Google Music.

Previously, Google didn’t include app data, but that’s no longer the case. Preferences, settings, and saved games can transfer over, but there is a catch. Much of that is left up to app developers, so a certain app or game might save more than the other does. One way to find out would be to go to Settings>Backup>App data. The path to get there may slightly differ, depending on the Android device you’re using, so keep that in mind.

You do have the option to restore from a previously-owned Android phone or tablet, which automatically re-downloads whatever apps were stored there to your new device. Except it won’t bring back your messaging history.

For that, it’s best to use something that can back them up. Pulse SMS is a good option because it’s cloud-based and easy to customize. Except for Google’s Pixel phones (albeit limited to 25MB worth of messages), Android phones don’t back up message history.

Photos and video are relatively easy to deal with through Google Photos. Everyone you take automatically backs up to the cloud-based app, even if you’ve shot with multiple handsets. I’ve relied on it a lot for my photography and it’s worked very well throughout.

Android via Google Drive

To back up a phone entirely, similar to how Apple does it with the iPhone, Google Drive could help. At 15GB to start for free, it may be enough for devices with smaller storage, but you probably need more. For that, you will have to buy extra storage. Note, also, that any video shot in 2K or 4K will save as a 1080p file. If you want to retain the higher resolution, it will count against your Google Drive limit.

Some things won’t require backup. For example, if you subscribe to streaming services, your playlists and preferences are saved in the cloud. Providers, like Google Play Music, Spotify, Netflix, etc. will retain your settings and preferences. Re-download the apps and login, and they will be there.

Again, Google Drive won’t back up all messages. You will need to use something like Pulse SMS or Signal to do that. Either way, it’s a good idea to download the Google Drive app as well.

To recap, if you want to make sure you back up settings and apps, you can do so through the settings on your phone. The pathway may differ a little depending on the phone you have. For instance, on a Samsung phone, it’s Settings>Accounts and Backup>Back up data (Samsung Cloud or Google Drive). On a Google Pixel device, go to Settings>System>Backup. On a OnePlus device, go to Settings>System settings>Back up and reset>Back up my data.

For Google Photos resolution changes, open up the Google Photos app. Go to the menu, tap Settings>Backup and sync>Upload size, and choose the option you want. Either one will count against your Google Drive storage space.

Android via third-party app

There is no shortage of apps on the Google Play store offering various backup solutions. It’s hard to recommend one over all others, but I will suggest Super Backup & Restore as one option to start with. You can pick and choose what to back up, and there is a free version to trial first, as you will have to pay for the pro version. My Backup Pro works similarly.

Other options

Phones that include memory card slots may be one way to back up certain files. If you’ve been using one to expand on your device’s internal storage, look into that.

For something, a little more physical and substantial, you could also use an external storage drive. It’s not as easy as plugging it directly into the phone, but you can plug it into a computer and when doing a backup, choose the drive instead.

You could also technically use any cloud-based service as a backup solution, albeit with some limitations. It’s not hard to amass gigabytes of data on a smartphone these days, and cloud services don’t usually offer a commensurate amount for free. If you’re willing to pay a little more, you can make use of them under specific circumstances.

It’s also possible to manually upload photos or documents to a cloud service, like Dropbox, whenever you like, directly from your phone. That can be a great way to ensure you have photos safely tucked away while at an event or on vacation. If you are looking for ways to back up your photos and videos, you can find those details here. I recommend you do all these things over Wi-Fi so you don’t use too much of your data bucket.

No matter what methodologies you choose to go with, the bottom line is that backing up your smartphone is a crucial part of smart maintenance.

Conclusion: Secure Your Data with Ukamart

Backing up your smartphone data is not just a precaution; it’s a necessity in our data-driven world. Whether you prefer cloud services, external storage, computer backups, or dedicated apps, there’s a backup solution that suits your needs.

At Ukamart, we understand the importance of keeping your data safe. That’s why we offer a range of high-quality laptops, phones, and accessories designed to help you stay connected and secure. Our products are equipped with the latest technology to support all your backup needs, ensuring that your data is always protected. Visit Ukamart today and explore our selection of devices that empower you to safeguard your digital life. Because at Ukamart, your data’s safety is our priority.

The iPhone is a great device, but it’s not perfect, and sometimes issues do come up, so what do you do to fix them? Take matters into your own hands.

Don’t be afraid to troubleshoot the iPhone on your own. Many of the issues that come up are the sort of things you can take care of yourself. We’re talking about some basics, but even bugs you think might be too complicated to squash may be simple to deal with.

Bear in mind, that there may be cases where you need the help of technical support, and I’ll point those out if they apply. But otherwise, let’s look at what you can do on your own.

How to restart your iPhone

There are several instances where a simple restart might fix whatever issue you’re dealing with. You can restart the phone in different ways, so let’s go over them:

For the iPhone X, 11, 12, and 13 models, press and hold the power and (either) volume buttons until the power off indicator appears. For the iPhone SE or older models, just hold down the power button until you see it. When the device is off, leave it like that for at least 30 seconds before trying to turn it back on.

Then there’s what’s called a hard reset. This shuts down all apps, clears the cache, and resets the RAM, which may be enough to jog the device back into functioning properly. To do that, follow these instructions:

1. Press and release volume up
2. Press and release volume down
3. Keep holding the power button on the other side until the Apple logo appears onscreen.
4. For the iPhone SE or older models with a home button, repeat the first two steps, only holding the power button and home button down at the same time for step 3.

Don’t fret if it takes many seconds before the logo appears. This type of reset takes longer than the “soft reset” I described earlier. A hard reset won’t resolve every iPhone issue, but it’s worth a shot if you run into problems with lag, a frozen screen, battery life issues, or apps crashing all the time.

Checking on battery life

So, you’re noticing that battery life isn’t lasting the way it should. The first thing to do is double-check that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. To do that, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Sometimes, an iOS update will fix certain battery issues, but not always.

It might be an overactive app causing the battery drain, and one way to investigate that within Settings is to go to Battery. Here, you will see which apps are drawing the most power. Check to see if an app you rarely use stands out as a drainer. If there is, try deleting that app to see if it makes a difference. If the top of the list includes apps you regularly use, then make sure to go to the App Store and download the latest updates.

Another thing you can try is to go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. When you turn it off for select apps, it means those apps won’t refresh with the latest data when you open them. It can be an annoying thing to do for apps you regularly use, but if you’ve discovered a rarer app causing battery issues—and you don’t want to delete it—try this method first.

As a safety valve, you can use Low Power Mode to conserve battery life, if necessary. Go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode and toggle it on. You can also set it as a shortcut on the Control Center when you swipe down from the top right of the screen. To do that, go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls and add Low Power Mode.

Battery health metrics

Within Settings and checking on battery health, you can go to Battery > Battery Health and check what the percentage is. The number indicates what capacity the battery has. Anything under 80% means you will likely have to replace the battery. The iPhone’s battery does lose capacity over time, so that is normal, but the more it drops, the more “unhealthy” the battery is. That’s why you may need to replace it, which is wise to do if you’re covered under warranty.

Find out why your iPhone is slowing down

You’re not sure how or why, but you notice that your iPhone is lagging or slowing down. What’s causing it? It could be several things, but here are some bases you can cover. First, you can check to see if storage is an issue. Is your iPhone running low on space? Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to be sure. If you have plenty of room, then you can move on. Here are a few steps to try:

1. Make sure you are running on the latest iOS version.
2. Update your apps, especially the ones you use most.
3. Delete the apps you don’t use at all.

You can also try to clear the phone’s cache. Start with Safari by going to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Another option is to go to Advanced within the Safari menu in settings instead and choose Website Data > Remove All Website Data. This will clear the cache, yet maintain your browsing history.

Voice isn’t working well

This could be any number of issues, but let’s start with voices not sounding clear first. There is a cool feature that can improve voice quality when using data-driven apps for calls, like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Instagram, Signal, and Telegram, among others. When you’re on a call, swipe down the Control Center and tap Mic Mode. It will show as Standard, but if you switch it to Voice Isolation, those on the other side of the call won’t hear background noises. That means no traffic, screaming kids, barking dogs, or whatever else might be going on.

Note that this won’t work with regular calls through the Phone app, only those you do through the aforementioned platforms. You can also use Voice Isolation on a Zoom or Teams call, which is very cool. It won’t work for every app, though, so common ones, like TikTok and Snapchat, may not work with it.

It also only works with iOS 15 or later, so if you are running on an earlier version, that would explain why you may not see the feature available.

Earpiece or speakerphone issues

If you feel your problem is with the earpiece or speaker, you can try a few ways to find out. The basics are to see if the volume level is too low when you’re actually talking through the earpiece or speaker. Each of them has their volume levels, so it could be that.

Next, would be to isolate the problem. If you can hear them fine on speaker, but not through the earpiece—or vice versa—then you know it’s one or the other. Try using headphones or earbuds, be they wired or Bluetooth, to see if you and the other person come through clearly. If you do, then the issue is limited to the earpiece or speakerphone. In rare cases, it might even be both.

Hardware issues like that require replacement, so you would need to make arrangements to get that done. Taking these steps, however, helps technicians know exactly what to eliminate as a variable.

The screen isn’t responding

You tap on the screen but either nothing happens, or there’s a delay in response. Before you head out to get the screen fixed or replaced, let’s make sure it’s not a software issue. Try a restart or hard reset first to see if that takes care of it. While the phone is off, clean it with a screen cleaner in case something gets in the way on the surface.

If you are using a screen protector, you may need to take it off to confirm the issue persists anyway. After trying all that, an unresponsive screen would indicate a faulty display of some kind. Assuming your iPhone is in good shape, it’s not hard to replace the screen, and you may even try it yourself, or get it done with a trained technician.

Charging issues

Maybe you’ve come across an iPhone that doesn’t charge properly, or charge at all. To find out why, you can take a few steps to figure it out. If, by chance, your iPhone is too hot, you will see a message pop up on the screen saying so. This can happen if you leave the phone out too long in the sun, for example. Take it to a cooler spot and leave it until the phone moderates in temperature.

The easiest way to check and make sure the phone is charging properly is to try different cables. Sometimes, it is just the cable. Other times, it may be something about how the cable is connected to the phone. If nothing works, then it may be time to take it in for repair.

With wireless charging, you’re less likely to see any issues. But if the phone charges wirelessly, and doesn’t with a cable, then the battery should be fine, while the Lightning port may be the troublemaker. You could try carefully cleaning out the port a little by using a microfibre cloth or something soft to clear out some dust. If you have a compressed gas duster can, spray into the port (from a short distance) to see if that clears out any debris.

Why Choose Ukamart for Your Tech Needs?

At Ukamart, we understand the frustrations that come with tech issues, and we’re here to help you find the best solutions. When you shop with us, you’re not just buying a product—you’re investing in quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service.

Don’t let tech troubles slow you down. Visit Ukamart today and explore our extensive range of high-quality laptops, phones, and accessories designed to keep you connected and productive. Experience the difference with Ukamart—where quality meets convenience.

If you have come across issues with your iPhone, leave a comment below. It’s always good to share information to fix any minor problems that come up while using the device. Check out the latest iPhones if you’re thinking of moving on to another model.