How to Back Up a Windows Phone

Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system attempts to make life with a smartphone easier. Its Live Tiles make it easier to see what apps you should be paying attention to or what services you might want to update with a new status. Automatic picture and contact backup were built into the first version of Windows Phone way back in 2010. In 2015 we have a very different idea of what a complete back up is that goes far beyond what was available in Windows Phone 7. Here’s how to back up a Windows Phone so that if you’re about to install an update or trade your smartphone in for another, you have everything you need.

Before we begin, it’s important to note that the device we’re using for this example is running Windows Phone 8.1. Beyond being the latest version of Windows Phone available to users, Windows Phone 8.1 includes the most robust backup and restore tools yet. Information backed up includes apps, they’re position on your Start Screen, background, theme and Live Tile color. Email addresses are backed up to Microsoft’s servers too, but that depends on your settings. For example, Windows Phone 8.1 seems to back up user accounts and for independent email addresses, but you’ll need to enter the password for them again.

Even after you do a backup, don’t expect passwords for all of your different apps to sync back to your device if you have to restore it. As such, make sure you know the passwords for services like Facebook, Netflix, Reddit and Instagram since you’ll need to put them in again.

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