Best ways to back up important information

Today’s electronics are like treasure chests, full of all our favorite memories and important information. That means many of us live in constant fear of breaking a phone full of wedding photos, or losing a laptop with a lot of important files. But there’s no need to fret! There are countless ways to back up your data. And Verizon Tech Coach experts are here to make sure you get the most out of your tech, which includes safely storing your personal information.

In this blog, we'll walk you through the best, easiest ways to keep digital data safe and sound. 

Ways to back up your data

There are several methods to back up your data, from cloud storage to regular external hard drive backups. For the best protection, we recommend using a combination of these methods.

Want the best cloud storage around? Verizon Cloud services can’t be beat.

You can learn how to use Verizon Cloud for secure cloud storage to get started, or read more about Verizon Cloud here.

Cloud Storage 

Cloud storage is an online service that lets you store files—like photos and documents—and access them on any of your connected devices, from anywhere. It’s simple. All you need is an internet connection. 

To back up data on Apple devices using the iCloud^® service: 

If you use an Apple device, like an iPhone^®, iPad^® or MacBook^®, you can use iCloud^® service to back up your personal information. Check out the guide on using iCloud for backups here. 

Cloud Backup for Android Phones 

For Android^™ phones, the simplest solution outside of Verizon Cloud services is to use the Google One^™ cloud service. Google One is Google’s proprietary cloud data storage offering, much like Apple’s iCloud service. 

To back up a Samsung^® phone using the Google One^™ cloud service: 

1. Download the Google One app in the Google Play™ Store. 
2. Open “Settings.” 
3. Tap “Accounts and backup.” 
4. Tap “Back up data.” 
5. If prompted, enter your Google username and password. 
6. Make sure the Backup by Google One switch is on, then tap “Back up now.” 

To back up a Pixel^™ phone to the Google One^™ cloud: 

1. Download the Google One app in the Google Play Store. 
2. Go to “Settings.” 
3. Tap “Google,” then tap “Backup.” 
4. If prompted, enter your Google username and password. 
5. Make sure the Backup by Google One switch is on, then tap “Back up now.” 

Cloud Backup for Windows Laptops 

Microsoft^® OneDrive is another cloud service that stores files virtually. Like files in the Verizon Cloud, uploading files to OneDrive makes them accessible from virtually any device connected to the internet. 

How to use Microsoft OneDrive to back up data on Windows^™ 10 and 11: 

1. Sign in to your OneDrive account by clicking the white or blue cloud icon in your taskbar. 
2. Double-click the cloud. Choose “Help & Settings” > “Settings” > “Backup” > “Manage backup.” 
3. Select the folders you’d like to back up, then click “Start backup.” 
4. Once the backup is finished, you can access files under OneDrive via File Explorer. 

External Hard Drives and Portable Devices 

Using an external storage device, like an external hard drive or a USB flash drive, is another reliable way to back up your data. USBs are normally used for smaller amounts of data, while a dedicated external hard drive generally holds more. 

How to Back Up Your PC Laptop with an External Hard Drive 

Windows 10: 

1. Click “Start” in the taskbar. 
2. Click “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Backup.” 
3. Connect an external storage drive to your laptop, and click “Add a drive.” 
4. The backup will start automatically when the drive is plugged in. 

Windows 11: 

1. Click “Start” in your taskbar. 
2. Click “Settings” > “Accounts” > “Windows Backup.” 
3. Connect an external storage drive to your laptop, and click “Add a drive.” 
4. Once you plug in the drive, your backup will begin automatically. 

Back Up Your MacBook with Time Machine 

The built-in Time Machine^® feature on MacBooks allows you to make daily backups to your external hard drive.  

How to use Time Machine on Mac laptops running the Catalina OS or later: 

1. Connect an external storage device, like high-capacity thumb drive or external hard drive, to your Mac. 
2. Click the Apple® icon in the upper-left corner of your home screen. 
3. Click “System Preferences” > “Time Machine.” 
4. Click “Select Backup Disk.” 
5. Select the name of your external storage device, then click “Use Disk.” 
6. Choose “Back Up Now” to start your backup. 

Backing Up Your Phone to Your Computer 

Need to back up the data on your phone? You can back your phone up directly to your computer. Just follow the steps below for your phone and computer type. 

iPhone 

On a PC, or Mac running macOS^® Mojave 10.14 or earlier: 

1. Open iTunes. 
2. Use a cable to connect your device to your computer.  
3. If prompted, enter your passcode. 
4. Click on the iPhone icon, in the upper-left corner. 
5. Click “Summary” > “Back Up Now.” 

On a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later: 

1. Open Finder. 
2. Use a cable to connect your device to your computer.  
3. If prompted, enter your passcode. 
4. Click on your device under Locations in the left column. 
5. Click “General,” then select “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.” 
6. Click “Back Up Now.” 

Android 

To back up an Android phone to a Windows PC: 

1. On your phone, scroll down the notification menu and tap “Charging this device via USB.” 
2. Under “Use USB for,” select “File transfer/Android Auto.” 
3. On your Windows PC, open “This PC” in your folders or File Explorer. 
4. Find your phone, and double click it. 
5. Look for the files you want to back up. Highlight and right-click them, then select “Copy.” 
6. Create a new folder to store your files, and open it. 
7. Right-click on any empty space, then select “Paste.”

To back up an Android phone to a Mac: 

1. Connect your Android phone to your Mac with a USB cable. 
2. On your Mac, open “Android File Transfer.” 
3. Create a new folder, and drag the files you want to back up into it. 

Best Practices for Data Backup 

1. Set Up a Regular Backup Schedule. Back up your information on a regular basis (daily, weekly, or monthly) to ensure your data is always up-to-date. 

2. Test Your Backups Regularly. Confirm that your backups are working by testing them periodically. 

3. Consider Physical Copies. For especially important documents, consider printing a paper copy and storing it in a safe place. 

Remember, we recommend using both a physical backup and a cloud service (or multiple cloud services) to store crucial data. Backups are never a bad thing!

And with the Verizon Cloud service, you can access important data anywhere, from all your devices.

Follow these simple steps to help ensure your digital life is always protected, and all your precious memories stay safe. And if you want more help backing up your videos, photos, and files, the answer is easy. Call or chat with a Verizon Tech Coach expert today, and our experts can assist. Call or chat today.