What You Should Back Up Before Resetting a Device
Resetting a device—whether a phone, tablet, or computer—can feel like starting fresh. But that fresh start comes at a cost: everything stored on that device typically gets erased. Before you hit "reset," understanding what to back up and how protects you from losing irreplaceable information, accounts, and settings you've built over time. 💾
What Actually Gets Erased During a Reset
A factory reset returns a device to its original, out-of-the-box state. This wipes:
- Personal files: Photos, videos, documents, music, and downloads
- App data: Saved game progress, app settings, login credentials stored within apps
- Contacts and calendar entries (if stored locally on the device, not synced to the cloud)
- Browsing history, saved passwords, and bookmarks
- Custom settings: Display preferences, accessibility settings, installed apps
- Text messages and call logs (on phones)
What doesn't get erased depends on what's already synced to a cloud account—but relying on that without verification is how people lose data.
Types of Information Worth Backing Up
| Information Type | Why It Matters | How It's Typically Lost |
|---|---|---|
| Photos & videos | Irreplaceable memories | Only stored on device; not auto-synced |
| Financial records | Critical documents | Tax returns, bank statements, receipts |
| Login credentials | Access to accounts | Saved in browser or password manager on device |
| Contact info | Communication access | Only in phone's local storage |
| Medical or legal docs | Important records | Passwords, insurance files, directives |
| App settings & data | Time investment | Game saves, app preferences, custom lists |
Backup Methods Available to You
Cloud Backup Services
Services like iCloud (Apple), Google Drive, OneDrive (Microsoft), or Dropbox sync files automatically. The advantage: backup happens without your daily involvement. The trade-off: you're trusting a third party with access, and free storage is often limited.
External Hard Drives or USB Drives
A physical backup you control entirely. You manually copy files, which means it only includes what you remember to transfer. No recurring fees, but only works if you actually do it before resetting.
Device-Native Backup Tools
Most phones and computers have built-in backup features:
- iPhone: iCloud or iTunes backup
- Android: Google Account sync or manufacturer backup (Samsung, etc.)
- Windows: File History or System Image backup
- Mac: Time Machine
These often capture app data and settings, not just files.
Email and App-Level Backups
Some apps (note-taking, password managers, photo apps) have their own export or backup features. These are helpful for specific categories of information.
How to Choose a Backup Approach 📋
Your decision depends on:
- How much data you have: A few files fit on a USB drive; years of photos may need cloud storage or an external drive
- How often you want protection: Manual backups protect only what you do; automatic cloud backup is continuous
- Your comfort with privacy: Cloud services are convenient but involve a company; external drives are private but require discipline
- Your technical skill level: External drives require manual steps; cloud backup is often automatic
- Access from multiple devices: Cloud works across phones, tablets, and computers; external drives usually don't
- Cost sensitivity: Many cloud services have free tiers with limits; external drives have one-time costs
The Timing Question: When to Back Up
Before a reset, back up at least 24 hours before if possible. This allows:
- Time to verify the backup actually worked
- A chance to retrieve something you forgot if the backup seems incomplete
- A buffer in case something goes wrong during the backup process
Many people make backups only when they remember, then reset immediately. That's the moment backups fail—because they never actually completed or synced.
What People Often Forget to Back Up
- Browser-stored passwords and saved payment methods
- Two-factor authentication settings (especially QR codes or backup codes)
- Email account recovery options and security questions
- App licenses that might not reinstall on a clean device
- Offline files stored only on the device
- Custom shortcuts, automation, or workflows you've created
These aren't flashy, but losing them can be frustrating during setup.
Device-Specific Considerations
Different devices have different reset processes and backup ecosystems. Apple devices lean heavily on iCloud; Google devices favor Google Drive; Windows machines often use OneDrive or external drives. The backup method that works best for your household depends on which ecosystem you use most—and whether multiple family members share devices.
Moving Forward
A reset is sometimes necessary for performance issues, security concerns, or preparing a device to give away. But it only makes sense after you've genuinely backed up what matters to you—and verified that backup worked. The best backup isn't the one you plan to do; it's the one that already happened before you needed it.
