Backups are essential if we want to keep our personal data safe. It is the best way to recover our most important photos, videos or documents in the event that our mobile suffers a breakdown. Today we wanted to see what options for backup we have in Sony Xperia phones.
It is common for many users to store data in the internal memory of their smartphone or microSD card . But something happens to the mobile or if it is lost, precious memories and data will be lost. In addition, a backup is also necessary when sending our Sony Xperia for repair or if you need to perform a factory data reset.
Backup options on Sony Xperia
In Sony mobiles there are two options to make and restore backups. The Japanese company has been changing its policy in recent years, in addition to putting aside its proprietary software to delegate this action to Google. That is, if we have an Xperia with Android 8 or earlier versions (2018 and older) we can use the Xperia Companion, while mobiles with Android 9 and higher, must use Google’s automatic backup function.
The difference is notable, since the type of files that we can store in the Google backup is much greater than the Xperia Companion options.
Backup possibilities in Xperia Companion
- Contacts and call log
- Text messages
- Calendar
- Settings
- Multimedia files (music and videos)
- Photos and images
Backup possibilities in Google Drive
- Contacts
- Google Calendar events and settings
- SMS text messages (not MMS)
- Wi-Fi networks and their passwords
- Wallpapers
- Gmail settings
- Applications
- Display settings (brightness and sleep)
- Language and input settings
- Date and Time
- Settings and data of applications not designed by Google
How to backup with Xperia Companion
The first thing is to download the application, install it and run it on our computer. Now we connect the mobile to the computer through the cable and the USB port. Then we must click on Start, under Backup and restore. In the next menu we tap on “Backup” and click next. Now we must wait for the system to retrieve the information. Then we will be asked for a name for the backup and click on “Next” and wait for the whole process to finish.
How to restore the data
To restore the data we open PC Companion and connect the mobile to the computer. Click on the previous path and enter Backup and Restore, this time clicking on “Restore”. Now we must mark the content that we need to restore and click on “Next”. When the terminal finishes recovering the information, click once more on “Next” to restore the copy.
How to backup with Google
This method allows us to make a backup copy of our data on the Google server and synchronize it with a copy of Google. In this way, data such as photos or contacts can easily be transferred to a new device when logging into the Google account.
Depending on the Android version, the path to access this option may vary slightly:
- Android 9 and above: System / Backup.
- Android 8: System / Auto backup / enable switch.
- Android 5, 6 or 7: Backup and Restore / Xperia Backup and Restore / Automatic Backup.
In order to make a copy of the photos and videos, we must use Google Photos or another service. If we use the first one, which is pre-installed in Sony Xperia, we will have to perform the following steps:
- Enter Google Photos.
- Touch the menu icon and then touch the Settings menu.
- Press the backup and sync menu.
- Touch the switch to enable the function. Thereafter, the photos and videos will be automatically backed up.