Back Up and Restore: How to Prevent Data Loss on Your iPhone

Does the thought of losing all your precious data on your iPhone worry you? Are you scared of losing all your notes, photos and text messaged if your phone died? Well there’s no need to worry because with the iPhones in built ability to backup and restore its data you never have to worry about losing anything again.

Can we restore iPhone Without Losing Data, and if You Can How?

A lot of people, mainly with older iPhone models, end up having to reset their device to fix battery issues, slow speeds, freezing, or WIFI problems. Well if this is you and you need to reset your device then here is our handy guide to how you can reset without any data loss: 

Backup data before resetting.

If you need to reset your phone for whatever reason then first and foremost you need to create a backup so that your latest contacts, photos, videos and emails you have received are saved. We recommend backing up to iCloud which is generally a more convenient and easier option than using iTunes. To do this you need to:

1.    Connect your device to WiFi.

2.    In iOS 8 or later, press Settings > iCloud > Backup.

       In iOS 7 or earlier, press Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup.

3.    Check that iCloud Backup is turned on.

4.    Press Back Up Now.

Within these settings you can choose what you back up from contacts, photos or videos to. You will need to stay connected to WIFI until the process finishes and you can check progress by going to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage and select your device.

Reset Your Device

It’s now time to reset the device. Go to Settings > General > Reset and choose the Reset All Settings option.

Do not choose Erase All Content and Settings or your device will be wiped completely and you will lose all your personal settings, apps and data. The reset will take a couple of minutes to perform and after it has done you can restore your device from the backup you made previously.

Restore Your Device From iCloud

Go to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage and tap on iCloud Backup. Here you will be able to choose the backup you want to restore from a list. The latest one will appear at the top.

You need to be patient while restoring iCloud backups to your iPhone as some data can take a while to restore.

Other Methods

If for whatever reason you don’t trust iCloud or iTunes to back up and restore your device then there are 3^rd party software available that will do the job and at the same time offer reassurances that your data is safe and cannot be lost. One free download is EaseUS MobiSaver which can be downloaded to your PC and will offer far more control of your device’s backups whilst giving peace of mind that your data is safe and secure.

How to Choose the Right Mobile Phone Repair Shop

In the modern world we live in, there are a lot of things that can happen to your phone that may require you to take it to a professional repair shop to be fixed. From dropping it on the floor to dropping it down a toilet, there are so many ways that your phone can be damaged leading to cracked screens, broken earpieces, or worse a bricked phone. But whatever the problem is, it is always advisable to take it to a professional to have it repaired rather than try to fix the damage yourself and potentially make the problem worse.

But with so many iPhone repair shops out there, how do you know which one is the right one for you? Well, to help you out with this problem we have developed a short guide of the things you should consider before having your phone fixed.

Compare Multiple Shops

As with anything you do that is going to cost you money it is advisable to compare several phone repair shops before settling on the one you think is the best. Research the shops. Look at what services they offer and whether these services seem right for your issue. Check for online reviews or word of mouth. Look for online alternatives – not all repair shops are physical these days and some allow you to mail your phone to them. Only after weighing up all the alternatives should you decide which one you think is right for you.

Understand the Equipment Used by the Shop

It’s important that you know what equipment the shop you intend to take your phone to uses. Low quality equipment and materials can not only invalidate your warranty but in the long run cause more problems than they fix. Make sure you ensure any shop uses only the highest quality material and equipment that will not only repair your phone but keep it working for many years to come.

Get Multiple Quotes

As many mobile phone repair shops expect you to pay in advance, it is a good idea to get quotes from all the shops you are considering as well as full details of the service they offer. All good repair shops will be able to offer you a quote instantly or will have information regarding their prices on their websites. Check if they can actually repair the model of your phone, what they are willing to do for the price they have quoted, and then compare these to find the one you think offers the best value for money.

How Long Will the repair Take?

Most common repairs, like a cracked screen, should take an experienced specialist no more than thirty minutes to an hour to repair. If your repair is more extensive, however, then be aware that specialist parts may be required and you might have to wait days if not weeks. Before you commit to a shop get them to give you an estimate of the length of time it will take them to fix the problem and choose the shop that appear the fastest and most efficient.

Pros and Cons Of Buying A Second Hand Phone

Second hand phones can save you money, but the question is should you get one? Modern phones are expensive. If you want the latest all-singing, all-dancing top of the range model then you're going to have to pay through the nose.

That's why most companies offer the latest phones on lengthy expensive contracts that more often than not see us paying more for the phone than we would have done if we had bought it out right in the first place. The better the phone, the more you'll pay and the more the company will make from you because those seemingly affordable payments soon rack up and there’s no such thing as a free thousand-pound smartphone despite what they may try to lead you to believe.

This is where refurbished phones come in as a different option that will allow you to get the latest phone for less than you might think. Cutting the cost of your handset is one thing but the question is, are you making compromises for the sake of saving a little money?

So, What Exactly is a Refurbished Phone?

Well a refurbished phone is not like a second-hand phone passed down by your brother or sister after years of wear and tear. Refurbished phones are generally ones that have been returned by a customer to the manufacturer because it had a fault that has then been repaired before putting it back into circulation at a cheaper price. It may also be a phone ‘sold’ back to a retailer or phone manufacturer so they could upgrade to a new phone. If you're really lucky, the original owner may just have simply changed their minds and returned it unused because they didn’t like it for whatever reason.

Before these ‘returned’ phones are re-sold, the manufacturer or retailer will check it, repair it if needed, and ensure it is up to the required standard to be sold back to the general public.

One thing to bear in mind if you are thinking about purchasing a refurbished phone is that it is unlikely to come with the original box or accessories that you would get with a new version of the handset.

So, What Are the Benefits of a Refurbished Phone?

Well for one refurbished phones are generally a lot cheaper and can save you hundreds of pounds in upfront costs or monthly fees over the lifetime of their contract.

It will have been professionally checked and repaired to a high standard and may appear almost like new. On top of this it will come with a warranty protecting you against any failures the phone may have in the coming months.

So, What Are the Cons of a Refurbished Phone?

You'll have to wait for the top models as it will take many months after their release for them to begin appearing in the refurbished section of your local phone shop.

It may be difficult to insure the phone, although this is generally not a problem. If you do try to insure the phone the cost will be higher for a refurbished phone than a new one. Many people have phone insurance as part of their current account. If you do then it is a good idea to double check the small print to ensure refurbished phones are covered.

Depending on the grade of refurbishment, the handset may come with scratches or scuff marks.

The supplied warranty will also generally be far shorter than if the phone was brand new.

And If You Do Decide to Buy a Refurbished Phone…

If you do decide to buy a refurbished phone then check out our mobile phone comparison page for the best value deals available.