Comments for Reader Feedback: How Do You Backup Your iPhone Contacts?

Reader Feedback: How Do You Backup Your iPhone Contacts?

2009-06-12T14:59:03Z

The weekend is the perfect time to get started on computer projects that you just didn't have time for during the week. This weekend, my project of choice is backups. Although I can safely say that the majority of my files are (relatively) safe in the cloud, it never hurts to make a run through and upload those that got overlooked.

My documents are spread out across Google Docs, Office Live, SkyDrive, and Box.net. My photos are on flickr and Facebook. My music and video collections are backed up locally to multiple external drives (since I'm too cheap to pay for the hundreds of gigs of online storage needed), but one thing that wasn't backed up anywhere but on my own PC was the thing that may be the most important of all: my iPhone.

]]> Although iTunes does a good backup of your phone prior to each sync, that won't do you a lot of good unless that backup is also stored somewhere else besides your own PC. Computers crash, hard drives fail, and sometimes, sadly, laptops are even lost or stolen. Obviously, an iTunes-only backup is not a good system for the most important social network of them all - the people I actually speak to in real life. The people in my phone.

How Do You Backup Your Contacts? The Results of the Twitter/FriendFeed Poll

Is an iTunes backup stored off-site the most efficient way to go? Is that how most people handle this issue? Curious, I did what any social media addict would do: I asked Twitter and FriendFeed. The answers I received have me pondering my options. After receiving nearly 30 responses, I was surprised to find how many people rely on Google as their address book (14 responses). In fact, keeping your addresses and phone numbers in Google and syncing that address book to your iPhone is actually what a lot of people consider a "backup" these days.

But as much as I trust in Google, the old I.T. girl in me can't help but think "single point of failure, single point of failure!" Truth be told, several folks must feel the same because they also used another method on top of the Google solution, often MobileMe.

MobileMe wasn't as popular as I would have expected, though. Only five people said they used it. That number would probably be higher if it wasn't a paid service.

Seven people counted on iTunes to do the backup for them, but a few were careful to also make sure their PC was backed up as well.

I'm hesitant to sync my Google contacts to my iPhone for reasons I've stated before, but it couldn't hurt to make sure that my iPhone contact information also exists in my online address book...something that I know isn't the case as I recently found out when the phone's battery died during a phone call and I frantically searched for my friend's number on the web.

iPhone Contact Backup: Yep, There's An App for That

I also recently happened across an additional solution which you could add to your backup routine with ease. Called iDrive Lite, this free iPhone application will quickly backup all your contact info to your device in case you ever accidentally delete an important address or phone number. You'll also want to activate the app's "Web Enable" feature which backs up your contact data to the web where you can access it anytime at idrivelite.com. Not bad for a free service.

Your Turn! RWW Poll

If you didn't have a chance to participate in the Twitter poll, please participate in this one below. Now, we know not everyone is an iPhone user here at RWW, but we know that a lot of you are, so let us know how you backup your contacts! If you find yourself marking "other," feel free to comment and explain.

Comment from Moeteise Surrey on 2011-04-05

2011-04-06T05:27:20Z

To back up your contact, SMS, and games read this http://surreystore.com/cms/art...

Comment from hilary on 2010-08-24

2010-08-24T13:08:21Z

Is anyone familiar with the old Palm desktop app? That was so much better than all these 'cloud' back-ups because it was more secure and you could add data faster... Does anyone know of a similar desktop app (for PC) that syncs seamlessly w/i phone? Then one could also sync w/google, or whatever for travel.... BTW, I don't have Outlook - it's expensive!!! I'm sure it would work well from what I've read but I can't believe there's nothing else out there... Please help!

Comment from Gigel on 2010-06-24

2010-06-24T15:50:45Z

I am using Dmailer http://www.dmailer.com/dmailer-backup.html to backup my data and store it online on their servers.
Is a free software and also easy to use and their storing services are free only up to 3gb , also their other larger packs are at good prices too.

Comment from Jodi on 2010-05-07

2010-05-07T23:13:29Z

Help....had to do a restore...contacts gone.... last sync was on a computer that crashed but i did have the data on that computer pulled off and put onto an external hard drive, just not sure what type of file I am looking for to load contacts back into itunes to put back onto phone!

Comment from Lion King on 2010-02-28

2010-02-28T09:19:56Z

Thanks for this great article,but what i was looking for is more than just backing up my contacts, i wanted something that has some security features to locat and wipe the device in the even i lose it or replce my device, and being able to backup all my data like files, pics, and call log.
i found this app called Mobiwee that i am using now and very happy with and best of all it is free.

Comment from Melanie Cook on 2010-02-19

2010-02-19T23:05:21Z

Thanks for this. Excellent to have my options so clearly set out.

Comment from backup iPhone on 2010-02-08

2010-02-09T07:01:57Z

I use third part software to make backup of my iPhone. Very easily, without any difficulties and within time you can make full backup of your iPhone.

Comment from David on 2010-01-29

2010-01-29T18:29:27Z

Those of us that have Mobile Me have the convenience of being able to sync all of our contacts with multiple computers. I just got a Blackberry to go along with all the other gadgets and was able to easily sync all of my contacts via Blackberry Desktop Manager because I have all of my contacts synced with Mobile Me. It also will update the contacts if I have changed something in one of my other devices once I re-sync my Blackberry. Its a small price to pay to keep everything in SYNC when you really look at it ($8.33 per mth if you break it down). BTW Apple will give you a 60 day free trial all you have to do is cancel after you have synced everything if you really dont want it.

Comment from Assassin_Trojan on 2010-01-16

2010-01-16T18:01:14Z

need any help with ya iphone, contact me 'anthonioreal@yahoo.com'
its obviously a free service.
Both tech and software problem

Comment from Sunny RainbowHeart on 2009-12-05

2009-12-05T19:16:50Z

Dear Sarah Perez: It's snowing today and very cold and therefore I wish to refrain from ripping all of my hair out, consequently I need you to put me out of my misery on how to copy my iPhone 3GS telephone numbers from the CONTACTS onto my PC. I would also welcome other Posters' advice.

I spent 162 minutes with an Apple Tech Support person without finding the answers, preceded by no answer from the AT&T store personnel, followed by my determining that ain't no such thing explained in the iPhone ops manual (may it spontaneously burn up).

Please NOTE: this question has nothing to do with Outlook or e-mail because I've not yet configured Outlook on my new laptop nor have I used e-mail yet on my new iPhone 3GS 16Gb. It's a much simpler question having to do solely with cellular telephone numbers in my iPhone which the AT&T store copied for me from my prior cellular telephone onto my new iPhone's "CONTACTS".

So, please educate me, step by step without leaving any steps out. Don't make assumptions that I know or should know something; just aim for the lowest common denominator--I'm blonde. My laptop PC's OS is Windows XP Professional.

Anyhow, I already synchronized the phone to the iTunes website. I have over 600 telephone numbers on the iPhone which I would like to copy to 2 places: the appropriate Apple/iPhone/iTunes website area as well as into a "My Documents" file because I also want the capability of viewing it offline as well as printing out a hard copy.

Will appreciate answers from all erudite persons a.s.a.p. because I don't want to hold my breath: blue is not an attractive complexion color, doesn't become me, plus it doesn't color-coordinate well with blonde hair.

With advance gratitude: SunnyRainbowHeart@gmail.com

Comment from raleigh on 2009-11-18

2009-11-18T09:20:43Z

i use http://iphone-backup.net for an online backup of my iphone's contacts and sms conversations

Comment from iPhone insurance on 2009-08-15

2009-08-15T10:53:42Z

Reader Feedback: How Do You Backup Your iPhone Contacts? is really nice post i have ever read. thanks for the post.

Comment from iPhone insurance on 2009-07-22

2009-07-22T12:02:02Z

Thanks for the article man, very valid point of information shared.

Comment from Fernando Martins on 2009-06-29

2009-06-29T09:33:36Z

For me, a normal use of the iPhone involves connecting to the computer almost daily for syncing with Outlook, update apps and charge the battery, so the backup of my contacts happens naturally.

I backup my iPhone in iTunes - both at home and at the company. iTunes also syncs iPhone with Outlook. I backup my computers (both of them) on external hard drives.

Since most people have one computer@home and another@company, and everybody should backup their computers quite regularly (2-3 times/week is a good idea), all of those contacts end up in at least 4 different physical places + iPhone. I think that should be enough :-)

Comment from iphone insurance on 2009-06-22

2009-06-23T05:12:34Z

Cover get your iphone insurance against theft, loss, accidental, water damage. Free Fraudulent Call Cover and also International cover.

Comment from getoverit on 2009-06-22

2009-06-22T10:51:46Z

Lots of good info. here. Thanks for putting this all together. But I have still have a big problem: There IS no backup. iPhone doc. says that after I sync, there should be a file in \Documents and Settings\...MobileSync\Backup (on XP...paths vary by OS). But guess what? It ain't there. It SAYS it worked but I searched my hard drive for it - can't find it.

So I tried iDrive Lite - it says it worked, too. But I don't really know and have no idea if I'm really going to be able to use it in case of some failure...for example if the iPhone gets lost, stolen, or just craps out.

Backing-up on the cloud, huh? Maybe I'm old-fashioned but, to me, "a backup" and "the cloud" are mutually exclusive. The "cloud", by definition, is where some content or information is available to me without me being concerned about the physical location of where its coming from, or the type of device, etc. A "Backup" is something that I know ABSOLUTELY what physical device its on - whether its a hard drive, a thumb drive, a CD, or tape cannister at Iron Mountain. The point is that I can't anticipate every kind of failure or incident that might occur. But at least I know where my data is.

I've put hours into doing something that should be really simple and straightforward. Apple needs to get its act together on this one.

Comment from fknight on 2009-06-16

2009-06-16T12:08:53Z

I sync my contacts with Yahoo and sync them using Plaxo (from Yahoo). This provides redundancy.

Comment from Youngistaan on 2009-06-13

2009-06-13T13:44:32Z

Nice post for iphone users. thanks..

Comment from Pg on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T21:06:47Z

Zyb.com can back up contacts and calendars for most phones -- there is a ZYB Sync app for the iPhone.

Comment from John Emburey on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T19:57:53Z

I'm an IDrive Lite fan as well. Easy backup to the cloud and web access, and it is free!

Comment from Sean Lindo on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T18:45:06Z

I think the Funambol app is great - all my iPhone contacts are backed up to the cloud, so if disaster strikes, I know all that contact info is safe.

Comment from Michael Alderson on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T18:28:11Z

I have been using IDrive Lite for a while now and I love the Web Enable feature the author talks about. Quite often, when I don't have the iphone with me, I can access my contacts.
Also it is much easier to update the contacts via desktop than via the iphone itself and then re-import it back to my iphone.

Comment from Khürt Williams on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T16:54:43Z

How is it Google is a "single point of failure" but iDrive Lite isn't? I use Google's integration with iCal and AddressBook to keep my Macs in sync. I don't have an iPhone but I do have an iPod Touch that uses the ActiveSync to sync my Google contacts and calendar. When I sync my iPod Touch to my Mac, a backup is made of the contents of that iPod Touch. So where is the single point of failure?

When Time Machine runs ( I have 3 Macs ), a backup is made of the AddressBook and iCal. I am sure iPhone owners who use Windows have some sort of back up plan.

So Google (and MobileMe and iDrive Lite) is a single point of failure if that is the ONLY copy of your contacts.

Comment from Khürt Williams on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T16:42:59Z

I did not know that information could be take from Facebook. I always thought it was a one way street.

For email, calendar, and contact I use Google Apps. I have these integrated with OS X Leopard (you can read how on my blog) so that all my Macs are in sync. No need for MobileMe. Now that Google has provided ActiveSync you can also keep your iPhone in sync.

Comment from Dave on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T16:24:43Z

Mobile Me is a no-brainer. You can think of it as an insurance policy that you pay for but might not need. But along with the contacts backup (and access from any internet connected computer to the internet) you get 10 GB online storage, hosting, sync between your iPhone and computer. I had a small crack appear on the back of the iPhone. The Apple Store replaced it at the genius bar, I got the new phone and put in my mobile me account details and all contacts, calendar and email was there in a minute.

Comment from Konstantin on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T16:12:54Z

Since the new service "Find my iPhone" in MobileMe, it makes sense to pay for that. Plus, it's the best iPhone integration even possible (because it's from apple as well). Plus, they have greate 24/7 online support (I used that successfully).

Comment from Ben Werdmuller on 2009-06-12

2009-06-12T15:48:49Z

On Windows Vista, iPhone contacts automatically get backed up as Windows Contacts. (This is my solution.) The downside to this is obviously that you have to use Windows Vista.