How To Backup and Restore files in Windows Phone 8.1 on Lumia

Your Nokia Lumia smartphone just got a whole lot smarter with the addition of Windows Phone 8.1. This is largely due to Microsoft adding to and improving the way it backs up and restores the settings and apps on your device. Here we take a look at how To Backup and Restore files in Windows Phone 8.1 on Lumia.

Windows Phone has always had features allowing you to backup your photos and videos to OneDrive but with Windows Phone 8.1 there is a greater emphasis on backing up more features.

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For many of us, having access to the main settings of your smartphone, from the layout of the Start screen, along with the Theme colour, to your browser favourites and passwords are a welcome addition to Windows Phone 8.1.

What’s more, you’ll also find the latest version of the OS has the skills to backup high scores, notes and settings to OneDrive from your favourite apps and games.

It’s worth bearing in mind that when it comes to backing up apps and features, such as game saves and rewards, the app developer will need to have optimised the app for Windows Phone 8.1 and allow backups to the cloud.

Other backup features include your call history, any custom words you’ve added to your phone’s dictionary, so you won’t have to re-train Word Flow, along with other key setting from your Lumia, such as  messaging, email and accounts, lock screen, Speech preferences, as well as your photos and videos.

How To Backup using Windows Phone 8.1 When it comes to setting up the Backup process on Windows Phone 8.1 you’ll find that for the most part it is handled automatically in the background. However, if you need to make changes then head to Settings>Backup> Apps + Settings.

Backup on Windows Phone 8.1 comprises three sections, making up the most common files and settings we like to have on hand.

Apps + Settings

To manage what is backed up tap on the Apps + Settings field and you’ll see separate options for Settings and App backups.

Text Messages

Backing up Text Messages was a key part of Windows Phone 8 and remains very much the same in this latest version. The one big difference is now you can choose to download messages based on duration, with options consisting of as far back as one year, to one month or any time.

Photos + Video

Photos + Video backup features also remain the same in Windows Phone 8.1, allowing you to choose the image quality of the file, along with the connection required to make the backup – from Good quality photos using a data connection, to Best quality running only over WiFi. Video remains defaulted to not upload unless you elect to do so, only using WiFi.

If you’re worried that Windows Phone 8.1 on your Nokia Lumia making frequent backups of your information will have an impact on your monthly data allowance, you need not worry. Backups are only made over a WiFo connection. That is unless you force a manual backup, which will then use a data connection if WiFi is not available.

How To Restore using Windows Phone 8.1

Typically, you will only need to restore any settings of apps if you move to a new Windows Phone smartphone, or after resetting your handset for any reason.

The first thing you will need to do is sign into your Microsoft account, which you’ll do as part of setting up your new phone. It will prompt you to add a WiFi network, as this will allow you to set up your phone a lot quicker.

Once logged in, as part of the setup process Windows Phone 8.1 will automatically look to your OneDrive account to see what has been stored there and will automatically download and setup such features as app data, accounts, passwords, app installations and Start screen layout and Theme.