Ask Andy: Cell phone backup - WMC Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

By Andy Wise - bio | email

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - If you are like most cell phone users, you may not have actually dialed a number in quite some time.  With numbers stored in your cell phone, what happens if that information is wiped out?

One day, Robin Pugh pushed the power button on her cell phone and nothing happened.

"It was a very bad day," said Pugh.  "It won't even turn on at all."

Her cell phone provider tried everything.  The backup she kept at home was not at home.  She lost her contacts, her photos and her appointments.

"It was heartbreaking to think I lost all of this information," said Pugh.

Cyber Expert Theresa Payton said heavy phone users who are always adding contacts should back up their information every day.  For casual users, backing up once a week or once a month is fine.

"I always tell people pick a routine you do, and add it to your routine," said Payton.  "So if you watch the nightly news every night, back up your phone.  It takes less than five minutes."

If you lose it all and your backup and cell phone provider fail you, Payton said go to online forums for advice.  You can also begin to rebuild your contact list from websites like LinkedIn, if you are a member.

"No, I'm not recovered," said Pugh.  "I still check and double check.  It has made me a better backup person."

Copyright 2010 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.