Best Online Backup Service for Mobile Devices
Summary: Cell phones and tablets are some of the most frequently lost, stolen, and damaged devices most of us use, and yet very few people back them up.
This often results in the loss of all of our contact information, as well as the numerous apps and photos we have stored on them.
With some online backup services, you can also back up your mobile devices.
By uploading copies of your devices’ content to their servers these companies protect you from permanently losing anything on your phone or tablet if anything ever happens to it.
For the most comprehensive mobile backup at the best price, get iDrive now.
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Why Are My Files at Risk?
Most people are major file hoarders – the SD cards in our cell phones are full of hundreds of photos, songs, and apps, and more get added every day.
Our mobile devices have quickly become our own virtual personal assistants, and the amount of information we rely on them to keep is staggering.
When something happens to our phones and tablets, it’s the virtual end of the world for many.
We don’t know our phone numbers. We can’t find a pizza shop. Our vacations photos are gone.
It’s the end of the world as we know it, and suddenly we’ve lost everything we ever stored on that device.
It doesn’t always have to be this dramatic.
Let’s face it – something’s going to happen to that iPhone eventually, and when it does, wouldn’t you rather have access to all of your phone numbers and photographs?
The best way to make sure it happens is to start using an online backup service.
How Does Online Backup Work?
Online backup is the lazy user’s way of protecting your files.
Once upon a time, there was a tedious drag and drop process, but now most programs automatically and continuously back up everything on any device you specify.
Nothing is ever missed, and all you have to do is download and install the software. While it sounds intimidating, it’s really not.
All of your files are encrypted and stored on the company’s servers, but more often than not you can actually set a private key so only you can decrypt them even.
Your files are private, secure, and most importantly, backed up. When your mobile goes down for the count, just download the backups back to your new gadget, and get on with your life.
It’s that simple.
Top 3 Online Backup Services for Mobile Devices
Here’s the thing though – not every backup service actually backs up your mobile devices.
Some just back up photos, and some just give you a nifty little app that lets you access things, but not actually store anything on a phone or tablet.
Here I’ve broken down a few of the big names for you, and I’ll fill you in on which ones actually do have total mobile device backup, so you never miss a beat.
#1 Choice: iDrive – 9/10 – Complete mobile backup + sharing (at an awesome price)
iDrive is definitely the total package, but especially when it comes to mobile device backup.
Some companies limit you to photos or videos, but with these guys, you can back up absolutely everything on those devices – contacts, photos, videos, even apps.
Plus, their desktop software is compatible with both Mac and PC, so you can use iDrive to back up just about any device under the sun.
What I really like about iDrive is that they’re the total package, but they’re still really reasonably priced.
Their service is only about $45 per year, and that even comes with their cool sharing feature.
With iDrive not only can you backup your files, but you can sync and access them all with your mobile devices, and even share them with discreet links that you set up for specific file paths.
iDrive’s security is some of the best you’ll find too. They are totally geo redundant, too.
Also, you can also use their remote wipe feature to clear your device if it ever gets stolen (how many shopping apps do you have payment information stored with?).
It’s a feature not every backup service offers, but it can be a lifesaver.
With 1 TB of storage space and a customer support team that always has your back, it just doesn’t get much better than iDrive.
For the most features, best price, and lots of storage for your mobile devices, get iDrive today.
#2: CrashPlan – 8/10 – No mobile backup
‘Nuff said, right? It’s unfortunate, because other than this and a few other shortfalls, CrashPlan really is a decent backup service.
However, with zero online backup capabilities, they’re not much of an option for anyone that has a mobile device (which is pretty much everyone).
It’s kind of a drag too, because CrashPlan comes with unlimited storage space, and at only $5 more per year than iDrive, they’re not even too hard on your wallet.
Their data centers aren’t geo redundant, but they do also have the remote wipe feature.
All of the storage space in the world though doesn’t make up for their complete lack of mobile backup options though, so you’re probably just going to want to stick with iDrive.
CrashPlan can be found at this website.
#3: Acronis– 5/10 – Can back up photos and videos, for a price
I rank Acronis pretty low because honestly, I can’t stand a price-gouger, and that’s exactly what these guys do.
Their basic plan literally only covers PC backup – to get a plan for Mac as well, you have to spend more, and to get mobile backup included, you have to spend even more.
Eventually, you wind up with a $70 per year price tag.
And the real kicker is, Acronis’s mobile backup isn’t even as good as iDrive’s.
You can back up both Apple and Android devices with it, but only photos and videos – no contacts, no apps, that’s it.
In addition, I seriously recommend anyone that signs up with Acronis gives their user agreement a good read.
All of that fine print may look tedious, but there’s a lot of questionable information in there about just who has access to your files, and even a denial of responsibility for the security of your files.
They may boast features like unlimited storage space and 24/7 support, but not until after they bleed you dry for every last penny.
The bottom line is, you can get better backup at a much more reasonable price with iDrive.
Acronis is here.
Conclusion: Use iDrive for Secure Backup Anytime, Anywhere
Backing up your mobile devices should be a no-brainer, but most of us are not generally keen on adding another expense to our monthly bill.
Let me just tell you straight up – it’s way more worth it than that insurance policy you’re paying for every month.
To get a backup service that’s worth your money for your mobile device, look for these features from iDrive:
- file syncing
- file sharing
- mobile backup (including contacts, apps, photos, and videos)
- plenty of storage space
- no more than $50 per year
You get all of this with superior encryption, customer support, and your privacy as their priority.
For a backup service that will back up everything on your mobile device, plus anything else you’ve got, the only way to go is iDrive.
