How to Avoid a Phone Catastrophe

Accidents happen, especially with our precious smartphones. Those slippery suckers are prone to be dropped, cracked, tossed in the water and stolen. When that catastrophe happens to your phone what happens to all of your contacts, pictures, videos and messages? If you don’t have backup solutions (yes, plural) happening all of those things might be gone to smartphone heaven or hell (depending on how you feel about the situation). I’ve personally been a victim of my own lack of backup recently. I lost 100’s of pictures, videos and text messages. I want you all to learn from my mistakes (I’m married to an IT guy and should know better). I’m going to give you all some tips to save yourself the heartache that can come with breaking or losing your phone.

1. Make sure your phone is insured.

   I know it may seem like a hassle and waste of money to pay that extra fee every month for insurance. But let me tell you, it’s worth it! If I hadn’t had insurance, it would have cost me at least $300 to replace my LG G3. Because I had insurance I paid my $150 deductible and got a LG G4 because the G3 was on back order.

2. Set up an automatic backup system for your pictures and videos.

   If you are an Android user Google+ is a great way to do these. Just open your Google+ app, go to settings and auto backup. Make sure you turn this auto backup on. Other auto backup options include Dropbox, Photobucket and Facebook.

3. Get an extra micro sd card.

   If you have a phone with expandable storage (sorry iPhone users) get an extra micro sd card to store your pictures and videos. This is an inexpensive backup solution that not only backs up your content, but it gives you extra space on your phone. Win-win!

4. Back up your phone to your computer.

   On occasion, it’s always a good idea to plug your phone into your computer and just back up your content the old fashioned way.

5. SMS Backup+ App

   I haven’t personally tested this app out yet. I have it installed and it comes highly recommended with high ratings in the play store. This is a free app that backs up your text messages and call logs. If something happens to your phone, you can log into your new phone with this app and retrieve your what would have been lost messages.

6. Buy a Case

   Another way for you to stop yourself from having a phone disaster would be for you to invest in a high-quality case. It’s helpful for you to buy a case for the exact phone you have, so for example, if you have a Samsung phone, search for Samsung Galaxy cases and pouches. The main reason why you need to do this is because it will give you more protection and it will fit the exact style of phone you have. Say goodbye to dreaded, cracked screens!

Now if you want to try to avoid a catastrophe all together get a good phone case and screen protector. I had a case and screen protector on my old phone that I wasn’t using. Well, it cost me my phone and my pictures. Seriously friends, learn from my mistakes. Get a case! The first thing I did for my new phone is invest in an Otterbox.

I hope you found some of these tips helpful! If you have anymore tips that I may have missed please leave them in the comments. Now go backup your phone! Right now!!