Learn how to backup and restore data on your Sony Xperia Z3. Generally, you should not save photos, videos and other personal content solely on the internal memory of your device. If something should happen with the hardware, or if your device is lost or stolen, the data stored on its internal memory is gone forever. It is recommended to use the PC Companion or the Sony Bridge for Mac applications to make backups which save your data safely to a computer, that is, an external device. This method is especially recommended if you are updating your device software from one version to another.
Once your data is safely backed up to a computer, you can also make a quick backup of basic settings and data to the SD card in your device or to an external USB storage device by using the Backup and restore application. This backup method is useful, for example, if you are doing a factory data reset and are not updating the software version.
Backing up data to a computer
Use the PC Companion application or the Sony Bridge for Mac application to back up data from your device to a PC or an Apple Mac computer. These backup applications let you back up the following types of data:
- Contacts and call logs
- Text messages
- Settings
- Media files
To back up your data using a computer
- Make sure that the PC Companion application is installed on a PC or the Sony Bridge for Mac application is installed on an Apple Mac computer.
- Connect your device to the computer using a USB cable.
- Computer: Open the PC Companion application or the Sony Bridge for Mac application.
- Click Start to start the Backup & restore, application.
- Tap Back up, then follow the on-screen instructions to back up data from your device.
To restore your data using a computer
- Make sure that the PC Companion application is installed on a PC or the Sony Bridge for Mac application is installed on an Apple Mac computer.
- Connect your device to the computer using a USB cable.
- Computer: Open the PC Companion application or the Sony Bridge for Mac application.
- Click Start to start the Backup & restore, application.
- Select a backup file from the backup records, then tap Restore and follow the on-screen instructions to back up data from your device.
Backing up data with the Backup & Restore application
Note: You can use this method to back up and restore data between Android software versions. You cannot use it to restore data after a system upgrade.
Using the Backup & Restore application, you can back up data manually or turn on the automatic backup function to save data periodically.
The Backup & Restore application is recommended for backing up data before you do a factory data reset. With this application you can back up the following types of data to an SD card or to an external USB storage device that you have connected by cable to your device:
- Bookmarks
- Call logs
- Contacts
- Conversations
- Calendar
- Text messages
To set up the automatic backup function
If you are backing up content to a USB storage device, make sure the storage device is connected to your device using the appropriate cable. If you are backing up to an SD card, make sure that the SD card is properly inserted into your device.
- From your Home screen, tap Apps icon.
- Find and tap Backup & Restore.
- To enable the automatic backup function, drag the slider to the right.
- To select a backup frequency, tap 30, then selext the desired backup frequency.
- To select where to save backup files, tap Back icon.
- To select the types of data to back up, mark the relevant checkboxes.
- To save your settings, tap Back icon.
To back up content manually
If you are backing up content to a USB storage device, make sure the storage device is connected to your device using the appropriate cable. If you are backing up to an SD card, make sure the SD card is properly inserted in your device.
- From your Home screen, tap Apps icon.
- Find and tap Backup and Restore.
- Tap Manual backup, then select a backup destination and the data types that you want to back up.
- Tap Continue.
- When the data is backed up, tap Finish.
To restore backed up content
If you are backing up content to a USB storage device, make sure the storage device is connected to your device using the appropriate cable. If you are backing up to an SD card, make sure the SD card is properly inserted in your device.
- From your Home screen, tap Apps icon.
- Find and tap Backup and Restore.
- Tap Restore data now, then select a restore source and the data types that you want to restore.
- Tap continue.
- When the content is restored, tap Finish.
Note: Remember that any changes you make to your data and settings after you create a backup will get deleted during a restore procedure.
