Save Your Cell Phone's Address Book

Tue May 30, 2006 10:10PM EDT

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Since we're on the topic of losing gadgets (see post below), what happens if you lose your cell phone with SIM card and all? Do you have your cellphone data backed up?

Again, preventive measures will save you a huge headache in case you lose your cell phone. Often times, we don't take the initiative to do this because we may think "it won't happen to me," which as we all know is disaster's favorite time to strike. As a matter of fact, just when you're the least prepared, you're put to the test.

Don't let this happen to you. Back up, back up, and re-back up your cell phone address book. I will show you three ways to back up your data, starting with services offered by U.S.Carriers.

Here's a list of those U.S Carriers who offer phonebook backup services:

  • T-Mobile and Cingular: Yahoo! Mobile Services offers this free service to Cingular and T-Mobile subscribers with SyncML compatible mobile phones. Users are able to synchronize and combine contacts from their Yahoo! Address Book. Wireless carrier data charges will apply.
  • Sprint Wireless Backup Plans: Only available on two Sprint phones (Samsung A580 and LG LX350). Costs $2 a month, and saves and contact changes made on your phone in case it's lost or stolen. Dory wrote a nice post about this service.
  • Verizon Wireless Backup Assistant: Available for "Get it Now" enabled phones, the service saves your cell phone address book on a daily basis. In case you lose your phone, you data is wirelessly transmitted to your new phone. It also costs $2.00 a month.
  • Mighty Backup: Provides the same service as Verizon's Backup Assistant (powered by same company) to Alltel, Cellular One, and Midwest Wireless users.
  • Cingular: VoiceDial Address Book stores thousands of numbers in your personal address book. Lets you import contact information from Microsoft Outlook, online or by phone. Cost is $5.00 a month.

As you can see, most U.S. Carriers charge you a monthly fee. To eliminate this fee, you should consider purchasing your own hardware devices or software to use at home.

Check out the gadgets that help you back up your cell phone address book, as well as the third-party software you can purchase to sync your phone directly with your computer. Here's how.

Comments on Save Your Cell Phone's Address Book

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  • 1 Posted by jlgoldman1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    how about a tip on workaround to save without paying the monthly fee?

  • 2 Posted by motu59 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    No kidding. What was this, an ad for the phone services. Give me a tip on how this can be done without cost.

  • 3 Posted by fcruiser49 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is there hardware or software you can buy at electronic stores to save your address book? Do any ISP's provide this service?

  • 4 Posted by jtincher2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    yes, you can get hardware/software to do this. i used to have a cable (USB) to connect my old Motorola to PC. I could only sync contact information. My company used this solution as well from Verizon Wireless to manage 200+ cellphones to upload all cell numbers and office locations.

  • 5 Posted by brendanokeke on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think having a "GADGET" you buy at once ,rather than a "SERVICE PROVIDER" you pay monthly, will be better of so tell me the gadget that will serve as a sim /phone data backup....i will be very much interested to buy and sell to others

  • 6 Posted by chinousmc2k4 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    I can't imagine people actually paying the $2.00 or even $5.00 (Cingular) a month to do something you could do yourself. How about write your address book on a actual address book for the one time fee of free, if you already have one, and who doesn't have a notepad laying around. Just another way Americans are getting lazier.

  • 7 Posted by naturalway42 on Tue May 30, 2006 2:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Phone Services Advertisment. Most payable sites advertised in this article aren't private either. People sell cookies, you know. Next thing I know, after a careful wait of 3 months on their part, they will sell all numbers to third parties. Is there a way for FREE and PRIVATE backup. For example, backing up on a computer hard drive / CD.

  • 8 Posted by joesantoyo69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bought this software by susteen that came with 6 different cables for lg, motorolla, sanyo, samsung, and other phones for 75.00 bucks. also do ring tone, image editing for screensavers, and other useful th

  • 9 Posted by lawless.john on Tue May 30, 2006 7:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    A lot of modern phones come with internal flash memory cards. If you own a card reader you can take that card out of the phone and back up the file.

  • 10 Posted by alyabro on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    I Have A Nokia which came with A Data Cable & Nokia Software.I Make a weekly BackUp of All Files on my cell Phone and it takes less then a minute. Im shocked that these cell companies are charging. I really pity the consumers... i also think that this article was more of an advertisement rather....

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