There’s really no way around it: you must back up your devices. It’s far too easy to lose or damage your phone or laptop, along with the wealth of information on it.
Luckily, backups are relatively easy to set up on any laptop, tablet, or smartphone you might own. Here’s how:
- Mac (using Time Machine)
- Windows (using Backup and Restore)
- iOS (using iCloud or iTunes)
- Android (using Backup & Reset)
But backups aren’t sufficient to protect you. You should also turn on encryption and protect your phone with a passcode so that your data is protected if your device is lost.
- Mac or Windows (encryption might be enabled already, but still check your settings; then follow these Mac and Windows security tips)
- iOS (a passcode isn’t the same as encryption, so check your settings and follow good security practices, and change your passcode if you have a common one)
- Android (allows encryption on every release since version 4 in 2012, but encryption isn’t turned on by default; for security tips, go here)
And finally, plan for a lost device before you lose it. Set up “Find My _____” today. That way, if you lose it, you can remotely lock or erase it. Here’s how:
- Mac (using Find My Mac)
- Windows (using Find My Device)
- iOS (using Find My iPhone)
- Android (using Find My Device)
Whew! That’s a lot of info. If you are able to follow it yourself, go for it. But remember that this is exactly the sort of thing I can help you with.