Don’t Lose What You Can’t Replace
Before recycling, donating, or trading in any electronic device, backing up your data should be the very first step. It sounds simple, but it’s the step most people either rush through or skip entirely, and the consequences can be irreversible. Once a device is wiped or handed over, recovering forgotten files ranges from difficult to impossible. Taking thirty minutes to do a thorough backup protects years of accumulated photos, documents, and digital life.
This guide covers backup strategies for the most common devices, from computers to phones to tablets.
Backing Up a Computer (Windows)
Check every common file location. Don’t just back up your Documents folder. Files accumulate in places you might not think to check:
Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Videos, Music, and any custom folders you’ve created on the C: drive. Also check the AppData folder (hidden by default) for application data, email archives, and saved game files. To access it, type %appdata% in the File Explorer address bar.
Browser data. Export bookmarks from your web browser. If you use a browser-based password manager, make sure those passwords are synced to your account or exported. Check for any saved form data or autofill information you might need.
Application-specific data. Some applications store data in their own directories rather than standard locations. Accounting software, design tools, development environments, and games may have project files, databases, or configurations stored in program-specific folders.
Email. If you use a desktop email client like Outlook or Thunderbird, your email archive may be stored locally. Outlook uses .pst or .ost files, and Thunderbird stores data in its profile folder. If your email is IMAP-based (Gmail, Outlook.com, etc.), your messages are on the server and don’t need separate backup. If you use POP3, your local copy may be the only copy.
Backing Up a Computer (Mac)
Time Machine is the simplest comprehensive backup option. Connect an external drive and let Time Machine create a full backup. This captures everything: system settings, applications, and all user data. You can later restore from this backup to a new Mac using Migration Assistant.
If you prefer a selective backup, check the same locations as Windows: Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Movies, and the Library folder (which contains application preferences and data). The Library folder is hidden by default; access it by holding Option while clicking the Go menu in Finder.
iCloud syncing covers some data automatically if enabled, including contacts, calendars, notes, photos (if iCloud Photos is on), and documents from iCloud-enabled apps. But don’t assume iCloud has everything. Check what’s actually synced versus stored only locally.
Backing Up a Phone
iPhone: An iCloud backup captures most of what’s on your phone, including photos, messages, app data, settings, and health data. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap “Back Up Now.” Alternatively, connect to a Mac or PC and create a local backup through Finder or iTunes. Local backups can be encrypted to include passwords and health data.
Android: Google Backup handles contacts, calendar, app data, SMS messages, and device settings. Go to Settings > System > Backup to verify it’s enabled and up to date. For photos and videos, Google Photos provides cloud backup if enabled. Samsung devices have Samsung Cloud as an additional option.
For both platforms, check for app-specific data that might not be covered by standard backups. Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal have their own backup mechanisms. Authenticator apps may require manual export or account transfer. Notes, voice memos, and downloaded files might need separate attention.
Backing Up a Tablet
Tablets generally follow the same backup procedures as their phone equivalents. iPads use iCloud Backup or local backup via Finder/iTunes. Android tablets use Google Backup. The same cautions about app-specific data and authenticator apps apply.
If you use a tablet for drawing or note-taking, pay special attention to app data for tools like Procreate, GoodNotes, Notability, or similar. These may store large amounts of creative work that isn’t captured by standard cloud backups unless the app specifically supports cloud sync.
Where to Back Up To
You have several options for backup destinations, and using more than one is wise for important data:
External hard drives or SSDs provide fast, high-capacity local backup. A 1TB portable SSD costs around $100-150 and can hold multiple complete computer backups. Keep the drive somewhere safe after backing up.
USB drives work for smaller amounts of data like documents and photos. Not ideal for full system backups due to limited capacity and slower transfer speeds.
Cloud storage (iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) provides off-site backup that’s accessible from anywhere. Most services offer 5-15GB free, with paid plans for larger storage needs. Cloud backup is particularly good for files you never want to lose, as it protects against both device failure and physical disasters like fire or theft.
Another computer on your home network can serve as a backup destination. Transferring files over WiFi or ethernet to a desktop or NAS (network attached storage) device keeps a local copy that’s not dependent on internet connectivity.
Verify Before You Wipe
The most critical step in the backup process is verification. Before you proceed with wiping your device, check that your backup actually contains what you think it contains:
Open a few files from the backup location to confirm they’re readable and complete. Check that photos open properly. Verify document files aren’t corrupted. Make sure the backup includes files from all the locations you intended to capture.
If you’ve backed up to cloud storage, verify that the sync has completed. Cloud uploads can take hours or days for large libraries, and starting a device wipe before the upload finishes means losing anything that hasn’t transferred yet.
Once you’re confident your data is safely preserved in at least one backup location, you can proceed with properly wiping your device before disposal, trade-in, or recycling. The backup gives you a safety net that makes the entire disposal process stress-free.
EWV helps Victorian businesses manage e-waste and IT asset disposal compliantly and sustainably — including collection, certified data destruction, and recycling. Contact us for a free quote.