Backup Basics Part 2: Free Software and Apps
In my previous post Backup Basics, I told you about using external hard drives and cloud storage to backup your computers and mobile devices. Not only are external hard drives getting larger (and cheaper), but there are a number of free services that can keep you from losing everything.
Windows
Windows comes with its own backup software. Simply called Backup, you can find it in the Update & Security section of Settings. Windows Backup can perform backups in a wide variety of time intervals, from every ten minutes to every 24 hours. It can keep your copies forever if needed.
Why would you want to use something else? Windows Backup can’t use a cloud storage account, and it can only use one drive to store your files. All the other Windows programs listed here have several things in common:
- They are free, or at least have a free version.
- They can do a full backup of everything on your computer.
- There is an easy-to-use interface.
Google Backup & Sync
Google Backup & Sync (also available for macOS) is an app that automates backups to your Google Drive. Instead of manually uploading files, you can sign into your Google account and select which files you want to be copied automatically. Backup & Sync also lets you view and edit the files in your Drive account in a Google Drive folder on your computer.
EaseUS Todo Backup
EaseUS Todo Backup can handle hard drives as large as 16TB. You can use it to clone your drive and migrate it to another computer, even one with a solid state drive (SSD). You can even backup your files to your Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive account. EaseUS Todo Backup also lets you protect your files with AES 256-bit encryption.
The default location for your backups will be in a folder on your drive named My Backups. But please don’t use this; if something should happen to your computer, you’ll lose both your files and the copies of your files. Keep your backups on an external drive or the cloud instead.
AOMEI Backupper Standard
AOMEI Backupper Standard has a very good user interface. Encrypted backups are only available in the Pro edition. AOMEI Backupper can create a bootable disk, and can use an external drive, a network share, or a network-attached storage drive (NAS).
Iperius Backup Free
The paid version of Iperius Backup Free has a stunning array of choices for restoration and backups, but the free version can only use external drives and Hyper V, which is virtual machine software. This should be enough for most people. To make up for the lack of features, this program has a great scheduling interface that gives you a wide variety of options, down to the minute.
macOS
Time Machine comes preinstalled on your Mac desktops and laptops, starting with Mac OS X Leopard. When you first use Time Machine, it will make a full backup; after that, it will make incremental backups. By default, it makes a new backup every hour.
SuperDuper
SuperDuper is a good alternative to Time Machine. The free version won’t let you schedule backups, but you can still use it to make a clone of your entire hard drive.
Android
Some Android backup apps require you to root your phone. This means to alter your phone so that you can get root access, or the ability to do things to your device’s operating system that you normally can’t do. This can be a tricky process to perform. Fortunately, none of these apps require you to root your phone, and they can all be found in the Google Play store.
Google Drive
The Google Drive app has its own backup feature, and it can do more than upload photos and videos. It works with the settings menu on your Android device to upload your contacts, app data, and phone settings to your Drive account. Of course, it’s also available for iOS.
Helium App Sync
Super Backup & Restore
G Cloud
G Cloud, unlike the other apps listed here, uses Amazon’s cloud service to store your backups. Everyone starts with 1GB of space, and you can earn more space by inviting your friends to get accounts. The interface is easy to understand; in fact, I would say that it’s the best. You can even create a passcode so no one else can access your settings. If you want to backup photos and videos, G Cloud is a great choice.
iOS
Syncios
Syncios (which is also available for Android) is another way to backup files without using iTunes. The free version transfers files from your iOS device to your computer and vice versa. The app works together with the Syncios Manager on your computer.
EaseUS MobiMover
EaseUS MobiMover uses your computer to transfer files to and from your iOS device, or from one iOS device to another. However, it’s not an app found in the App Store; it’s only available on Windows and macOS computers. You can transfer many different types of files: photos, videos, audio, text messages, and a lot more.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to keep from losing everything. As you can see, there’s a lot of options to back your files up, no matter what computer, phone, or device you’re using. But whatever method you pick, make sure you use it consistently.
