The Easiest Way to Back Up All Your Devices in 2025

Imagine waking up to find your laptop won’t turn on, your phone’s been lost, or your tablet has been wiped during an update. Panic sets in photos, documents, passwords, and everything else, gone in an instant. Unless, of course, you’ve got a solid backup system in place.

Contact us to report infringement.

In 2025, backing up your devices is easier and more essential than ever. Whether you’re using a laptop, smartphone, tablet, or even a smart home hub, having a reliable backup routine can save you stress, time, and potentially hundreds of pounds.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the easiest way to back up all your devices using a simple, practical approach that anyone can follow, regardless of tech skills.

Why Backing Up Still Matters in 2025

Despite cloud services and improved device security, backups are still absolutely vital. Here's why:

• Devices get lost or stolen

• Hardware fails unexpectedly

• Malware or ransomware can lock or destroy your files

• Accidental deletions happen more often than we like to admit

• Software updates can occasionally go wrong

  
  

Backing up ensures that your data is safe and recoverable, no matter what. And with cloud syncing, automation, and smarter storage, it’s never been easier.

What Should You Back Up?

Start by identifying the data and devices you care about. Here's a quick list:

Devices:

• Smartphones (iPhone and Android)

• Laptops & desktops (Windows, macOS, ChromeOS)

• Tablets

• Smart home devices (settings and preferences)

• External drives & USBs

  
  

Data:

• Personal files: photos, videos, documents

• App data and settings

• Messages and call logs

• Contacts and calendars

• Passwords and keychain entries

• System settings and configurations

  
  

Now, let’s dive into the easiest ways to back them up in 2025.

1. Back Up Your Smartphone (iOS and Android)

For iPhone Users

Apple makes backups fairly effortless with iCloud.

To back up automatically:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup

2. Turn on iCloud Backup

3. Ensure you're connected to Wi Fi and charging overnight

   
   

You get 5GB free, but in reality, most users need more. Apple One or an individual iCloud+ plan (50GB, 200GB, or 2TB) is worth the investment.

Pro tip: 

Also back up to your Mac via Finder or use iTunes on a PC for extra redundancy.

For Android Users

Google offers automatic backups for Android phones via Google One.

To set it up:

1. Go to Settings > System > Backup

2. Ensure Backup by Google One is enabled

3. It backs up apps, call history, device settings, contacts, photos, and SMS

   
   

Google provides 15GB free, but upgrading to a 100GB+ plan gives you peace of mind and includes extras like VPN access.

Pro tip: 

Use Google Photos with “Backup & sync” turned on for unlimited photo backups (within your storage limit).

2. Back Up Your Laptop or Desktop

Windows 10/11

Windows has two good options: File History and OneDrive.

Option 1: File History (local backup)

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup

2. Click Add a drive to select an external hard drive

3. Set how often backups run

   
   

Option 2: OneDrive (cloud backup)

1. Install or open OneDrive

2. Sign in with your Microsoft account

3. Choose folders to back up (Documents, Desktop, Pictures)

   
   

Best of both worlds:

Use File History for local redundancy and OneDrive for cloud safety.

macOS (MacBook or iMac)

Apple’s Time Machine is your go to for local backups.

1. Plug in an external drive

2. Go to System Settings > General > Time Machine

3. Select the drive and turn it on

   
   

For cloud backup, use iCloud Drive or third party options like Backblaze or Carbonite for full system backups.

Pro tip: 

You get 5GB iCloud storage free, but upgrading to 200GB or 2TB lets you sync your Desktop and Documents folders too.

3. Back Up Your Tablet

Tablets (especially iPads and Android tablets) back up the same way as smartphones. Make sure:

• iPad: iCloud Backup is turned on

• Android tablet: Google One backup is active

• Photos are backed up via Google Photos or iCloud Photos

  
  

For Windows tablets (like Surface), use OneDrive and File History just like a standard PC.

4. Back Up Your Smart Home Devices

While smart home devices don’t contain “data” in the traditional sense, it’s still worth protecting your settings, routines, and configurations.

How to do it:

• Google Home and Amazon Alexa automatically store device configurations in the cloud when linked to your account

• If you're using Home Assistant (a DIY smart home platform), regularly export configuration files to external or cloud storage

• Keep a log of your smart plugs, routines, and passwords in a secure password manager or notes app

  
  

Pro tip: 

Use IFTTT or HomeKit scenes to export or clone routines if you’re replacing devices.

5. Use a Cloud Based Backup Service for All Devices

If you want something hands off that just works, dedicated backup services are your best bet. These tools back up your devices automatically to the cloud and often let you restore entire systems.

Top Services in 2025:

• Backblaze: Unlimited data, simple interface, works on Mac and PC

• IDrive: Cross platform backup, including iOS, Android, and NAS

• Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office: Advanced options with ransomware protection

• Google One / iCloud+ / Microsoft 365: Cloud syncing and basic backups for your ecosystem

  
  

Pro tip: 

Choose a provider that supports version history, so you can recover previous versions of files ideal if you've accidentally overwritten or deleted something.

6. Don’t Forget External Drives and USBs

We’ve all got those rogue USB sticks and portable drives lying around. While they’re handy for quick transfers, they’re prone to loss or failure.

Here’s what to do:

• Create a dedicated folder on your main computer called External_Backups

• Once a month, copy the contents of your USBs/external drives into it

• Back that up to the cloud or your external drive via Time Machine or File History

  
  

Pro tip: 

Label physical drives with what’s on them and the last date backed up.

7. Automate Your Backups & Set Reminders

Even with all these tools, the easiest backup system is the one that happens without you thinking about it.

• Enable auto backup wherever possible (Google One, iCloud, Time Machine, etc.)

• Schedule a monthly reminder in your calendar to check everything is working

• Periodically test by restoring a file or two to make sure your backup isn’t corrupt or empty

  
  

Practical tip: 

If you're using external drives, plug them in once a week during dinner or a quiet moment, and let your computer do the rest.

Final Thoughts: Peace of Mind in Under an Hour

Backing up all your devices in 2025 doesn’t require tech wizardry or hours of effort. Most of the heavy lifting can be automated using built in tools or affordable cloud services.

Start with your most important device probably your phone then build out a routine for your laptop, tablet, and smart devices. Once it’s all set up, you can stop worrying about data loss and get on with your day.

Remember: it’s not if something goes wrong it’s when. And when that time comes, your backup could be the difference between disaster and minor inconvenience.

— Simon Wilson | Tech Tips & How-To Guides | The Tech Advisor