Step-by-Step: Back Up and Restore Your Phone Using iSkysoft Phone TransferMobile devices store photos, messages, contacts, app data, and other personal information that’s often irreplaceable. iSkysoft Phone Transfer (also marketed as iSkysoft Phone Transfer or iSkysoft Toolbox — Phone Transfer depending on version) is a desktop application designed to simplify backing up, restoring, and transferring phone data between iOS and Android devices. This guide walks through preparing for backup, creating a full backup, restoring data to the same or a different phone, troubleshooting common issues, and tips for safe storage.
What iSkysoft Phone Transfer does (quick overview)
iSkysoft Phone Transfer provides:
- One-click backup of contacts, messages, call logs, photos, videos, calendars, and apps (where supported).
- Restore backups to the same device or another device (iOS↔iOS, Android↔Android, iOS↔Android).
- Transfer between phones directly without needing cloud services.
- Support for multiple file formats and selective restore for some data types.
Before you start: Requirements and preparation
- A Windows PC or Mac with iSkysoft Phone Transfer installed. Download the version compatible with your OS from iSkysoft’s site and install it.
- USB cables for your devices (original or high-quality replacements).
- Sufficient free space on your computer for the backup (size depends on data).
- For iPhones: the latest iTunes (Windows) or proper macOS support for device connectivity. Ensure the phone is unlocked and you “Trust” the computer when prompted.
- For Android: enable USB debugging if required (Settings → Developer options → USB debugging). If Developer options are hidden, enable them by tapping the Build number in Settings → About phone seven times.
- Fully charge both devices or keep them plugged in during backup/restore to avoid interruptions.
Step 1 — Install and launch iSkysoft Phone Transfer
- Download the installer from iSkysoft’s official site and run it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install and allow any system permissions required.
- Launch the program. You’ll see the main interface with options such as “Phone Transfer”, “Backup & Restore”, and “Erase”.
Step 2 — Create a backup of your phone
- From the main menu choose “Backup & Restore” (or similarly labeled backup option).
- Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable. Wait for the program to recognize the device.
- For iOS devices: unlock the phone and tap “Trust” if prompted.
- For Android devices: confirm file-transfer or enable USB debugging if requested.
- Once recognized, the app will display data types available for backup (contacts, messages, photos, etc.).
- Select the data types you want to back up. To create a complete backup, tick all boxes.
- Click “Start” or “Back Up”. The software will begin creating the backup and display progress.
- When complete, you’ll get a confirmation and the backup file will be stored on your computer. Note the default backup location in case you need to move or archive it.
Practical tip: Backups can be large. If you have limited disk space, exclude bulky media and back up contacts, messages, and settings first.
Step 3 — Verify and manage backups
- In the same “Backup & Restore” section, there’s usually a list of existing backups. Verify the timestamp and file size.
- Optionally copy backup files to an external drive or cloud storage for extra redundancy. Keep at least one copy separate from your computer.
Step 4 — Restoring data to a phone
You can restore to the same phone after a reset or migrate data to a new device.
- Open iSkysoft Phone Transfer and go to “Backup & Restore” → “Restore” (or the Restore tab).
- Connect the target phone to the computer. Ensure it’s recognized and unlocked.
- Select the backup file you want to restore from the list. If you moved the backup, select “Add” or “Import” and point the software to the backup file location.
- Choose which data types to restore. For selective restore, tick only the items you need.
- Click “Start” or “Restore”. The program will transfer the selected items to the target device.
- Keep the phone connected until the process completes and you see confirmation.
Notes:
- Restoring contacts, messages, and media usually works smoothly across iOS and Android, but app data and some system settings may not transfer between different OS platforms due to platform restrictions.
- For iPhones, if you restore messages or contacts, the device may need to reindex or restart to show all items.
Step 5 — Direct phone-to-phone transfer (alternate method)
iSkysoft also supports direct transfers without creating an intermediate backup file:
- From the main menu select “Phone Transfer” or “Phone to Phone Transfer”.
- Connect both source and destination phones to the computer. The program will display them as Source and Destination. Use the “Flip” button if they’re reversed.
- Select data types to copy.
- Click “Start” to begin the transfer. Keep both devices connected until finished.
This method is faster for migrating data when both devices are available.
Common problems and fixes
- Device not recognized: try a different USB cable/port, enable USB debugging (Android), reinstall drivers (Windows), update iTunes (Windows), or reboot devices and computer.
- Restore fails or incomplete: verify backup integrity, ensure sufficient storage on device, update device OS, and try selective restore if a particular data type causes failure.
- iOS app data won’t transfer to Android: app data typically cannot be migrated between different OS ecosystems due to how apps store data.
Security and privacy tips
- Store backups on encrypted external drives or use disk encryption on your computer. iSkysoft’s backup files are not encrypted by default (check your version).
- Delete backups you no longer need and empty the Recycle/Trash to remove residual files.
- When selling or recycling a phone, fully erase the device after backing up.
Alternatives and when to use them
- Use iCloud or Google Drive for continual, automatic cloud backups. These are better for regular automatic backups but may be slower or limited by cloud storage limits.
- Use official tools (iTunes/Finder for iPhone, OEM migration apps like Samsung Smart Switch) when you need maximum compatibility for app data or device-specific settings.
- Use iSkysoft for quick, one-click local backups and cross-platform transfers when you prefer not to use cloud storage.
Quick checklist before you begin
- Computer has enough free disk space.
- Cables and drivers ready; iPhone trusted or Android USB debugging enabled.
- Devices charged or plugged in.
- Know which data you want backed up and whether you need media excluded to save space.
iSkysoft Phone Transfer is useful for making local backups and quickly moving data between devices without using cloud services. Follow the steps above for reliable backups and restores; when something goes wrong, address connectivity, storage, and permission issues first.
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