Find the answers to the most frequently asked Questions.

Have a read through our comprehensive FAQs below. If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact us and we'll do our best to assist you with your enquiry.

1. What is Phonebackup.ie?
2. What do I need to use Phonebackup.ie?
3. How much does it cost?
4. Is Phonebackup.ie safe to use?
5. How do I sign up?
6. Can I cancel at anytime and how do I cancel?
7. What type of data can I backup?
8. Will it work with my mobile phone?
9. Will it work with my mobile operator/service provider?
10. My phone cannot connect, I get a GPRS message, what does it mean?
11. How often can I use Phonebackup.ie?
12. How many contacts can I backup and restore?
13. How many phones can I backup on my account?
14. What happens if my current phone is lost, broken, stolen, or if I upgrade?
15. Can I restore all my contacts onto a new phone even if it is from a different brand?
16. I travel a lot. Can I use the service abroad?
17. Can I answer my phone during a backup/restore?
18. How do I know if a backup/restore has been successful?
19. How do I contact Phonebackup.ie?
20. I am missing some of my contacts?
21. Can I get back the contacts I have deleted from my phone?
22. Can I get back the contacts I have deleted from my online account?
23. I want to resell this service in my country, where do I start?
24. Is the service only available in English?
25. Why do you need to know my mobile number?
26. What?s the PIN for my settings message?
27. My settings configuration message hasn't arrived
28. I have a new mobile phone or number
29. I have lost my old phone ? how do I get my contacts back?
30. I need to change my email address
31. How do I change my password?
32. Can I back up the contacts stored on my SIM card?
33. I have backed-up my contacts but I cannot see any of them online

 

1. What is Phonebackup.ie?

Phonebackup.ie is an online repository for your phone data. It is a web based service that allows you to save your contacts, photos, calendar and notes into your secure online account. You can access your data online 24/7 from anywhere in the world, by logging into your account using your username and password.

If your mobile phone is ever lost, stolen, broken or simply the next time you upgrade, you can restore all your data back to your new phone in just a few clicks.

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2. What do I need to use Phonebackup.ie?

To use Phonebackup.ie, you need a mobile phone with a working internet connection (e.g. GPRS). For smart phones we use a mobile app, for feature phones we use a function called SyncML. Both of which enable the phone to transfer data over the mobile internet to your account.

To find out more about GPRS, please read the GPRS related question further below.*

There is no need for any additional device, hardware, cables, or special software, Bluetooth or Infrared.

Phonebackup.ie is compatible with hundreds of models from most leading manufacturers such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Blackberry, iPhone, Samsung, Motorola, BenQ, Siemens…

We cater for phones using any of the following operating systems:
iPhone, Android. Symbian, Windows, Blackberry, Java,

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3. How much does it cost?

PhoneBackup costs €19.99 for an annual subscription.

Network data charges: Data traffic charges will be incurred with your network for data synchronized with PhoneBackup. Please check with your network for exact data rates.

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4. Is Phonebackup.ie safe to use?

Yes, Phonebackup.ie is safe to use. All data is encrypted and Phonebackup.ie uses industry standard security measures such as 128 bit encryption and SSL in order to protect your data against unlawful access and to ensure that it is safely stored.

Also, you are the only person that can access your Phonebackup.ie account, which is protected with your password.

We regularly back up all your contacts on secure servers hosted in our data centre. We take security and privacy very seriously as it is at the core of our business success. Read more about how we protect your privacy in our comprehensive privacy policy.

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5. How do I sign up?

Simple! Go the sign up page and follow the 3 steps to create your account.
Once your account is created, log into your account and go to My Profile to request our settings message to get your phone ready to sync with Phonebackup.ie. Once you have received the settings message, you are ready to backup your data.

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6. Can I cancel at anytime and how do I cancel?

Yes and it is very easy! Just email support@phonebackup.ie and our customer care team will deal with your request.

If you have signed up via one of our resellers, please contact your reseller and cancel your subscription with them. Alternatively, you can send us an email to support@phonebackup.ie with the email address you have used to sign up to Phonebackup.ie and we will cancel your subscription and inform your reseller. Please note that once your account is deactivated, you will no longer have access to your data.

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7. What type of data can I backup?

With Phonebackup.ie you can backup your mobile contacts, photos, calendar and tasks, you can choose the data to be synchronized when you enter your settings into your phones.

We will shortly be releasing additional functionality to allow the following data to be synchronized:
Video, music, SMS, MMS, files (xls, word docs etc.)

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8. Will it work with my mobile phone?

The Phonebackup.ie service supports thousands of phone models from all the leading manufacturers. Check your phone model on our list on step 1 of the sign up page.

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9. Will it work with my mobile operator/service provider?

The system is fully compatible with all mobile networks because IT simply sends data across the mobile networks in a recognized format. So, even if you move your phone contract to a different network you can continue using the Phonebackup.ie services without a problem.

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10. My phone cannot connect, I get a GPRS message, and what does it mean?

In order to connect to the Internet, mobile phones use a data connection (for example GPRS). Most phones already have this connection setup by default when they are sold.

But don't worry, getting the internet connection (e.g. GPRS) activated is very easy and it is FREE. Simply contact your Mobile Operator and ask them to set you up. Alternatively, you can go to the phone manufacturer's website and look for GPRS settings.

N.B. If you can access the internet (e.g. Google) from your mobile phone, then your Internet Connection (e.g. GPRS) is activated and working.

If you are in doubt or if you need any assistance, please contact us at support@phonebackup.ie and we will assist you.

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11. How often can I use Phonebackup.ie?

As often as you like! Your subscription fee includes unlimited synchronization (backup or restore) to our server.

Note that your mobile operator charges may apply for the GPRS traffic.

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12. How many contacts can I backup and restore?

This is unlimited. FYI The average number of contacts usually does not exceed 350.

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13. How many phones can I backup on my account?

Your account can only be associated with 1 handset at the time. So you can only backup and restore your contacts from and to 1 handset at the time.

In theory, you can synchronise many handsets with your account as long as all the handsets have the correct settings and are configured properly. But note that this is not the intended behaviour of the service and although it may work, you may see duplicates of your contacts either online or on your phone.

If you need the service on many phones, contact us and we'll advise you accordingly.

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14. What happens if my current phone is lost, broken, stolen, or if I upgrade?

1. Alert your mobile network operator or service provider and the police.
2. Get a new phone
3. Log into your Phonebackup.ie account and update your details with your new phone model, number etc...Also change your password. And press Update/request settings
4. A new settings message will be sent to your new phone. Synchronise your new phone and all the data will be restored from your online account to your new phone.

Note that the new phone will need to be supported by the Phonebackup.ie service for the restore to work.

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15. Can I restore all my contacts onto a new phone even if it is from a different brand?

Yes, as long as your new phone is also a compatible phone from our list, you will be able to sync your data to your new mobile phone and it does not matter if it is from a different brand.

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16. I travel a lot. Can I use the service abroad?

Yes! Providing you can connect to a suitable data connection (e.g. GPRS). Just remember that call and GPRS connection charges outside of your country of residence may be higher.

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17. Can I answer my phone during a backup/restore?

Yes.

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18. How do I know if a backup/restore has been successful?

Most handsets will either display a “Synchronization successful” message and / or emit an audible tone and display a message when completed.

Here are the various steps you may see on your screen during a synchronization.

1. Initializing sync / Connecting
2. Sending data
3. Receiving data
4. Finishing sync/ closing connection
5. Synchronization successful

If you are unsure, login to your account when the synchronization is completed and see if your data is there.

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19. How do I contact Phonebackup.ie?

Firstly by email! We will endeavor to reply to you within 24 hours. If a call is necessary we will request your contact details by email.

Because the Phonebackup.ie service is available in a number of countries, please email us at support@phonebackup.ie or visit our contact page.

Please quote your email address if you are using a different email.

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20. I am missing some of my contacts?

Check that the contacts you are trying to sync are stored in the phone memory and NOT the SIM card. Phonebackup.ie only allows the synchronization (backup/restore) of data stored in the phone memory, not the SIM card.

You must first move your contacts from your SIM card to your phone memory and then backup as normal. Otherwise, the synchronization will appear to have worked, but your will not see your contacts online.

Please contact us if your have any queries

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21. Can I get back the contacts I have deleted from my phone?

If the deleted contacts are stored in your Phonebackup.ie account, then YES!

Simply follow these steps for Smartphones:

1. Open the Phonebackup.ie application
2. Press Menu
3. Select Settings – Sync Direction – Server to Phone
4. Save these changes and exit out to the main Phonebackup.ie application.
5. You can now sync and the phone will receive the contact information from the server.

N.B. When this sync is completed, you must restore your settings to “Two way” sync to operate normally.

Simply follow these steps for feature phones:

1. Open the Phonebackup.ie application
2. Press Options and select Settings
3. Highlight the function that you wish to recover – i.e. Contacts
4. Press Open – this will reveal the sync direction
5. Highlight Sync Directions and select Change – you will be presented with choices.
6. If you wish to recover deleted items from the server, select “Server to device only”.
7. Save these changes and exit out to the main Phonebackup.ie application.
8. You can now sync and the phone will receive the contact information from the server.

N.B. When this sync is completed, you must restore your settings to “Two way” sync to operate normally.

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22. Can I get back the contacts I have deleted from my online account?

Simply follow these steps for Smartphones:

1. Open the Phonebackup.ie application
2. Press Menu
3. Select Select Settings – Sync Direction – Phone to Server. Save these changes and exit out to the main Phonebackup.ie application
4. You can now sync and the phone will receive the contact information from the server.

N.B. When this sync is completed, you must restore your settings to “Two way” sync to operate normally.

Simply follow these steps for Feature phones:

1. Open the Phonebackup.ie application
2. Press Options and select Settings
3. Highlight the function that you wish to recover – i.e. Contacts
4. Press Open – this will reveal the sync direction
5. Highlight Sync Directions and select Change – you will be presented with choices.
6. If you wish to recover deleted items from the phone, select “Device to server only”.
7. Save these changes and exit out to the main Phonebackup.ie application.
   You can now sync and your online account will receive the contact information from the phone.

N.B. When this sync is completed, you must restore your settings to “Two way” sync to operate normally.

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23. I want to resell this service in my country, where do I start?

We are always looking for business opportunities to resell the Phonebackup.ie service in other countries. If you are interested in discussing a business opportunity with us, please email us at sales@phonebackup.ie

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24. Is the service only available in English?

We are currently in the process of translating the Phonebackup.ie service into a number of languages including but not limited to: Spanish, French, German.

If you want to help us translate the website into any of these languages or if you want to suggest some other languages to us, please email us at support@phonebackup.ie

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25. Why do you need to know my mobile number?

For the Phonebackup.ie service to backup your data from your phone to your private Phonebackup.ie account, Phonebackup.ie is using a feature in your phone called synchronization.

In order for this feature to work properly, Phonebackup.ie must send a mobile application (Smartphone) or configuration settings message (Feature phone) to your phone, which tells your phone to which account it must send the data when you do the backup.

Don't worry, we take your privacy very seriously and therefore we do not spam, do not rent, sell or share any of your information with any third party. Please read our privacy policy for more details!

Your mobile number is only used to send your configuration settings to your phone.

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26. What's the PIN for my settings message?

If you are asked for a PIN when your receive your settings message, please enter 1111.

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27. My configuration settings message hasn't arrived

The settings message should arrive within 60 seconds depending on how busy the network is and the time of the day you request it. The delay is outside of our control unfortunately.

If you have not received your message within 10 minutes, please contact us with your mobile number and we'll investigate the issue in more details.

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28. I have a new mobile phone or number

If you change mobile phone or mobile number, please log into your Phonebackup.ie account and update and save your details. Press Update/Request settings and we will send your new settings so you can use the Phonebackup.ie service with your new phone.

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29. I have lost my old phone, how do I get my contacts back?

Once you have got your new phone and it is compatible with Phonebackup.ie, you must follow the steps below:

1. Log into your Phonebackup.ie account.
2. Go to My Profile and update your phone model.
3. Press Update/Request settings or “Download Mobile Client” and we will send your new settings to your new phone.
4. Download and activate the software, synchronize your new phone and all your contacts will be restored to your new phone.
   (Follow the exact instructions for your new mobile phone using our Backup Assistant tool on the homepage of your account.)

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30. I need to change my email address

Login to your account, Goto the “My Profile” section, change your details and save the changes..

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31. How do I change my password?

Simple!

1. Log into your account
2. Go to the My profile section
3. Update your password
4. For smartphones, you must then update your password in the application.
5. For Feature phones you must press Update/request settings and we will send new updated settings so you can use the Phonebackup.ie service.

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32. Can I back up the contacts stored on my SIM card?

No.

Phonebackup.ie only allows the synchronization (backup/restore) of data stored in the phone memory, not the SIM card.

You must first copy your contacts from your SIM card to your phone memory and then backup as normal. Otherwise, the synchronization will appear to have worked, but your will not see your contacts online.

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33. I have backed-up my contacts but I cannot see any of them online

Check that the contacts you are trying to sync are stored in the phone memory and NOT the SIM card. Phonebackup.ie only allows the synchronization (backup/restore) of data stored in the phone memory, not the SIM card.

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