How to backup and restore your BlackBerry 10 device with BlackBerry Link

Great review thanks! I am in the US so again, no bb10 device yet. But i do have a playbook and i have read that this works with playbook 2.1. Looking forward to trying it out. Doing a full backup only will create very large files. Its worth it to keep saved game data though. Thanks again!

Adam, it would be a good idea to point out that a backup does everything and can be into the multi gigabyte range if you have loads onboard your phone.

I'm not seeing a way to backup/restore individual apps/games (and their settings). Link needs to show apps installed too, with the ability to selectively backup/restore. I haven't tried backing up my PlayBook with Link yet, but there were often issues doing so with the Desktop Manager app. It'd usually take forever and then crap out at the end. Usually it had to do with some sideloaded Android app or something. Having the ability to selectively choose what to backup/restore would help troubleshoot such issues and allow you isolate the problem.

I just updated BlackBerry Link on my PC & got excited when it told me there was a software upgrade available for my Z10. Pressing the install button in anticipation, it loaded in the new software, but alas only to find out at the end that it loaded in exactly the same version BB10 OS I had before, namely 10.09.348! Ain't technology great! Hehe!

Hey Adam,

I'm in Canada and picked up the Z10 on the day of release...I am STILL unable to perform a backup using Link - I keep getting an error that says "Backup did not complete" and "There could have been a problem with the device or connection during the backup. Verify that the device is turned on and connected." ... This isn't my first time backing up a phone, and yes, its on and connected hah.. I've read a bunch of threads and people suggest trying "Airplane Mode" etc..I've tried them all..what could be the problem preventing me from performing a Backup?!?
-Mark

Having the same problem as Mark. I've been trying all that stuff that is beiing written on the forum... But no luck. Nothing works.... Even tried on 3 different computer/os. Fresh install on two of them.

Next step is to security wipe the phone and see if it can be backed up.

BlackBerry link is sexy. I hope they get it all fixed up in time for my Q10 :D

Add another name to the list of people that cannot perform the backup for the exact same reason

Awesome ..... very easy to do.
I hate complicated things.

Thanks !

Adam - your throw-away comment that "...most of this data should be in the cloud somewhere so it doesn't pose that much of an issue anymore..." is typically-presumptuous of most contemporary tech-writers. In fact, I am one of those individuals who does NOT want my data sucked into another marketing guy's cloud for a variety or reasons both personal and commercial. The fact that Blackberry's Desktop sync access seems to be the ONLY device/OS that will allow me to control my own data is precisely WHY I have not flocked heretofore like a lemming to iOS, Android or even Windows Phone; (...amazingly, even WP8 will not allow Outlook-Desktop Sync with their phones!!!???). I'm saddened that BB-Link is not fully-featured, but at least consoled by the fact that there is at least one direct Desktop-Outlook connection available to a concerned professional. Regardless of my preferences and opinions, thanks for the helpful review!
JL

Pity about the loss of granular backup/restore. I hope that returns to Link at some point. What a crazy thing to have to restore the entire device just because you accidentally deleted one app or a file.

Also - what is with this requirement to login to Blackberry ID? One of the reasons some people like this sort of backup is that it is "local only" and as such does not risk sending info somewhere without the knowledge or consent of the device owner. I'd like to know what functionality Blackberry ID provides here, because based on my knowledge of what this utility does, I can't figure out why it would be necessary other than for Blackberry to snoop on what and how and when you backup or sync your devices or data.

Lastly - you missed one of the nicer features of Link, as I understand it: the ability to choose either USB, WiFi or Bluetooth methods as the communication link for backup/sync.

For this loyal BB user to read more of the same problems missing features and error messages it is making the wait for the Q10 more and more of a challenge. Perhaps it would be wise to wait for the Q11 rather than picking up the Q10 the day it drops to replace my fully functional 9900. Then again there is no date announced for the 10 to become available from AT&T.

Gotta admit LINK is a useless piece of technology. Done everything everyone has suggested but the system will not back up. It looks like it is about to as the popup screen appears on my device but then it times out. After several reinstalls I am now getting device driver software was not properly installed and a DLL RIM usbdri file don't load correctly. Going from bad to worse!!!!!! Really inexcusable craftsmanship. Fracked up a great desktop software for this crap. RIM is losing my support. Who wants a Z10???

Maybe those having issues need to reinstall windows clean. That usually is the cause for issues in backing up and restoring.

hi all , I just upgraded the os system of my bb10. I did it by removing the simcard inside my phone. before doing so I did sure backed-up my all data.
after upgrading os when I want to restore the same date before I upgrade is cant do anymore since back-up and restore option is not even given by the blackberry link.
can anyone help me about this please ?

Is it possible to backup my Z10 only locally (laptop) and not use Blackberry ID? I don't want anything stored in the cloud, ever.

Link gives me NO backup option. I can select a location for the backup to be stored, but there is no way to configure a backup or to start one.

Do I have to make a new used id and password for blackberry link? I have a bb id from my other phones.

I tried the backup feature and got an error message telling me to disconnect/reconnect my device with a USB and click on Reconnect. It found my z10 by wifi first but I pluged in the USB too. It didn't respond. It says I should click on Reload which will reset my device to factory settings. Hmmm. Does that mean all the setting changes I made will be gone? I'm concerned that this isn't working right for my first backup. Help is appreciated

DOES IT RESTORE BBM CONTACTS TOO? AND THE APPS? CAN ANYONE WHO HAS DONE IT REPLY???

Backup files are huge on BB 10 and it takes forever to do the backup. When will cloud backup be available? A little behind on that aren't we?