How do you backup/restore this thing?

Question

My RAZR is my first smartphone, and I don't intend to lose it, have it stolen, or break it, but hey, things can always go bump!

I would like to backup the phone, settings, apps, app settings, contacts, ringers, photos, etc. so that if I do need to replace the phone, I can restore everything (except the new ESN, of course). I don't see much discussion of such a basic process. It seems all I can find are Contact List Backup/Restore tips. Heck, I've got my contacts in a spreadsheet - have for years.

SydneyK · Accepted Answer

Because you sign in with a Gmail account to activate an Android smartphone, your contacts and calendar sync automatically with your Gmail account, unless you change the default settings (I believe default is to sync once daily). To check, sign into your Gmail account on your computer and see if your contacts and calendar entries are there. You can also back up your contacts through Verizon's Backup Assistant, and there are applications in the Android Market that back up other data.