SMS Backup now does Backup & Restore WP Contacts Also ( Homebrew )

Couple of days back we demoed how SMS Backup Tool ( Homebrew )  allowed you to restore all your SMS to any windows phone you switch or in case you did a reset and wanted all your SMS in place. Now the same tool can also do a backup  and then restore of all your Contacts also which you can use it again when you have done a reset or when you switch to a new phone.

Now many of you might be thinking that a simple sync will do in the phone and that’s very true. Even I would stick to that but then in case of emergency this still can be used.Make sure you read my conclusion at the end on this too before you rush to restore.

Also this works  on phone which is unlocked and possibly Interop Unlock

How does Contact Backup Works ?

Windows Phone stores all your contacts into a file named as pimIndex.vol which can be extracted using any ISO Storage Tool like Windows Phone Device Manager.

• Download Version 0.6 of this app from here and install it on your phone.
• Next on your phone, launch the SMS Backup Tool and choose Export and Backup from Menu Bar
• Switch to Backup Screen and select Backup PimIndex.vol which will be stored in the phone itself.

• Next Connect your phone with the ISO Storage Tool ( Download from here ) and navigate to Phone > Applications > Data > App Id 09125ea9-95de-469a-aedc-22e35389ab0a > Data > IsolatedStore > Backup Vols
• Select the PimIndex.vol and Send to Desktop

Now when you reset your phone or switch to new phone, install the App first, next use the same storage tool to move the PimIndex.vol to same location ( Backup Vols ) of the app. Next go to your Phone, launch the app and select Restore PIMINDEX.Vol file to bring all your contacts back in place.

The Question in my Mind

One question that boggles my mind is the way Windows Phone Contacts are done.  Contacts are pulled from many email accounts, Windows Phone lets us link all those contacts to create one single contact, We integrate even Facebook and Twitter Account.

So the real question is will I remember all those integration or it is just simple contacts. So when you again sync your phone with your email and turn on sync, you will see duplicate contacts which you again need to merge. It might just work nice with same phone without resetting.

My Suggestion :

IMO I would love to have option to restore per contact basis. So apart from doing a full backup, it should also do a XML back to Skydrive and also let me add contacts to phone from some desktop or from the same tool. I guess we need a completely separate app for this. Just my thought.

Related posts:

1. Backup Restore 3rd Party / Sideload Apps Data / Games ( Homebrew Tool )
2. How to Restore and Backup Windows Phone ( Homebrew )
3. Video : Backup & Export SMS from Windows Phone ( Homebrew / Unlocked Phones )
4. SMS Backup now restores all SMS when you Delete SMS / Flash ROM or Switch Phone
5. Google Contacts and WP7 Syncing Issue

Posted on 19th February 2012 by Ashish , Who Loves to Do Video reviews of Windows Phone Apps, Games, Xbox Games, Xbox Tutorials. Connect with me via Email ashish@wpxbox.com , Google+ | Xbox | Twitter | Facebook