Patent ID: 8850140

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving and storing backup preferences at a computer for each of a plurality of different types of data assets for use in backing up data from a mobile device, wherein the backup preferences define a respective backup priority for each of the plurality of different types of data assets; modifying the backup preferences at the computer; detecting a connection of the mobile device to the computer; identifying a conflict between the modified backup preferences at the computer and backup preferences at the mobile device; selecting a set of backup preferences based on the modified backup preferences, the backup preferences at the mobile device, and predetermined rules configured to resolve conflicts between conflicting backup preferences; receiving, at the computer, backup data from the mobile device, wherein the backup data includes data and location information for where the data is located on the mobile device, wherein the backup data is selected from the mobile device based on the set of backup preferences; storing the data and location information at the computer so that the location information can be subsequently utilized when restoring data back onto the mobile device from the computer, whereby the data can be restored to a location on the mobile device according to the location information; and sending, to the mobile device, the set of backup preferences for each of a plurality of different types of data assets residing on the mobile device.