This is a major issue that has persisted unaddressed since the release of WindowsPhone in November 2010. Microsoft has indeed demonstrated strong developer support with outstanding tools and even catering to SmartPhone-aware users by including features that many come to expect such as Copy-Paste in the “NoDo” update.

Unfortunately, addressing the question of backup and restore has never been given priority.

See this blog post and comments:
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2011/04/13/be-what-s-next-with-mango-developer-tools-and-platform.aspx#comments

For the "Mango" release users were led to believe that there was some form of backup and restore functionality on the way; however after attempting this manually most users realized that a backup would only be performed when an update was made available. These updates are too far apart to justify the rationale for not allowing for more frequent backups.

Whether a transfer for restore is needed to be performed, every bit of data should be backed up.

This data would include:
- System settings (lock screen & wallpaper, theme, wifi, ringtones, etc.)
- App settings
- App data (local storage and game saves)
- App manifest and app installs (Marketplace)
- Contacts via People Hub
- Call history
- Messaging history (text threads, online chat, etc.)
- Photos and videos

None of the above information is device specific; and in the case of different platform versions, data such as apps would be re-installed, as opposed to just copied back over.

With that said, obviously the functionality does indeed exist, as demonstrated in backups created when an update is available. The question comes down to why this functionality isn't more readily available.

One usability concern would be whether or not the backup and restore functionality should in fact be manual or automatic. This could be a user preference that puts some responsibility on the user to either allow for automatic backups performed when connected to Zune or manual by clicking a "backup" button. In either case "checkpoints" would be created (similar to Windows System Restore Points).

For "Mango" there were also hints that a cloud-based backup solution would be made available; however at this time the only thing that gets restored from the cloud – via Live – is your contact and calendar information. A cloud-based backup and restore solution is welcome however a local solution via Zune should also be present (and again is demonstrated to work in updates).

See this WindowsPhone blog post:
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2012/04/05/tips-for-transferring-contacts-and-other-stuff-to-a-new-windows-phone.aspx

This is an unacceptable amount of steps needed for the transfer user experience; and there are similar concerns that have been lingering when it comes to backup and restore functionality.

What is being expected of the user is to remember or otherwise personally keep track of several locations that different portions of device state and data may be located; and then the user is required to perform a series of complex steps to get the device in a state that isn’t even close to the original expected configuration. This is punishing the user and does not provide peace of mind to the user; nor does it entice a user to try a new device. Lastly, it leaves the user helpless in the event that a disaster occurs with their WindowsPhone device.

See the stories here:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/winphone/forum/wp7-sync/complete-windows-phone-7-backup/4d38a00c-917f-497c-96b9-b60e29feb5f0?page=2

Regardless of the fact that there are different hardware configurations in the different flavors of devices available, one thing remains true: there is only one platform. This is different from the segmented Android market; however it is more of a hybrid situation compared to iOS (many more devices yet still a unified platform). Because there is only one platform it shouldn’t matter what WindowsPhone device a user has.

This isn't an anti-Microsoft or pro-competitor rant, but a plea to prioritize features vs. required functionality that should represent the core of the WindowsPhone platform.

The information I have is that Microsoft doesn't allow alternative web browsers to be developed and enter its platform app store.

I ask - I urge-, you, Microsoft, to allow them into the Marketplace.

I have no smartphone and I'm looking for one in the near future.
The major drawback of WP7 is that it's limiting this kind of things! While I could get an Android phone and have the freedom I want, I just like very much your device's user experience and I'm serious looking into it to be my next phone. But if I can't get Opera Mobile you might end up losing me to Android.

Of course that's also up to Opera Software, but if it's said you'll allow it, I'll be getting WP7 in order to support the platform into getting the market share required to get this app.

Many other users of Opera and already Windows Phone 7 owners are looking into this, and I hope for them to vote supporting this suggestion to get your attention.

Thanks for opening this contact channel Microsoft, it's great to see you're looking for feedback. I wish contacting you about other products was that easy.

1. ability to control what get's synced to the cloud on the main account, just like on a secondary account (e-mail, contacts, calendar, tasks)

2. Bluetooth file transfer capability for media and documents; a common feature included even on basic phones

3. ability to disable text previews in the top bar and only show the sender for privacy reasons

4. ability to password protect photos/text messages for privacy reasons

5. swype-like capability to increase text messaging ease and speed on a touchscreen device

6. ability to create tiles with apps listed inside, similar to the games tile so one can easily organize the apps list; currently it's inconvenient having to remember the name for a specific app or to search for it through a long list when one has many apps installed

7. an audible missed call/text reminder with a customizable alert timeframe; not convenient having to look at phone frequently to see if any calls/texts were missed

8. usb drive capability to be able to connect to anyone's pc for file transfers without the need to install Zune; common feature on competitor's

9. ability to customize text message font size; it's currently too small compared to the font size in other parts of the OS

10. IE word wrap so won't have to constantly scroll left and right when zooming in on a website; currently difficult to easily browse sites after zooming in

11. IE folders for favorites for organizational purposes instead of one long favorites list

12. not being able to exit IE by pressing the back arrow key but by using an exit feature in the browser menu; IE is exited accidentally too frequently when attempting to go back to a previous page

13. ability to vibrate and ring on calls, not just vibrate then ring; there are times when a phone can't be heard when in a pocket and one quick vibrate isn't very effective

14. ability to export contacts as a csv file and save to a pc through Zune; likewise the ability import csv contacts from Zune to a phone

15. ability to export contacts to a sim card; currently only able to import

16. file explorer capability to be able to easily view all personal files on phone

17. ability to create picture albums on phone instead of having to do it through Zune

18. screen capture capability; long-press of the camera key would be convenient

19. ability to disable auto-rotate; currently really inconvenient texting/web browsing when using phone while lying down and the screen auto-rotates

20. ability to backup apps to a pc through Zune and the ability to quickly reinstall instead of doing it through the windowsphone.com website which is tedious for multiple apps

21. ability to save draft text messages instead of having to retype a message when leaving the messaging tile

22. have Bluetooth discoverable and Bluetooth searching as two separate options instead of one as is currently

23. in addition to the alarm feature, adding a timer/stopwatch

24. ability to e-mail documents as an attachment instead of a Sky-Drive link

25. ability to save Bing maps to phone, similar to Nokia Drive on the Lumia; very convenient feature to have when using a phone for GPS

26. *.txt file support

27. having a week view option in the calendar, not just day and month

28. for phones that have a micro-SD option, the capability to be able to remove and reinstall the card without negatively affecting the OS

29. ability to disable Notes in the Office tile from automatically syncing to the Sky-Drive

30. more theme options; ability to create one's own theme colors from a pallete

31. ability to have a wallpaper instead of only a white or black background

32. having Microsoft apps already installed on phone such as Unit Converter

33. ability to mark podcasts as favorites for streaming instead of searching each time; currently the only option is to download or play

34. ability to tag songs in Zune's marketplace for easy retrieval in the future

35. separate apps and games in Marketplace search; currently the two are together

36. ability to put the alarm on snooze by pressing the volume key

37. ability to adjust snooze frequency on alarm, i.e. every 5 minutes

38. ability to listen to music in a car through a usb cable using car's usb port

39. ability to send a group text by selecting all recipients in address book at once instead of going back and forth into the address book and selecting each contact individually

40. the speak to text functionality to include punctuation; for example, you can say "question mark" at the end of the sentence, and it will input the "?" character

41. when holding down the back button, having more than just the last five tasks shown