If you've lost your phone before, and all your contacts in the process, you will realize the important of backing up your contacts on a regular basis. Different mobile phones come with contact back up options where users can either back up their contacts to a computer or online.

Safaricom on 16^th November 2012 launched a service that allows its subscribers to back up their contacts through the mobile operator. The service is available on both data and non-data enabled handsets at a fee of KES 1 per week and users can retrieve their contacts at a fee of KES 25 when need arises.

How the service works:  

Safaricom subscribers with non-data enabled phones can back up their contacts stored on their SIM by dialing *100# for prepay subscribers and *200# for postpay subscribers and select option 6 (Contact back up). The subscriber will then Receive a notification propting them to activate the service by replying with 1.

Once this process is complete, go to the SIM Toolkit, on the phone, and select ‘Contacts Backup’.

Subscribers with data enabled phones can also back up their contacts through the service by dialing *100# for prepay subscribers and *200# for postpay subscribers and select option 6 (Contact back up). Subscriber will then receive a notification prompting them to download the phone back up application to their device. Once downloaded, click on the app and select synchronizing option.

Billing:

For contacts stored on the SIM, go the SIM Toolkit menu and select ‘Contact Backup’.

As an introductory offer, the service is free until December 16^th 2012, but data charges will apply when using the contacts backup application.

Once the introductory offer is over users will be charged KES 1 every 7 days for backing up their contacts. The weekly charge will cover all back ups completed in that week. The service also has an auto back up feature on the website www.safaricom.co.ke/comtactsbackup.

Users will be charged KES 25 to retrieve or access or recover their information.

The Service will auto renew and will be deduced from the next airtime top up unless you have unsubscribed for the service. Once a subscriber has unsubscribed from the service their backed up contacts will be retained for Ninety days (90 days) after which it deleted.

Subscribers who port out, the service shall be deactivated and any contacts backed up shall be deleted. Once a Subscriber‘s line is deleted from the Safaricom Network the Subscriber’s information stored on the Service will be deleted.