News: New Features and KitKat Compatibility Added to HTC Backup for Your HTC One

If you are using the the AT&T variant of the HTC One, you are well aware that the carrier opted not have the HTC Backup app pre-installed on the device.

Luckily for us, HTC said "screw it" and put the app on Google Play, allowing anyone with an HTC One, regardless of carrier, to be able to download and use the app—if you're an AT&T customer, grab the app and let's take a quick walkthrough (again, the rest of us on other carriers should have the app already).

Updated HTC Backup

The KitKat update caused some incompatibility issues with HTC Backup, but the latest update to the app fixed those, as well as added a few new backup features:

• Home screen - app shortcuts and widget layouts
• BlinkFeed categories
• Sense TV remotes and viewing preferences
• Social network accounts & passwords - Flickr, LinkedIn
• Mail accounts & passwords - Exchange, Hotmail, POP/IMAP
• Evernote account & password for HTC Notes sync
• Personal dictionary
• Alarms
• Bookmarks
• Stocks
• Weather and world clock cities
• Wallpaper
• Wi-Fi networks

HTC Backup now allows you to backup your contacts and text messages in addition to the previously backed up settings. They also added the ability to back up to Google Drive and sign-in with your Google username. Dropbox backups and Facebook sign-ins are still used as well, so don't panic if you don't use Google's services.

This is something that I think all OEMs should do, or do better (I'm looking at you Samsung). And the great thing is, the app works for stock and rooted users. So no matter if you're doing a factory reset, getting a new HTC device, or wiping data and flashing a ROM, you can have just about all your apps and settings restored, and with an app straight from the manufacturer.