Using Backup and Restore on the Alpha 200 Plus and Alpha 300 Series

Alpha® 200 Plus, Alpha 300, and Alpha 300i dog tracking handhelds have the option to backup your data directly on your handheld. The backup allows you to restore your dog list and training features if a master reset is done on your handheld. 

Backing Up Your Alpha Handheld

Your Alpha 300 handheld data is automatically backed up each day, if the device has not been turned on in longer than a day it will schedule a back up 5 minutes after it turns on.  The feature is on by default, however it can be manually turned off and on.

1. Select Setup indicated by the wrench and screw driver icon on your favorites bar. 
2. Select Reset
3. Select Backup Now

Restoring Your Alpha Handheld

Previous backups (automatic and manual) will be listed under the restore now section. You are able to choose which backup you would like to restore. 

1. Select Setup indicated by the wrench and screw driver icon on your favorites bar. 
2. Select Reset
3. Select Restore Now
4. Select the back up version you would like to restore.
   • The folder will have the format of Year-month-date followed by the hour-minute-seconds

Sharing Backup Files From the Alpha 200 Plus, Alpha 300, or Alpha 300i Handheld to another Alpha 200 Plus, Alpha 300, or Alpha 300i Handheld

Your backup files can be found in two ways. On the computer or on the device itself. When sharing from device to device wirelessly your Alpha handhelds must be within 10ft of each other to share the backup information. 

Sending a Backup File 

You can share your backup files to another Alpha handheld. This is another way you can share your dog list, contacts, and training keys.

1. Select Setup indicated by the wrench and screw driver icon on your favorites bar. 
2. Select Reset
3. Select 
4. Select Send
5. Select the backup you would like to share
   • The folder will have the format of Year-month-date followed by the hour-minute-seconds
6. The Alpha will begin searching for a Device to share the file with. 

Receiving a Backup File

1. Select Setup indicated by the wrench and screw driver icon on your favorites bar. 
2. Select Reset
3. Select 
4. Select Receive 
5. The Alpha handheld will begin receiving the file from the sending Alpha handheld. 

Sharing Your Backup Files using a Computer

1. Plug your handheld into the your computer using the Garmin USB cable
2. Open your device drive on the computer. 
3. Open Internal Storage
4. Open the Garmin folder 
5. Open Backups
   • The folder will have the format of Year-month-date followed by the hour-minute-seconds
6. Save the backup file you wish to share to your desktop. 

Receiving a Backup File using a Computer

1. Plug your handheld into the your computer using the Garmin USB cable
2. Open your device drive on the computer. 
3. Open Internal Storage
4. Open the Garmin folder 
5. Open Backups
6. Find the file you saved from the original Alpha handheld
7. Copy this file and paste it into the Backup folder on the Alpha handheld with which you want to share the file. 

IMPORTANT: Do not rename the file.