Abstract: A resource availability score for a client device is determined based on metrics of one or more resources of the client device. Client device resources may include a central processing unit, memory, battery and a communications module. Metrics of the resources may include a percentage of CPU load, amount of available memory, remaining battery life, and communication signal quality. A backup urgency score for a file stored on the user device is determined based on metrics of one or more file parameters of the file. File parameters may include file size, file modification timestamp, timestamp of the last file access, file creation time stamp, timestamp of last file backup, and file creator. A determination of whether to back up the file to a storage device is made based on a comparison of the urgency score and the resource availability score.