How to restore a Nokia 521 backup to a newer model

[Windows Central Question]

I lost my Nokia 521 with windows 8.1 installed. If I buy a newer model, does it have to be 8.1 as well to restore a backup? Next, where is the backup stored? In my one drive its shows a file named WPSettings[1].dat. which is only 12 bytes. Would that be that large enough to store my contacts? If so how do I restore that file? Or where are automatic backups stored? and how to install to newer windows phone?

Thanks, I am very inexperienced on windows phones

 

[T Moore]

Your device backups on OneDrive, gear icon, options, device backups.
Phone settings, start screen layout and app list with some app data is in your backup, that's all. SMS is continually backed up and is not part of device backup. Contacts, email and calendar all come from you account you enter on the phone.
The backup will work on a 10 phone but you would be better off with an 8.1 phone.

If you get another Win phone reset it, when it restarts connect to Wi-Fi, enter your MS account and then you will have the option to restore. It will then download your apps and update the system apps. This will take a while. Let it finish this.

 

[Ryujingt3]

The backups will still work on a Windows 10 phone. But, as said, for the best results, use your backups on the same OS, so get a Windows 8.1 device.