User information such as address books, calendars, images, ring tones, and the like may be exchanged between a mobile device such as, for example, a mobile phone and a personal computer, using an enhanced or extended version of an AT command set. Client code in the mobile device and application software on the personal computer permit a user to preserve and transfer copies of personal information via a short wired or wireless communication link, permitting the user to make use of such personal information when migrating to a new mobile device, thus avoiding manual re-entry of information, loss of stored images, and re-purchase of previously purchased and downloaded materials.