diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
index 5a76b0d6..d3089de9 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
@@ -72,6 +72,11 @@
 
 /* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
+// SD-backed settings persistence (defined in main.cpp for T-Deck Pro)
+#if defined(LilyGo_TDeck_Pro) && defined(HAS_SDCARD)
+  extern void backupSettingsToSD();
+#endif
+
 #define REQ_TYPE_GET_STATUS             0x01 // same as _GET_STATS
 #define REQ_TYPE_KEEP_ALIVE             0x02
 #define REQ_TYPE_GET_TELEMETRY_DATA     0x03
@@ -169,7 +174,12 @@ protected:
   }
 
 public:
-  void savePrefs() { _store->savePrefs(_prefs, sensors.node_lat, sensors.node_lon); }
+  void savePrefs() {
+    _store->savePrefs(_prefs, sensors.node_lat, sensors.node_lon);
+    #if defined(LilyGo_TDeck_Pro) && defined(HAS_SDCARD)
+      backupSettingsToSD();
+    #endif
+  }
 
 private:
   void writeOKFrame();
@@ -190,8 +200,18 @@ private:
   void checkSerialInterface();
 
   // helpers, short-cuts
-  void saveChannels() { _store->saveChannels(this); }
-  void saveContacts() { _store->saveContacts(this); }
+  void saveChannels() {
+    _store->saveChannels(this);
+    #if defined(LilyGo_TDeck_Pro) && defined(HAS_SDCARD)
+      backupSettingsToSD();
+    #endif
+  }
+  void saveContacts() {
+    _store->saveContacts(this);
+    #if defined(LilyGo_TDeck_Pro) && defined(HAS_SDCARD)
+      backupSettingsToSD();
+    #endif
+  }
 
   DataStore* _store;
   NodePrefs _prefs;
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
index dbd7ee3e..7fa679c7 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
@@ -508,10 +508,7 @@ void setup() {
     // Set GPS enabled in both sensor manager and node prefs
     sensors.setSettingValue("gps", "1");
     the_mesh.getNodePrefs()->gps_enabled = 1;
-    the_mesh.savePrefs();
-    #if defined(LilyGo_TDeck_Pro) && defined(HAS_SDCARD)
-      backupSettingsToSD();
-    #endif
+    the_mesh.savePrefs();  // SD backup triggered automatically
     MESH_DEBUG_PRINTLN("setup() - GPS enabled by default");
   #endif