A device, system and method that preserves non-volatile items during a firmware over-the-air update are described. The electronic device comprises a non-volatile memory, a FOTA client module, and back-up and restore module. The non-volatile memory comprises one or more variant non-volatile items having one or more variant offsets associated with at least one of the variant non-volatile items. The FOTA client module is configured to receive the FOTA upgrade and replace an existing firmware program resident on the electronic device. The back-up and restore module is configured to store the variant non-volatile items before the FOTA client performs the FOTA upgrade. Additionally, the back-up and restore module is configured to restore the variant non-volatile items after the FOTA client performs the FOTA upgrade. The system further comprises a server that is configured to receive the FOTA upgrade and communicate the FOTA upgrade to the electronic device.