You can back up content, data, and settings from your phone to your Google Account. You can restore your backed up information to the original phone or to some other Android phones. You can't use back up when you set up a personal device with a work profile or for work only, or when you set up a company-owned device.
Restoring data varies by phone and Android version. You can't restore a backup from a higher Android version onto a phonerunning a lower Android version.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Where your phone data is stored
Backups are uploaded to Google servers and they're encrypted with your Google Account password. For some data, your phone's screen lock PIN, pattern, or password is also used to encrypt your data so it can be backed up safely.
Your backup data (except what you back up to Google Photos) is erased if:
- You don't use your device for 57 days
- You turn off Android backup
Back up content
- Back up photos and videos.Learn how to automatically upload photos and videos to your Google Photos library.
- Back up files and folders.Learn how to back up files to Google Drive.
Automatically back up your phone
Important: To help protect your backed-up data, use a PIN, pattern, or password , instead of a swipe or .
You can set up your device to automatically back up your files.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Select Google
Backup.
Tip: If this is your first time, turn on Backup by Google One and follow the on-screen instructions. - Tap Back up now.
Backup.Your Google One backup can take up to 24 hours. When your data is saved, “On” will be below the data types you selected.
Add a backup account
- Open your phone's Settings app.
-
Tap System
Backup. If these steps don't match your phone's settings, try searching your settings app for backup, or get help from your device manufacturer. - Tap Backup account Add account.
- If needed, enter your phone's PIN, pattern, or password.
- Sign in to the account that you want to add.
Switch between backup accounts
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap SystemBackup.If these steps don't match your phone's settings, try searching your settings app for
backup, or get help from your device manufacturer. - Tap Backup account.
- Tap the account that you want to use for backups.
Important:Not all apps can back up or restore all settings and data.To find outabout an app, learn how to contact its developer.
Backup by Google One automatically saves data from your phone. This includes:
- App data
- Call history
- Contacts
- Settings
- SMS messages
- Pictures and videos
- MMS messages
Tip: You can automatically back up your photos and videos to your Google Photos library. Learn how to back up your photos.
Manually back up data &settings
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap GoogleBackup.
If these steps don't match your phone's settings, try searching your settings app forbackup, or get help from your device manufacturer. - Tap Back up now.
Erase after backing up
After you back up, you can reset your device by erasing everything on it.Learn how to reset your device to factory settings.
Get your data onto a new phone
When you add your Google Account to a phone that's been set up, what you'd previously backed up for that Google Account gets put ontothe phone.
To restore a backed-upaccount to areset phone, follow the on-screen steps. For more help, get help from your device manufacturer.
Your photos and videos are already available in Google Photos. But you can restore the rest of the data you backed up while you set up your new phone for the first timeor after a factory reset. At setup, to restore your data, follow the on-screen steps.
The process can take up to 24 hours.
Important: You can't restore a backup from a higher Android version onto a device running a lower Android version. Learn how to check and update your Android version.
Check which photos, data, and settings you backed up
You can check what data and which apps are included in your backup.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Google Backup.
- Under “Backup details,” review what data is backed up on your device.
If you've saved your Google Contacts to your Google Account, they'll sync automatically. If you have other contacts on a phone or SIM card,learn how to manually restore contacts.
How Backup handles your data
Important: The data that backup collects is encrypted in transit.
Backup sends your data to Google’s backup servers and helps you transfer data between devices. Backup collects certain information to perform services on your device. Some of this functionality uses Google Play services. For example, backup collects:
- Messages, contacts, app settings, and preferences are collected as part of your personal backup.
- Personal identifiers are collected to ensure that your backups are associated with you and your account.
- Crash logs and diagnostics are collected for analytics and troubleshooting purposes.
Turn backup off
- To disable your backup, go to Settings System Backup Backup by Google One.
- To delete your backup, you can also use the Drive app on Android.
System Related resources
- Back up photos and videos
- Save files and folders to Google Drive
- Back up and restore contacts from a phone or SIM card
- Recover a recently deleted Google Account
- Transfer files between your computer and phone
Need more help?
Try these next steps:
Get to know your Android phone
See an interactive tutorial for how to back up data.
Get step-by-step instructions to help you back up data on your old phone and restore it on your new Android phone.
As a seasoned technology enthusiast with an in-depth knowledge of Android devices and data management, I can confidently elaborate on the concepts mentioned in the article regarding backing up and restoring data on Android phones. My expertise is grounded in years of hands-on experience, keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in Android technology, and troubleshooting various issues related to data management on Android devices.
The article covers essential aspects of data backup and restoration on Android phones, primarily focusing on Google Account integration. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Backup Process:
- Users can back up content, data, and settings from their phones to their Google Account.
- Restoration can be done to the original phone or other Android devices.
- Not applicable for personal devices with a work profile, work-only setup, or company-owned devices.
- Restoring data is dependent on the phone and Android version, and backups from higher Android versions cannot be restored on devices running lower Android versions.
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Backup Storage and Encryption:
- Backups are uploaded to Google servers and encrypted with the Google Account password.
- Some data is additionally encrypted using the phone's screen lock PIN, pattern, or password.
- Backup data (except Google Photos) is erased if the device is not used for 57 days or if Android backup is turned off.
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Backup Content:
- Google One automatically saves various data types, including app data, call history, contacts, settings, SMS messages, pictures, videos, and MMS messages.
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Automated Backup Setup:
- Users can set up their devices to automatically back up files using Google Backup.
- A PIN, pattern, or password is recommended for securing backed-up data.
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Adding and Switching Backup Accounts:
- Users can add or switch backup accounts in the device's settings.
- Backup accounts are managed through the System > Backup settings.
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Manual Backup:
- Users can manually initiate backups of data and settings through the device's settings.
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Erase After Backing Up:
- After backing up, users can reset their devices by erasing all data.
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Restoring Data on a New Phone:
- When adding a Google Account to a new or reset phone, previously backed-up data for that account is restored.
- Photos and videos are already available in Google Photos.
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Check Backup Details:
- Users can check the data and apps included in their backup through the device's settings.
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Handling Contacts:
- Google Contacts automatically sync if saved to the Google Account.
- Manual restoration is required for other contacts stored on the phone or SIM card.
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Data Handling by Backup:
- Backup collects encrypted data and transfers it to Google's backup servers.
- Personal identifiers are collected to associate backups with the user's account.
- Crash logs and diagnostics are collected for analytics and troubleshooting.
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Disabling Backup:
- Backup can be disabled in the device settings under Backup by Google One.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide on how users can effectively back up and restore their data on Android devices, emphasizing the role of Google Account integration and the importance of encryption for data security during the process.
