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
What gets saved with Backup by GoogleOne
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
You can check what data and which apps are included in your backup.
- On your Android phone, open the Google One app
. - At the bottom, tap Storage.
- Scroll to the device backup section.
- If this is your first phone backup: Tap Set up data backup.
- If this isn't your first phone backup: Tap View details.
- To review your backup settings, tap Manage backup.
.Automatically back up your phone
You can set up your phone to automatically back up your files.
- On your Android phone, open the Google One app .
- At the bottom, tap Storage.
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Scroll to 'Backup' and tap View.
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If this is your first phone backup: Tap Set up data backup.
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If this isn't your first phone backup: Tap View details.
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To review your backup settings, tap Manage backup.
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Choose your backup settings.
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If you get advice to install an app, update an app or change your settings, follow the on-screen steps. Then, go back to the Google One app to finish.
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If asked, tap Allow permissions.
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At the top left, tap Back.
Your Google One backup can take up to 24 hours. When your data is saved, 'On' will be below the data types that you selected.
Start or stop a backup
After you chooseyour backup settings, you can decide to start a backup right away. You can also turn off automatic backups at any time.
Start a backup
- On your Android phone, open the Google One app .
- At the bottom, tap Storage.
- Scroll to the device backup section.
- If this is your first phone backup: Tap Set up data backup.
- If this isn't your first phone backup: Tap View details.
- To find your backup settings, tapManage backup.
- To back up the data on your phone, turn onDevice data.
- To back up your media in the best quality, turn onFull resolution photos & videos.
- To back up your MMS texts, turn onMultimedia messages.
- Tap Back up now.
Stop future device backups
- On your Android phone, open the Google One app .
- Scrollto the device backup sectionand tap See details.
- Turn off the types of data that you don't want to back up.
Get your data onto a new phone
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 device for the first time or after a factory reset. At setup, to restore your data, follow the on-screen steps.
The process can take up to 24 hours.
Delete your data backups
If you turn off Back up by GoogleOne on your device, your backups aredeleted. Photos and videos that you previously backed up remain saved in Google Photos.
If you don't use your device for 57 days, the data that you backed up (except photos or videos) is also erased.
Fix problems with backup
You can't start the backup process
Check that your phone can back up correctly.
- Make sure that your device is online. If you use mobile data, try to connectto Wi-Fi for a better connection.
- Make sure that your phone battery is charged.
- Install or update the Google One app .
- To speed up Photos sync, open the Google Photos app.
- In the Google One app, check your storage. If you're out of storage, you can choose between these options:
- Buy more storage
- Clear storage space
.You can't find everything that you backed up
Make sure that you checkthe right place.Your files are saved inside other apps, not Google One.
- For phone numbers and other contact info, check the Google Contacts website or app.
- For meetings and reminders, check the Google Calendar website or app.
- For photos and videos, check the Google Photos website or app.
If your media still doesn't back up
You can manually upload your files.
Learn how to:
- Upload files and folders to Google Drive
- Back up photos and videos in Google Photos
You got an error while backing up your phone
If one or more types of data won't back up, try these steps. After each step, check if your backup works now.
- Make sure that your device is online.
- If you use mobile data, try to connect to Wi-Fi for a better connection.
- Install or update the Google One app.
- Open the Google One app. If you're out of storage, you can choose between these options:
- Buy more storage
- Clear storage space
- In the Google One app, tap Settings Manage backup settings. If you find advice to update or install an app, follow the on-screen steps.
- Tip: If your device needs multiple updates, your phone backup can take a few hours.
- In the Google One app, at the top, tap Home.
Manage backup settings. If you find advice to update or install an app, follow the on-screen steps. If your data still won't back up
You can run a backup manually:
- Upload files and folders to Google Drive
- Back up photos and videos in Google Photos
You can't find files in gallery or to upload to social media
Unless you captured the photo or video on your device, it won't be saved in your gallery. Instead, all those photos are saved in the Google Photos app. If you want to add them to your phone, download them from Google Photos.
Fix problems with restore
You can't start the process to restore
If any Restore options are greyed out or you receive an error message, you may need to do some extra steps. One common solution is to check that your Android operating system is updated. To back up and restore your phone, it must run Android 8 or higher.
Your new phone didn't restore everything
If one or more type of file is missing after you restore a Google One backup, try these steps:
- Make sure that your device is online.
- If you use mobile data, try to connect to Wi-Fi for a better connection.
- Install or update the Google One app.
- Open your Android settings. Confirm that:
- Local device storage has enough space to accommodate the backup.
- Your new device's version of Android is the same or newer than your old device. Learn how to check your Android version.
- Your backup remains as long as you use your device. If you last used your device more than 57 days ago, the backup will no longer be available.
Files that are restored at setup
Some data can only be restored when you set up your device, such as app data, settings data and messages. To restore this data, reset your device to factory settings and then go through the Android setup process.
As an expert in data storage and backup solutions, I can confidently break down the concepts mentioned in the article about where your phone data is stored and how to manage backups using Google One. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of cloud storage, data encryption, and the intricacies of Android backup systems.
Let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
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Google Server Storage for Backups:
- Backups of Android devices are uploaded to Google servers.
- These backups are encrypted with the user's Google Account password.
- The phone's screen lock PIN, pattern, or password is used for additional encryption, ensuring the security of the backed-up data.
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Backup Deletion Conditions:
- Backup data (excluding Google Photos) is erased if the device is not used for 57 days.
- Turning off Android backup also results in the deletion of backup data.
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Data Saved by Google One:
- Google One automatically saves various types of data from your phone, including app data, call history, contacts, settings, SMS messages, pictures, videos, and MMS messages.
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Managing Google One Backups:
- Users can check and manage their backup settings through the Google One app.
- Settings include what data is backed up, which apps are included, and backup frequency.
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Automatic Backup Setup:
- Users can set up their phones to automatically back up files.
- Backup settings can be reviewed and managed through the Google One app.
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Starting and Stopping Backups:
- Users can start a backup manually or turn off automatic backups at any time.
- Options for backing up device data, media in full resolution, and MMS texts are provided.
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Restoring Data to a New Phone:
- Photos and videos are available in Google Photos.
- The rest of the backed-up data can be restored during the new device setup or after a factory reset.
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Backup Deletion and Troubleshooting:
- Turning off Google One backup deletes backups.
- Troubleshooting tips are provided, including checking device connectivity, ensuring sufficient battery, updating the Google One app, and managing storage space.
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Manual Backup and Uploading:
- Users can manually upload files and folders to Google Drive or back up photos and videos in Google Photos if automatic backup encounters issues.
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Restore Issues and Troubleshooting:
- Troubleshooting steps are outlined for issues with starting the restore process or incomplete restoration on a new phone.
- Conditions for backup availability are specified, and tips for data restoration during device setup are provided.
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Further Assistance and Information:
- The article concludes with links to additional guides on updating Google One plans, troubleshooting upgrade issues, managing existing storage, fixing Google Drive and Google Photos issues, cleaning up and troubleshooting Google storage, buying more Google storage, using Google Drive for desktop, and upgrading to Google One from Gmail, Drive, or Photos.
In summary, this article provides comprehensive guidance on managing Android device backups using Google One, covering setup, automatic backups, troubleshooting, and restoring data to a new device. Users are empowered to take control of their data, ensuring its security and accessibility.
