How to Back Up Your Android Phone to a PC (2024)

Mobile Phones > Android

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This article explains how to back up photos, videos, and other files from your Android to your PC over a USB connection. It also describes how to do a full backup (apps and all) to your PC using third-party software.

How to Back Up Specific Files to Your PC Manually

If you're concerned about photos, videos, and other files stored on your Android, transferring them to your computer over USB is the easiest backup method. Here's how it's done:

1. Connect your Android to your computer using its USB cable.

2. Open the Settings app to System > Developer options, then tap USB debugging.

   On some phones, the debugging option (sometimes called Android debugging) is under General > Developer options.

   

   If you don't see these menus, you'll need to enable developer options.

3. Open Settings > Connected devices > USB, then tap File transfer / Android Auto.

   Or, if you saw a notification asking about USB options, tap it and select the file transfer option, called Transfer files on some phones.

   

4. On your computer, you'll see your Android device appear as an available device to browse in File Explorer, allowing you to copy files from your Android to your PC.

   

   You'll have to browse each folder to see what you want to move to your computer. For example, on some phones, the DCIM folder stores photos. It's accessible here: Internal shared storage > DCIM > Camera.

   See Also

   What Is Data Restore? | Definition from TechTarget

How to Perform a Full Android Backup to Your PC

If you want to have a full backup of your Android phone, a better approach is to install apps that handle just that. One of the best is Wondershare Dr.Fone, which lets you perform a full backup or restoration of your Android. It also lets you back up specific data, all without requiring root access to the phone.

1. Download and install Dr.Fone on your PC, and connect your phone to the computer with its USB cable.

2. Follow the steps above to enable USB debugging to make the connection work, or tap Allow if you see that prompt on your phone.

3. If you see a prompt on your computer to select your phone, choose it now.

4. Dr.Fone will install a companion app on your phone. Choose Allow and then turn on any file access permissions when asked. On some phones, the toggle is called Allow access to manage all files.

   

5. Select My Backup from the left column of the program on your computer, followed by Back Up Now on the right.

   

   To choose where the backup will be stored, open Backup preferences.

6. If your prompted to change the default SMS app, follow the on-screen directions to do so. You can change it back later.
   

7. Wait while Dr.Fone creates a full backup.

8. That's it! The 'backup completed' message indicates that it's finished.

   Select Open in Folder to see the BAK file storing the backed-up data, or select View Backups to sift through the actual contents from the backup (contacts, texts, wallpaper, music, apps, etc.)

   

   When you need to restore the backup, select your phone from the My Backup area of the program and choose Restore to Device.

How to Back Up Android With Other Resources

The following are other free programs, like Dr.Fone, that let you take a backup of your Android phone and perform a restore whenever you need to.

Choosing the right app for your situation depends on whether you want to run the app on your PC or your Android. It also depends on where you want to store the backups and if you want to automate them.

• Syncios: This free software is a full-featured program that lets you back up everything, including contacts, apps, and SMS messages. It works with a majority of Android devices.
• ApowerManager: This app works more or less the same way as these other backup tools. Pick what to back up, or select everything, then choose where on your computer to save it all.
• Wi-Fi FTP Server: As an Android app, this solution works a little differently. It will connect your phone to your computer wirelessly over an FTP connection. It's not as easy to use because you need an FTP client on your PC for it to work, but it's a good option if you're having trouble with these other apps that work over USB.