Android Backup: How to Back Up Your Android Phone

The amount of information that we keep on our phones means that breaking or losing a phone means losing pictures, notes, memories, and more. Performing routine Android backups can keep your information safe. You can back up Android phones via your Google account or by using your computer. Whichever method you choose, you can be confident knowing that your information can be restored should something happen to your phone.

How to back up Android phones using a Google account

The most convenient way to back up your Android phone is by using a Google account. Android is Google’s operating system. Therefore, if you have an Android, you’ve already created a Google account and paired it with your device. This makes it incredibly easy to back up your phone using Google.

Similar to Apple’s iCloud iPhone backup system, Google backup stores your data and information in the cloud until you want to access it. You have a certain amount of free storage - 15 GB to start - but if you need more, you can invest in a plan via Google One for more cloud storage space. Otherwise, you can back up your data to your Google Drive account like normal.

Perform an Android backup via a Google account

To perform an Android backup via a Google account, install the Google One app if you don't already have it. Then, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Google One app.
2. At the bottom, tap Storage.
3. Scroll to the device backup section and then select Set up data backup if this is your first backup or View details if it isn't.
4. Tap Manage backup.
5. Make sure you select Device data and Multimedia messages along with any other data you want preserved.
6. Tap Back up now.

Make sure you back up your pictures to the Google Photos app as well. Your photos will save as compressed versions in the app for you to access anytime.

Turn on automatic Android backups

If you don't want to be bothered to consistently back up your device, then you can turn on automatic backups. To turn on automatic Android backups, follow these steps.

1. Open the Google One app on your device.
2. At the bottom, tap Storage.
3. Scroll down to Backup and tap View.
4. Tap Manage backup.
5. Here, you can choose your backup settings and opt into automatic backups, which will continually back up your photos and videos and information.
6. If prompted, allow permissions.
7. Finally, at the top left, tap Back.

A backup can take up to 24 hours, but once your settings are adjusted, you won't need to worry about regularly backing up your device. Google One will do it automatically.

How to back up Android phones to a PC

Backing up your Android device to a computer isn’t as smooth as using your Google account. Regardless, it's still a viable option. You can use a Windows computer or a Mac.

However, if you have a Mac, you’ll need to download and install the Android File Transfer application to transfer files. Make sure the computer is connected to WiFi.

Back up your Android via a computer

To back up your Android via a computer, follow the steps below.

1. Plug your Android into your computer with a USB cable.
2. Open the correct app for your computer.
   • If you have a Windows computer, open File Explorer and select the phone under This PC.
   • If you have a Mac, then open Android File Transfer.
3. Drag the files you want to back up to a folder on your computer.
4. Name the folder appropriately and safely eject your device when finished.

How to restore your phone from an Android backup

Even if you don't think that you'll ever damage your phone or become a victim of hacking, backing up your device is still a good practice. If needed, regular backups allow you to restore your data to a new or reset device.

For a new device, all you need to do is log into your Google account and everything backed up to the account will be restored.

Photos and videos backed up to Google Photos are accessible from the Photos app on any signed-in device.

Because Android devices vary by manufacturer, each device can have slightly different restore options, but the general process remains the same.

Backing up other Android devices

Android is an operating system, not a device brand. This means that multiple smartphone brands - including Samsung, Google, and OnePlus - run Android. Just like Apple phones have iOS, many other smartphones use Android.

Backup steps can differ by manufacturer. For example, Samsung offers extra backup options through a Samsung account. However, the Google account method above will work on any Android phone.

If you're curious about brand-specific backup options, you can check your device's settings or support documentation.