Your telephone is the guardian of your digital life. It has that video of your youngster’s first phrases, the heart-warming message out of your important different that by no means fails to cheer you up, and the newest save out of your favorite mobile game. You could have invested time in getting it simply the way in which you need, and there are irreplaceable recollections onboard. Spending a few minutes backing up is a small worth to pay to make sure you don’t lose all of it.
We’ll present you the way to again up your Android phone in a couple of methods, so decide the one which appeals. We’ve separate guides on how to back up your iPhone and how to back up your computer.
Up to date March 2024: We verified all steps, up to date Samsung’s backup steps, and added screenshots for example.
Desk of Contents
Particular provide for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This contains limitless entry to WIRED.com, full Gear protection, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions assist fund the work we do every single day.
Backing As much as Google
The best and best backup choice is Google’s cloud service, which is constructed into Android.
Android through Simon Hill
- Go to Settings, Google, and select Backup.
- You’ll be able to see how a lot storage is obtainable for the Google account you’re signed into listed on the prime.
- Under that, you’ll probably see an choice that claims Backup to Google Drive with a toggle subsequent to it. (In case you have Google One put in, it would say Backup by Google One.) Be sure that it’s toggled on.
- There’s a Again up now button beneath. Faucet it. Do not forget that backups can take a number of hours to finish if you have not backed up earlier than. It’s finest to go away your telephone plugged right into a charger and linked to Wi-Fi in a single day.
- The part on the backside reveals particulars of your backup. Faucet on Pictures & Movies and ensure that Backup is toggled on. You can even do that within the menu within the Google Pictures app.
- On the backside of the Backup particulars part, you possibly can faucet Google Account knowledge (additionally accessible through Settings > Accounts > [Your Google Account] > Account sync). That is the place you possibly can select what to sync together with your Google Account. The record of toggles that seems right here differs primarily based on the apps and companies you utilize.
Managing Backups and Additional Storage
Google through Simon Hill
You will discover your backups within the Google Drive app by tapping the menu on the prime left and selecting Backups.
It may be a problem to stay under Google Drive’s free 15 GB of storage, so that you would possibly take into account signing up for a plan with Google One. You may get 100 GB for $2 per thirty days or $20 yearly, 200 GB for $3 per thirty days or $30 yearly, or 2 TB for $10 per thirty days or $100 yearly. When you subscribe you will note choices for much more storage from 5 TB for $25 per thirty days or $250 yearly all the way in which as much as 30 TB for $150 per thirty days. You’ll be able to share this storage with as much as six relations.
The Google One app gives extra perception and management to your backups, discovered on the Storage tab listed underneath System Backup.
You won’t wish to pay for additional area, so let’s have a look at the way to again up recordsdata on to your laptop earlier than we dip into various backup companies.
Backing As much as Your Home windows PC
Google through Simon Hill
It’s straightforward to again up recordsdata out of your Android telephone on a Home windows PC. Right here’s how:
