Android: how to back up your phone
A backup means a copy of your phone's important information, kept somewhere safe. If your phone is lost, broken or stolen, a backup lets you set up a new one with your contacts, photos and settings.
What Android backs up
Android backups usually cover apps, contacts, call history, device settings and SMS messages. They may include photos and videos if you turn on a photo backup. Exactly what is covered depends on your phone's make, version and settings. Samsung phones may also offer Samsung Cloud, which has its own backup options.
Turn on Google backup
Steps vary slightly by make, so look for similar wording if yours does not match.
- Open Settings.
- On Pixel, go to System then Backup. On Samsung, look under Accounts and backup, then Back up data under Google.
- Switch on Back up by Google One or the similar option.
- Tap Back up now to start a backup straight away.
You need a Google account signed in. Google gives a free allowance of cloud space, shared with Gmail and Photos. If it runs out, backups can stop.
Back up your photos separately
Photos are the thing most people regret losing.
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Tap your profile picture, then Photos settings, then Backup.
- Switch it on and choose whether to back up on Wi-Fi only.
You can also copy photos to a computer using a USB cable. On the computer, open the phone's storage and drag the DCIM folder across.
Things not always backed up
- WhatsApp chats need their own backup in the WhatsApp settings.
- Some banking and authenticator apps need re-registering on a new phone.
- Files kept only in an app's own storage can be missed.
- Downloads and files on a memory card may not be included.
When to get more help
Get help if backup shows an error, if your Google storage is full, or if you want to move to a new phone and are unsure what will transfer. We can check your backup and save your photos to a computer.