To back up an Android phone, open Settings, tap Google (or Google services), then All services, and turn on Backup under “Backup and restore.” Tap Back up now to start a backup right away. Your apps, settings, contacts, and messages are saved to your Google Account, and photos can back up through Google Photos.
These steps follow Google’s Back up or restore data on your Android device help page. Menu names can vary a little by phone maker and Android version.
How to Turn On Automatic Backup
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Google (called Google services on some phones), then All services.
- Under Backup and restore, tap Backup.
- Choose what to back up: Photos & videos, Device data, or both.
- Turn on Backup by Google One.
Google says the first backup can take up to 24 hours. When it’s done, “On” appears under the types of data you picked.
How to Back Up Right Now
- Open Settings.
- Tap Google, then All services.
- Under Backup and restore, tap Backup, then Back up now.
How to Back Up Photos and Files to a Computer
Google’s backup doesn’t save every file on your phone. To keep your own copy of photos, videos, and downloads on a Windows PC, use a USB cable. These steps follow Google’s Transfer files between your computer & Android device guide.
- Unlock your phone and connect it to the computer with a USB cable.
- Tap the Charging this device via USB notification.
- Under Use USB for, select File Transfer.
- In the window that opens on your computer, drag folders like DCIM (camera photos) and Download to a folder on your PC.
- Eject the phone in Windows, then unplug the cable.
Chat apps like WhatsApp keep their own backups. Turn those on inside each app’s settings.
Good to Know Before You Back Up
- Free storage: Google gives you 15 GB at no charge. You can buy more with Google One.
- Use a real screen lock: Google recommends a PIN, pattern, or password. Some backup data is encrypted with it. On an older Pixel, see how to change the screen lock PIN on a Google Pixel 4a.
- Work phones: Backup isn’t available on company-owned phones or work-only profiles.
- Version matters: You can’t restore a backup onto a phone running an older Android version.
How to Restore Your Backup
When you set up a new phone, or a phone you just reset, sign in with the same Google Account and follow the on-screen steps to restore. Your photos are already in Google Photos. Google says a full restore can take up to 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Android back up text messages?
Yes. Google lists messages, contacts, app settings, and preferences as part of your backup.
How do I turn off Android backup?
Go to Settings > Google > All services, tap Backup, and turn off Backup by Google One.
Can I back up my phone to a computer instead?
You can copy photos and files to a computer with a USB cable. Your settings and app data still back up through Google. To free space after backing up, see how to clear the cache on Android.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.