Unlike iPhones, backing up your Android phone is not a straightforward process. Although Android phones are getting better at automatically backing up your data, you still need to do your part to ensure your data are properly backed up.
There’s nothing worse than losing everything on your phone to later realize you never had a backup in the first place.
Whether you want to use Google, a third-party app, or your computer to back up your Android phone, this guide will walk you through the steps.
Check this out: How to Fix “No SIM Card Detected” on Android
How to Back Up Android Phone With Google
Although Google has made it easy to back up your Android phone, there’s not a single method to back up all your data at once.
You’ll have to back up different types of data separately. But don’t worry we’ll walk you through the steps for each method.
Back Up Data & settings
To back up your Android phone data and settings, go to Settings > Accounts > your Google account, then Account sync. Make sure you check off everything that you want Google to back up.
By doing that all your apps, contacts, system settings, calendar, and e-mails will be restored whenever you use that same Google account to set up a new Android phone.
While you’re in Settings, go to Backup then check off Backup to Google Drive. If you have multiple accounts on your Android device, make sure to choose the one that you used when you set up your phone.
So when you reinstall an app you can restore backed up settings and data. Depending on what Android phone you have, the process might be a little bit different, but it’s the same idea.
Bear in mind Google will not back up photos, videos, and SMS. Keep reading, we’ll show you how to backup photos and videos on Android.
Back Up Photos and Videos
Google Photos is a lifesaver. If you’re not already using this app, you should be because you’re missing out big time. This app backs up every photo and video you take on your phone to the cloud.
Make sure to set Google Photos to “automatically back up your files”. To do that, just head to Google Photos Settings, tap on Back up and sync then turn on the toggle next to it.
So all your photos and videos will be available on any device you sign in with your Google account. You can choose how your photos should be saved.
While you’re in the “Back up and sync” section, just tap on Upload size to choose how you want to upload your photos. Go download it and you’ll never have to worry about losing a photo again.
Back Up Files and Folders
Google Drive, mentioned above, is another essential app from Google. It lets you upload your documents, images, audio, and video to the cloud.
You get 15GB of free cloud storage with your Google Account that’s shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Here’s how to manually upload folders and files to Google Drive.
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Tap the “+” button.
- Tap Upload.
- Find and select the files you want to upload.
How to Back Up Android Phone With a Third-Party Backup App
There are a ton of backup apps to back up almost everything on your phone. Some of the most popular are Helium, My Backup Pro, Super backup, they all work with an unrooted device. For Super backup, some features may not work if your Android phone is not rooted.
We recommend My Backup Pro, it’s been around for quite a while and works like a charm. You can download it from the Google Play Store for $6.99.
You may find it a little bit expensive for a backup app, but you’ll never have to worry about backing up your data. Just download it, set up a few settings, then you’re set.
The app will back up app data, browser bookmarks, photos, contacts, system settings, calendars, alarms, Text messages (SMS), Message attachments (MMS), music, Home Screen Shortcuts, and Wallpaper, etc.
You can schedule multiple backups to different locations at your convenience. The backup files will be saved either locally to your phone (SD card) or to their online secure servers, which are accessible on the My Backup Pro website.
I hope today you learned how to back up your Android phone. If you liked this article please recommend and/or share it with your friends, so they can benefit from it too.
