If you're ever locked out of your Google Account, recovery options can help you get back in. Learn more about account recovery for Google One members.
Where your phone data is stored
Your backups are uploaded to Google and encrypted with your Google Account password. For some data, your device’s screen lock PIN, pattern, or password is also used for encryption.
What gets backed up with Google
Your phone’s data is automatically backed up to your Google Account. This includes:
- Apps and app data
- Call history
- Contacts
- Device settings
- SMS and MMS messages
Additional device data is backed up when you use specific Google apps:
- RCS messages when you use Google Messages
- Phone call settings and blocked numbers when you use Phone by Google
- Pictures and videos when you use Google Photos
To check what data is included in your backup:
- On your Android phone, open your device's Settings app.
- Select Google
Backup. - Tip: If this is your first time, follow the on-screen instructions to turn on backup.
- Scroll to “Backup details.”
Backup. How data is protected
To help keep your data safe and secure, it’s encrypted:
- All data, including photos and videos, messages, and more are encrypted as they move between your device, Google services, and our data centers.
- Some data is further encrypted with your device’s screen lock. Photos and videos stored in Google Photos, and MMS media received from your carrier are not encrypted by your device’s screen lock.
Tip: To hide sensitive photos and videos with your screen lock, save them to a special folder in the Google Photos app. .
Automatically back up your phone
You can set up your phone to automatically back up your files.
- On your Android phone, open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Google Backup.
- Tip: If this is your first time, follow the on-screen instructions to turn on backup.
- To review your backup settings, tap Manage backup.
Your backup can take up to 24 hours.
Tip: WhatsApp backups on Android will soon count toward your Google Account storage. Learn more about WhatsApp backup.
Turn off backup
You can also turn off automatic backups at any time.
Stop future device backups
- On your Android phone, open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Google Backup.
- Turn off Backup by Google One.
- To turn off backup, follow the on-screen instructions.
Tip: Your backup data is erased, except what you backup to Google Photos.
Get your data onto a new phone
Your photos and videos are already available in Google Photos. You can restore your backed up data when you set up your new device for the first time or after you set up your device.
- At setup, to restore your data, follow the on-screen steps.
- To restore your data after set up:
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Tap Back up or copy data Copy data.
- Select the data you want to transfer over.Learn how to transfer data from a cloud backup.
The process can take up to 24 hours.
Delete your data backups
If you turn off backup on your device, your backups are deleted. Photos and videos that you previously backed up remain saved in Google Photos.
- To delete your backup, you can also use your Google Account dashboard.
If you don't use your device for 57 days, the data you backed up (except photos or videos) is also erased.
Fix problems with backup
You can't start the backup process
Check that your phone can back up correctly.
- Make sure your device is online. If you use mobile data, try to connectto Wi-Fi for a better connection.
- Make sure your phone battery is charged.
- Install or update the Google One app .
- To speed up Photos sync, open the Google Photos app.
- In the Google One app, check your storage. If you're out of storage, you can choose between these options:
- Buy more storage
- Clear storage space
.
.You can’t find everything you backed up
Make sure to checkthe right place.Your files are saved inside other apps, not Google One.
- For phone numbers and other contact info, check the Google Contacts website or app.
- For meetings and reminders, check the Google Calendar website or app.
- For photos and videos, check the Google Photos website or app.
If your media still won’t back up
You can manually upload your files.
Learn how to:
You got an error when you backed up your phone
If one or more types of data won't back up, try these steps. After each step, check if your backup works now.
- Make sure your device is online.
- If you use mobile data, try to connect to Wi-Fi for a better connection.
- Install or update the Google One app.
- Open the Google One app. If you're out of storage, you can choose between these options:
- Buy more storage
- Clear storage space
- In the Google One app, tap Settings Manage backup settings. If you find advice to update or install an app, follow the on-screen steps.
- Tip: If your device needs multiple updates, your phone backup can take a few hours.
- In the Google One app, at the top, tap Home.
Manage backup settings. If you find advice to update or install an app, follow the on-screen steps. If your data still won't back up
You can run a backup manually:
You can't find files in gallery or to upload to social media
Unless you captured the photo or video on your device, it won't be saved in your gallery. Instead, all those photos are saved in the Google Photos app. If you want to add them to your phone, download them from Google Photos.
Fix problems with restore
You can't start the process to restore
If any Restore options are grayed out or you receive an error message, you may need to do some extra steps. One common solution is to check that your Android operating system is updated. To back up and restore your phone, it must run Android 8 or higher.
Your new phone didn't restore everything
If one or more type of file is missing after you restore a Google One backup, try these steps:
- Make sure your device is online.
- If you use mobile data, try to connect to Wi-Fi for a better connection.
- Install or update the Google One app.
- Open your Android settings. Confirm that:
- Local device storage has enough space to fit the backup.
- Your new device's version of Android is the same or newer than your old device. Learn how to check your Android version.
- Your backup remains as long as you use your device. If you last used your device more than 57 days ago, the backup is no longer available.
Files that are restored at setup
Some data can only be restored when you set up your device, such as app data, settings data, and messages. To restore this data, reset your device to factory settings and then go through the Android setup process.
Related resources
- How your existing storage works with Google One
- Buy more Google storage
- Upgrade to Google One from Gmail, Drive, or Photos
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