How to Back Up an Android Phone (Samsung and Pixel)

What a good Android backup covers

There isn't one button that saves everything on an Android phone. A complete backup usually has four parts:

• Google backup for apps, settings, contacts, call history and text messages
• Google Photos (or another photo service) for your pictures and videos
• Samsung's own tools if you have a Galaxy: Samsung Cloud and Smart Switch
• App-specific backups for WhatsApp and other messaging apps, which handle their own chats

Set up each one once and most of it runs automatically from then on. Then verify, because a backup you haven't checked is just a hope.

Step 1: Turn on Google backup

Google backup saves your app list and many apps' data, device settings, contacts, call history and SMS/MMS messages to your Google account. When you sign in to a new or reset phone, it offers to restore from it.

On a Google Pixel

1. Open Settings › System › Backup.
2. Make sure backup is turned on and the right Google account is shown.
3. Tap Back up now to run one immediately.

On a Samsung Galaxy

1. Open Settings › Accounts and backup.
2. Under the Google Drive section, tap Back up data.
3. Turn backup on and tap Back up now.

Google backups use your Google account storage, which is shared with Gmail, Drive and Photos. If you're near the limit, the backup may fail quietly, so check your storage in the Google One app or your account settings.

Step 2: Back up your photos and videos

Photos and videos are usually what people care about most, and Google backup alone doesn't include them. Use Google Photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app and tap your profile picture.
2. Open Photos settings and turn on Backup.
3. Choose a backup quality. Storage saver uses less space; Original quality keeps full resolution but uses more of your storage.
4. Check Back up device folders so screenshots, WhatsApp images and downloads are included if you want them.

On a Galaxy, the Gallery app can also sync to Microsoft OneDrive if you prefer that. Pick one main photo backup so you know where your pictures live.

Step 3: Use Samsung's tools (Galaxy only)

Samsung Cloud

In Settings › Accounts and backup, the Samsung Cloud section has its own Back up data option. It can save Samsung-specific items such as your home screen layout, Samsung apps' data, settings and messages. It's a useful extra layer if you're moving to another Galaxy.

Smart Switch on a computer

For a full local copy that doesn't depend on cloud storage, install Samsung Smart Switch on a Windows PC or Mac.

1. Connect your Galaxy with a USB cable and allow access on the phone when asked.
2. In Smart Switch on the computer, choose Backup and select what to include.
3. Keep the phone connected until it finishes.

A computer backup is especially smart before a repair or a factory reset, since you control the copy.

Step 4: Back up WhatsApp separately

WhatsApp chats are not part of Google's device backup. In WhatsApp, go to Settings › Chats › Chat backup, choose your Google account, decide whether to include videos, and tap Back up. You can also turn on end-to-end encrypted backup there; if you do, don't lose the password or key. Other messaging apps, such as Signal, have their own backup settings to check.

Step 5: Don't forget sign-in codes

If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, check whether it syncs to an account. Some do, some don't. If yours keeps codes only on the phone, use its export or transfer feature, or save your backup codes for each account somewhere safe.

Step 6: Verify your backups

• Google backup: in the Google One app or the Google Drive app's Backups section, check that your phone appears with today's date.
• Photos: open photos.google.com on a computer and make sure recent photos are there.
• Smart Switch: check that the backup folder on your computer exists and isn't empty.
• WhatsApp: the Chat backup screen shows the time of the last successful backup.

Need a hand?

If your Pixel or Galaxy is cracked, won't charge or keeps restarting, back it up first if you can, then get it looked at. Woman Wireless On The Go sends a certified woman technician to your home, workplace or parked car across our service area, with a free quote before any work starts. She can also help you check your backup is in place before the repair. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247, or see our Google Pixel repair and Samsung repair pages.

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