Back up your device

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.

Android Computer iPhone & iPad

Check which data gets included in your backup

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.”

Automatically back up your device

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.

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.

Your backup data is erased, except what you backup to Google Photos.

Get your data onto a new device

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:
1. Open your device’s Settings app.
2. Tap Back up or copy data Copy data.
3. 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.

Where your device's data is stored

Your backups are uploaded to Google. Some of your data is end to end encrypted with your device’s screen lock PIN, pattern, or password.

How your 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.