Where your phone data is stored
Your backups are uploaded to Google and encrypted with your Google Account password. For some data, your phone's screen lock PIN, pattern or password is also used to encrypt your data so that it can be backed up safely.
Your backup data, except what you back up to Google Photos, is erased if:
- You don't use your device for 57 days
- You turn off backups
What gets backed up with Google
Your phone's data is backed up to your Google Account automatically. 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
- iMessages, SMS texts and MMS messages
- App data
- Device settings
Automatically back up your phone
On your computer, you can check what data and apps are included in your backup file.
- On your computer, go to Google One.
- Scroll to 'Backup' and click View.
- Click the device with a backup that you want to check.
Tip: Devices that other members of your Google One family have backed up are also listed. You can't check the details of what your family backs up. - Below the device that you want to check, click See details.
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 that you backed up (except photos or videos) is also erased.