ads

How to Backup an Android Phone or Tablet

Authored by:
Support.com Tech Pro Team
This Guided Path® was written and reviewed by Support.com’s Tech Pro team. With decades of experience, our Tech Pros are passionate about making technology work for you. We love feedback! Let us know what you think about this Guided Path® by rating it at the end.

Introduction

Just about everyone brings their smartphone or tablet with them wherever they go. Unfortunately, this means that those devices are almost always in danger of getting lost, damaged, or stolen. Making sure those devices are backed up means that you're protected no matter what happens. In order to back up everything on your Android device, you'll need to make use of two different tools: Google Drive & Google Photos.
This guide will take you through the use of Google Drive to back up your device's settings, apps, and contacts.
Before You Begin:
  • Your Android device must be logged into your Google Account.
The Android robot

What about photos and videos?

While Google Drive can save your device's data, apps, and contacts, it will not backup photos or videos. Backing up these items requires that you install and make use of Google Photos.

Google Photos must be used for photo & video backup

1 Backup Using Google Drive (Android)

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
    Android Settings.
  2. Tap System.
    System selection
  3. Tap Advanced.
    Advanced setting

    If your menu does not match what we're showing here, go ahead and search your settings for Backup. 
    Search in settings

     
  4. Tap Backup.
    Backup setting
  5. Set the toggle for Back up to Google Drive to the ON position.
    Google Drive backup toggled to on
  6. If you want to backup immediately, tap Back Up Now.
    Back Up Now button

The amount of time it takes to back up your data is entirely dependent upon how many settings you have changed, the number of contacts your device has stored, and the amount of installed apps. This method of back up will not save your photos and videos. You can continue using your Android device while the backup is running.

We're here to help!

Connect to a Tech Pro

Call or chat with a Tech Pro 24/7.

ads
Just about everyone brings their smartphone or tablet with them wherever they go. Unfortunately, this means that those devices are almost always in danger of getting lost, damaged, or stolen. Making sure those devices are backed up means that you're protected no matter what happens. In order to back up everything on your Android device, you'll need to make use of two different tools: Google Drive & Google Photos.
This guide will take you through the use of Google Drive to back up your device's settings, apps, and contacts.
Before You Begin:
  • Your Android device must be logged into your Google Account.
The Android robot

What about photos and videos?

While Google Drive can save your device's data, apps, and contacts, it will not backup photos or videos. Backing up these items requires that you install and make use of Google Photos.

Google Photos must be used for photo & video backup
  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
    Android Settings.
  2. Tap System.
    System selection
  3. Tap Advanced.
    Advanced setting

    If your menu does not match what we're showing here, go ahead and search your settings for Backup. 
    Search in settings

     
  4. Tap Backup.
    Backup setting
  5. Set the toggle for Back up to Google Drive to the ON position.
    Google Drive backup toggled to on
  6. If you want to backup immediately, tap Back Up Now.
    Back Up Now button

The amount of time it takes to back up your data is entirely dependent upon how many settings you have changed, the number of contacts your device has stored, and the amount of installed apps. This method of back up will not save your photos and videos. You can continue using your Android device while the backup is running.

ads
ads