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How to back up an Android phone

Back up your phone before replacing or resetting it, then check what was saved.

1 min read·Android with Google services; some steps require Android 9+· 5 steps
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Before you start

  • Connect to Wi-Fi and use a PIN, pattern, or password screen lock.
  • Menu names vary by phone manufacturer and Android version.

Step 1 of 5: Open Google settings

Open your phone's Settings, then Google, then All services.

Step 2 of 5: Find Backup

Under Backup and restore, open Backup.

Step 3 of 5: Check your account

Confirm the Google Account being used. If prompted, enable Backup by Google One and follow setup.

Step 4 of 5: Start a backup

Tap Back up now. Keep the phone connected while it backs up.

Completion can take up to 24 hours. Confirm it has finished before erasing your phone.

Step 5 of 5: Review what was included

Check Backup details for included data and apps. Check Google Photos separately for photo and video backup.

Try it for yourself

Your small practice task.

Try the task with something you are comfortable changing. Stop if a message asks you to erase data or spend money.

Completing the guide records your progress here; it does not check your device settings.

Cover of How to Use an Android Phone: Samsung Edition
Using a Samsung Galaxy phone?

Prefer a guide beside your phone?

Explore Danielle Murphy’s picture-led paperback: 100 lessons across 10 sections, with large screenshots and highlighted controls.

Explore the Samsung book

A common question.

Does backup include every app's data?

No. Not all apps back up or restore all their settings and data.

Can I restore onto an older Android version?

Use the same or a newer Android version. A newer-version backup cannot be restored to an older version.

Official help, if you need it.

These links provide the product’s own instructions or relevant public guidance. Settings can differ by model and software version.