How to back up an Android phone
Switch on Google backup so your apps, contacts, messages and settings are saved, and back up your photos to Google Photos.
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 6
- Checked
What you’ll need
- Your Android phone
- Google Account (the one you sign in to Gmail or Play Store with)
- Wi-Fi connection
Safety first
- When restoring to a new phone, Google says it must be running the same version of Android or newer than the old one.
- Don't factory reset an old phone until you've checked its backup completed.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Set a screen lock
Google recommends using a PIN, pattern or password on your phone – it helps protect your backed-up data, and some data (like texts) is only backed up when one is set.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Open the backup settings
Go to Settings > Google > All services > Backup and restore > Backup. Menu names vary a little by make – on Samsung phones you can also look under Settings > Accounts and backup. If you can't find it, search 'backup' in Settings.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Turn on backup and back up now
Make sure backup by Google One (or Google backup) is switched on, then tap Back up now. This saves apps and app data, call history, contacts, device settings, and SMS and MMS messages.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Back up your photos and videos
Photos aren't part of the device backup. Open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture, and turn on backup. Choose whether to back up only on Wi-Fi to save mobile data.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Check your storage
Your Google Account comes with 15GB free, shared between Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. If you run out, you can buy more with Google One or free up space.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Check it's worked
Back in the backup settings you'll see when the last backup happened. Google says backups can take up to 24 hours to finish.
Tips
- Samsung phones also offer Samsung Cloud and Smart Switch for moving to a new Samsung – handy, but Google backup works on any Android.
- WhatsApp backs up separately – check WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
Questions people ask
Are my photos backed up automatically?
Only if you've turned on backup in Google Photos (or your phone maker's gallery cloud service).
How do I restore to a new Android?
During setup, sign in with the same Google Account and choose to restore from your backup.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- Android Help: Back up or restore data on your Android device (support.google.com)
- Google Photos Help: Back up photos and videos (support.google.com)
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Printed from howtoguides.uk/guides/how-to-back-up-an-android-phone/ · Checked 9 October 2026 · General information only. For gas, electrics, structural work, medical, legal or money decisions, use a qualified professional.