Your phone holds years of contacts, messages, photos and app data. If it is lost, stolen or stops working, a backup is the only way to get all of that back. Android has a free, built-in backup system linked to your Google Account. This guide explains what it saves, how to turn it on and how to restore everything on a new phone.
Key takeaways
- Android backs up apps, contacts, call history, settings and SMS to your Google Account.
- Photos and videos are backed up separately with Google Photos.
- Every Google Account includes 15 GB of free storage.
- You restore the backup during setup of a new or reset phone.
What this guide covers
- What gets backed up
- Before you start
- Turn on automatic backup
- Back up manually right now
- Restore on a new phone
- Common backup problems
- FAQs
What Android backs up
| Data | Backed up by |
|---|---|
| Apps and app data | Android backup (Google Account) |
| Contacts and call history | Android backup |
| Device settings | Android backup |
| SMS and MMS messages | Android backup |
| RCS chats | Google Messages |
| Photos and videos | Google Photos |
| Files in Drive | Google Drive (separately) |
Some apps choose not to use Android backup. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp have their own backup setting inside the app, so check those apps separately.
Before you start
- Set a PIN, pattern or password screen lock. Android Help notes backup needs one, not just a swipe or Smart Lock.
- Connect to Wi-Fi, since the first backup can be large.
- Make sure your Google Account has enough free storage. Every account gets 15 GB free; more is available with Google One.
- Backup is not available on work profiles or company-owned devices.
Turn on automatic backup
- Open Settings.
- Tap Google (or Google services), then All services.
- Under Backup and restore, tap Backup.
- Choose what to back up (Device data, Photos & videos) and turn backup on.
Once enabled, Android backs up automatically in the background, usually when the phone is charging, idle and on Wi-Fi.
Back up manually right now
Before switching phones or sending yours for repair, run a fresh backup: open Settings > Google > All services > Backup and tap Back up now. Wait until it finishes and check the “last backup” time.
Tip: Also open Google Photos and confirm that all photos show as backed up before you reset or hand over your old phone.
Restore on a new phone
- Turn on the new or factory-reset phone and follow the setup steps.
- Sign in with the same Google Account.
- When asked, choose the backup from your old phone.
- Select what to restore and finish setup.
Photos and videos appear in Google Photos straight away. Android Help says the rest can take up to 24 hours to restore fully, as apps download in the background.
Important: a backup cannot be restored onto a phone running an older Android version than the one it came from. The new phone should run the same or a newer version.
Common backup problems
| Problem | Likely fix |
|---|---|
| Backup option is greyed out | Set a PIN, pattern or password screen lock |
| Backup stuck or not finishing | Connect to Wi-Fi and charge; try Back up now again |
| Storage full warning | Free space in Google Drive/Photos or upgrade storage |
| Chats missing after restore | Restore from that app’s own backup (e.g. WhatsApp) |
Running low on space on the phone itself? See our guide on how to free up storage on Android.
FAQs
Is Android backup free?
Yes. It uses your Google Account storage, which includes 15 GB free across Gmail, Drive and Photos.
How often does Android back up?
Automatically, usually once a day when the phone is idle, charging and on Wi-Fi.
Can I restore only some data?
Yes. During setup you can choose which apps and data to restore.
Sources: Android Help: Back up or restore data. Menu names can differ slightly between phone brands and Android versions.