Making a regular backup of Android phone to Google Drive can help in recovering text messages, contacts, call history, app data and device settings, in case you end up losing your device or if it suffers from software or hardware related damage.
Hence, most Android phones provide the option to automatically backup data to the Google Account linked to the device and also the option to manually backup your device to Google Drive at any time.
Backup Android Phone to Google Drive
The most guaranteed way to make sure that a backup of the most essential data (calls, messages, contacts) on your Android phone is always available on Google’s cloud storage service is by setting up your device to automatically backup its data to Google Drive.
In addition to this, you can always initiate a manual backup of your device to Google Drive at any time by tapping on the Backup Now option.
Google provides 15 GB of free storage for the Google Account linked to your Android phone; which is counted across all its services (Gmail, Photos, Drive) and it also provides paid cloud storage via Google One at very affordable rates.
Note: The steps to backup an Android phone to Google drive can vary, depending on the maker of your Android device.
1. Backup Samsung Galaxy Phone to Google Drive
If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, it provides the option to Back up your device to Samsung’s own cloud storage servers and also to the Google Account linked to your device.
Make sure that your device is sufficiently charged (over 50%), connected to Wi-Fi network and follow the steps below to Back up your Samsung Galaxy phone to Google Drive.
1. Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
2. From the Settings screen, go to Accounts & Backup > tap on Backup Data option, located under “Google Drive” section.
3. On the next screen, select Messages, Call logs and other type of data that you want to save to Google Drive and tap on Confirm.
4. Next, tap on Manage Backup > Enable Backup to Drive option and tap on Backup Now button.
This will start the process of backing up your device to Google Drive.
2. Backup Stock Android Phone to Google Drive
On most stock Android phones, you should be able to Backup Android phone to Google Drive by using the following steps.
1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. From the Settings screen, go to Accounts & Backup > Google Backup.
3. On the next screen, select the type of data that you want to backup to Google Drive and tap on Backup Now.
Note: You can also go to Settings > Google > All Services > Backup
3. Backup Photos from Android Phone to Computer
If storage space is not available in your Google Account, you can follow the steps below to backup photos on your Android Phone to computer.
1. Connect Android phone to computer using its supplied cable.
2. Unlock your Phone by entering your Lock Screen Passcode.
3. On your computer, open File Explorer > click on your Phone in the left pane. In the right-pane, locate DCIM Folder and copy this to Desktop.
To copy the entire folder, right-click on DCIM Folder > select Copy in the contextual menu > right-click anywhere on the desktop and select Paste in the contextual menu.
4. Wait for Photos to be copied to the Desktop on your computer.
What is Included in Android Backup to Google Drive?
As mentioned above, the following type of data will be backed up from Android phone to the Google Drive account linked to your Android device.
- SMS Messages: Only SMS text messages are backed up to Google drive and MMS attachments will not be included.
- Contacts & Call History: Call History and Contacts will be backed up to Google Drive.
- Emails and Calendars: Email will always be available in your Gmail Account. Contacts and Calendars events will get synced with Google Calendar on your Phone.
- App Data: Only App related data as available on your device will be backed up to Google drive.
- Device Settings: Some system settings like date & time, Language, Display settings, home screen wallpapers, Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi network passwords will be saved to your Google account.
What is Not Included in Android Backup to Google Drive?
The following type of data will not be saved or backed up to your Google Drive account.
- Apps, Books, Music: Apps, Books & Music will not be backup; as they are linked to your Google Account and can be easily downloaded from Google Play Store.
- Photos & Videos: Photos & videos will not be backed up; as they should already be available on Google Photos.
- WhatsApp Messages: Automated Backups can be enabled via WhatsApp settings.
Note: If enough storage space is not available in your Google Drive account, you can backup photos and videos to computer.