Backing up your phone is basically saving all the data on your device to cloud storage. Having a completely backed up Android phone is invaluable in situations like theft, loss, or accidents with your phone where it ends up in a bathtub. In this way, if something like this does happen to your phone, you can at least be assured that all your data is sound and safe on the cloud. There are various methods to back up almost all of your data. And in this article, we will be discussing just that! Let us look at some of the best ways to back up an Android phone:
Backup Photos and Videos
Backing up photos and videos has never been easy thanks to Google Photos. It is a one-stop destination to save and store all your precious photos and videos. Google Photos app is available on all Android phones. Either by default (pre-installed in Android phones powered by Google) or accessible from the Google Play Store. Here’s how you can back up your photos and videos through Google Photos:
- If you do not have the Google photos app installed on your phone, Go to the Google Play Store, search for and install the app.
- Once the app is installed, open the launch it.
- Tap on the profile button in the top right corner of your screen.
- From the present list of options, app on “Backup and Sync” option.
- Toggle on the backup and sync button, by tapping on it.
- You can also manage your storage space, picture/video quality settings, etc. on that page itself.
Backup Files
There are many options for backing up files on your Android phone. The most generally applicable method would be to just upload all your files to Google Drive. Of course, the next best thing would be to back up your data on your PC/Laptop. When they are all completely saved, you can access them from anywhere and from any device by simply logging in with your Google account (the one you signed in with on Google Drive for uploading the files). Let us see how you can store your files on Google Drive:
- If you do not have the Google Drive app installed on your phone, launch the Google Play Store, search for and install the Google Drive app.
- Once the app is downloaded, open it.
- Sign in to your Google account, which you would like to link you cloud data with.
- Tap on the plus (+) button from the lower right corner of your screen.
- Select the files you would like to upload/back up.
- Once you have successfully uploaded the files to Google Drive, you can access them from any device at any time by simply logging into the Google Drive website.
Other solutions by Google
Google Drive can store literally all your data, be it important work files, documents, power points, etc. It’s just that if you don’t organize your digital space on Google Drive well enough, everything will be just stuffed together. You can also use other backup solutions, but Google Drive is definitely one of the best free options for Android users. Another alternative solution to backing up your documents would be to upload them to Google Docs. Google Docs is also a free alternative to MS Word, but what’s more, is that you can edit and craft new documents and your work will constantly be saved. It also stores your (edited) documents on the cloud (provided you have signed in with a Google account)
Backup Contacts
If you haven’t already synced all your contacts to your Google account, you need to do this right now! Syncing your contacts to a Google account will allow you to transfer all of them in just a few taps when you get a new phone! Follow these steps to make sure none of your contacts are lost:
- Unlock your phone and launch the settings app.
- Scroll down till you find the “Accounts” option, tap on it once you do.
- Then, tap on Google.
- Select the Google account of your choice.
- Then, tap on the “Account sync” option.
- Here, you will be presented with a list of all the things/services which you can back up. Toggle on “Contacts” and other things that you would like to back up.
Backup App data
Did you know that you can back up your data present in apps (like settings, preferences, accounts, progress, etc.)? This will require you some effort as you will need to back up each app’s data one at a time. Unless they can be synced with Facebook/Google, in which case you just need to link them with your (respective) account or another way. Most apps can sync your app data or at least save your progress/work by simply linking it with an email. Rarely, though, you may find some troublesome apps whose data you can’t back up with this method. You will then have to reach out to its customer service/help center, look it up in the FAQs, or ask them about it.