How to use Google One to back up your Galaxy phone’s data

Last Update date : 24.01.2024

Backing up the data on your Galaxy phone can help preserve photos and videos of special life events as well as other important files like messages and call logs, which can be extremely useful if you need to perform a factory reset or if you choose to upgrade to a new Galaxy phone. Automatically backing up your data with Google One will help guard against losing what is important to you and can be set up in a few steps.

A person holding a Galaxy phone next to a laptop and syncing the phone to Google One.

Set up automatic data backup through Google One

If your data is not currently backed up on a regular basis, you risk losing important information if you must do a factory reset or if you get a new Galaxy phone and want to move all your data over. One popular way to automatically backup data is through Google One, and there are a few steps you need to take in order to set it to do so automatically.

Settings home screen Settings home screen

Step 1. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup.

Accounts and backup screen Accounts and backup screen

Step 2. Locate Google Drive > Select Back up data.

Screen to turn on Google Account storage to back up data Screen to turn on Google Account storage to back up data

Step 3. Select Turn on.

Backup data screen Backup data screen

Step 4. Select Back up now.

Notes:

  • The data that is backed up includes: photos, videos, apps, app data, contacts, call history, MMS messages, and device settings.
  • Once set, your Galaxy phone will automatically back up when it is connected to Wi-Fi after being idle and charging for two hours.
  • Be aware that your backed up data (excluding items backed up to Google Photos) will be deleted if your Galaxy phone has been idle for 57 days or you turn the back up feature off.

Restore data from Google One to your Galaxy phone

If you have performed a factory reset or if you are setting up a new phone, you can restore backed up data during the initial setup phase of your Galaxy phone by using Google One.

Note: Data restoration may vary based on your Galaxy phone and Android version. Files backed up on a newer version of the phone cannot be restored on an earlier version.

Copy apps and data screen Copy apps and data screen

Step 1. Follow on screen instructions until you reach the Copy apps and data screen > Tap Next.

Screen giving the option to use your old device for data restoration Screen giving the option to use your old device for data restoration

Step 2. Select Can’t use old device.

Google account sign in Google account sign in

Step 3. Sign into the same Google account used to back up your phone.

List of available backups to use for data restoration List of available backups to use for data restoration

Step 4. Select the last available backup > follow the on screen instructions.

Choose what to restore screen Choose what to restore screen

Step 5. Select which apps to restore, or select the All apps box > tap Restore. Follow on screen instructions to proceed to the next step.

Review additional apps screen Review additional apps screen

Step 6. Select which additional apps you wish to include, or select the All of the following apps box > tap OK.

Restore your data from Samsung Cloud screen Restore your data from Samsung Cloud screen

Step 7. On the Samsung Account screen, select Sign in with Google > Select Skip > Follow on screen instructions.

You’re all set up screen You’re all set up screen

Step 8. Tap Finish to continue to your Galaxy phone’s home screen.

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