How to back up an Android phone to your Google Account

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open Settings, tap System, then Backup. Switch on the backup and tap Back up now. Photos are backed up separately in the Google Photos app.

A Google backup saves your apps and their data, call history, contacts, text messages and phone settings. If the phone is lost or replaced, you sign in on the new one and everything comes back.

Every Google Account has 15 GB of free storage, shared between backup, Gmail, Drive and Photos.

Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them, so the Samsung name is given where it differs. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. SettingsSecurity & privacyLocationPasswords & accountsGoogleSystemAbout phone

    Open Settings and tap System

    On some phones Backup is under Google instead. On Samsung, tap Accounts and backup.

  2. SystemLanguagesKeyboardGesturesDate & timeBackupSoftware updates

    Tap Backup

    The page shows the account the backup goes to and how much storage is left.

  3. BackupGoogle One backupBack up nowPhotos & videosAppsSMS & MMS messagesCall history

    Switch on the backup

    Turn on Backup by Google One, which newer versions simply call Backup. From now on the phone backs up by itself in the background, normally on Wi-Fi.

  4. BackupGoogle One backupBack up nowPhotos & videosAppsSMS & MMS messagesCall history

    Tap Back up now

    Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes. The list underneath shows when each part was last saved.

  5. BackupGoogle One backupBack up nowPhotos & videosAppsSMS & MMS messagesCall history

    Turn on photo backup

    Tap Photos & videos on the same page, or open Google Photos, tap your profile picture and switch on Backup. Photos usually need the most space.

Good to know

WhatsApp chats are not part of this backup. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings, Chats, Chat backup and back up to your Google Account there.

A backup that is not updated for 57 days is deleted by Google, so use the phone or back up by hand now and then.

Some apps choose not to back up their data. Banking and authenticator apps usually need to be set up again on a new phone.

In short: Settings, System, Backup, switch it on, Back up now. Then turn on backup in Google Photos.

Sources
  • Google Android Help: Back up or restore data on your Android device

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.