You can back up content, data and settings from your phone to your Google Account. You can restore your backed-up information to your new phone. Your photos, videos and contacts are synced to their respective services and are separate to device backups.
Automatically back up your device
Turn automatic backup on or offImportant: To help protect your backed-up data, use a PIN, pattern or password screen lock instead of a swipe or Smart Lock.
You can set up your device to automatically back up your files.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Google
All services.
- Under 'Backup and restore', tap Backup.
Tips:- If this is your first time, turn on Back up your device with Google One and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Select the data that you want to back up: Photos and videos, Device data or both.
- Turn Backup by Google One on or off.
All services.Your Google One backup can take up to 24 hours. When your data is saved, 'On' will be displayed below the data types that you selected.
Tips:
- To find out how long your phone backs up unlimited photos and videos at full original quality, see the tech specs or learn about upload sizes.
- Not all apps back up automatically. To find out about an app, learn how to contact its developer.
- Your device does not back up photos that are saved in locked folders.
You can check what data and which apps are included in your backup.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Google
- Under 'Backup and restore', tap Backup.
- Under 'Backup details', review what data is backed up on your device.
- Go to Google Drive.
- On the left, click Storage.
- Click Backups next to the
icon.
- You'll find a list of backups from devices and when it was last modified.
icon.- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap System
- Tap Account storage.
- Tap the Google Account that you want to use for backups. If the account that you want to use isn't there, tap Add account.
Erase after backing up
Get your data onto a new device
Important: Both devices must be on the same Android version or your new device must be on a later Android version. If your new device is on an older Android version than your previous device, it may result in an incomplete data transfer. Find out how to check and update your Android version.
- Turn on your new device, on the 'Welcome to your Pixel' screen, tap Get started.
- On the 'Set up using another device' screen, tap Pixel or Android device or iPhone or iPad.
- Select an option based on the previous device that you have.
- When you receive a prompt to scan the QR code, tap Skip.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Sign in to your Google Account with the same email that was connected to your previous device.
- On the 'Copy data from your Android device' screen, tap Next.
- Choose the backup that you'd like to restore onto your new device. To finish setup, follow the on-screen instructions.
- Turn on your new device.
- On the 'Welcome to your Pixel' screen, tap Get started.
- On the 'Set up using another device' screen, tap Pixel or Android device or iPhone or iPad.
- Select an option based on the previous device that you have.
- When you receive a prompt to scan the QR code, scan it with the camera on your old device.
- To finish setup, follow the on-screen instructions.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Back up or copy data
- Select the data that you want to transfer over. Learn how to transfer data from a cloud backup.
Tip: You need to use the same device that you previously used to transfer data.
To sync cloud data:
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Google
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Tip: The process can take up to 24 hours.