How to Back Up Your Android Phone (2026)

Here, I'll show you how to back up your Android phone in a few ways, so pick the one that appeals.

We have separate guides on how to back up your iPhone and how to back up your computer .

Updated March 2026: I've updated the steps for backing up with Google and information on Google’s subscriptions, added new sections on 2FA codes and passkeys, local backup options, and backing up within apps, and verified the existing steps outlined.

The simplest and easiest backup option is Google’s cloud service , which is built into Android.

These screenshots are from the process on a Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Your precise route may differ slightly, depending on your phone model.

Managing Backups and Extra Storage
You can find your backups in the Google One app by tapping the Backup section.

You might not want to pay for extra space, so let’s look at how to back up files directly to your computer before I dip into alternative backup services.

It is easy to back up files from your Android phone on a Windows PC.

Here’s how:
If you want something like iTunes to manage this process or an app to manage a wireless backup from phone to PC, then you can find various premium options online, though I don’t recommend any of them.

If you're trying to send files from your Android phone to a PC, try using Microsoft’s free Link to Windows app .

Backing up files from your Android phone on a Mac is also pretty straightforward.

Here’s how:
There are some premium apps for MacOS that offer more of an iTunes-like experience, but nothing that I vouch for.

Here is how to back up files from your Android phone on a Chromebook:
Backing Up to Another Cloud Service
Maybe you have run out of Google storage, or you prefer another cloud service.

There are Android apps for Dropbox , Microsoft’s OneDrive , MEGA , Box , and others.

Most of them offer some cloud storage for free, but what you can back up and how you do it differs from app to app.

We looked at how to back up mobile photos on a few of these before, and you can usually set up the process to be automatic, though other files often have to be backed up manually.

If you want to automatically sync photos and other files across devices using one of these services, then check out the Autosync app .

There are specific versions for Dropbox , OneDrive , MEGA , and Box .

Whatever service you choose, make sure to keep your cloud storage safe and secure .

Maybe you’d prefer not to use the cloud or Google’s services for your backup.

You can always use the methods listed above for Windows or Mac to download files, then manually move them onto a portable hard drive or USB flash drive , but that’s quite a lot of work.

Messaging apps, and a handful of other apps, have their own backup systems built in.

I’ll give you a couple of examples here, but check up on your favorites.

If you have a Samsung phone , then you have additional backup options.

We recommend sticking with Google, because Samsung backups can be restored only to Samsung phones, but if you want a second backup or you plan to stick with Samsung, here’s how to use Samsung’s cloud service:
Samsung also offers an option called Temporary Cloud Backup.

Available on Galaxy S and Z series phones running One UI 6 or later, this free service stores your backup in the cloud for up to 30 days, so you can potentially back up and then sell or trade in your old phone and restore the backup as part of the setup of your new Samsung phone.

There is no total storage limit, though file sizes max out at 100 GB.

Here’s how to use it:
Samsung also offers Smart Switch , an app that lets you back up your smartphone to a Windows or Mac computer.

It makes it easy for anyone switching to a Samsung phone to copy over all their data.

Sadly, although Smart Switch backups can be made from most smartphones, they can only be restored to Samsung phones.

Don’t Forget 2FA Codes and Passkeys
What happens if you lose your phone or it is stolen and you have two-factor authentication (2FA) set up on your Google account?

There’s a danger you could be locked out.

That’s why Google allows you to generate backup codes .

Just be careful that you store them safely.

It’s also a good idea to have more than one trusted device .

Google Authenticator now has an encrypted cloud sync feature.

You’ll be prompted to set it up if you update the app and open it, but you can check by tapping your profile picture at the top right.

You’ll see a cloud icon with a tick when you’re backed up.

For passkeys, which are often stored locally on the device, you might consider backing up in more than one place.

They are automatically backed up in your Google account, but you could also use one of the best cross-platform password managers , like Bitwarden , or a physical device, like YubiKey ($58) .