How to Back Up Samsung Phones in 4 Easy Steps (With Photos)

The Android operating system has all kinds of nifty tricks built in to make life easier for users. That includes the ability to quickly back up and restore data if you’re switching smartphones or need to perform a factory reset. If you have a Samsung device, our guide will show you how to back up Samsung phones using the company’s application. We’re also going to touch on a few alternative methods if you don’t want to rely on Samsung and the cloud.

How to Back Up Samsung Phones

Samsung, like other manufacturers, puts its own twist on Android with its UI. That means there are settings and features that can vary somewhat depending on your region or the carrier you’re using. Verizon is a good example, as you won’t be able to find Samsung Cloud on their devices.

While this method will work on most Samsung phones, our alternate methods will cover the rest. It’s also important to note that Samsung’s Backup and Restore feature doesn’t include everything on your device. Make sure your smartphone has a full charge before beginning this process.

1. Samsung Settings

There are several ways to find Samsung’s backup function. You can use the search bar on your device or go to Settings and scroll until you see a section called Accounts and Backup.

2. Select a Cloud

From this screen, you have access to Smart Switch, or you can choose a cloud service where you’ll back up your files and information. If Samsung Cloud is unavailable, then Google Drive is an excellent alternative.

3. Make Selections

Once you’re into Samsung’s Cloud system, you’ll have the opportunity to select what type of data you want to back up. In this case, you can choose from Call Logs, Messages, Contacts, Calendars, Clock, Home Screen, Apps, and Settings.

4. Back Up Your Data

After you make your selections, choose “Back up now,” then a new screen will appear showing the progress of your backup. The time varies depending on how much data you want to move, and you’ll receive a message telling you when it’s been completed successfully.

The method to back up data using Google Cloud is similar and allows you to save the same types of data from device logs to app data and contacts. 15GB of cloud storage is included with your Google Account, but when you need to move a lot of files or other types of data, there are better alternatives to the cloud.

Other Ways to Back Up Samsung Smartphones

What type of data or information do you need to back up? That’s the first question you need to ask along with how often you plan to access the data. If it’s something you need to store indefinitely but will rarely access, an external hard drive is an excellent choice.

You can quickly back up data to an external drive with a USB-C cable, and won’t need to rely on the cloud to keep your personal data safe. MicroSD cards are another fantastic option, although they are easier to misplace than an external drive.

You can use Samsung’s My Files app to transfer files to your SD card, but there are a variety of third-party options on Google Play as well. One of the best is called Google One, an app that can automatically back up your phone using the cloud.

Dropbox is another cloud-based service that’s ideal for file storage. It works seamlessly with Android smartphones and tablets, but lets you grab anything you store with a link from your PC or other devices. It may be overkill for backing up contacts or text messages, however.

If you just want to keep things simple, you can also transfer files from Android to PCs using a USB cable to back up Samsung smartphones. This is a process most people will be familiar with, and something anyone can do with a standard cable, smartphone, and a bit of free time.

The Wrap-Up

There’s no worse feeling than losing a phone number from your contacts list or photos from a night out on the town. Backing up your smartphone data prevents this from happening, and it’s never been easier thanks to tools from Samsung and Google. If you want to move data using wirelessly to your PC or with a USB cable, this guide will walk you through the process.