Google Play services provides useful services to make your device more secure and reliable. Google Play services is different from the Google Play Store.
Learn more about Google Play services.
Google Play services for data backup and transfer lets you back up photos, messages, files, settings, and more to your Google Account. It works across all your devices so you can access your important data wherever you go.
You can also transfer data directly from your old to your new device with a cable or Wi-Fi connection to help you set up quickly and bring your data with you when you upgrade your device.
- You may get notifications from Google Play services to help you manage your backup or make sure your backup runs correctly.
- You may restore your backed-up data when you set up a new device. If you use your device for work, your organization may block you when you back up your work data.
Important: Some data backup and transfer functionality works only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check and update your Android version.
Manage your backup settings
To turn cloud backup on or off and manage backup settings:
- On your Android device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Google
Backup.
Once cloud backup is on, your device backs up automatically over Wi-Fi. You can also choose to back up with your mobile network in your backup settings. To back up instantly, select Back up now.
Restore your data
You can transfer your data from one device to another with a cable or Wi-Fi connection, or you can restore your data from a cloud backup.
How Google Play services for data backup & transfer handles your data
Permission use
Google Play services for data backup and transfer may collect and share certain information and use certain permissions to back up your data such as:
- Files & Media permission may be used to back up and restore files and media.
- SMS permission may be used to access, back up, and restore text messages.
- Phone permission may be used to keep your device up-to-date and send notifications.
Additional data collection
Backups are uploaded to Google servers and encrypted with your Google Account password. Google collects certain information to perform services on your device, such as:
- Messages, contacts, app settings, and preferences are collected as part of your personal backup.
- Personal identifiers are collected to make sure your backups are associated with you and your account.
- Crash logs and diagnostics are collected for analytics and troubleshooting purposes.
Any information that Google collects is handled in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy.