To set up an Android backup to Google Drive, open Settings > Google > Backup (on some phones Settings > System > Backup) and turn on Backup by Google One. It then saves your apps, contacts, call history, settings and more to your Google account, so a lost or broken phone doesn’t mean lost data.
This guide covers the Google option only. For the bigger picture (computer backups, WhatsApp, which method to use), see how to back up your phone.
Turn on Backup by Google One
- Open Settings and search for “Backup”.
- Pick Backup by Google One (older phones say “Back up to Google Drive”).
- Check the right Google account is shown. Use the Gmail you’ll remember on a new phone.
- Turn the backup on, then tap Back up now for the first run.
- Leave the phone on Wi-Fi and charging. The first backup can take a while.
Saving bundles: by default it backs up on Wi-Fi. There’s an option to use mobile data, but leave it off unless you have plenty of Safaricom or Airtel data to spare.
What gets backed up (and what does not)
| Backed up | Not backed up |
|---|---|
| Apps list and most app data | Some apps that opt out (check with the app) |
| Contacts saved to Google | Contacts saved only on the SIM or phone |
| Call history, device settings | Photos in a Locked Folder |
| Messages (most phones) | WhatsApp chats (use WhatsApp’s own backup) |
| Photos and videos, via Google Photos | Files in Downloads and other folders |
Contacts tip: to back up numbers on Google, open Contacts and check each one is saved to your Google account, not “Phone” or “SIM”. Move them across if needed.
Photos tip: photos go to Google Photos, which has its own “Backup” switch. Make sure it’s on.
On Samsung or Xiaomi phones the brand’s own cloud may also appear. See back up a Samsung phone and back up a Xiaomi or Redmi phone.
Check storage use
Every Google account gets 15 GB free, shared between Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. Phone backups themselves are usually small; photos and videos fill the space.
- Open the Google One app (or Google Drive > Storage) to see what’s using space.
- Delete large videos you’ve saved elsewhere, and clear old Gmail attachments.
- If you still run out, a paid Google One plan adds more. Prices show in KES in the app.
Backups expire: if a phone isn’t used for 57 days, Google deletes its device backup (Google Photos is kept). Back up again soon before switching phones.
Restore on a new phone
- Start the new phone and connect to Wi-Fi.
- When asked to copy apps and data, choose to restore from a Google backup.
- Sign in with the same Google account and pick the backup from your old phone.
- Choose what to restore, then let it finish. Apps download in the background.
Restore only appears during setup or after a factory reset. You also can’t restore a backup made on a newer Android version onto a phone with an older one.
Quick answers
Go to Settings > Google > Backup, turn on Backup by Google One and tap Back up now while on Wi-Fi.
Apps and app data, contacts, call history, settings and, on most phones, messages. Photos are covered by Google Photos; WhatsApp chats need WhatsApp’s own backup.
15 GB per account, shared between Gmail, Drive and Photos.
