Back up and restore data on your Galaxy phone

Last Update date : Feb 22. 2024
Back up and restore data on your Galaxy phone

If you accidentally delete a file on your Galaxy phone or tablet, do not panic. When you back up and restore your content using the storage options on your Galaxy device, you will be able to download the file again. You can use a cloud service or a microSD card to back up pictures, videos, music, documents, and much more, so you will never have to worry.

Note: Information provided applies to devices sold in Canada. Available screens and settings may vary for smartphones sold in other countries. Samsung Cloud may not available on all Galaxy devices, and may not be supported in certain countries. If you're moving data to a new device, check out our guide to transferring data with Smart Switch.

Note: Individual files over 1 GB will not be uploaded.

Backing up your data is a little different than syncing. When you back up, you save files from a device to the cloud, so they can be redownloaded later. These files will not automatically appear on your other devices unless you manually restore them. Syncing, on the other hand, just adds updated information to a device.

Here are some apps on your phone or tablet that support the back up and restore feature:

  • Call logs: Call and message history.
  • Clock: Alarms, world clocks, and timers.
  • Apps: Installation files and app settings.
  • Calendar: Events and tasks saved on your phone or tablet.
  • Messages: Enhanced messages, multimedia messages, and text messages.
  • Contacts: Contacts, email addresses, and business cards saved on your phone, tablet, or USIM.
  • Home screen: Layout, wallpapers, and Samsung DeX settings (your default wallpapers will not be backed up).
  • Settings: Accessibility settings, ringtones, Samsung Keyboard options, Wi-Fi settings, and Always on Display settings (your default ringtone will not be backed up).

Make sure you do not lose that precious video of your baby's first steps. Back up your data, so you can relive your special moments.

Manual back up

1 From Settings, tap your name, and then tap Samsung Cloud.
2 Tap Back up data.
3 Select the data you would like to back up, and then tap Back up or Back up now.
Select the data you would like to back up, and then tap Back up or Back up now.

Note: For more information about the process, tap the More options icon (the three vertical dots), and then tap More information.

4 Tap Done when it is finished syncing.

Automatic back up

Your data can be backed up automatically once every 24 hours, as long as your phone or tablet is charging and connected to a Wi-Fi network. The screen also needs to be off for at least an hour. You can also customize what files are automatically backed up.

Note: Content will not automatically back up if the cloud storage is full.

1 From Settings, tap your name, and then tap Samsung Cloud.
2 Tap the More options icon (the three vertical dots), and then tap Settings.
3 Tap Sync and auto backup settings, and then tap the Auto back up tab.
Tap Sync and auto backup settings, and then tap the Auto back up tab.
4 Here, you can adjust which options get backed up automatically; tap the switch next to your desired apps.

Note: Enabling Auto back up also ensures that your Cloud storage account will be safe from accidental removals. Any accounts or categories such as contacts, calendars, photos, videos, keyboard data, etc. that are not used within a 12-month period could be subject to deletion.

Once everything is backed up on Samsung Cloud, restoring your data is simple. You can even transfer it to another device using the Restore feature by performing these steps on the new device.

1 From Settings, tap Accounts and backup, and then tap Restore data under "Samsung Cloud".
2 Select your desired device from the drop-down at the top, and then select the content you want to restore.
3 Next, tap Restore.
Next, tap Restore.
4 If needed, follow the on-screen instructions to download your backup data.

Note: You cannot use this method on a computer.

If you no longer want something on Samsung Cloud, you can delete it to save space.

1 From Settings, tap your name, and then tap Samsung Cloud.
2 Tap Delete backup, and then select the backup data you want to delete.
3 When you are done, tap Delete.
When you are done, tap Delete.
4 Then, tap Delete again to confirm.

Google is another great option to back up and restore your data. Your Google account can be used to sync data between multiple devices, just by logging in to the same account on every device.

Note: The Automatic restore option may not be available on all models.

1 Open Settings, and then tap Accounts and backup.
2 Tap Back up data under "Google Drive".
Tap Back up data under "Google Drive".
3 If prompted, sign in using your Google account credentials.
4 Tap Back up now.

Note: To restore your data, tap the switch next to "Automatic restore" under "Google account".

If you would rather use a method that does not require the internet, you can try using a microSD card. Simply insert one into your phone or tablet and then copy your files to the card with My Files, so they will be safe and sound.

Back up data with a microSD card

Restoring backed up files is as easy as backing them up and then copying them to the phone or tablet, or even copying them to another device.

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