How to Back Up Your Android Device Before an Upgrade

Secure your data before upgrading your Android phone. Follow these exact steps to ensure your photos, contacts, and app data are fully backed up.

Initiate a Google One backup. Open the Settings app on your device. Navigate to Google, select Backup, and ensure 'Backup by Google One' is toggled to the On position. Tap 'Back up now' to trigger an immediate cloud sync of your contacts, SMS, device settings, and call history.
Confirm Google Photos cloud upload. Open the Google Photos app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Ensure 'Backup' is active and the status indicates 'Backup complete.' If uploads are pending, keep the app open until the progress bar reaches the end.
Synchronize your Google account data. Go to Settings, select Passwords & accounts, and tap your Google account. Select 'Account sync' and toggle all available switches to the On position. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select 'Sync now' to force an update for contacts, calendar, and Drive documents.
Export localized messaging databases. For encrypted apps like WhatsApp, open the app, go to Settings, select Chats, and tap 'Chat backup.' Tap 'Back up' to push your chat history and media to your linked Google Drive account. Ensure the 'Include videos' toggle is set to your preference.
Extract local files manually. Connect your Android device to a computer via a USB-C cable. Select 'File Transfer' mode on your phone when prompted in the notification shade. Navigate to the internal storage on your computer and copy critical folders like 'DCIM', 'Download', and 'Documents' to your local hard drive.
Verify two-factor authentication recovery. Ensure you have printed or saved your 2FA backup codes for your banking and email applications. Many authenticator apps, such as Google Authenticator, require you to export accounts to a new device via a QR code. Use the 'Transfer accounts' feature within your authenticator app settings to prepare for the switch.