A reliable phone backup reduces the impact of theft, damage or loss. Learn what to back up, how often and how to test recovery.
Decide what matters most
List irreplaceable photos, documents, contacts and account recovery data.
Use automatic backups
Enable trusted cloud or computer backups where appropriate.
Keep a second copy
Important files may deserve a second independent backup.
Protect the backup account
Use a strong password and multi-factor authentication.
Test restoration
A backup is useful only if it can be restored.
Do not store every recovery secret on the same phone
Keep critical recovery information separately.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I back up my phone?
Important data should be backed up regularly and automatically where possible.
Is cloud backup enough?
For irreplaceable data, consider an additional independent copy.
Should I test recovery?
Yes.
What should I back up?
Photos, contacts, documents, authenticator recovery information and important app data.
Can backup help recover the physical phone?
No, but it reduces data loss.