A significant portion of the data on your phone or Android tablet automatically saved by Google (or individual applications) as a backup. But what about the security issue in this case?
In this article, we want to explain which data is copied automatically and which is not, so that you can be confident about its confidentiality, and also decide which data to “back up” yourself.
What Google Copies Automatically
Google has a feature built into Android called Android Backup Service. By default, this service backs up most types of important data and associates it with the corresponding Google service, which is accessible over the Internet. You can view your sync settings by going to Settings > Accounts > Google and then selecting your Gmail address.
Contacts, e-mail, documents and calendars. Your Android device's contacts sync with your Google contacts on the web, and you can access them from Gmail or special page. Also, your mail is stored securely in your Gmail account, and calendar events are synced with Google Calendar.
Some system settings. Android also syncs, for example, saved passwords for Wi-Fi networks so you can use them on any device with your account. In addition, the system can backup some display settings, such as brightness and screen timeout.
Chrome browser data. If you are using Chrome browser– your bookmarks are synchronized so that you can work with them, for example, on your home computer.
Hangouts chats. Hangouts chats are also stored in your Gmail account unless you have disabled this in your settings.
Applications and other purchased content. All installed applications linked to your Google account. When you connect a new Android device to your account (or restore your old one after a factory reset), Android will automatically offer to download the apps you previously used. The same applies to other content from Google Play.
Some third party application data. Third-party applications often (but not always) synchronize their data with web services. If you have an application containing data that is important to you, it is advisable to check whether it has synchronization for backup.
Smart Lock Data. If you use Chrome on your computer and have Smart Lock enabled, your saved passwords will sync not only from Chrome to mobile devices, but also with some applications. For example, if your Netflix password is saved in Smart Lock, it will be automatically available in the application on your Android devices.
Photos. If you use Google Photos, you can also back up your photos to Google's servers. Unlike most of the other features on this list, this option must be enabled by you. Also, on Android Nougat, in the menu " Backup and reset” also has a photo backup function.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it's probably clear what Android syncs automatically.
What Google doesn't backup
Now let's look at what Google doesn't automatically sync with your account.
SMS messages. Android doesn't back up text messages by default. If necessary, this can be configured using some applications.
Google Authenticator data. For security reasons, Google does not sync your Google Authenticator codes. If you reset your Android device to factory settings, you may lose the ability to perform two-factor authentication (although you will still be able to authenticate via SMS).
User settings, Bluetooth pairings and security data. When you reset or change devices, you will have to reconnect all your Bluetooth accessories. You will also need to set up your device again and set up security settings (such as an unlock password and fingerprints).
The issue of synchronizing individual elements
There are things that can be backed up depending on other variables. Let's take a closer look.
Game progress. Backup service copy Android allows game and application developers to create backup copies of data to restore them in the future. However, not all developers implement this feature, so achievements in some games may be lost.
Application data. The situation is about the same as with games. Many apps don't create backups (for example, a copy of alarms in the clock app), but some third party applications such a feature may be supported.
Again, if there is something important that you want to save in your applications, check the settings or functionality of the application to determine how and where it creates a backup copy, if at all?
Full device backup
Basically, automatic copying is enough to avoid losing important data. But if you want to make a full backup manually, this function is provided in the settings.
To summarize, Android already supports backup of important data by default, and users should set up photo backup. Advanced users can perform a full backup through the settings, but most people are unlikely to need this.
It is a well-known fact: in order to implement a truly reliable backup strategy, it is necessary in one way or another to ensure extraterritorial storage of backup copies. Indeed, separate backup disk can help in case of damage to the main media, but in the event of theft, fire or other natural disaster, it can just as easily be lost.
Until recently, remote storage of backups required significant additional effort and/or was associated with significant additional costs, so it was used when backing up only critical data. However, recently the situation has changed due to the massive emergence of various cloud storages.
Now remote backup is available to everyone at minimal or no cost. Typical cloud storage provides the user with 5-15 GB of disk space free of charge, which may be enough to back up important data. If the free volume is not enough, you can rent additional volume for little money. For example, Google Drive offers to rent 100 GB for $2 per month, and 1 TB for $10 per month.
The backup process itself can be carried out using special programs that provide cloud services. This is the simplest method, but it is not without a number of disadvantages. Firstly, since the main purpose cloud services– this is file synchronization between devices, the client program strives to transfer changed files to the server as soon as possible. For backup purposes, this behavior is not entirely justified and leads to excessive load on the Internet channel. It is much more correct to make backup copies of changed files at a specified frequency, for example, once at night. Secondly, and this is the main problem, files are copied to the cloud as is, without explicit encryption, and therefore there is always a risk of unauthorized access to them by third parties. For many people, this situation is fundamentally unacceptable. In addition, usually cloud storage programs require that all synchronized data be in one root folder (or its subfolders), which is actually synchronized with the cloud. This is often inconvenient for the user, since they have to change the usual storage locations for work files.
Therefore, we suggest using special program @MAX SyncUp, which will allow you to avoid the problems described above. You will be able to back up to Google Drive or to any cloud storage that supports access via the protocol WebDAV(For example, Box.com , OpenDrive.com , Disk.Yandex.com etc.), and you do not need to install native client programs for these services.
You don't use Google Drive? Great! Get yourself one account Google and use storage Google Drive for secure free backup. If you are already using Google Drive, then you can create another account for backup purposes, or in your main account, select a folder for backups, for which you can prohibit synchronization by the standard client.
Here's a brief summary of how the proposed backup mode works. When you first launch it, an encrypted archive (either native format or standard Zip) is created in the cloud storage, which contains all the files that you have selected for backup. This is the so-called full backup. It can be created once or re-created at specified intervals.
With each subsequent launch, an encrypted archive is created in the cloud storage, which contains all the files that have changed since the previous launch. These are so-called incremental backups, which are stored for a certain (configurable) period of time and are deleted after its expiration. The program allows you to transparently restore the latest versions of files or versions of files as of a specific date within the storage period of incremental backups.
The backup process starts according to the schedule you specify. This way, you can set the most convenient time for backups and control the frequency of backups. Due to the fact that the archives hosted in the cloud are encrypted, you can be sure that your data will not leak to third parties. And, of course, you can configure the backup of any of your folders and files, regardless of their location.
Phone failure, mechanical damage, the system does not start, the smartphone fell into the water and stopped working... this happens and sometimes has significant consequences. In the worst case scenario, you need to replace your phone with a new one, or you may need to restore your Android to factory settings.
The problem, however, is that for many people, exchanging a phone for another is not as bad as losing data. Fortunately, you can save data to some extent here.
Android is by far the most popular mobile system, which already has certain functions that allow you to back up your data. This has one huge advantage - the Google account is universal. In other words, we can make a copy of the main data and restore it on a completely different Android phone. For example, if we made a "backup" to Huawei smartphone, most of the data can be recovered to Samsung smartphone, Xiaomi, Sony or LG.
Secondly, data syncing on Android can work automatically if we allow it. This way she will remember how to make a copy. Thirdly, the backup options in Android are very easy to use - even beginners can handle it.
Naturally, when you first set up your Android smartphone, you must be signed in to your Google account. If we don’t have one, then you can create an account directly from your phone or on your computer.
To make a copy and synchronize data to Android system, you need to go to system settings. The location where this option is located may vary depending on the version of the system and the interface used (graphical shell), but synchronization is usually located in the “Accounts” or “Users and Accounts” menu, and may also be located in the “Accounts” menu.
Go to the menu and select Google account:
Now we see a whole long list of things that we can sync. The very concept of synchronization means that this data will be sent to the so-called cloud, that is, to a disk located on Google servers. They will also be available on other devices where we are signed in to the same Google account.
However, in practice, syncing also means backing up your data. They are stored by Google and can be restored on the same or another phone (it is important that the account remains the same).
Do I need to enable all these options? Probably not. First, you should review them and select only those whose copies you really need. First of all, it is important to sync Contacts, Calendar, Drive, Gmail, Keep Notes and Chrome.
If you enter “recovery” in the Settings menu at the top of the search bar, you may find an option such as Backup and restore. This function Usually located in the advanced settings section of the Backup & Reset menu.
At this stage, it is certainly worth activating the “Make a backup copy” and “Auto-recovery” option. IN Google result will send copies of settings such as: Wi-Fi, call history (outgoing and incoming), as well as application and data settings and even Android wallpaper. The apps themselves will also be remembered by Google and can be restored to the new phone. In addition, you can synchronize text messages via SMS, but not via MMS.
It's also worth remembering that backing up large files, such as videos, photos, or other files not included in the default sync, can sometimes be done manually. On the one hand, the easiest way is to simply connect your smartphone to your computer and “move” files via USB. On the other hand, if we want to keep them online in a specific location that we have easy access to, then we can use Google Drive cloud storage.
By saving files not on your computer’s hard drive, but in the clouds, you can save a decent amount of disk space, and also protect yourself from data loss due to: inattention when working with files, data theft, virus infections, or hard drive failure.
Key benefits of creating a backup to Google Drive:
- this is one of the most popular cloud storage services in the world;
- allows you to store 15 GB of information for free;
- maximum file size 5 TB;
- quick and easy access to archive files from anywhere in the world.
How to set up backup to Google Drive in Effector Saver
To create an automatic backup task to Google Drive, use the instructions below.
Adding a new backup task
Open the program. Add a task, menu "Tasks" - "Add task".
Select the backup task type.
Setting up a task, “Files” tab
In accordance with the selected task type, fill in the basic parameters. Select the data you want to save with this task.
Archive Storage tab
On the tab "Archive storage", indicate where the created backups should be stored, for this:
1. Add archive storage
Click on the button - add.
2. Select Google Drive storage
If the required Google Drive backup storage exists, you can reuse it. In the window that opens, select Google Drive storage from the list and click "OK".
If this is your first time setting up archive storage or you need to create a new storage in Google Drive, then in the window that opens, click "Create a new storage". Select Google Drive from the drop-down list as your backup storage location.
3. Log in to Google Drive
In the window that opens, click on the button "Authorization".
A built-in browser window will open in which you will need to enter your Google Drive login information.
Sign in to your account and allow Effector Saver to work with Google Drive storage.
4. Select the folder where your backup will be stored
After granting rights to work with the storage, select the folder where your backup will be stored.
You can leave the field "Folder" empty, so the archives will be stored in the root of the disk.
You can change the destination and store archives in a separate folder by clicking the button.
Select a folder to store archives in Google Drive and click .
If this folder does not exist, create it. Click .
In the window that opens, enter the folder name, click "OK".
Click .
Now Effector Saver will use this folder as storage for the created task.
5. Perform a connection test
To check your connection to Google Drive, click the button "Test". Afterwards, we will see a window with the result of the check and with the ability, if necessary, to open the connection log.
Further steps to create a task do not depend in any way on using Google Drive.
Let's return to the process of creating a backup task.
6. Configure the backup storage option
Set the flag "Automatically delete outdated backups" and fill in the parameter "Keep number of copies", press "OK".
Autorun Schedule tab
On the tab "Autorun schedule" you can set the task running time.
Set the flag "Run on schedule". This parameter allows you to enable/disable the task to be executed.
In the field "Periodicity:", select the time interval you need and fill in the parameter "Start Time:". Click the button "Save".
The task of backing up data to Google Drive is completely ready to go and will be executed every time at the appointed time.
Use Effector Saver and automatically place backups of your documents, photos, and other important data on Google Drive - one of the most popular and reliable cloud storage services.
Authorizing an application in user mode
And follow step by step instructions masters
Step 1: Receive a verification code
Click "Get verification code" and the cloud storage authorization server page will be opened in the default browser.
Allow Effector Saver to access your cloud storage data, after which you will be redirected to a page with a “verification code”.
*Note: If you have problems navigating to the page in your default browser, copy the address and open it in another browser, and if necessary, on another computer.
Step 2: Enter the verification code
Enter or copy and paste the “verification code” you received in step 1 below.
Click "OK" to begin the authorization procedure.
Rights to work with the repository have been granted.
First you need to understand what backup is?
Backup is directly copying some specific information, some data on a medium, be it a program or a hard drive.
There are different types of backups:
There are many other types, but it is the above types that are most often used in the “native” filling of programs and systems. Other copying methods can only be obtained with the installation of additional utilities and programs. But this is no longer in our case - we will not need them.
Purpose and reasons for using backup
The common reason for backup is the ability to quickly and easily restore information (documents, programs, settings, etc.) if information is lost for any reason.
The reasons can be completely different:
- Malicious programs (viruses, computer worms (these are viruses, not creatures), Trojan horses);
- Human factor;
- Natural and man-made disasters;
- And many other reasons that can damage information and its media.
There are a number of reasons for a backup:
- Transferring bookmarks to another computer;
- Reinstalling the operating system;
- Transferring bookmarks to another browser;
- Updating your hardware so you don't have to start looking for passwords and bookmarks in your browser all over again.
We make a copy of browser information on your computer without third-party programs
Backup procedure:
It is important that Google Chrome must be closed when performing the steps above!
- If everything is done correctly, when opening Chrome, we will be able to see all the transferred bookmarks, passwords, etc. In order to view whether passwords are saved or not, you need to go to settings, then additional settings, managing saved passwords and on sites that interest you, click “Show”. You will see all the passwords you need and what sites they were on.
Google Chrome Backup utility and its benefits
This utility is an official product of Google Chrome and is available for free download from the official website of the browser. Google Chrome Backup is alternative way backup data from Google Chrome.
We won’t describe how to work with it, because the interface is clear and any actions can be done in two or three clicks. The picture shows the possibilities of working with one of the profiles.
The principle of its operation is based on the type of personal assistant that complements backups in just three clicks, or manually, when the user himself selects what he needs for backup. Backup is very useful feature, which will save the web pages you need.
