Google takes measures to protect user data, but the company is not infallible. You could lose it all to accidental deletion, account issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. It's up to you to take responsibility for your account's security and use best practices, such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA), and, more importantly, backups.

Android tablets and smartphones back up app data, device settings, call history, and text messages to the cloud. Google Takeout is a broader tool for exporting Google account information beyond device-specific data and a way to save data locally. Here's how to use both methods to safeguard your account.

Make sure you have enough Google Drive storage

Check that you have enough space to accommodate the data you intend to back up. You'll prevent incomplete and corrupted backups this way. Typically, you receive 15GB of free storage space for Google apps when you create a new Google account.

You'll share this space across Google Drive, Photos, and Gmail for no cost. It's enough for casual and light use. Long-term users, students, and professionals often need more.

Since Google Drive holds all your files and uploads, it can run out of space quickly without an upgrade. Google One manages the backup process on your phone or tablet and offers different storage plans when you run out of space.

How to back up your Google account on Android devices

Modern Android phones and tablets back up data automatically to Google Drive. Double-check the details in the settings menu in case you need to do it manually. The specific data may vary depending on your device's manufacturer and Android version.

Your backup includes contact details, call histories, SMS and MMS messages, along with a variety of pictures and videos. It also keeps device settings, like Wi-Fi networks, passwords, display preferences, input settings, and more. Here's how to back them up on your phone:

  1. Open your device's Settings menu.
  2. Go to Google > Backup. The Backup by Google One toggle is on by default. If it isn't, turn it on and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Your Google account appears below the toggle, along with your device's name and the last time your device performed a Google backup. The menu also lists app, call history, and other backup details.

If you are an infrequent user or switch between phones regularly, enter the menu weekly and tap Back up now. It guarantees that your account's most recent data is safe.

Google deletes your backups if you don't use your device for 57 days. You'll also lose them if you turn off the Backup by Google One button.

How to back up your Google account data with Google Takeout

Google Takeout lets you download a copy of your data from various Google services and store it locally in ZIP format. It isn't primarily for performing backups. It's for data portability and migration to other services. Consider it if you want to transfer your data to external hard drives, a different cloud storage service, or a folder on your computer.

Unlike most Google services, Takeout doesn't have a dedicated app. You'll access it with a web browser on a computer or mobile device. Here's how:

  1. From your browser, sign in or switch to the Google account whose data you want to back up.
  2. Visit myaccount.google.com.
  3. Select Data & privacy from the left sidebar.
  4. Scroll down until you see the Download or delete your data section. Select Download your data under it to enter the Google Takeout menu.
    Selecting Download your data option in Google Data and privacy menu online
  5. In the menu, you'll see every Google service you've used. We recommend keeping every selection, but you can review only the necessary items.
  6. Click Next step when you're done.
    Google Takeout menu
  7. Select where to transfer your data. For example, Google Drive, email, OneDrive, and more. Email is optimal as it allows you to download the entire backup to your computer or external hard drive. Add to Drive copies the account backup to Drive, consuming a large amount of your cloud storage space.
  8. Choose whether to export once or every two months for one year.
  9. Pick a file type and the maximum size. We recommend the ZIP format because it's universally accepted. If your data exceeds the chosen size, Takeout splits it into multiple files during export.
  10. Click Create export to proceed.
    Choosing file type frequency and destination in Google Takeout menu
  11. Google Takeout processes a copy of your account data. It may take hours or days, depending on the size. You'll receive an email notification when your data is ready.
    Copy of Google Takeout account data sent to user via email

Your exported data is available for download for seven days. After this period, it expires, and you must request another copy. Also, each copy has a download limit of five times. Request another one if you require additional downloads.

Protect your Google account from the unexpected

Your Google account contains personal information and links to various online services. You'll want to be proactive in securing it. A multi-tiered backup strategy, both local and remote, actively shields your data from threats. But it's enough to spread out your data. You'll also want to update the operating systems, applications, and devices hosting it to the latest security patches and versions. This way, you leave little or no room for malicious entities to exploit their vulnerabilities.