Table of Contents
In recent articles we have talked about the importance of making backup copies on our mobiles in order to protect the information we store in them, since sometimes, due to the action of a virus, malicious users, failures in the operating system, or simply by accident or carelessness, the content of our equipment may be damaged or even disappear. Thanks to the backups -or backups in English- we will be able to recover the original information.
To carry out a backup, you do not need advanced knowledge of this world, far from it. Next, we will explain how to make backups on Android phones. The Android operating system is currently installed on more than 90% of Spanish smart phones.
Backup of our data
Several copies must be made of backup copies, because on our device we store different types of content: installed applications, passwords, images, videos, games, etc. We will start by explaining how to make a copy of the most basic terminal data, such as installed applications, stored passwords and various other settings. To know if we have this possibility activated we will have to go to Settings -> Backup and Reset ; from here we will check 4 options:
– Data backup:
Activating this will make a frequent copy or with each change we make on our mobile, as well as WiFi passwords and applications.
– Backup account:
It tells us under which account the backups are being made. By putting this same account in another terminal, the device will restore our saved data.
– Automatic restoration:
Activating this will save all the changes we make, such as uninstalling, installing or updating applications.
– Factory data reset:
Clicking this will delete all data on the phone.
Synchronization with Google
In this way we will already have a generic backup on the configuration and settings in our terminal, which , attention, does not include content such as calendar, email, contacts, documents, photos, videos or information of people . If we want it to be constantly synchronizing and saving a backup of this data, we can access our account from Settings -> Accounts -> Google , and choose our account. Then a list will appear where we can select which services we want to synchronize.
The elements that we can synchronize, that is to say have the same data on our mobile equipment and those that are stored in “the cloud” through the different Google services . Pay attention that the options Synchronize Calendar, Synchronize Contacts, Synchronize Application Data are selected. If we use the mail services and file storage in the cloud through Google, we must check to also synchronize Gmail and Drive.
On this page we also find the possibility of synchronizing a wide range of services such as Google Play Books, Google Play Kiosk, Google Play Movies, Google+ or Picasa Web Albums. If we are users of these services, it is not a bad idea to activate synchronization.
With this second synchronization adjustment we only need to prepare the backup of our photos and videos to have the complete backup system of our Android.
Backup of photos and videos
The aforementioned is used for all types of data on our device except for our photos and videos. To activate a backup for this type of data, we will have to go to Settings -> Accounts -> Google -> Google+ -> Automatic Backup . Once here we will find the option to make a backup. However, before carrying it out, it is preferable to review the configuration of the copy itself:
– Backup storage
In “Photo size” we will have two options: Full size, in which the photos will be automatically uploaded in their real size without modifying or shortening and will be posted in our storage space of our Google account, or Standard size, which will be uploaded in a maximum size of 2048 pixels and that will not be counted in our storage space, so the space for this type of photos is unlimited.
– Backup settings
This section is where we can select how and when we want to make the copies. In case of having a limited data rate, it is most useful to make the copies “only when there is a WiFi connection available”.
In addition, if we do not usually have excess battery, we can check that the backup is made only when the mobile is plugged in, despite the fact that this function is not valid if the charge is being carried out by USB with a computer.
Games backup
The Android operating system also allows us to back up our games under the name of Cloud Save. Through synchronization, we can load the state in which we have left a game regardless of the device if we enter with our account.
This is a novelty, and for this reason there are few games that include this function. In addition, one of the advantages is the fact of being cross-platform, that is, if the game is also and allows it, if we stop playing on a phone and want to continue on an iPad, a PC or a Mac (with a different operating system, iOS), the game will continue where we left it on the phone.
