Data Backup Digest

Despite the popularity of Android, and its presence on devices from lots of manufacturers, there’s still not a unified backup and restore solution. Whereas users of iPhones can be safe in the comfort that all their data is floating in the Apple ecosystem (for better or worse), those on Android usually have to split their data amongst different services, some of which are automated, others manual.

If you own a Samsung device, you’re in a better position. Despite being built on Android, Samsung heavily layer their own customisations on top. This includes not only the design, but also the functionality and apps too. While you can easily download Google’s own camera, gallery, calculator, or whatever, the Samsung apps come with your phone; and you can bet your bottom dollar that people won’t replace them, especially since they function so well.

This also extends to storage and backup with a service called Samsung Cloud. This is a service that allows you to backup the data from your phone in Samsung’s servers. Not only does it capture data generated on the phone itself, like your contacts, but it can also store data from elsewhere like documents or emails.

The servers used for Samsung Cloud are the same ones used for Samsung SDS, a subsidiary of Samsung that consults, outsources, researches, and develops a range of things within the IT sphere. There are rumours that Samsung might start outsourcing the storage to Microsoft, but this hasn’t come to fruition yet.

When you buy a new Samsung phone, you generally get 15GB of free storage on Samsung Cloud, though that exact amount might depend on your network. Any data created by the Samsung apps, such as the calendar, doesn’t count towards this data limit.

You can automatically sync from a range of apps like Samsung Internet, Notes, Gallery, and Reminder. You can manually backup the likes of call logs, home screen layouts, messages, voice recordings, and more.

To use Samsung Cloud, swipe up on your home screen to access all your apps. Choose Settings, then select either Accounts and Backup or Cloud and Accounts or Samsung Cloud (the exact naming will vary depending on your device version). Then choose either Backup and Restore or Back up data (again, the naming will vary). Next, choose Back up data, then select the data that you want to back up (either individually, or just choose Select all), then tap Back up.

When it comes to restoring the data, the steps are similar. However, instead of tapping Back up data, tap Restore data. Here you can choose which device you want to restore from and which copy of that data to choose. You can also just choose specific apps to backup from, or select everything. When ready, click Restore. If you are restoring from apps that are no longer on your device, you will be prompted to install them.

Samsung Cloud works smoothly and well. If you have one of their devices, you should definitely use it to keep your data safe.