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Google redesigns and simplifies Android ‘Backup’ settings

Google has been updating various Android Settings pages with Material 3 Expressive, and the “Backup” redesign brings a rather drastic simplification.

Accessed (on Pixel) from Settings > System > Backup, everything now fits on one page. The card at the top has your device name with a status indicator and pill-shaped “Back up now” button that’s larger than before. 

The big change is to “Backup details” with the page going from six items to just two. “Photos & video” is unchanged from before and opens the Google Photos app.

“Other device data” now encompasses Apps, SMS & MMS messages, Call history, Device settings, and Google account data. They are no longer listed separately with specific size breakdowns.

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The full page has a “Back up other device data” toggle for “contacts, call history, device settings, apps & app data, SMS & MMS messages, and SIMs.”

The Google One cloud storage indicator has been moved here, while you also have the setting to “Use mobile or metered Wi-Fi data.” 

For most users, this redesign is certainly more straightforward, but the loss of extra details is a shame.

This Backup redesign is rolling out to all Android devices with version 25.33 of Google Play services

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com