How to Back Up Your Android Phone and iPhone Before a Factory Reset or Upgrade (2026 Guide)
Before you factory reset, repair, sell or upgrade your phone, create a backup. A reset permanently removes local photos, messages, apps, files and settings. A backup gives you a way to restore much of that information afterward—but only if the backup completed successfully and you understand what it contains.
What Should You Back Up Before Resetting?
A phone backup may include different types of information depending on the device, operating system and app. Before starting, review these categories:
Some information may already be synchronized rather than stored inside a device backup. For example, iCloud treats synced photos, notes and messages differently from data included in an iCloud Backup. On Android, the exact restore result can vary by manufacturer and app.
Before You Start: A Five-Minute Safety Check
- Charge the phone or connect it to reliable power.
- Use a trusted Wi-Fi connection if the backup will upload to the cloud.
- Make sure you know your Google Account or Apple Account password.
- Check that the destination has enough storage space.
- Open your most important photos, files and conversations to confirm they are present before the reset.
If your phone is lost, stolen or inaccessible, follow our guide on what to do immediately after losing an Android or iPhone.
How to Back Up an Android Phone with Google
Android phones commonly use Google’s backup service for device settings, selected app data, call history, contacts, SMS and other supported information. Menu names can differ between Android versions and manufacturers.
- Open Settings.
- Open Google, then look for Backup or Backup and restore. On some phones, you may find it under System.
- Turn on the available backup option and review the Google Account being used.
- Tap Back up now if the option appears.
- Wait until the process finishes, then check the latest backup time or date.
Google’s backup cannot guarantee that every app will restore every item. Some apps store their information in their own accounts, while others do not support backup at all. After a reset, Android typically offers the backup during the setup process, so sign in with the same Google Account.
Back Up Photos and Videos on Android
Open Google Photos, tap your profile picture, open Photos settings and check Backup. Confirm that backup is enabled and that the important folders—not only the camera folder—are included. Open photos.google.com on another device if possible and check that recent images are visible.
Back Up WhatsApp on Android
In WhatsApp, open Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Select the correct Google Account, choose whether to include videos, and tap Back up. Wait for the latest backup time to update. WhatsApp may require the same phone number and Google Account during restoration.
How to Back Up a Samsung Galaxy with Smart Switch
Samsung Galaxy users can create an additional local backup with Samsung Smart Switch. This is useful when moving to another Galaxy phone or when you want a computer copy in addition to Google Backup.
- Install or open Samsung Smart Switch on a compatible Mac or Windows computer.
- Connect the Galaxy phone with a suitable USB cable.
- Unlock the phone and allow access if prompted.
- Choose Backup and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Keep the computer backup in a safe location until the new or reset phone has been checked.
Smart Switch menus and supported data can change by device model and software version. Treat it as an extra backup, not a reason to skip checking Google Photos, WhatsApp and important files separately.
How to Back Up an iPhone with iCloud
Apple says iCloud Backup stores information and settings on the iPhone that do not already sync to iCloud. It can be created automatically when the iPhone is connected to power, connected to Wi-Fi and locked, or manually from Settings.
- Open Settings and tap your name.
- Tap iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Turn on Back Up This iPhone.
- Tap Back Up Now and keep the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi until it finishes.
- Confirm that the latest backup date and time have changed.
Apple explains that information already synchronized through services such as iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive or synced Notes is handled differently from data stored in an iCloud Backup. Check those services separately and make sure recent content has finished syncing.
What If iCloud Storage Is Full?
Go to Settings > your name > iCloud to review available storage. You can remove unnecessary old backups, reduce which apps are included, export important files, or use a computer backup. Do not delete an old backup until you have confirmed that you no longer need it.
Back Up WhatsApp on iPhone
In WhatsApp, open Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Check the last backup time and tap Back Up Now. Include videos only if you have enough iCloud storage. WhatsApp restoration normally requires the same phone number and Apple Account environment used for the backup.
How to Create a Computer Backup
A computer backup can be useful when cloud storage is limited or when you want an additional copy. Keep the cable connected until the backup completes.
| Phone | Computer method | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone with Mac | Use Finder, select the iPhone, choose General, then create a local backup. | Enable encrypted local backup if you want saved passwords, Health data and Wi-Fi settings included where supported. Protect the backup password. |
| iPhone with Windows | Use the Apple Devices app or supported iTunes workflow. | Confirm the latest backup date and keep the computer secure. |
| Android | Use the manufacturer’s supported tool, such as Samsung Smart Switch, or manually copy photos, videos and documents. | Open copied files on the computer to verify they are readable. |
How to Verify Your Backup Before a Factory Reset
A “backup completed” message is useful, but it is not enough by itself. Use this verification checklist:
For irreplaceable files, keep two copies in two different locations. Cloud sync alone is not a substitute for an independent copy of important documents.
What to Do After Resetting the Phone
- Start the phone and connect it to a trusted Wi-Fi network.
- Sign in with the same Google Account or Apple Account used for the backup.
- Choose the backup or transfer option during setup.
- Keep the phone connected to power while apps and data are restored.
- Reinstall only trusted apps from the official Google Play Store or App Store.
- Check photos, contacts, messages, files and two-factor authentication before discarding the old device or backup.
If you are resetting because you suspect malware, do not automatically restore every unfamiliar app. Read our guide to the signs of a hacked phone and reinstall apps carefully.
Common Backup Mistakes to Avoid
- Resetting before checking the latest backup timestamp.
- Backing up to the wrong Google Account or Apple Account.
- Assuming Google Photos or iCloud Photos includes every local folder.
- Forgetting WhatsApp’s separate chat-backup setting.
- Deleting an old backup before testing the new one.
- Losing the password for an encrypted computer backup.
- Restoring suspicious apps after a malware-related reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a factory reset delete everything?
It removes the data and settings stored on the phone and returns it to a setup state. Data that was successfully synced or backed up can usually be restored, but no backup guarantees that every app or file will return.
Is Google Photos a complete Android backup?
No. Google Photos primarily protects supported photos and videos. Device settings, app data, messages and other information may use Android Backup or an app-specific backup.
Does iCloud Backup include iCloud Photos?
Photos already stored and synchronized with iCloud Photos are handled by that service rather than duplicated inside the device backup. Check that recent photos have synced before resetting.
Can I restore a backup after setting up the phone?
Some restore options are offered during initial setup. If the phone is already configured, you may need to erase it again before using certain full-device restore methods.
Will a backup remove Google Factory Reset Protection or Activation Lock?
No. A backup protects data; it does not remove account-based security. You may still need the previously linked Google Account or Apple Account after a reset.
Final Thoughts
Backing up your phone before a reset or upgrade is one of the simplest ways to avoid permanent data loss. Use the built-in Google or iCloud backup, add a computer or manufacturer backup when possible, and verify the most important files manually. Only reset the device after you know where your data is and how you will restore it.
Sources: Apple: Backup methods for iPhone · Apple: What does iCloud back up? · Apple: Factory reset guidance. Android menu names and available backup features may vary by manufacturer, model, software version and region. Review the official support page for your specific phone before resetting.
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