If you have been looking for the best Android backup app, you probably stumbled over several backup apps that claim to provide best-in-class experience. However, as we all know, developers tend to praise their software more than they should. As a result, many of you might still struggle to find the perfect app for backing up your data.
Unless you go out and actually use each backup app from the Google Play Store, there’s no way to know which backup app that’s best suited for you. Fortunately, we have gone through this lengthy process just so you don’t have to. Below is a list of the best backup apps for Android devices. Take a look at the list to figure out which app suits your needs. View the conclusion to understand our top recommendations.
Note: The smartphone that we used to test these backup apps is a Google Nexus 4 with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean installed. Please bear in mind that some users have been reporting issues with some of these backup apps when running Android 4.4 Kit Kat.
1.G Cloud Backup – Free
The Best Android Backup App
G Cloud Backup aims to be an all-in-one backup solution for your Android device. However, even though it can backup your apps, SMS messages, contacts, call logs, documents, settings, photos, music and videos, G Cloud Backup does not back up your app data (such as game progress, app settings, etc).
G Cloud will attempt to backup your data every day, and it will do so when it detects a Wi-Fi connection, provided that your battery level is above 25 percent.
You can easily select what type of data you want to back up. On a personal note, I highly recommend that you only backup the data that is most sensitive to you, especially since free accounts come with just 1GB of storage, and eating up through that quote isn’t a difficult task if you have loads of music and videos. Fortunately, you can earn up to 10GB of free space by performing various tasks such a referring your friends or engaging with the developers on social networks.
Restoring your backups is straightforward, and users might also appreciate that you can revert to a certain point in the past by selecting the exact backup you want to restore to.
G Cloud Backup is probably the best free Android backup application available. Not only because it can backup data to the cloud (1GB of free storage) and schedule backups, but G Cloud Backup is free and does not require a rooted Android device.
These are the most important features offered by G Cloud Backup:
- Backs up all data to the cloud (1GB of free storage)
- Users can earn up to 10GB of free storage
- Secure data transfer (Secure Socket Layer) and storing (256-AES)
- Scheduled/Automatic backups
- Will back up every version of every file
- Completely Free
Notable Feature: Can access/share the files stored on your Android device from any browser
Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000
Android Version: 2.2 and up
Size: 16 MB
Price: Free
2. Super Backup – Free / Paid ($1.99)
Save your backups to Gmail
2.a Free Version
Super Backup is one of the few top Android backup apps that can upload the backups to Gmail. If you’d rather save your backups to Gmail instead of a separate cloud service, this is the backup app you’re looking for.
Super Backup does not backup all your data with a single click. Instead, you’ll have to select the type of data you want to back up individually (Apps, SMS, Contacts, Call Logs, Calendars or Bookmarks).
Most of its features are available on non-rooted devices, with the exception of backing up app data and restoring batch apps from the SD card.
Oddly enough, Super Backup gives its users the ability to select only certain SMS conversations for backup, although why you’d want to pass on backing up all the conversations isn’t clear to us at this point.
Features available in the free version:
- Backs up data to SD card or Gmail
- App Backup
- SMS, Contacts, Call Log Backup
- Scheduled/Automatic Backups
- Ad Supported
Notable Feature: Can restore batch apps from your SD card
Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000
Android Version: 2.01 and up
Size: 691KB
Price: Free
2.b Paid Version ($1.99)
The paid version of Super Backup doesn’t bring any new functionality to the table, but if you’re willing to shed out $1.99 for the pro version of Super Backup, you’ll get rid of the ads that populate the free version.
Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000
Android Version: 2.01 and up
Size: 691KB
Price: $1.99
3. Go Backup & Restore – Free / Paid ($4.99)
Merge two backups into one
3.a Free version
Go Backup & Restore is an app made by the same people who created the Go Launcher custom Android launcher.
You can back up and restore contacts, apps, messages, call logs even if you don’t have a rooted Android device, but you’ll miss out on some interesting features such as backing up/restoring app data and protected apps.
Selecting the data you want to back up with Go Backup & Restore is as easy as clicking checkboxes.
One interesting option is to merge two individual backups. This is useful if you find yourself in crossroad positions, when you have to choose between reverting to a set of changes or the other. By merging the two backups, you can revert to both backups at one and avoid the necessity of choosing between keeping this data or the other.
Although the free version of Go Backup & Restore does its job well, it’s a bit weird to learn that you have to switch to the paid version to back up and restore SMS and MMS data.
These are the main features of Go Backup & Restore Free:
- Backs up and restores APK + app data
- Backs up and restores Contacts, Call Logs, Bookmark, and Calendar
Notable Feature: Can merge two individual backups
Downloads: 1,000,000 – 5,000,000
Android Version: 2.2 and up
Size: 2.4MB
Price: Free
3.b Paid Version ($4.99) – In app purchase
These are the features that are available only in the paid version of Go Backup & Restore:
- Cloud backup (via Google Drive or Dropbox)
- Can back up and restore system settings
- Can back up SMS and MMS data
- Scheduled Backups
Note: If you want to unlock the paid version, you’ll have to do so from the app.
4.Easy Backup – Free
The name tells it all
Easy Backup is an app that does exactly what the name suggests. It’s an easy way to back up your data, not to mention it is completely free. The app is similar to Easy Backup. The interface is almost identical, you have to backup each data category individually, and you can email the contents of the backup to Gmail. The only difference/advantage is that Easy Backup can upload the backups to the cloud via Dropbox or Google Drive.
This is a great free app that not only worked well during our tests, but was also the fastest to backup and restore the backups we created.
Features offered by Easy Backup:
- Backs up data to SD card or Gmail
- Backup to cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive)
- App Backup
- SMS, Contacts, Call Log Backup
- Scheduled/Automatic Backups
Notable Feature: Fast backup and restore
Downloads: 50,000 – 100,000
Android Version: 2.0 and up
Size: 1.8MB
Price: Free
5. My Backup – Free / Paid Version $4.99
Simple and effective backups
5.a Free Version
The free version of My Backup is one of the best apps you can use to back up all your Android data. The app works well with unrooted devices, although you’ll lose the option to back up your app data. My Backup offers a straightforward interface and worked without a single glitch during our test run.
Unfortunately, the free version also comes with a major limitation: only 2MB of cloud storage. Obviously, this isn’t enough for any serious backups, meaning that you’ll have to go for the paid version to back up your data in the cloud with My Backup. Additionally, the free version of My Backup only restores the backups that are created on your device.
The free version of My Backup comes with the following features
- Contacts/Calendar/Call History Backup
- Text History/Photo History/Photos/Music/Videos Backup
- Back up to SD
- Back up to cloud
- Scheduled backups
Notable Feature: It will also back up your home screens
Downloads: 1,000,000 – 5,000,000
Android Version: 1.5 and up
Size: 2.4MB
Price: Free
5.b Paid Version ($4.99)
The Pro version of My Backup allows you to migrate your system to another Android device. To do this, create a backup on a device, then restore it on another.
Downloads: 100,000 – 500,000
Android Version: 1.5 and up
Size: 2.4MB
Price: $4.99
6. Ultimate Backup – Free / Paid ($2.99)
App backup and App management combined
6.a Free Version
The feature that makes Ultimate Backup unique is the fact that it offers advanced app management tools. If you’re looking for a way to convert user apps to system apps, kill or force close running apps, or even freeze system/user apps without downloading a separate app, then Ultimate Backup is the way to go.
Although the free version of Ultimate Backup can back up your data, it lacks the ability to restore it. This has caused a lot of dissatisfaction amongst its users, especially since this disadvantage is not well explained in the app’s description. Some might rightfully consider this as a means to trick you into purchasing the full version when you actually need to restore a backup.
These are the most important features available to you in the free version of Ultimate Backup:
- Backs up to the cloud (but doesn’t restore)
- Send/Share apps
Notable Feature: Advanced app management tool
Downloads: 100,000 – 500,000
Android Version: 1.6 and up
Size: 5.4MB
Price: Free
6.b Paid Version ($2.99)
The paid version brings all the functionality that you’d expect from a backup app such as system restore, and scheduled backups. In addition, the paid version of Ultimate Backup removes the ads that appear in the free version.
Downloads: 10,000 – 50,000
Android Version: 1.6 and up
Size: 5.4MB
Price: $2.99
7. AppMonster Free Backup Restore – Free
App backup made easy
As the name suggests, AppMonster Free Backup Restore is a free backup app for Android. If all you’re looking for is a simple way to backup and restore your apps, but not the other data on your Android device, then AppMonster Free Backup is the app for you. A unique feature is the ability to share on Facebook.
One nice thing about AppMonster Free Backup Restore is the fact that it allows users to restore apps to certain versions.
These are the main features available with AppMonster Free Backup & Restore:
- App backup and restore to/from SD card
- Cloud backup/restore via Dropbox or Google Drive
- Can share apps via Facebook
Notable Feature: will only backup and restore the apps, and not the SMS/contacts/calendars/etc.
Downloads: 1,000,000 – 5,000,000
Android Version: 2.1 and up
Size: 339K
Price: Free
8. Titanium Backup – Free and Paid ($5.91)
Root required for all features
8.a Free Version
If you have a rooted Android device, then Titanium Backup is a solid option. While the free version of Titanium Backup is still useful, it pales in comparison to the features that are available to paid users.
These are the features available in the free version of Titanium Backup:
- Backup/restore protected apps + their settings
- Backup/restore system apps + their settings (incl. Wi-Fi AP list)
- Backup/restore external app data
- Limited scheduling
- Built-in Android Market information viewer (Android 2.0+)
Notable Feature: Needs root for all features
Downloads: 10,000,000 – 50,000,000
Android Version: 1.6 and up
Size: 6.2MB
Price: Free
8.b Paid Version ($5.91)
Titanium Backup PRO adds the following abilities:
- Backup/restore SMS, MMS, call log, bookmarks and Wi-Fi networks
- Full support for paid apps
- Backup to and restore from Dropbox, Box and Google Drive
- Flexible backup schedules
- Backup Encryption
If you’re on the lookout for an app that integrates the abilities of all the other apps in this list, with other additional features, Titanium Backup PRO is the ultimate app for you. It’s blazing fast, it encrypts your backups, can work with cloud storage providers, can backup paid apps, and much more.
Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000
Android Version: 1.6 and up
Size: 39KB (update)
Price: $5.91
9.Helium (formerly Carbon) – Free and Paid ($4.99)
Awkward install, buggy restore
9.a Free Version
Helium is a backup and app sync app from developer ClockworkMod, best known for the self-titled custom Android ROM. Some of you might know this app by its former name: Carbon.
Although Helium does not require a rooted device, to activate the app you have to connect to a PC via a dedicated Windows/Mac/Linux software. Most backup apps that do not require a rooted device have no such requirements. The procedure requires several steps, but at least these steps are all clearly explained during the process.
Please bear in mind that some users have been complaining about the fact that Helium fails to restore backups. Indeed, during our tests, we discovered that several apps have crashed the Helium backup process, with the app being unable to resume the restore process once a problem is encountered.
According to the developer, Helium doesn’t work on any Motorola device, as well as some Sony devices (including the Xperia S and the Xperia Z).
Here are the features that are available to you in the free version of Helium:
- Backup and restore to SD card
- Backup apps
- Backup call log & SMS
Notable Feature: Backup and restore from PC
Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000
Android Version: 4.0 and up
Size: 3MB
Price: Free
9.b: Paid Version ($4.99)
Please be advised that scheduled backups won’t work if you have a PIN or a pattern-lock in place, thus rendering the feature quite useless if you don’t want to give up on your security measures.
This is the worst backup app that we tested, but we have decided to include it in our list because it is a very popular app. Be warned: all of the nine other apps listed above are preferable to this app (at least until the developer can find a way to iron out the bugs and issues.)
The paid Helium app claims to offer all the goodies that you’d expect from a paid app in this category:
- Automatic Backup schedules
- Cloud backup and restore (Dropbox, Box, Google Drive)
Notable Feature: Android to Android app data sync
Downloads: 50,000 – 100,000
Android Version: 4.0 and up
Size: 211k (update)
Price: $4.99
Conclusion
After analyzing all the apps available in the Play Store, we’ve come up with these two recommendations:
A. If you’re looking for free Android backup apps, then G Cloud Backup, Super Backup, and Easy Backup should all satisfy your needs.
B. If you’re willing to pay for a backup app, then go for Titanium Backup Pro. It is the best app in this list by a long stretch.
What do you guys think? Did we miss any apps that should be included in our list? Did you encounter problems with any of the apps listed above? Drop us a comment in the section below and join the conversation!
information technology on
SMS backup and whatsback bot great for SMS backup options….
Doug on
What if you wanted to view your backup on a computer? Fo example contacts or sms or mms? Is there an app that is like titanium pro that does backup and restore but the backup can be accessed and viewed/saved/printed/exported on a pc? I missed the notify me because it was below the post comment button.
Dani on
Doug, if you want to backup on computer and view them, I will recommend you to use software like Wondershare. You can read about this in https://joyofandroid.com/backup-contacts-on-android/
Risaer on
Originally develloped for Sony Ericcson phones MYPHONE EXPLORER is one of my favourite sync/backup tools next to titanium.
It backups sms and call logs and next to backing up it also synchronises your calender and your contacts with e.g. thunderbird or Outlook which is great.
Can also do some manual or automatically (selected?/intelligent) folder or file sync/copy from sdcards. Also a limited remote control is possible.
Needs Myphoneexplorer client from play store and the program on windows pc. Works over Wifi, Bluetooth or USB.
Especially if you switch phones or ROMs this is the most reliable possibility to keep contacts and sms for me.
BTW: If you use Titanium, you can combine it with bittorrent sync to get a “private cloud backup”
on
Hi Risaer,
Thanks for your suggestion. I am sure many will find it useful. =-)
Roger on
Hey guys the new version 4.2 of MyBackup Pro now allows you to use your Dropbox account as the Cloud storage option for Backups and Restore. You can use this by running the app and hitting Menu->Options then select the “Cloud Storage Location” option and selecting Dropbox.
Dani on
Thanks for info mate 🙂
FL Guy on
Thanks for the interesting article, and overview of many of the backup options.
I’d welcome more info on which apps do a good job of (also) backing up system settings, applications settings, and browser favorites (all browsers) on un-rooted devices.
(Some of these points are mentioned for some of the applications, but not all of the features, nor for all of the apps, so it’s not really clear to me which apps do a good job in this regard in particular.)
Any more info on this would be welcome!
Dani on
Hello there, this is a relatively new app which I tested for another article. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mdroidapps.easybackup try it and give me feedback 🙂 Cheers.
Paul on
Any update on a reasonable backup/restore solution, i.e. backs up and restores ALL configuration and data without rooting? Amazing that this continues to be an issue even after many years and millions of android users at risk.
Dani on
Paul,
Heard good things about this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mdroidapps.easybackup. Unfortunately all of my devices are rooted, even my new Note 4. Test it and tell me if it does anything for you 🙂
Paul on
Looks like a nice app, but, sadly, within the first minute of reviewing the web page:
“● Backup & restore app’s data (need root)
● Batch restore apps (need root)”
fails my (and virtually all average android users) first requirement – don’t mess with the stock phone to do a full backup and restore!
Hopefully Lollipop finally provides a tool (and finally respects the user’s potentially irreplaceable data and time required to resetup thousands or possibly millions of phones simply due to lack of this critical tool in the standard features of the phone)?
Dani on
Paul
It’s sad to see that. I actually searched for another app but in vain. However all is not lost, we can backup everything by using a number of apps and some know how of Android. Sure it is not as easy as one click backups but hey its better than nothing right? If you would like, we can write a tutorial type article about how you can backup everything (almost). But I do get your point, Android is lacking in some really critical areas.
Paul on
Thanks Dani for your kind reply and verifying that you have found no solution (single or otherwise) that will fully back up even the data (app and user) on the millions of android phones out there (without voiding phone warranties, exposing users to virus attacks and other loss of data or configuration by reducing security, and potentially bricking phones by requiring rooting to do this back up on each of those millions of phones out there.
Amazing and totally irresponsible of the operating system designers. A comment about how the upcoming v5 android specifically addresses this unforgivable shortcoming would also be very helpful.
An updated tutorial, without rooting or installing other apps besides the minimum number of backup apps (no replacing the stock launcher, etc) on how to (including which specific tools) back up (and VERIFY that the restore will work without blowing a phone away trying a restore that fails) the maximum accessible system and user data (including email!) as well as all phone configuration, including home screens, would be a huge benefit to millions of android users.
An important additional consideration is being able to back up to PC easily (like Kies does (as incomplete as it is) on Samsung phones). I, and I’m confident most anyone who is concerned about privacy, insist that the cloud NOT be used for my private info. Backing up to internal SD is like backing up to a separate internal harddisk on your desktop and then having the pc be stolen or suffer a fire – NOT good!
Offsite, non-cloud backup is the only real solution – as it has been since the beginning of time.
This would also help android users be able to know (what I consider the deceptive practices) which vendors do not alert potential customers that using their product WILL cause the user to loose data such as all their emails when those vendors only provide a long list of what they do back up that happens to not include that particular data type), and help those users quickly determine that a phone must be rooted to back up specific data rather than finding that disclaimer buried at the end of the description or not mentioned at all.
Guess my convictions are showing !?! :p
Paul on
Oh, one more offsite backup method that doesn’t even require a PC is simply supporting a USB stick or drive as the backup destination. This may be the best solution for most folks. Users should never be forced to expose their private data or be required to take the extra step to copy it from the internal SD via usb using a PC.
Cheers,
Paul
Ernie Foulenfont on
Great point and one we often don’t consider.
Paul on
One final thought … if the user wants or is required to use the cloud, then the user must be able to encrypt the backup before sending it to the cloud. Cloud providers, besides potentially mining private data, are required by law to turn over to authorities, so everyone should know that there is no privacy there. Strongly encrypted data that the cloud provider (on anyone else) can’t get the passwords to without a court order from the owners of that data should be the minimum required level of privacy provided.
James on
I am very interested in which app (or others) would be best for simply backing as much data up to a directly connected USB stick to my (unrooted) S5. These apps are very helpful and appreciated, but yes not as interested in cloud and I have tons of data that I would like to more easily back up to my USB stick and elsewhere in hard storage. Many Thanks for any thoughts!
Dani on
James,
Well you can purchase a OTG (on the go) cable which costs around $3-$5. Then simply attach a USB Flash Drive directly to your phone. Now using a good file manager (Es is recommended), copy everything you see in SD storage 🙂 This will do the trick.
Daniel on
Hey,
I was wondering whether it was possible to directly backup to the cloud via OTG?
So connecting a SD-card adapter via OTG to the phone and backup images to e.g. google photos without storing the files on the phone?
Do you happen to know?
on
Hi Daniel,
As long as a file manager that has the option to store to the cloud, then yes, it is possible. Thanks for commenting. =-)
doug on
Seems like most plans include device backup today. I just double checked to see if this was a 2015 topic :-).
Is it that the providers backups are not complete? I believe I have contacts, media, sms, MMS but not sure about settings.
I assume the goal is to be able to replicate the phone by having all the static content and settings and resenting to cloud apps. Is that correct?
Thanks
Dani on
Doug,
May I ask which smartphone you are using? Settings can easily be backed up by the built in backup feature available on most smartphones. Samsung, LG and HTC have that feature, not so sure about Sony.
tim traywick on
Want to backup and restore deleted chats, emails, photos, messages, and videos oh and social sites i visited
Dani on
Yeah you will need a recovery software to get back partial deleted data. To recover you must need to backup first mate 🙂
https://joyofandroid.com/how-to-recover-deleted-files-on-android/
https://joyofandroid.com/android-data-recovery-software/
Trust this helps.
Deborah Powell on
FYI, I’m a beginner at best. I have 5 saved voice messages that my Mom left…sadly my Mom has passed away????I CAN NOT LOSE THOSE HER VOICE MESSAGES!!!! Do you have any suggestions for me..remember I’m a beginner that might be strechting it to. Thank you for any and all help. ????????
on
Hi Deborah,
First and foremost I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. My most sincere condolences. Have you tried all of the apps listed in the article?
Imran on
Hi Paul,
I am not sure why this article condemned Helium? I understand for a rooted device all the other tools are excellent options, I prefer Titanium Backup being the best for a rooted device. But for un-rooted devices, I have found Helium to be the best option.
I agree it does not backup some of the apps, but it tells you at the bottom which ones, so you can expect what you will get. For me, only 4-5 apps showed up there and I didn’t even care. Connecting to PC is only required once, until you reboot your phone at which time you will have to connect again.
It allows you to backup on your Internal SD card, from there you can transfer the folder anywhere, or as the above review mentioned you can opt to go for Dropbox/Box/Google Drive. Storing on the Internal SD card addresses your concern as well.
Right now, Helium is the best option for the un-rooted ones. Another one you can look at is HoloBackup, you would need to do a lot of Googling, but I prefer Helium.
Luanne on
I have a Samsung SM-G730V. I set a new screenlock using a phrase, but was not in the best state of mind when I did it and now can’t remember the capitalization. I’ve got 1 more chance at the password before my 2+ years of photos are erased. I haven’t been able to find an app that supports this model. PLEASE HELP!
on
Hi Luanne,
How unfortunate about not remember the phrase, but have you read this article?
https://joyofandroid.com/how-to-unlock-android-phone/#comment-252494
PDK on
Why doesn’t anyone write an app that can backup and restore to a flash drive? Moving my files manually is a snap but I need to back up all the system stuff (contacts, etc). I do NOT want my private data on the Internet. If you can back up to an SD card, why not a flash drive?
on
PDK,
Have you tried USB OTG File Manager?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.versatile1.usbdrive.ads&hl=en
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on
Hi There,
Thank you for your kind words and I am glad that you like our site. Don´t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more useful tips.=-)
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on
Hi There,
I am glad that you liked the information and that you will be coming back for more useful tips and tricks, but could you please rephrase your question? Thanks. =-)
Pankajsehoriya on
Suggest me the app name that can take backup of my memory card or gallery automatically.
Rob on
Hi I’m late on the scene here
I have a Samsung Nexus 2011 stock (un-rooted)
and now want to migrate all data to the Samsung S7
the phone is not reconized by the Samsung Smart Switch app
on
@rob There are a few ways you might be able to make the swap. You can look at this post about how to transfer files between Android phones. If this doesn’t fit your specific need, let us know more specifically what you want to transfer and we can try to point you in the right direction.
Mark Fitzhenry on
I simply can not understand why there is absolutely NO easy/simple way to backup and restore my 10 year old son’s hours and hours of saved game progress from one android device to another without some convoluted laundry list of steps or rooting (which I have never done) both devices. This is frustrating and way way overdue.
on
Hi Mark,
You´re right it is overdue, but hopefully, it will get here soon. Thanks for commenting. =-)