How to back up your Xperia smartphone

Why are backups important?

Backing up your data regularly is a good habit. If you only store data on your phone’s internal memory or an SD card, you could lose it if your device is lost or damaged. You should also create a backup before sending your phone for repair or performing a factory data reset.

Backing up helps protect your data if you misplace, damage, reset or replace your phone.

What options do I have to back up my data?

You can back up your data using the options below. Procedures and available features may differ depending on your Xperia model and Android version.

1. Backing up and synchronising with a Google account.
2. Copying files to your computer.

1. Backing up and synchronising with a Google account

You can back up supported data to Google and synchronise information with your Google account. This helps you transfer data to a new phone. Find more details in Google’s instructions for backing up and restoring Android data.

To back up data with a Google account

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap System → Backup. On some Android versions, tap Advanced before Backup.
3. Enable backup and follow the on-screen instructions to select your Google account and backup options.
4. If Back up now is available, tap it to start a backup.
5. Review the backup details and wait for the backup to finish.

Note: Menu names and available features vary by model and Android version. If these options do not appear, check your model’s Help Guide on Sony Support.

When setting up a new phone or a phone after a factory reset, sign in with the Google account used for your backup and follow the on-screen instructions to restore supported data. The phone must run the Android version used to create the backup, or a later version.

For photos and videos, use the separate Google Photos backup service.

To back up photos and videos

1. Open Google Photos and sign in to your Google account.
2. Tap your profile picture or initial, then select Photos settings → Backup.
3. Check the backup account, then turn on Backup.
4. Under Back up device folders, select any additional folders you want to save, such as screenshots.
5. Check the backup status and wait until it shows Backup complete.

2. Backing up files using your computer

Drag and drop

You can manually copy folders or individual files, such as photos and videos, from your phone to a Windows computer.

Note: This saves only the files you select. It does not create a complete backup of your apps, app data, messages or phone settings.

Windows

1. Unlock your phone.
2. Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable that supports file transfer.
3. On your phone, open the USB connection notification, such as Charging this device via USB.
4. Under Use USB for, select File Transfer or Transfer files.
5. On your computer, open File Explorer and select your phone. Copy the files or folders you want to save to a folder on your computer.
6. Wait for copying to finish and check that the copied files open correctly on your computer.
7. Eject your phone from Windows if that option is available, then unplug the USB cable.

For more information, see Google’s instructions for transferring files between a computer and an Android device.

Mac

For Mac transfer options, refer to the Mac information in Sony’s USB connection troubleshooting guide.

What data is being backed up?

1. The data saved varies by backup method, phone and Android version.
2. Google backups are encrypted. Some data is also encrypted using your phone’s screen lock PIN, pattern or password.

Google account: Data included in device backups

• Apps and supported app data
• Call history
• Contacts
• Device settings
• SMS and MMS messages

Not all apps can back up or restore all their data. Check important apps for their own backup or export options.

Contacts and calendar events saved to your Google account can also synchronise with that account.

Google Photos: Photos and videos

Google Photos saves photos and videos from the device folders you have selected for backup.

Google Photos, Google Drive and Gmail share your Google account’s storage. Make sure there is enough available space for your backups.

To save documents, music and other files online, you can also upload files to Google Drive.