Automatic document backup to Google Drive: Android finally supports it. We'll show you how to enable it

For years, Android’s cloud backup could save photos, contacts, and SMS messages, but it left your PDFs and downloaded files vulnerable. That’s changing now – document backup to Google Drive finally addresses this gap, and you can enable it with a single toggle.

What does Android back up now?

The new feature automatically uploads locally stored documents to Google Drive – specifically .DOC, .PPT, .XLS, .PDF files, and according to Google, “all other documents stored on the device.” Typically, these are files in the Downloads folder and other data you save to your phone apart from photos and videos.

Automatic document backup to Google Drive: Android finally supports it. We'll show you how to enable it Adam Kurfürst News, Návody Adam Kurfürst News, Návody

Backed-up files go into a new folder called Android backups on your Google Drive, inside which a subfolder named after the device will be created – allowing you to distinguish backups from multiple phones. According to Google, the data is encrypted during transfer and storage, and the backup occurs automatically every night, though manual initiation is also possible. The feature is rolling out with Google Play Services version 26.26 and is now widely available.

How to enable document backup?

It’s a matter of two toggles. Open Settings, go to the Accounts and backup section, and then to Google Backup (on some phones, the path is simply “Backup,” or the English term Google Backup remains). Among items like Photos and videos and Other device data, you’ll find a new option: Documents – just turn it on. If you want immediate certainty, you can force a manual backup and not wait for the nightly cycle.

What to watch out for?

The feature has two limitations that are good to know in advance. Firstly, you cannot select a specific folder or exclude individual files – Android backs up all local documents at once, nothing in between. Secondly, it’s a one-way backup, not two-way synchronization: the backed-up copy is separate, and any changes you make to the file on your phone afterward will not automatically reflect in the file on Drive.

Also, keep in mind that backed-up documents count towards your Google storage – you get 15 GB free, shared across services. If you later disable the feature, your existing backups on Drive will remain.

Will you enable automatic document backup, or would you rather manually control what you send to the cloud?

Sources: 9to5Google, Android Police, own