Backing up your Pixel 3 is important to prevent losing your photos, contacts, apps and other personal data if your phone is damaged, lost or stolen. There are a few key ways to securely backup your Pixel 3.
Table of Contents
Use Google’s Built-In Backup
Google provides a built-in backup option for Pixel phones that saves your data to your Google Drive account. Here’s how to set it up:
- Open Settings and go to System > Backup
- Turn on Back up to Google Drive
- Select the data you want to backup such as apps, app data, contacts, photos
- Tap Back up now to perform an initial manual backup
Google encrypts your backup data to keep it secure. You can also add a screen lock to your phone for an extra layer of security.
Pros:
- Simple setup
- Data saved securely to Google Drive account
- Can restore data if you get a new Android phone
Cons:
- Counts against Google Drive storage quota
- Doesn’t backup everything like music files
Use Third-Party Backup Software
For more advanced backup capabilities, use software like iMyFone D-Back. It can backup your Pixel to your computer or external hard drive.
To backup your Pixel 3 using D-Back:
- Connect your Pixel to your computer via USB
- Open D-Back and select your device
- Choose the data types to backup
- Select a backup destination on your computer
- Tap “Backup” to start
Key features:
- Backups 11 data types including contacts, photos, videos
- Encrypts your backup data
- Restores data to Pixel or transfers to a new Android phone
Pros:
- More backup options beyond Google Drive
- Selectively backup only certain data types
- Doesn’t count against cloud storage limits
Cons:
- Computer needs to be powered on to restore from backup
- Small fee to purchase software
Use a Cloud Storage Service
You can also backup your Pixel 3 to a cloud storage platform like Google One or Dropbox.
Here are the key steps to use cloud backup:
- Install the cloud provider’s app on your Pixel
- Enable auto-upload in the app’s settings
- New photos/videos will automatically upload
Some apps can also backup other files like contacts and documents.
Benefits of cloud backup:
- Access files from any device
- Data protected if phone is lost/broken
- Some free storage is available
Downsides:
- Need internet connection to access data
- Large media files use more storage space
Tips for Securing Your Backup
Here are some final tips for keeping your Pixel 3 backup safe and secure:
- Encrypt your backup files whether locally or in the cloud
- Use a strong password/PIN for your Google account
- Enable 2-factor authentication on your Google account
- Store local backups in multiple locations in case of device failure
- Test restoring from backup regularly to ensure it works
Backing up your Pixel 3 periodically serves as an insurance policy against data loss. Follow the best practices outlined here to keep your information safe.
