To back up your most important files with Google One, simply follow the steps below. Once your files are done uploading, they will be successfully backed up onto the cloud. Upgrade to Google One Now We’ll tell you how to back up your data with Google One in more detail below, as well as how to set up your automated backup and more.
What is Google One?
Google One is a membership subscription upgrade of Google’s Drive cloud storage service. The basic Google Drive free plan provides 15 gigabytes of cloud storage space, whereas the Google One subscriptions expand that free storage space to anywhere between 100GB to 30TB. Like with Google Drive, the user’s data stored in the cloud is safe from computer crashes and can be accessed from any device with internet access through Google’s website or through the Google One app. The biggest benefit of Google One — besides more space — is that it gives the user the ability to back up data (automatically) across all Google products, including Android phones. For more information about Google One, check out our detailed Google One review.
How to Subscribe to Google One
Subscribing to Google One is a piece of cake. All you need is a Google account and the steps below.
Choose a paid plan. There are multiple plans at different prices, each with its own storage size. Choose the one that works best for your needs by checking out the different Google One membership plans.
Log in to the Google account you wish to upgrade. Note: Google only offers Google One to their personal customers. Workspace accounts will receive an error. If you receive this error, click “Switch Accounts” and choose a personal account.
Click “Upgrade.”
Select the appropriate plan.
Choose your payment method and click “Subscribe.”
That’s all! Now you’ve got your own Google One storage and can save all your important online information.
Cloud Storage vs Backup Storage
Before we tell you how to back up your devices with Google One, we wanted to first cover the difference between cloud storage and backup storage. These terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle yet important difference.
Backup storage is used to store duplicates of existing files on a separate server or device in the event of data loss. Cloud storage is used to supplement one’s available space for storing and organizing additional files.
Simply put, backup storage is used to back up the information (and files) from your device if you need to reset or replace it, whereas cloud storage is used to keep files that do not currently fit on your device. Google One can be used for both needs and even offers automated backups.
How to Back Up Data on Your PC with Google One
Google One gives you two options for your backups: mirroring and streaming.
Mirroring backups means the file is present on both your hard drive and the cloud storage. This has advantages and disadvantages: your files are available regardless of whether you’re online or offline, but since the files are also on your hard drive, they take up double the storage space. Streaming backups means the file is housed on the cloud storage but is linked to your computer for easy access. Again, this option has its pros and cons. The biggest advantage is that your computer’s storage capacity isn’t diminished. On the other hand, if you want to access the file offline, you’re out of luck.
If you’re using Google One just as a backup, mirroring is a great option. However, if you’re using the Google One app for additional storage, streaming would be a better choice. You can back up your data with the Google One app in one of two ways: If you don’t want to download an application on your device, you can back up or store specific files or folders manually online. However, if you want to keep all of a folder’s content backed up to the cloud, syncing via Drive for Desktop is the easiest way to accomplish this. Both options will be explained below.
Store a specific file or folder online
To easily back up or store specific files or folders on Google One, follow the steps below.
Drive for Desktop backup and storage
Below are the step-by-step instructions for mirroring and streaming folders with Google Drive for Desktop.
Download Drive for Desktop through your Google Account.
Click “Install.”
Choose the appropriate account and sign in.
Choose either “Stream Files” or “Mirror Files,” depending on your wishes.
Choose the folders you would like to add to your Google Drive by clicking “Add Folder” and navigating to the appropriate folder. Click “Add.”
Once you have your folders set up, you can view your Google Drive from your desktop by going to “This PC” and then to “Google Drive.”
Syncing options for folders on Drive for Desktop
Google Drive for Desktop has two backup settings for synchronizing your backups:
Google Drive Sync: With this option, all files in the folder (regardless of format and along with any changes) will be saved to your Google Drive cloud storage. The files can be accessed through Google Drive online or via the Google Drive app. Google Photos backup: With this option, only photo and video files will be uploaded to your Google Photos cloud storage. This option does not sync changes. Photos and videos can be accessed at photos.google.com or via the Google Photos app.
Back Up Your Phone with Backup By Google One
Purchasing at least 100GB of storage comes with an automatic phone backup feature for Android phones and iOS devices. Backing up your phone’s data is often a time-consuming and challenging task, but Google One makes Android data backup simple by automating that process. When you use Google One’s automatic phone backup feature, the following data is backed up:
App data Call history Contacts Settings SMS messages Pictures and videos MMS messages
We’ll show you how to navigate through your Android and iOS settings and create a backup below.
Automate your Android phone backup with Google One
Once the Android backup feature is enabled, your Android phone data is backed up on Google’s servers and protected by your Google Account password. Backing up your data can take up to 24 hours. Google provides the following steps to enable an automatic backup of your Android phone data. Once everything has been saved, “On” will appear beside each category of data saved to the Google cloud. Google One files the data under one of the three categories in the Backing settings section: device data, multimedia messages, or photos and videos. Multimedia messages require a device running Android 7.1.1 or higher to save. There is also an option at the bottom of the screen to back up using mobile data. Careful: you may incur additional costs from your mobile device’s carrier if you choose to do this.
Google One backup for iOS
iPhone users can use Google One to easily back up their data as well. Different types of data will be backed up into different Google services: photos will be backed up to Google Photos, your contacts to Google Contacts, and your calendar to Google Calendar. Before you begin backing up photos and videos, keep in mind that a Wi-Fi connection is required first. Only new photos and videos will be added to the backup if you choose to back up multiple times. Multiple backups will also overwrite prior backups for contacts and calendars. iOS users will only be able to back up individual photos and not retain the organized structures of photo albums. To begin the backup, follow the steps below. After the process completes, all of your photos, videos, contacts, and calendars will be backed up into your Google account.
Why You Might Want Google One
As most of us rely on technology for our personal and professional lives, you probably can’t run the risk of losing your most important data. The 15GB of free storage space available to all Google users via Google Drive may not be enough to fully back up your data, which makes upgrading to Google One a worthwhile storage investment. Google offers a varied selection of Google One storage plans to choose from so you will only pay for what you need, and even get extra subscriber benefits in the process. Premium plans also come with Google One VPN, as long as you’re in supported territories. Now your data will be synced and collectively shared among your other Google accounts.
