How to Backup Galaxy S10 – Ultimate Guide

Owners of the Samsung Galaxy S10 need to update the smartphone in time. Before installing the update, it is recommended to perform a settings reset. To avoid losing important files, you should know how to backup Galaxy S10. Also creating a backup will be useful when you move to a new device.

What is a Backup

A backup or backup data is a file that combines the information that is stored on your Samsung Galaxy S10. A backup is a much more convenient method of backing up data as opposed to manual copying because it does not require you to move files one by one.

A complete copy includes:

• contact list;
• correspondence history;
• account settings;
• applications;
• multimedia;
• documents.

Thus, the backup data contains the entire device. In the future, the user can restore a copy both on the Samsung Galaxy S10 and any other smartphone.

Setting up Backups in Samsung Cloud

To set up all important data archiving, you need a Samsung account – register it from your phone. Go to Settings > Cloud and accounts > Archive and restore > Backup settings.

Then the service will prompt you to select the data to be archived. We recommend selecting all categories: phone, messages, contacts on the phone, calendar, clock, all settings, apps, documents, voice recorder, music.

But remember about the limited space in the Samsung cloud-only 15 GB. If all the data is not included, do not archive media files – music, photos, and videos. It’s easier to save them on a memory card or upload them to your computer via cable.

Files to Backup

Once you’ve selected all the data you want, click the “Backup” button at the bottom of the screen. The process will take some time, depending on the size of all the selected files.

At the top of the screen, you will see the Date last backed up (if you have done this procedure before). It can be restored, but more on that later.

How Does Backup Work

Automatic app backups will run every 24 hours under the following conditions:

• the phone is charged;
• the phone is connected to a wi-fi network.

The screen has been turned off in the last hour.

What Information is Included in the Backup Data

• Phone: Call and message history.
• Messages: extended, MMS, and SMS messages.
• Contacts: contacts, email addresses, and business cards saved on your phone.
• Clock: alarms, world time, and timers.
• Settings: options for special features, ringtones (the standard ringtone will not be backed up), Samsung keyboard options, Wi-Fi, paired Bluetooth devices, and Always On Display.
• Bixby widgets: settings and pinned cards.
• Home screen: Layout, wallpaper (except the default wallpaper), and Samsung DeX options.
• Apps: Setup files and app settings.
• Documents: DOC, PDF, TXT, HTML files.
• Voice recorder: recordings.
• Music: audio files (MP3, M3A, 3GC, OGG, WAV files).

Files larger than 1GB cannot be backed up to Samsung Cloud.

Ways to Create a Backup on Samsung Galaxy S10

Samsung Galaxy S10 is a multifunctional device for which there are a lot of ways to create a backup account. The user just needs to choose one of the recommended methods, and then you need to act in strict accordance with the requirements of the instructions.

Local Copy

Samsung Galaxy S10 allows you to make backup data without resorting to third-party services. So, you can create a backup and save it in the memory of the device. To do this, you will need to:

• Open settings.
• Go to “About phone”, then select “Backup and restore”.
• Press the “Mobile device” button.
• Check the necessary data, including apps, multimedia, and contacts from your address book.
• Click “Back up”.

Then the automatic backup process will start. The resulting file should be moved to another Samsung device where you plan to restore it. In case the backup is performed before a reset, the backup should be moved temporarily (to a computer, for example) and then returned to the Samsung Galaxy S10 again.

It takes time to create a backup item. The duration of the operation depends on how many files are placed in the copy. The more information, the longer the information is saved. On average, the procedure takes 10-20 minutes.

Google Drive

The easiest way to make a full backup of your Samsung Galaxy S10 phone involves using the system option. It allows you to create and upload a backup to Google Drive storage.

To perform the operation with a Google account, the following instructions will come in handy:

• Open the phone settings.
• Go to “Google account” and then to “Backup”.
• Activate the “Upload to Google Drive” slider.

With these simple steps, the automatic backup feature will be enabled. You will need an internet connection for it to work. And now, when the user decides to do a reset, the data will not go anywhere but will be saved in Google Drive.

When using the inline copy method, it’s worth keeping in mind that space on a Google account is limited. Only 15 gigabytes are available for free. If this amount is not enough, you will have to subscribe or use an alternative option.

Apps

Limitations caused by insufficient space for backups in Google Drive force us to look for other ways. Titanium Backup is a great way out of the situation. However, it will require the owner of the Samsung Galaxy S10 to obtain root rights.

If the conditions are met, follow the instructions:

• Open the app and grant the necessary permissions.
• Under the “Backups” tab, click the backups button.
• Check the files to be backed up and confirm the operation.

The backup will be saved in the root folder of the application. You should later transfer the file to the phone where you plan to restore, or to another device while the reset is in progress.

How to Restore Data

The process to restore data depends on what backup method the device owner used. For example, if the backup was created via Google Drive, you need to authenticate and activate the automatic synchronization with the cloud storage item in the settings.

If the backup was made by creating a local backup, the file must be placed in the Samsung Galaxy S10 directory. Then you should open the settings and in the “Backup and restore data” section, click on the “Restore backup” button.

Those who have used a special application (Titanium Backup), need to transfer the backup to the phone’s internal memory and install the program. Next, run Titanium Backup and open one of the backups in the “Backups” section.

Saving a Local Backup of Your Media Files on Your Computer

Use this method if you want to save all your media files like pictures, videos, songs, ringtones on your computer. All you need is a PC, a phone and a USB cable to it.

Connect your gadget to your computer with the USB cable and you will see its folder where all the files are stored.

Open your phone folder and move all the files you want to save to your computer. All photos and videos are stored in the folder “DCIM”, downloaded files can be found in the folder “Download”, and screenshots are in the folder “Pictures”.

This way you can easily back up data from your device memory and flash drive, and then restore it at any time.

Backup of SMS, Contacts, Call Logs and Applications

To make a backup of all installed applications, we recommend using a utility called Super Backup: SMS & Contacts. With this free tool, you can very easily save the necessary applications, contacts, SMS, and call logs to your flash drive, Google Cloud, or your computer:

• Download and install Super Backup: SMS & Contacts on your smartphone.
• Launch the program, and then select the appropriate item from the menu on the home screen. For example, to save certain programs or games, tap on the “Save apps” button. After that, you need to check the box next to the desired applications and press the “Save” button.

Note: In the same way it is possible to create a backup copy of SMS, contacts, bookmarks, and more.

When the process is complete, the program will create a folder called SMSContactsBackup, which we need to transfer to a PC or upload to the cloud. After that, you’ll have backups of your contacts, apps, calls, and messages that can be restored at any time.

Data Transfer Methods on Samsung Smartphones

There are several ways to transfer information from one Samsung device to another – this is the use of the proprietary utility Smart Switch, synchronization with the account of Samsung or Google, the use of third-party programs. Let’s look at each of them.

Method 1: Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung has developed a proprietary application to transfer data from one device (not just Galaxy) to other smartphones of its own production. The application is called Smart Switch and exists as a mobile utility or the programs for Windows and Mac OS desktops.

It allows you to transfer data via USB cable or Wi-Fi. You can also use the desktop version of the application and transfer information between smartphones using a computer. The algorithm for all methods is similar, so let’s take the wireless connection through the phone app as an example.

• Install Smart Switch on both devices.
• Launch the application on the old device. Select “Wi-Fi” as the transmission method (“Wireless”).
• Select Wireless connection in the program
• On Galaxy S8/S8+ devices and above, the program is integrated into your system and can be found at “Settings” – “Cloud and Accounts” – “Smart Switch”.
• Select “Send.
• Choose to send data from the old device to the program
• Switch to the new device. Open the program and select “Receive”.
• On the new device in the program select to receive data
• Select “Android” in the OS selection window of the old device.
• Select the device type in the program
• On the old device press “Connect”.
• Connect old and a new device in the program
• You are prompted to select the categories of data that will be transferred to the new device. Along with them, the application will display the time required for the migration.
• Select categories of data from the old device in the program
• Mark the information you want and click “Send”.
• On the new device confirm the file receipt.
• Choose to receive data from the old device on the new one in the program
• After the time noted the program will inform you that transfer was successful.
• Finish working with the program on the new device
• Click “Close app”.

This method is extremely simple, however, with this method, it is not possible to transfer third-party app data and settings, as well as cache and game saves. Here is information on how to clear cache on galaxy s10.

Method 2: dr. fone – Switch

A small utility from Chinese developers Wondershare, which allows you to transfer data from one Android smartphone to another in just a couple of clicks. Of course, the program is also compatible with Samsung devices.

• Set the USB debug mode on both devices.
• Then connect your Samsung devices to your PC, but make sure that it has the correct drivers installed.
• Start the other background – Switch.
• Select data transfer in dr.fone Switch
• Click on the “Switch” block.
• When the devices are recognized, you will see an image like the one in the screenshot below.
• Description of the work screen and algorithm of the transfer procedure in dr.fone Switch
• On the left is the source device, in the center is the selection of data categories to be transferred, and on the right is the destination device. Select the files you want to transfer from one smartphone to another and click “Start Transfer”.

Be careful! The program does not know how to transfer data from protected folders Knox and some Samsung system applications!

The transfer process will start. When it finishes, press “OK” and exit the program.

As with Smart Switch, there are restrictions on the type of files you can transfer. In addition, dr. fone – Switch is in English, and its trial version allows you to transfer only 10 items of each data category.

In this article, we have described the easiest and most effective ways to save your data. We recommend that you always sync all your data with Google Cloud Services and save important photos and videos to your computer. By sticking to these simple rules, your data will always be protected from accidental loss.