Android rolls out local ‘Documents’ backup that syncs to Google Drive

Google has introduced a new feature for Android users, allowing them to automatically back up files and downloads from their devices to Google Drive through a new "Documents" backup option. This local backup feature stores files saved on the device, such as downloads from Chrome, in the cloud. While convenient for accessing files if a device is lost, it will consume storage space on the Google Account, specifically within the "Android backups" folder added to the user's My Drive.

Within the "Android backups" folder, there will be another folder named after the user's device, supporting multiple devices under one account.

To enable this feature, users must navigate to Settings > Accounts and backup > Google Backup (on Pixel devices) and find the new "Documents" menu between Photos & videos and Other device data. Users can manually trigger a device backup to upload the latest documents, though the process follows an automated, nightly schedule. The feature was announced in February, and its rollout began earlier this month, with the latest stable version of Google Play services (26.26) supporting the new "Documents" backup option on various devices as of today. For further updates, viewers can watch 9to5Google on YouTube.