How to back up a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › System › Advanced › Backup

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Find Backup

   Go to Settings, System. Backup is under Advanced. Tap it.

   Done

2. 

   Choose what to back up

   With backup off, Back up your device opens first. Photos and videos and Other device data (contacts, call history, settings, apps, SMS and MMS) were ticked.

   Done

3. 

   Tap Confirm

   Tap Confirm to start backing up. We tapped Cancel.

   Done

4. 

   Check the Backup page

   The Backup page shows the phone (Pixel 10a, Off on ours) and Backup details: Photos and videos, Documents and Other device data, each Off. Turn on starts the backup.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Backup in System? Search Settings for Backup.
• Documents not in the choice? The Backup page lists Documents separately. It was Off on ours.

If this does not work

• Backup won't run? Google says backup needs Wi-Fi or mobile data and can take a while. Source: Back up or restore data on your Android device
• Storage full? The screen says backup uses your Google Account storage. Free up space there first.

About this guide

A Pixel backs up to your Google Account. On ours backup was off.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009), in Dark mode. We tapped Cancel and did not turn backup on. Our account is blurred.

Good to know

Before a reset: how to factory reset a Pixel.

In short: Settings, System, Advanced, Backup, Confirm or Turn on.