Unless you go out and actually use each backup app from the Google Play Store, there’s no way to know which backup app that’s best suited for you. Fortunately, we have gone through this lengthy process just so you don’t have to. Below is a list of the best backup apps for Android devices. Take a look at the list to figure out which app suits your needs. View the conclusion to understand our top recommendations. Note: The smartphone that we used to test these backup apps is a Google Nexus 4 with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean installed. Please bear in mind that some users have been reporting issues with some of these backup apps when running Android 4.4 Kit Kat.
1.G Cloud Backup – Free
G Cloud Backup aims to be an all-in-one backup solution for your Android device. However, even though it can backup your apps, SMS messages, contacts, call logs, documents, settings, photos, music and videos, G Cloud Backup does not back up your app data (such as game progress, app settings, etc). G Cloud will attempt to backup your data every day, and it will do so when it detects a Wi-Fi connection, provided that your battery level is above 25 percent. You can easily select what type of data you want to back up. On a personal note, I highly recommend that you only backup the data that is most sensitive to you, especially since free accounts come with just 1GB of storage, and eating up through that quote isn’t a difficult task if you have loads of music and videos. Fortunately, you can earn up to 10GB of free space by performing various tasks such a referring your friends or engaging with the developers on social networks. Restoring your backups is straightforward, and users might also appreciate that you can revert to a certain point in the past by selecting the exact backup you want to restore to. G Cloud Backup is probably the best free Android backup application available. Not only because it can backup data to the cloud (1GB of free storage) and schedule backups, but G Cloud Backup is free and does not require a rooted Android device. These are the most important features offered by G Cloud Backup:
Backs up all data to the cloud (1GB of free storage) Users can earn up to 10GB of free storage Secure data transfer (Secure Socket Layer) and storing (256-AES) Scheduled/Automatic backups Will back up every version of every file Completely Free
Notable Feature: Can access/share the files stored on your Android device from any browser Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000 Android Version: 2.2 and up Size: 16 MB Price: Free
2. Super Backup – Free / Paid ($1.99)
2.a Free Version
Super Backup is one of the few top Android backup apps that can upload the backups to Gmail. If you’d rather save your backups to Gmail instead of a separate cloud service, this is the backup app you’re looking for. Super Backup does not backup all your data with a single click. Instead, you’ll have to select the type of data you want to back up individually (Apps, SMS, Contacts, Call Logs, Calendars or Bookmarks). Most of its features are available on non-rooted devices, with the exception of backing up app data and restoring batch apps from the SD card. Oddly enough, Super Backup gives its users the ability to select only certain SMS conversations for backup, although why you’d want to pass on backing up all the conversations isn’t clear to us at this point. Features available in the free version:
Backs up data to SD card or Gmail App Backup SMS, Contacts, Call Log Backup Scheduled/Automatic Backups Ad Supported
Notable Feature: Can restore batch apps from your SD card Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000 Android Version: 2.01 and up Size: 691KB Price: Free
2.b Paid Version ($1.99)
The paid version of Super Backup doesn’t bring any new functionality to the table, but if you’re willing to shed out $1.99 for the pro version of Super Backup, you’ll get rid of the ads that populate the free version. Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000 Android Version: 2.01 and up Size: 691KB Price: $1.99
3. Go Backup & Restore – Free / Paid ($4.99)
3.a Free version
Go Backup & Restore is an app made by the same people who created the Go Launcher custom Android launcher. You can back up and restore contacts, apps, messages, call logs even if you don’t have a rooted Android device, but you’ll miss out on some interesting features such as backing up/restoring app data and protected apps. Selecting the data you want to back up with Go Backup & Restore is as easy as clicking checkboxes. One interesting option is to merge two individual backups. This is useful if you find yourself in crossroad positions, when you have to choose between reverting to a set of changes or the other. By merging the two backups, you can revert to both backups at one and avoid the necessity of choosing between keeping this data or the other. Although the free version of Go Backup & Restore does its job well, it’s a bit weird to learn that you have to switch to the paid version to back up and restore SMS and MMS data. These are the main features of Go Backup & Restore Free:
Backs up and restores APK + app data Backs up and restores Contacts, Call Logs, Bookmark, and Calendar
Notable Feature: Can merge two individual backups Downloads: 1,000,000 – 5,000,000 Android Version: 2.2 and up Size: 2.4MB Price: Free
3.b Paid Version ($4.99) – In app purchase
These are the features that are available only in the paid version of Go Backup & Restore:
Cloud backup (via Google Drive or Dropbox) Can back up and restore system settings Can back up SMS and MMS data Scheduled Backups
Note: If you want to unlock the paid version, you’ll have to do so from the app.
4.Easy Backup – Free
Easy Backup is an app that does exactly what the name suggests. It’s an easy way to back up your data, not to mention it is completely free. The app is similar to Easy Backup. The interface is almost identical, you have to backup each data category individually, and you can email the contents of the backup to Gmail. The only difference/advantage is that Easy Backup can upload the backups to the cloud via Dropbox or Google Drive. This is a great free app that not only worked well during our tests, but was also the fastest to backup and restore the backups we created. Features offered by Easy Backup:
Backs up data to SD card or Gmail Backup to cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive) App Backup SMS, Contacts, Call Log Backup Scheduled/Automatic Backups
Notable Feature: Fast backup and restore Downloads: 50,000 – 100,000 Android Version: 2.0 and up Size: 1.8MB Price: Free
5. My Backup – Free / Paid Version $4.99
5.a Free Version
The free version of My Backup is one of the best apps you can use to back up all your Android data. The app works well with unrooted devices, although you’ll lose the option to back up your app data. My Backup offers a straightforward interface and worked without a single glitch during our test run. Unfortunately, the free version also comes with a major limitation: only 2MB of cloud storage. Obviously, this isn’t enough for any serious backups, meaning that you’ll have to go for the paid version to back up your data in the cloud with My Backup. Additionally, the free version of My Backup only restores the backups that are created on your device. The free version of My Backup comes with the following features
Contacts/Calendar/Call History Backup Text History/Photo History/Photos/Music/Videos Backup Back up to SD Back up to cloud Scheduled backups
Notable Feature: It will also back up your home screens Downloads: 1,000,000 – 5,000,000 Android Version: 1.5 and up Size: 2.4MB Price: Free
5.b Paid Version ($4.99)
The Pro version of My Backup allows you to migrate your system to another Android device. To do this, create a backup on a device, then restore it on another. Downloads: 100,000 – 500,000 Android Version: 1.5 and up Size: 2.4MB Price: $4.99
6. Ultimate Backup – Free / Paid ($2.99)
6.a Free Version
The feature that makes Ultimate Backup unique is the fact that it offers advanced app management tools. If you’re looking for a way to convert user apps to system apps, kill or force close running apps, or even freeze system/user apps without downloading a separate app, then Ultimate Backup is the way to go. Although the free version of Ultimate Backup can back up your data, it lacks the ability to restore it. This has caused a lot of dissatisfaction amongst its users, especially since this disadvantage is not well explained in the app’s description. Some might rightfully consider this as a means to trick you into purchasing the full version when you actually need to restore a backup. These are the most important features available to you in the free version of Ultimate Backup:
Backs up to the cloud (but doesn’t restore) Send/Share apps
Notable Feature: Advanced app management tool Downloads: 100,000 – 500,000 Android Version: 1.6 and up Size: 5.4MB Price: Free
6.b Paid Version ($2.99)
The paid version brings all the functionality that you’d expect from a backup app such as system restore, and scheduled backups. In addition, the paid version of Ultimate Backup removes the ads that appear in the free version. Downloads: 10,000 – 50,000 Android Version: 1.6 and up Size: 5.4MB Price: $2.99
7. AppMonster Free Backup Restore – Free
As the name suggests, AppMonster Free Backup Restore is a free backup app for Android. If all you’re looking for is a simple way to backup and restore your apps, but not the other data on your Android device, then AppMonster Free Backup is the app for you. A unique feature is the ability to share on Facebook. One nice thing about AppMonster Free Backup Restore is the fact that it allows users to restore apps to certain versions. These are the main features available with AppMonster Free Backup & Restore:
App backup and restore to/from SD card Cloud backup/restore via Dropbox or Google Drive Can share apps via Facebook
Notable Feature: will only backup and restore the apps, and not the SMS/contacts/calendars/etc. Downloads: 1,000,000 – 5,000,000 Android Version: 2.1 and up Size: 339K Price: Free
8. Titanium Backup – Free and Paid ($5.91)
8.a Free Version
If you have a rooted Android device, then Titanium Backup is a solid option. While the free version of Titanium Backup is still useful, it pales in comparison to the features that are available to paid users. These are the features available in the free version of Titanium Backup:
Backup/restore protected apps + their settings Backup/restore system apps + their settings (incl. Wi-Fi AP list) Backup/restore external app data Limited scheduling Built-in Android Market information viewer (Android 2.0+)
Notable Feature: Needs root for all features Downloads: 10,000,000 – 50,000,000 Android Version: 1.6 and up Size: 6.2MB Price: Free
8.b Paid Version ($5.91)
Titanium Backup PRO adds the following abilities:
Backup/restore SMS, MMS, call log, bookmarks and Wi-Fi networks Full support for paid apps Backup to and restore from Dropbox, Box and Google Drive Flexible backup schedules Backup Encryption
If you’re on the lookout for an app that integrates the abilities of all the other apps in this list, with other additional features, Titanium Backup PRO is the ultimate app for you. It’s blazing fast, it encrypts your backups, can work with cloud storage providers, can backup paid apps, and much more. Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000 Android Version: 1.6 and up Size: 39KB (update) Price: $5.91
9.Helium (formerly Carbon) – Free and Paid ($4.99)
9.a Free Version
Helium is a backup and app sync app from developer ClockworkMod, best known for the self-titled custom Android ROM. Some of you might know this app by its former name: Carbon. Although Helium does not require a rooted device, to activate the app you have to connect to a PC via a dedicated Windows/Mac/Linux software. Most backup apps that do not require a rooted device have no such requirements. The procedure requires several steps, but at least these steps are all clearly explained during the process. Please bear in mind that some users have been complaining about the fact that Helium fails to restore backups. Indeed, during our tests, we discovered that several apps have crashed the Helium backup process, with the app being unable to resume the restore process once a problem is encountered. According to the developer, Helium doesn’t work on any Motorola device, as well as some Sony devices (including the Xperia S and the Xperia Z). Here are the features that are available to you in the free version of Helium:
Backup and restore to SD card Backup apps Backup call log & SMS
Notable Feature: Backup and restore from PC Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000 Android Version: 4.0 and up Size: 3MB Price: Free
9.b: Paid Version ($4.99)
Please be advised that scheduled backups won’t work if you have a PIN or a pattern-lock in place, thus rendering the feature quite useless if you don’t want to give up on your security measures. This is the worst backup app that we tested, but we have decided to include it in our list because it is a very popular app. Be warned: all of the nine other apps listed above are preferable to this app (at least until the developer can find a way to iron out the bugs and issues.) The paid Helium app claims to offer all the goodies that you’d expect from a paid app in this category:
Automatic Backup schedules Cloud backup and restore (Dropbox, Box, Google Drive)
Notable Feature: Android to Android app data sync Downloads: 50,000 – 100,000 Android Version: 4.0 and up Size: 211k (update) Price: $4.99
Conclusion
After analyzing all the apps available in the Play Store, we’ve come up with these two recommendations: A. If you’re looking for free Android backup apps, then G Cloud Backup, Super Backup, and Easy Backup should all satisfy your needs. B. If you’re willing to pay for a backup app, then go for Titanium Backup Pro. It is the best app in this list by a long stretch. What do you guys think? Did we miss any apps that should be included in our list? Did you encounter problems with any of the apps listed above? Drop us a comment in the section below and join the conversation!
