Following Android backup policy change This week, Google is rolling out new settings to control whether SMS, MMS, and RCS messages are backed up. Additionally, Android is starting to introduce local document backup.
When you go to Settings > Accounts & backup > Google backup > Other device data (on Pixel), there are new on/off options for SMS and MMS messages, Call history, and Device settings.
Previously, these three items were always backed up, but now Google lets you control whether they are uploaded to the cloud. This is in addition to per-app changes that are also part of a recent release.
As a note, Google confirmed to 9 to 5 this week that “SMS and MMS messages” includes RCS despite the name.
We’re seeing these updated settings start to roll out with Google Play Services version 26.25.
Google announced earlier this week that all Android data now counts toward Google Account storage. On average, this is expected to increase users’ backups by approximately 40 MB.
In other related developments, Google is starting to test a new Documents backup option. As preview in february“Local File Backup” will “automatically save your downloaded documents to Google Drive, ensuring they are secure and accessible from any of your devices.”
Once it is active on your device, there will be a new “Documents” menu on the Backup page along with Photos & Videos and Other Device Data.
After enabling it, a folder named after your device will appear in Google Drive, and this page will provide a shortcut to it. Google explains that:
- “Supported file types include .DOC, .PPT, .XLS, .PDF and all other documents saved on this device.”
- “Changes made to these documents in one location will not be synchronized to other locations.”
- “Documents are encrypted as they move between your device, Google services, and our data centers.”
- If you disable this feature, “the previous backup will not be deleted from Google Drive.”
You can manually trigger a device backup to upload your most recent documents, but otherwise it follows the automated daily schedule.
We are seeing this rolling out with the latest beta version of Google Play services.
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