Google has introduced granular backup settings for Android users, allowing them to manage data preservation more effectively. Users can disable cloud backups entirely and selectively choose which data sources or applications to back up. To adjust these settings, they can go to Settings > Google (or Google Services) > Other Device Data and toggle off the backup option. When cloud backups are disabled, app settings, call history, SMS messages, and media files will not be saved unless enabled individually. Backed-up data remains on Google's servers until manually deleted. If users exceed their cloud storage limit, they will face restrictions, such as being unable to send or receive emails in Gmail or back up photos to Google Photos. With cloud backups disabled, new devices will not automatically restore data from Google's cloud services. Users can expand their Google account storage by subscribing to Google One, with plans starting at .99 per month for 100GB. An active Google One subscription offers additional perks, including sharing benefits with family and access to enhanced Google Workspace features.
Google now counts Android backups, including SMS, call history, and device settings, toward your Google storage quota as of July 7th. New backup controls allow users to select which data to back up. The average size of an Android backup is around 40MB, suggesting minimal impact on most users' storage. Users can access these options through Settings > Accounts and Backup > Google Backup. The update is being rolled out, with existing accounts receiving the functionality in the coming months.
Google is introducing a selective backup feature for Android users, allowing granular control over app data management. This update is initially rolling out to Pixel devices and users of Google Play Services version 26.24. Users can now selectively manage backups for each app, which helps conserve cloud storage space. The feature is available for those using Android 16 and Android 17, with other manufacturers expected to adopt it soon. Once activated, data is securely backed up to the cloud, but users should be aware that disabling backup for an app will permanently delete its previously backed-up data. To manage backups, users can go to their device’s settings under Google Services > Backup > Backup details. The rollout is gradual, primarily targeting Google Pixel smartphones. Most users will receive the update automatically, and they can check their version of Google Play Services in the settings.
Google has introduced per-app backup controls for Android devices, enhancing user experience. For Pixel users, the backup settings can be accessed through Settings > Accounts and backup > Google Backup > Other device data, now featuring a structured “App data” section that highlights the top three apps and their backed-up data. Users can toggle backup options off for individual apps, with notifications explaining the implications of disabling backups. These controls do not apply to the Device data section, which includes SMS, call history, and device settings. The rollout is confirmed for Pixel devices on stable Android versions 16 and 17 with Google Play services version 26.24, while Samsung users have not yet received these controls. Additionally, Google One for Android has been visually updated to an edge-to-edge design.
Samsung's Gallery app will discontinue support for OneDrive syncing by September 30. Users can still access syncing in older app versions, but newer versions have removed this feature. Alternatives for photo backup and gallery applications include:
- Google Photos: Designed for cloud storage, accessible from any device, with editing tools and AI features; offers expanded storage with a Google One subscription.
- Amazon Photos: Recently updated with a better interface and natural language search; Prime members get unlimited full-resolution photo storage and 5GB for videos; free-tier users have 5GB shared across formats.
- Piktures: A user-friendly third-party app with cloud integration and a Secret Space feature for privacy; ad-supported with an option to remove ads via payment.
- Microsoft OneDrive: Offers basic photo backup; allows continued use of Samsung Gallery for viewing while handling backups.
- Focus Go: Minimalist app that organizes images by folder with essential functionalities like fingerprint lock and HDR rendering.
- Aves Gallery: Features a statistics page for tracking user habits and enhanced search functionality.
- Fossify Gallery: A customizable fork of Simple Gallery with a straightforward UI and various functionalities for photographers.
- Google Gallery: A minimalistic gallery experience for users in Google's ecosystem, supporting Android 8 and higher.
The Samsung Gallery app will end its integration with Microsoft’s OneDrive on September 30, 2026, meaning it will no longer display photos stored on OneDrive. Users can still access their photos through the OneDrive Android app and web interface, but must adjust camera backup settings in the OneDrive app to ensure new photos are backed up. Microsoft has provided steps for users to update their camera roll settings to maintain backup of new photos and access existing ones. The OneDrive app features a dedicated Photos tab, but may not match the capabilities of Google Photos, which offers advanced search and AI-driven editing tools. Google recently expanded its storage options, introducing a plan for 5 TB of Google Drive storage for a .99 monthly fee with a Google AI Pro subscription.
The Fitbit app will transition to the Google Health app on May 19 through an automatic update, ensuring all Fitbit data carries over. Google Fit users will be able to migrate their data later this year. Fitbit Premium is rebranded as Google Health Premium, with an annual subscription price increase. Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in over 30 countries will receive this premium service at no extra cost. The updated Google Health app will feature enhanced leaderboards for step tracking and cardio load, improved cycle tracking, and a flagship feature called Health Coach, which requires a Google Health Premium subscription. Basic features like activity tracking and health monitoring will remain available for free, while premium functionalities will be powered by AI. The Health Premium subscription will be complimentary for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, expanding access compared to the previous Fitbit Premium availability.
Google is offering a 50% discount on the annual YouTube Premium subscription for new subscribers to the Google AI Pro plan, reducing the yearly cost significantly. This promotion follows recent price hikes for YouTube Premium in the U.S. and aims to attract users to the AI Pro subscription, which has increased its storage capacity from 2TB to 5TB at no extra cost. The discounted rate will continue upon renewal, but it is only available to the Google One plan manager or family organizer, not to other family plan members. Subscribers will receive features like background playback, offline downloads, ad-free viewing, and access to Gemini-powered functionalities.
Google has increased AI Pro storage from 2TB to 5TB at the same monthly rate, exclusively for AI Pro subscribers. This upgrade is being rolled out globally, although there may be a slight delay in users seeing the new limits. The additional storage can be used across various Google services, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos backups. Standard Google One plan users will not receive this increase and will remain at their existing limits. The storage increase represents a 150% boost for the same price.
