Google could soon make sure your Android backups get a bit more personal.
A new feature spotted in the latest Google Play Services v26.22.30 beta suggests Android users may soon be able to choose exactly what data gets backed up to the cloud.
Right now, Android backups typically include a broad collection of information, including call logs, messages, device settings, apps and app data. While that makes restoring a new phone easier, it also means backing up plenty of information. Some users may not actually want or need to save that information.
According to an APK teardown, Google appears to be working on a new set of controls that would let users toggle individual backup categories on or off. In practice, that means you could choose to keep important data like messages and settings backed up while excluding less valuable information.
For anyone running low on Google One storage, the change could offer real benefits beyond privacy and organisation. Smaller backups would use less cloud space, consume less mobile data and potentially complete more quickly than a full-device backup.
The feature also appears to go a step further than simply pausing future uploads. Android would reportedly ask users to confirm their choice before disabling a category. This would happen before removing any previously stored backup data associated with that category from Google’s servers.
What’s particularly interesting is that this isn’t the first sign Google is rethinking how Android backups work. Late last year, evidence emerged that the company was developing per-app backup controls. These would allow users to decide which apps could save data to the cloud. That feature still hasn’t arrived publicly, but this latest discovery suggests Google is continuing to explore more granular backup options.
Of course, there’s an important caveat here. An APK teardown uncovered the feature, revealing it in development code before any official announcement. Features found this way often provide a good indication of Google’s plans, but they don’t always make it into a public release.
Still, if it does arrive, it could be one of the more practical Android quality-of-life upgrades we’ve seen in a while. Backups are essential, and this change finally gives users more control over what gets included.
