You automatically get 15 GB of free cloud space if you have a Google account. It provides an easy and flexible alternative to traditional external drive backups. Restoring from Google Drive is also very simple and quick.So, without further delay, let’s take a look at how you can backup and restore your data with Google Drive.
How to Manually Backup With Google Drive
The general method to manually backup files and folders to Google Drive is to upload them. There are different ways you can do so based on your device. You can either directly upload to the Drive website or the Drive apps provided by Google.
Upload to Website
This is the conventional method to back up any data to Google Drive. To back up your data by uploading to your Google Drive website,
Upload to Google Drive App on Mobile Phones
People use the Google Cloud Storage service through the Google Drive App on mobile devices. You can directly upload files to this application instead of the Drive website. Follow the steps below to back up your files by uploading them to the Drive app:
Copy to Google Virtual Drive on PC
Google has introduced the Google Drive for Desktop app that facilitates convenient access and syncing with the Drive from your PC. This application creates a Virtual Drive on your PC that syncs with your Google Drive. Here’s how you can back up your data to Google Virtual Drive:
How to Automatically Backup With Google Drive
It is possible to set up automatic backup to Google Drive for all devices. These methods are mainly used to protect your files before a system reset, or restore them to a new system.
Use Google Drive for Desktop App on PC
The Google Drive for Desktop application also provides an automatic backup and sync feature to backup selected folders. You can use this backup to restore the folders to any new computer or system.Please follow the steps below to use this feature:
Through Backup Settings on Android
Android OS also includes an option for automatic backup to Google Drive. You can use it to upload some apps, messages, call logs, settings, contacts, etc., to the Drive. Backing up photos and videos is also possible, but you’ll have to enable it from the settings separately.Please follow these directions to set up automatic Google Drive backup on an Android device:
How to Restore From Google Drive
There are different ways to restore the backed-up data from Google Drive based on the methods used to create said backups.
Download From Website
You can directly download uploaded backups to your system to restore the data. Here are the steps to download from the Drive website:
Download from Google Drive App
Similar to the above method, mobile users can directly download the backed-up files from the Google Drive app. Follow these instructions to do so:
Copy from Google Virtual Drive
It is possible to directly copy the files and folders from the Google Virtual Drive to your Local Drive to restore your data. Please follow the steps below:
Restore Google Drive for Desktop App Backup
You can directly restore the automatic backups from your old computer to your new one from Google Drive. Here’s how you can do so:
Restore Android Data During Set up
You can use the automatic backups on your Android device to restore your device settings and data after a reset.Follow the steps below to use the automatic backup to restore your Android data:
Related Questions
Why can’t I download from Google Drive in Chrome?
You won’t be able to download in chrome from Google Drive if you have blocked all third-party cookies. Here’s how you can solve this issue without allowing cookies from all sites:
How do I restore files deleted from the Drive?
You will find any deleted file or folder in the Trash. But, such is not the case for permanently deleted files. You’ll likely have to contact the Google Suite Administrator and have them restore these items. Also, please keep in mind that it is not possible to recover permanently deleted files after 25 days unless you use the Google Vault.
Files that have not been deleted are missing in Drive.
Some files may have become orphaned in Google Drive. It can happen when you create the files under a folder owned by someone else. When they delete the folder, you can’t find your file in your Drive. Follow these steps to find and make those files available on your Drive:
