Disaster can strike at any moment, so you need to be certain you can always backup your Galaxy S6 Edge before your data gets ruined, or lost. The S6 Edge has many Android Backup options available that will rarely take more than half an hour of your day, and shouldn’t cost you a dime. Some of these methods might require some troubleshooting for known issues, but most of these known issues thankfully have known solutions.
Method 1: Built-in Backup Features
Much like the S6 before it, the Galaxy S6 Edge has plenty of backup features already built into the device. The features mentioned here will only backup:
PhotosContactsSystem settingsSome app dataSMS and MMSDRM free music
Backing up your phone with this method will allow you to restore the above categories on that device, or another if the same account can be used. This is most likely the easiest and fastest method to backup data on the S6 Edge, but certainly not the best.
- The preliminary step to backing up any Samsung information on a Samsung device is a Samsung account. If you’ve used the Galaxy App store before, then you should have one already, but if you’ve yet to sign up, now is the time.
- Next we’re going to dive into your settings. For this you’ll be needing a Google account, which you should most likely already have, to send your backups to. For most of your built-in backup needs you’ll be following this path:
Go to SettingsThen head to Backup & reset from the Personal tab
From here you can backup a Google account, or set your data to backup automatically. Additionally, you can use a Samsung account to backup your phone logs and messages from this menu. This can be set to do so automatically, or done instantly by tapping backup now. 3. Do you have Google Photos already installed? If so, the app has an option in its Settings to complete auto backups with a Google account to keep your photos safe from any untimely data loss. To the reach the app’s settings just give the three vertical dots in the top right corner a tap. 4. Using a data cable, you can manually transfer any photos, videos, or DRM free music to a PC. To do this, you should:
Connect your device to your PC with an appropriate data cable.Navigate on your PC to your connected phone. This should be where any storage device can be located when connected.Enter your device through the PC, and then copy over any allowed files manually.
This can be tedious, but if you want a job done right, sometimes you just have to do it yourself.
Method 2: Titanium Backup (Requires Root)
Titanium backup is one of many backup apps providing what could potentially be the perfect backup experience for you. While Titanium can be easy enough to use, it does require a root to function, and isn’t highly beginner friendly. For the full story on Titanium Backup you can view our article on it above if you’re on the fence.
- As mentioned above, you need a root in order to use Titanium Backup. In that sense, rooting the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is the first step to backing it up with this method.
- You can download Titanium Backup from the download button below: If you still aren’t sure about using the service, you can view a video on the app page in the Google Play store. Additionally, a pro version is available for $5.99 if you believe the pro features listed on the page for the free version are enticing enough.
- After downloading and installing Titanium, accept the SuperUser request on startup, and take a moment to explore, the app can do far more than just its namesake. If you purchased the pro version, you’ll find a lot to take advantage of, and use.
- Titanium backup can either be set to perform backups on a schedule (ex. just when you’re sleeping, not using your phone), or on demand. What can Titanium backup? The short answer to that is everything, and the longer answer is still everything. To start using the app’s backup functions:
Tap on the Backup / Restore tab in the app.You can either batch the process, or select to backup apps and data individually. If you decide to backup everything in one go with a batch, prepare to be waiting a long time.
You can select where you want this data to end up (in one large file no less), and I would recommend putting it somewhere accessible that you can reach, and transferring that file to your PC for later use.
In the Backup / Restore tab, you can additionally backup system settings in the same menu if desired.
The sky’s the limit with Titanium Backup, but you can back up the big blue horizon too if you have the space available.
Method 3: Helium Backup
Helium is the first app on this list that requires a companion application on your PC and device to function (as long as you aren’t rooted), and we covered its usefulness here at an earlier date. I can safely say that Helium (or Carbon) has remained relatively unchanged, and still does what it sets out to accomplish. To use Helium, you’ll need:
A data cable that works with your Android device.A PC, Mac, or Linux enabled computer.The Helium app, and the Carbon companion for your PC.
Or just:
A rooted Android device.The Helium app for your device.
You can find the most recent version of Helium for your computer here, and the recently updated Helium app by using the Google Play button below: Additionally, you can purchase the pro version for $4.99 by clicking this next button below, after downloading the free version: Helium is straightforward to use on startup if your device is already rooted, but for S6 Edge users that don’t have root, please see our article on Helium for a full step by step on backing up with the service.
Method 4: Wondershare MobileGo
MobileGo is one of many Android file transfer services that can be used for free, but has a one time license available for $29.95. It makes use of either a data cable, or Wi-Fi to transfer Android files and apps to your PC, Mac, or another mobile device. For this explanation, I’ll be focusing on using a data cable to transfer files and make backups.
- To download MobileGo, you can visit their download page, and any other pages if you have questions about the service. The free version is available on the front of the page.
- After downloading and following MobileGo’s installation instructions, you can connect your Galaxy S6 to your PC to start the backup process after you launch the installed application. Where you’ll be spending a lot of your time in the application is in the My Device menu, pictured here: There are a few options here available for Android devices, but we’ll be focusing on the bar to the left side
- On the bar to the left hand side of the application is a list, each of which you can go through and browse the available data you have in this category stored on your phone. Using Wondershare MobileGo, you can transfer any of these files to either your PC, or another Android device. Features such as the One-Click Backup may be unavailable unless you’ve purchased the lifetime license, but you are still able to backup files manually through their individual categories. For a full guide on MobileGo, they have an in-depth look at their service on their website, including a full guide for Android data transfer.
Method 5: Samsung Smart Switch
Samsung Smart Switch may sound familiar to any Samsung users, but possibly for the wrong reasons. The Samsung service has a spotty reputation when it comes to being a reliable backup method, but since a good number of users still enjoy the service, I think it warrants a mention here. With Samsung Smart Switch you can transfer:
Your calendarSMS and MMSDRM free music and videosCall logsMemos, alarms, Wi-Fi settings, and wallpapers
- You can download Samsung Smart Switch from one of two places; either the google play store: Or from their official website. For the purpose of backing up your phone to an external source that is not a SD card, you’ll need both the app, and the PC application. For the next few steps onwards, I’ll be assuming that you’re backing up your files to a SD card.
- After installing the app, launch it to be taken to a new menu that will ask what device you’re transferring data to and from. On this menu, tap More in the upper right corner of the screen to get a new dropdown list of items. Then from the list you’ve just opened, select external storage.
- From here you can see the Back up button at the bottom of the screen, give it a press, and then wait a few moments for all of your backup options to load. Once they have, you can then deselect options to backup individually, and see how much space in your external storage this backup with occupy. Once you’ve made your selection, hit Back up at the bottom of the screen again. After you’ve done this just wait for the preparations to finish, and then hit Done to safely finish the process.
- Now that the data has been placed on your external storage, you can transfer that to any other device for future use, or security.
Method 6: Nandroid Backups
Upfront, Nandroid Backups does not require a root, but does require an unlocked bootloader. This means if your bootloader isn’t already unlocked, you’ll have to wipe all of your data to do so, pretty much defeating the point of the backup service. However, if your bootloader is already unlocked, we have a great step by step on using Nandroid Backups for any Android device. As a backup service, Nandroid essentially takes a snapshot of your device and stores it where you decide for future use. It is by far one of the best backup services to use after you’ve unlocked your bootloader, second only to Titanium Backup if you unlocked your device to perform a root. You cannot go wrong with this free service, so if you want to make it a part of your backup process of choice, we’ve covered all you’d ever want to know about it here.
Conclusion
If you want to backup the Galaxy S6 Edge, you have plenty of options to choose from no matter what data you intend to keep safe. From backing up everything, to just backing up some vacation snapshots, there’s an option available. Backing up your device could take as little as five minutes, and save you hours of headache. Do you have a backup service you like to use that wasn’t mentioned here, or a question about the ones that were? Feel free to leave a comment and we’ll do our best to get back to you. Featured Image Credit
