If you want something a bit more straightforward and without any ongoing fees or limitations, the third-party Pulse SMS app is an excellent next-level option. If you don't see Developer options, tap Settings > System > About Phone, then tap the build number seven times. Settings and data for apps not made by Google (varies by app). Samsung confusingly offers the option to back up your data to its own service — via your Samsung account — in addition to backing it up with the standard Android backup system. The specifics vary from one device to the next, depending on the manufacturer and carrier — but often, when a company puts its own solution in place of Google's, it'll give you the ability to switch to Google's Contacts system if you want. You'll see a status as the software copies those components over to your local computer. You'll see your Android appear as an available device to browse in Windows File Explorer, allowing you to copy files from your Android phone to your PC. But my, what a difference a few years makes.

It doesn't require an app and it only takes a few minutes. The Contacts app on many Samsung phones asks where you want to save a new contact every time you create one.

Manually backing up images, videos, and files from your phone is a good way to save data, but it won't save contacts, text messages, and other items you may want to back up as well. AutoSync allows you to keep specific local folders continuously synced with cloud-based equivalents. You can monitor and control your phone's system-level backups within the aptly named Backup section of your device's settings. Then, you'll need to install the Google One app onto your phone and look for the Device Backup section within the app to turn that option on. So when the touch screen is broken, just try to find a reliable yet reliable broken Android data recovery software as your assistant. Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day, Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Both backup and restoration always fail :(0.

Subscribe to access expert insight on business technology - in an ad-free environment. To restore a backed-up account to a reset phone, follow the on-screen steps.

There are possibilities as to backup data from dead Android phone with the use of third party data recovery tools. If you're only really concerned about photos, videos, and other files stored on your Android, transferring them via USB is the easiest method. Disregarding that and going with the standard, Google-associated setup is the most advisable option, as that'll allow you to restore your data to any phone you might use in the future, whereas Samsung's superfluous setup will work only with other Samsung-made phones.