How to Backup Android Phone to Usb Drive

Smartphones can store a lot of important information such as contacts, messages, photos and videos. However, backups are always crucial in case of device failures, thefts or accidental data loss. Using a USB drive as the backup medium is a good choice as it offers high mobility and storage capacity. This blog post will provide you with some methods of backing up an Android phone to a USB drive.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of How to Backup Android Phone to Usb Drive

Loss of important data on an Android phone can have serious consequences. Making sure you have a backup copy of the data ensures that a phone failure or accidental data loss will not lead to permanent data loss. But how exactly do you back up an Android smartphone’s data? And how do you ensure that it is saved to a USB drive for data protection?

Things You Should Prepare for

Before we dive into the methods of backing up Android phone data to USB drive, make sure the following things are prepared:

  • An Android smartphone with a USB port.
  • A USB drive with sufficient storage capacity for data backup.
  • A USB cable that connects the phone to the USB drive.
  • Make sure that the USB drive is in proper working condition with no errors or bad sectors.

Method 1: Backup Android Phone to Usb Drive via File Explorer

Backing up data from Android phone to USB drive is a great way to keep your data safe and accessible. You can use Windows File Explorer to back up Android phone data to USB drive by following these steps.

  1. Connect both your Android phone and the USB drive to the computer through USB cables.
  2. Open File Explorer and navigate to the Android phone.
  3. Select the data you want to back up and right-click them, then click Copy.
  4. Navigate to the USB drive in File Explorer, and right-click to Paste the copied data.
  5. The backup process may take some time based on the size of the data being transferred.

Pros:

  • Easy to operate even for beginners.
  • The necessary software is already built into Windows systems.

Cons:

  • The transferring speed is limited by the speed of the USB connection.
  • The process may be interrupted abruptly by a sudden outage or disconnection.

Method 2: Backup Android Phone to Usb Drive via Android Backup App

Android has an automatic backup feature that comes in handy when backing up data. This method will use the built-in backup app in your Android phone. Here is how to do it:

  1. Connect the USB drive to the Android phone via OTG cable
  2. Open Settings app on the Android phone and navigate to Backup & reset.
  3. Turn on Back up my data.
  4. Navigate to Backup Account and choose the desired backup account.
  5. Toggle on Automatic Restore and select the data you would like to backup and tap on Backup now.
  6. Wait for the data backup process to complete.

Pros:

  • Automatic backup makes the process easier.
  • Android phone settings and data are saved in an archival format.
  • The backup is available at your fingertips.

Cons:

  • May consume mobile data if the backup is huge.
  • The backup is not easily accessible on other devices.

Method 3: Backup Android Phone to Usb Drive via A Third-party App

Introducing a third-party app to backup Android phone to USB drive provides a user-friendly interface and enhances the options for backing up. This method will use a popular backup app called MobiKin Assistant for Android. Here are the steps:

  1. Download and install MobiKin Assistant for Android.
  2. Connect the USB drive to the computer and launch the app.
  3. Connect the Android phone to the computer through USB cable.
  4. The app should detect the phone and display its main screen.
  5. Choose the data you would like to back up and click Export to start backup.
  6. A popup window will appear, asking you to select the backup destination, select USB drive and click Okay to start.
  7. When the backup process is complete, unplug the phone and USB drive.

Pros:

  • MobiKin Assistant for Android comes with a variety of powerful features.
  • The backup is saved in a convenient format for future restores.

Cons:

  • It requires downloading and installing a third-party application.
  • MobiKin Assistant for Android may not support all types of Android phones.

Why Can’t I Backup My Data to USB Drive?

Here are some of the common reasons why you can’t backup your data to a USB drive and what you can do to fix it:

1. The USB drive is Write-Protected

Q: Why can’t I copy files to my USB drive?
A: Your USB drive may be write-protected. This issue may be resolved by checking if your USB drive has a switch. Ensure it’s in the unlock position to allow file transfers.

2. The USB drive is Damaged

Q: Why can’t I access my USB drive?
A: Your USB drive may be damaged, so you should try plugging it into a different USB port or another computer. If the USB drive is in a bad condition, it’s best to replace it.

3. The Data Transfer is Interrupted

Q: Why did my data transfer stop midway?
A: When transferring data, there may be sudden power outages or network outages, as well as accidental disconnections between the USB drive and the phone. You may attempt to resume the transfer after resolving the issue to ensure that you have properly backed up your data.

Additional Tips

Here are some tips to ensure effective and safe backups:

  • Always check the space capacity of the USB drive before initiating the backup process.
  • Keep multiple backups of your data in different locations or devices.
  • Periodically check the file integrity of the backup data.

5 FAQs about How to Backup Android Phone to Usb Drive

Q1: Do I need to format my USB drive before using it for data backup?

A: Yes, it is better to format the USB drive before using it for backup. Formatting will erase all files on the USB drive and prepare it for use.

Q2: How long does it take to backup data from an Android phone to a USB drive?

A: This depends on the size of the data being transferred and other variables, such as transfer speed and the type of backup method used.

Q3: Can I backup my app data to USB drive?

A: Yes, the app data can be backed up too. Ensure the automatic backup is turned on for the app and select the app data during backup.

Q4: Can backed-up data from one Android phone be restored on another phone?

A: It depends on the restore options provided by the selected backup method. Check the documentation of the backup method to identify if it allows restoring data to other phones.

Q5: What should I do if my phone does not support USB OTG?

A: Unfortunately, if your phone does not support USB OTG, you can only transfer data through other options, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cloud services.

In Conclusion

It is essential to ensure that your Android phone data is backed up regularly. Whether it’s through Windows File Explorer, backup apps, or third-party options like MobiKin Assistant for Android, there are many ways to securely back up your data to a USB drive. Plus, it’s always good to invest in a reliable USB drive with enough storage capacity for your data needs and budget.