Google Adds Android Downloads Backup to Drive

Google has introduced a new local file backup feature for Android devices, automatically saving downloaded documents from the Downloads folder to Google Drive as part of the February Google Play System update. The addition, detailed in the release notes for Google Play services version 26.06 under the Utilities category, addresses a longstanding gap in Android's backup capabilities and began rolling out gradually this month.

The feature operates in the background, detecting and uploading files such as PDFs, invoices, resumes, and tickets stored in the Downloads folder. Once enabled through a new toggle in Settings under Google Backup, it creates static copies in Google Drive, making them accessible across devices without manual intervention. Unlike continuous syncing, changes made to files on the device after backup or edits in Drive will not update the corresponding copies, ensuring one-way protection rather than real-time synchronization. Google has focused initially on common document types, though support for additional formats may expand in future updates.

This backup differs from Android's established cloud system, which already secures apps and app data, call history,...