per-app Android – Google is beginning a limited beta rollout of Android backup controls that let users choose which individual apps are included in cloud backups—an overdue shift away from Android’s all-or-nothing backup setup.
For years. Android backups have worked like a single toggle: turn backups on. and Google backs up app data from supported apps to your Google account. Turn it off, and that’s it. It’s convenient when you’re restoring after an upgrade or a factory reset—but frustrating when you want tighter control over what actually goes to the cloud.
Now, that setup is starting to change for some people. Google is testing per-app backup controls in the Android beta program. allowing users to choose whether specific apps’ data should be included in device backups. The shift matters because Android’s current system doesn’t offer much choice beyond the master switch.
The idea wasn’t announced widely. Android Authority first spotted signs of the feature in late 2025. and then again in November 2025. when it uncovered evidence that Google was working on separate backup toggles for installed apps. Instead of relying on one on/off setting. the new interface is designed to let users decide which apps are included in their cloud backup.
The testing phase is now moving from discovery into rollout. A user in AssembleDebug’s Telegram channel said Google has started rolling the feature out to the Android beta program, though availability appears limited at the moment.
The appeal is straightforward: not every app’s data needs to be uploaded automatically. Some apps hold information people may prefer not to store in cloud backups. and others may simply add bulk to backups without being especially useful. Giving each app its own on/off switch adds flexibility without forcing users to abandon backups altogether.
If the limited beta expands. Android’s backup system could finally match what many users assume they already have on their phones: control. Instead of managing privacy and storage with a single decision. users would be able to decide app by app what gets backed up—one of the most practical upgrades Android users have been waiting for.
Google Android beta app backups cloud storage per-app controls privacy Google account device backup
About time. I hate when everything backs up automatically.
Wait so this means I can stop Google from backing up my bank app stuff? Or is it only like games and photos? The title makes it sound huge but then it’s “beta” so idk.
Telegram said it’s rolling out to the beta so obviously it’s already on my phone right? Like I feel like I saw it somewhere… but maybe I’m mixing it up with that “backup to the cloud” thing in settings. If it’s per-app, does that mean it’ll stop restoring the stuff I deleted too? because that’s what always messes me up.
Android been behind on everything and now they’re finally doing “app by app” backups. Great. But I don’t trust cloud backups anyway, so what difference does it make if it still exists? Also if an app isn’t selected, will it mess up my whole restore after a factory reset? Like I remember when Google backups were broken for months and then everyone blamed “storage” or whatever.