Observed Signal · Jul 2, 2026 · Technical Release · Source: t3n · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Google allows excluding individual Android apps from backups
Google is rolling out a new Android backup feature that lets users exclude individual apps from cloud backups. The capability is being distributed via Google Play services version 26.25 (from June 29) and is currently in beta; it is not limited to Pixel devices or the newest Android version. The per-app controls appear under Settings → Google services and settings → Manage backup → Other device data → Device data → App data, where users can toggle exclusion for specific apps; the system warns that excluded app data will be deleted from the user’s Google account and will no longer be backed up from that device. Core data types such as SMS/MMS, call logs and device settings remain always backed up. Google previously added automatic saving of downloaded documents to Google Drive in Play services version 26.06.
A technical release from a major platform (Google) that changes how user data is controlled and stored; this affects privacy controls, app data availability for restoration, and storage planning for developers and services.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Google is introducing per-app exclusion for Android cloud backups via Play services version 26.25 (rolling out from June 29).
- The feature is currently in beta and is not limited to Pixel devices or the latest Android version (works, for example, on a Nothing Phone with Android 16).
- Per-app backup controls are found in Settings → Google services and settings → Manage backup → Other device data → Device data → App data; toggling exclusion shows a warning that data will be deleted from the Google account and no longer backed up.
- Certain data cannot be excluded from backups: SMS/MMS, call logs and device settings remain automatically backed up.
- In February, Google Play services version 26.06 added automatic saving of downloaded documents to Google Drive.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“Google is adjusting its backup function for Android phones; the new backup option comes via Google Play services and stores data in Google O...”
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Google Will Count Android Device Backups Against Storage
Google has updated its support guidance: system backups from Android devices will now count against a user's Google account storage quota. The change means SMS/MMS, call logs, device settings and app data included in device backups are subject to the account's available storage (15 GB free by default). Android settings will provide controls to select which device data to back up; Pixel devices already offer this control. Google lists which file types are and are not counted on its support pages. The article notes that users who need more space can subscribe to Google One (100 GB plans start at €2/month) and compares Google’s free 15 GB to Apple iCloud’s 5 GB free tier (iCloud+ 50 GB for €1/month).
Google counts Android backups toward account storage
Google will begin charging Android device backups against users' Google account storage as of 2026-07-07 for new backup users, with existing accounts to be included in the coming months. Affected backup types include call history, device settings, app data and SMS (photos and videos were already counted). Google estimates the additional backup data will average around 40 MB, but actual usage depends on each device's stored content. To offset the change, Google is rolling out new toggles that let users exclude specific backup items or individual apps from backups. Users who need more space can upgrade to Google One, with plans starting at €2/month for 100 GB up to €220/month for 30 TB; higher tiers include additional AI features.
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