Google reportedly developing local backup feature for Android users

The feature will back up data over Wi-Fi when an Android smartphone and a Windows computer are connected.

SAN FRANCISCO: Google is reportedly developing a new feature that will allow Android users to automatically back up their phone data directly to a Windows PC without relying on cloud storage.

According to a recent report, the feature will back up data over Wi-Fi when an Android smartphone and a Windows computer are connected to the same local network, offering users a private and potentially faster alternative to cloud-based backups.

The upcoming feature was reportedly discovered in the latest version of Google Play Services, where a hidden information page suggests Google is actively working on the functionality, although it has not yet been officially announced.

To use the feature, users will need to enable it through the Quick Share app on their Windows PC. Both the Android device and the computer must also be signed in with the same Google account. Users will be able to choose which photos and videos are automatically backed up to their PC.

The report said Samsung smartphones are currently excluded from the feature, likely because the company already offers backup tools through its Smart Switch application, although Smart Switch does not support automatic local backups.

The new feature is expected to be available for most other Android devices once officially released.