Google has begun rolling out a series of significant changes to Android's backup system, giving users unprecedented control over data saved to the cloud. Following the recent announcement that all backup data now counts toward Google Account storage, the Mountain View company has released new toggles to manage the saving of SMS, MMS, and RCS messages, while also beginning to test local documents backup. This evolution represents an important step toward greater transparency and customization for Android users.
New Toggles for SMS and RCS in Android Backup
By navigating to Settings > Accounts and backup > Google Backup > Other device data on Pixel devices, users now see on/off switches for SMS and MMS messages, Call history, and Device settings. Previously, these three items were always included in the backup without an option to opt out. Now users can decide whether to upload this data to the cloud, joining per-app toggles that were introduced earlier. Google confirmed to 9to5 that the SMS and MMS messages toggle also includes RCS messages despite the label. These updated settings are rolling out with version 26.25 of Google Play Services.
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In a related development, Google announced earlier this week that all Android backup data now counts toward Google Account storage, with an average increase of about 40 MB per user. Similar regulatory trends in tech highlight the growing focus on user transparency.
Local Documents Backup in Testing
In parallel, Google is testing a new local documents backup feature previewed in February. Called local file backup, it will automatically save downloaded documents to Google Drive, ensuring they are safe and accessible from any device. Once active, a new Documents section will appear on the Backup page alongside Photos and videos and Other device data. After enabling, a folder named after the device will be created in Google Drive, with a shortcut provided on the same page. Google explains that users can manually trigger a backup to upload recent documents, but otherwise the system follows the automated daily schedule. The feature is rolling out with the latest Google Play Services beta.
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This update fits into a broader effort to improve data management on Android. For more on Android backup fundamentals, see the Wikipedia page. With these changes, Google offers users greater flexibility in deciding which data to protect and how to allocate storage space.
Source: https://9to5google.com/2026/07/09/android-documents-backup
