lifehacker lifehacker LifeHacker LifeHacker How to back up all the data stored in Google

Unless Jeeves (a once popular search service operator) revives and returns to the search market champion (ie forever), having a Google account will make your life happier.

Recently, however, Google has deleted a user account for no reason.

If you are worried about deleting your account, you will not be able to access the huge amount of data stored in Google services, and there is no way to get it back.

So what should I do? For the time being, there's nothing I can do about accounts that have been disabled by Google.

However, if you regularly back up the data stored in Google services, you can reduce the pain even if you are kicked out of Google.

table of contents

1. Back up Gmail
2. Back up Google Drive
3. Back up Google Photos
4. Back up Google Play apps, games, movies and more
5. Back up Chrome bookmarks
6. Back up your Google contacts
7. Back up your Google 2-step verification code

1. Back up Gmail

This is easy. Just select your favorite email software and app and connect to Gmail with IMAP instead of POP3.

Once you've downloaded your email, you can use the desktop app to back it up or export any email from various files at any time. Just in case, let's export it as well.

Now you can save all your emails to your PC as well as your archives. If something goes wrong, you can re-import it from the archive into the Mail app.

Don't forget to launch a desktop app from time to time to sync with your Gmail account.

Both Windows and Mac have useful tools for scheduling app launches. Let's use them and set the mail application to start up at noon every day, for example.

After that, the app will automatically synchronize. Even if you don't go that far, you can back up past emails at once by simply launching the email app when you come up with it.

2. Back up Google Drive

All you have to do is use the sloppy naming app "Backup and Sync" provided by Google.

Once installed, it will create a folder on your desktop or laptop that will save all the files in Google Drive. Changes made in folders on the desktop are synced to the cloud, and changes made in the cloud are synced to the desktop.

Precautions when saving

Google documents, spreadsheets, slides, forms, etc. created in the sync folder are saved as hyperlinks instead of as local files in the system.

To back them up properly, open Google Drive on the web, select as many documents as you can choose, right-click and select "Download".

3. Back up Google Photos

This is a little tricky. "Backup and Sync" only covers files in Google Drive, not Google Photos. What's more, there is no custom-made app for syncing photos uploaded to Google Photos.

The best way is to use Google Takeout to save your photos and videos all at once. What's more, this method allows you to back up any data stored on Google. If you don't want a personalized approach, it can come in very handy.

Precautions when saving

There are also drawbacks. Google Takeout backs up everything in one run. In other words, a huge number of downloads will occur even if the contents are almost the same as the last execution.

The advantage is that Google will automatically create a link to a huge archive once every two months and email you (you'll need to set up an automatic backup again a year later).

Or, if you're the only one uploading photos and videos to Google Photos, run Google Takeout only once to get a full backup, then periodically search for "2021" and manually You can also download it with.

It's a bit of work and care to remember, but you can avoid transferring gigabytes of data each time.

4. Back up Google Play apps, games, movies, etc.

This is not possible. Unfortunately, there seems to be no way to access items purchased on Google Play after Google has deleted your account.

You can continue to use those apps and games on Android, but you will not be able to update with the version before the account was deleted.

Because you don't have an account to enter the Google Play store. Purchased movies, music, and TV shows will also be inaccessible. (There is also a way to download it so that it can be viewed offline, but if you do it with everything you bought, you will run out of storage space. Also, although you can download it even after deleting your account, that Content can only be viewed on that device)

Precautions for not turning Google into an enemy

If you're buying a lot of things on Google Play and don't want to lose access to them, it's essential not to turn Google into an enemy.

When you do something with your Google account, never do anything that makes Google think "Hmm". Otherwise, the omnipotent Google could be the key to "deleting" your account.

5. Back up your Chrome bookmarks

To be honest, I don't know what happens to Chrome bookmarks when Google deletes my account. It will remain in your browser, but just in case, open Bookmark Manager and back it up (put "chrome: // bookmarks /" in the address bar). Simply click on the three dot icons in the upper right corner of your browser and "Export Bookmarks".

6. Back up your Google contacts

If you manage your contacts on Google, make frequent backups. If your account is deleted, your contacts will probably disappear from the linked device as well.

If not, it's best to have a backup. You can download contacts in csv or vCard format by opening Google Contacts and "Exporting" in the left sidebar.

7. Back up your Google 2-step verification code

If you're worried that you won't be able to access your Google account, consider diversifying your services. We recommend switching from Google authentication to another app.

That way, whatever happens to your Google Account, your two-step verification code won't be affected. Because it's an important and important code needed to log in to all other accounts.

The same is true for passwords. If you use Google's password manager to store your login information on any website, consider switching to another (free) service.

You can easily export your password here. Importing to other services is just as easy.

I'm not dissatisfied with Google's tools themselves, but if you put all your eggs in one basket, everything will break when you drop that basket.

I want to read it together

What is a great smartphone that allows you to use Google Photos unlimitedly after June?

Why you don't have to rush to switch to paid Google Photos

Transcend Portable HDD 1TB Impact Resistant Slim Type USB3.1 Gen1 Iron Gray 3 Year Warranty TS1TSJ25M3S

5,780 yen

Source: Gmail Help, Google Drive Help, Google Takeout, Google Play Help, Google Contacts, Google Account Export

David Murphy --Lifehacker US