What happened? Google is building more granular controls for Android backups in a recent Play Services beta. Instead of treating each app’s data as a single chunk, the new view shows each app’s footprint and lets you include or exclude it.
- Spotted by Android Authority In their APK teardown of Play Services 25.44.32 beta, the setting lists apps by data size so that the largest storage users are at the top.
- Individual switches let you choose which app data to save or ignore.
- The feature is not yet available in this version and is still under development.
This is important because: Per-app control gives you a say in what lands in Google’s cloud. If an application seems too noisy or you’re protecting sensitive information, you can fine-tune your backup instead of accepting an all-or-nothing approach.
- Exclude specific apps to keep certain data off Google servers.
- Delete the heaviest apps to stay under your Google One cap.
- Smaller backups reduce download time and use less data on limited connections.
Why should I care? Data from all apps doesn’t deserve space. Clear choices help you keep the essentials, avoid clutter, and simplify restorations when you’re changing phones or recovering from a loss.
- Cut the largest backups first.
- Reducing heavy apps helps you avoid reaching your storage limit.
- Lighter downloads complete faster on slower or throttling networks.
Okay, so what’s next? It’s still in development, so expect some changes before a wider rollout. The direction is promising, with more control and a clearer view of what each application costs in the space.
- Watch for upcoming Google Play Services updates for per-app backup controls.
- When it comes up, look at the biggest data users first, then revisit the list every few months.
- If storage is currently limited, delete backups of apps already synced to the cloud, like Email or Notes.
- Keep automatic backups enabled so that a lost or broken phone doesn’t turn into a bigger problem.
