Katarzyna Petru
Android is preparing another improvement related to data security. In the update information for Google Play services, there was a mention of a “local file backup” feature. This involves automatically saving documents from the “Downloads” folder to Google Drive cloud. Until now, the system backup included applications, settings, and messages, but not ordinary files downloaded from the internet. The new solution is intended to work in the background and not require manual configuration. This is particularly important for those who keep the only copy of important PDFs or documents on their phone.
Automatic document synchronisation
The simplest scenario assumes that each file from the "Downloads" folder will be placed in a dedicated directory in Google Drive. A more advanced solution is also possible, where files would be synchronised between several Android devices. This feature was mentioned in version 26.06 of Google Play services and will likely be rolled out gradually. If the implementation goes smoothly, Android will gain an additional layer of data protection without the need for external applications.
Photos and videos have been going to the cloud via Google Photos for years. Now a similar safeguard is set to encompass documents as well. This is a logical move towards a more complete backup of the device and greater integration with the Google ecosystem. In practice, this means fewer instances where losing a phone equals losing important files.
Source: 9to5Google
