How to Access and Use Samsung Cloud on Your Device

Samsung Cloud is built into your phone or tablet — here's how to turn it on

Samsung Cloud is a backup and sync service that comes pre-installed on most Samsung phones and tablets. You access it through your Samsung account, which is separate from your Google account. Once you sign in, Samsung Cloud automatically backs up your contacts, calendar, messages, and device settings — and you can restore them if you get a new phone or factory reset your current one.

The service is free for the first 15 GB of storage. After that, you pay for additional space, though most people stay within the free tier because Samsung backs up only specific data types, not your entire photo library or app files.

Key Takeaways

Samsung Cloud requires a Samsung account, which you create or link during phone setup — it is not the same as your Google account.
The free tier backs up contacts, messages, calendar events, and device settings, but not photos, videos, or app data.
You turn on Samsung Cloud in Settings under Accounts and Backup, then choose what to back up and when.
Restoring from a Samsung Cloud backup happens during phone setup or manually through the Backup and Restore menu.
Samsung Cloud works alongside Google Drive and other cloud services — you can use both at the same time.

Creating or signing into your Samsung account

Before you can use Samsung Cloud, you need a Samsung account. If you set up your phone new out of the box, Samsung prompted you to create one during the initial setup. If you skipped that step or are using an older phone, you can create an account now through the Settings app.

Open Settings, tap Accounts and Backup, then tap Accounts. Look for Samsung Account in the list. If it is not there, tap Add Account and select Samsung Account. You will be asked to enter an email address and password — use an email you check regularly, because Samsung sends password resets and backup notifications there. If you already have a Samsung account from a previous phone or from Samsung's website, sign in with those credentials instead of creating a new one.

Your Samsung account is tied to your phone's serial number and IMEI, so if you lose access to the email address you used, Samsung can help you recover it through their account recovery page. Keep your password somewhere safe.

Turning on Samsung Cloud backup

Once you are signed into your Samsung account, go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Backup and Restore. You will see an option for Back Up My Data or Samsung Cloud Backup depending on your phone's Android version. Tap it and toggle the switch to On.

After you turn it on, Samsung shows you a checklist of what will be backed up: Contacts, Messages, Calendar, Device Settings, Home Screen Layout, and Apps. You can tap each item to turn individual backups on or off. For example, if you do not want your messages backed up, uncheck that box. Most people leave all of them on.

Samsung Cloud does not back up photos, videos, or app data by default. If you want those backed up, you need to use Google Photos or Google Drive instead — those are separate services that work alongside Samsung Cloud.

Choosing when Samsung Cloud backs up your data

By default, Samsung Cloud backs up your data automatically when your phone is connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in to charge. You can change this schedule in the same Backup and Restore menu. Look for Auto Backup or Backup Schedule and tap it to see your options.

You can set Samsung Cloud to back up only when connected to Wi-Fi, only when plugged in, or both. Some phones also let you back up over mobile data, though this uses your monthly data allowance. If you want a backup right now instead of waiting for the automatic schedule, go back to Back Up My Data and tap Back Up Now.

Backups usually take a few minutes, depending on how much data you have. You will see a notification when the backup is complete.

Restoring from Samsung Cloud on a new phone

If you buy a new Samsung phone, the easiest time to restore from Samsung Cloud is during the initial setup. When you turn on the new phone for the first time, it asks whether you want to restore from a backup. Select Samsung Cloud, sign in with the same Samsung account you used on your old phone, and choose which backup to restore from. The phone will then read your contacts, messages, calendar, settings, and home screen layout.

Restoration takes longer than backup — usually 10 to 30 minutes depending on your Wi-Fi speed and how much data you have. Keep your phone plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi during this time. Do not unplug it or turn it off.

If you already finished the setup on your new phone and want to restore now, go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Backup and Restore > Restore Data. Sign in with your Samsung account, select the backup you want, and choose what to restore. You can restore everything or just specific items like contacts or calendar.

Checking your Samsung Cloud storage and managing backups

You get 15 GB of free storage with Samsung Cloud. To see how much you have used, go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Backup and Restore and look for Storage or Manage Storage. This shows you a breakdown of what is taking up space — usually contacts and messages use very little, while device settings and app data use more.

If you run out of free storage, Samsung offers paid plans: 50 GB, 200 GB, or 2 TB per month. You buy these through the Samsung Cloud settings or through your Samsung account on Samsung's website. The paid plans also include extra benefits like priority customer support, though most people never need them.

You can delete old backups to free up space. In the Manage Storage menu, tap an old backup and select Delete. Samsung keeps your most recent backup and usually one or two older ones, so you can always go back if you need to.

Samsung Cloud versus Google Drive and other options

Samsung Cloud and Google Drive do different jobs. Samsung Cloud backs up your phone's system data — contacts, messages, settings, calendar — while Google Drive backs up files, photos, and documents. You can use both at the same time without conflict.

Google Photos is a separate service from Google Drive that backs up only photos and videos. If you turn on Google Photos backup, your photos upload automatically whenever you are on Wi-Fi. Samsung Cloud does not back up photos, so if you want photo backups, you need Google Photos or another service like OneDrive or Dropbox.

Some Samsung phones also come with Samsung Members, which is a support app that can help you manage your backups and storage. It is not required to use Samsung Cloud, but it can make it easier to see what is backed up and when.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my Samsung Cloud backup if I switch to a different phone brand?

Samsung Cloud backups only work on Samsung phones. If you switch to an iPhone or a different Android brand, you cannot restore from Samsung Cloud. Before you switch, read your contacts and calendar to your Google account or export them as files, so you can bring them to your new phone.

Can I access my Samsung Cloud backup from a computer?

You can view some of your backup information through Samsung's website at account.samsung.com, but you cannot read or restore your entire backup from a computer. Backups are designed to be restored to a Samsung phone only. If you need to back up files to a computer, use Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox instead.

Does Samsung Cloud back up my photos and videos?

No. Samsung Cloud backs up contacts, messages, calendar, settings, and app data, but not photos or videos. To back up photos, turn on Google Photos or use another cloud service. Google Photos gives you unlimited storage for photos compressed to high quality, or you can pay for original quality.

What if I do not have a Samsung account yet?

You can create one for free through Settings on your phone, or at account.samsung.com on a computer. You need an email address and a password. If you already have a Samsung TV, refrigerator, or other Samsung device linked to an account, use those same login details.

Can I turn off Samsung Cloud backup without deleting my backup?

Yes. Go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Backup and Restore and toggle Back Up My Data to Off. Your backup stays on Samsung's servers and you can restore from it later. It will be deleted automatically after a certain period of inactivity — usually several months — but you can restore it anytime before then.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.