I made this guide after testing Samsung Cloud on my own Galaxy phone and checking Samsung’s official support pages.
A lot of viewers on my YouTube channel had the same question. Is Samsung Cloud still useful, or is it outdated? This content is for Samsung Galaxy users who want a clear answer in simple language.
Samsung Cloud started as a complete backup system for Galaxy devices. Years ago, it backed up photos, videos, files, and phone data.
Things changed. Samsung removed several features, and many people did not notice. You might still see Samsung Cloud in your settings and wonder if it does anything important. It does, but the role is smaller now.
Table of Contents
What is Samsung Cloud App?
Samsung Cloud backs up the core data on your phone that you need in case something goes wrong. You can recover this data if you switch to a new phone or reset your current one.
Data you can back up:
• Contacts
• Call history
• Messages
• Device settings
• Home screen layout
• Samsung Notes
• Some app data
This helps when you want your new phone to look and feel like the old one. You do not need to set up everything from scratch.
What Samsung Cloud No Longer Does?
In 2021, Samsung shut down Gallery sync and Drive storage. That means your photos and videos do not back up to Samsung Cloud anymore. Large files do not sync either.
Samsung now tells users to move photos and videos to Microsoft OneDrive. You can also pick Google Photos. If you rely on Samsung Cloud for photos, you need another service.
How to Use Samsung Cloud
You do not need a separate app. It is right inside your settings. Here is what you do on any Samsung phone:
• Open Settings
• Go to Accounts and backup
• Tap Samsung Cloud
• Select what you want to back up
• Tap Back up now
You can restore this backup when signing into your Samsung account on a new Galaxy device. Restore works only on Samsung phones. You cannot download the files directly on a computer. It is a system restore feature.
Is Samsung Cloud Safe?
Samsung Cloud uses encryption to keep your data protected. Newer devices, including the Galaxy S24 series, support end to end encryption with recovery codes. Only your Samsung account and verified devices can restore the data. From my experience and based on Samsung’s security documentation, the backup system is reliable for the remaining features.
Should You Still Use Samsung Cloud?
Answer: Yes, use it for core phone data. You already have it built in, and it helps during phone upgrades.
For photos and files, use OneDrive or Google Photos. Both handle media better and provide more storage options. You can turn on auto backup in those apps and never worry about losing your pictures.
Who does this help?
Use Samsung Cloud if:
• You upgrade your phone every year or two
• You want your lock screen, layout, and settings restored instantly
• You want a quick safety net if your phone stops working
Skip it if:
• You already sync everything through Google
• You do not care about restoring your exact setup on a new device
Video Guide:
My Thoughts
I still use Samsung Cloud because the setup is fast and automatic. I also use Google Photos for all pictures and videos. This mix covers everything without paying extra money right away. If Samsung removes more features later, I will switch fully to other services, but for now it still helps.
FAQs
Does Samsung Cloud cost money?
Most phone data backups are free. Storage limits apply for older accounts, but core backups usually stay within the free allowance.
Can I remove Samsung Cloud from my device?
No. It is built into One UI settings. You can turn off backups if you do not want them.
Do I need both Samsung Cloud and Google Backup?
You do not need both, but using both gives stronger protection. If one fails, you have a second copy.
