For a while now, Android users have had the ability to automatically back up things like Wi-Fi passwords, settings, app data, and SMS messages to their Google account, as well as photos and videos with Google Photos.

But many of us still carry around other kinds of files on our phones, like ZIP files, APKs, and now that Google Play Music is dead, MP3 files too. Sure, you can back them up by manually uploading them to your Google Drive, but not only is that inconvenient and time consuming, you can end up forgetting to do it.

Luckily, there are apps that will allow you to skip all that pain, and automatically sync your Android phone to the cloud. Here's what you need to do.

The Tools You’ll Need

While Google offers its Backup and Sync app for desktop to back up all your stuff, sadly it offers no such option for mobile users. We'll need to use a third-party app.

For this tutorial we'll use the app FolderSync. It's free with ads, and you can get rid of them with a $4.99 in-app purchase if you want.

Other than that, all you need is access to the storage solution you want. FolderSync will let you use storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and MEGA, as well as protocols like FTP if you'd like to self-host.

Download: FolderSync (Free)

How to Back Up Your Files With FolderSync

The first thing we'll need to do is grant the app the required permissions. You'll have to give FolderSync access to your storage, as well as disabling battery optimization for the app.

In some phones, this may not work and the app could still be killed in the background, preventing your files from being backed up. Check the site Don't kill my app! to see what you can do to prevent apps from being shut down on your specific device.

Once we're done with permissions, we can actually start setting up our backup.

Step 1: Set Up and Authenticate

Go to the Account tab, and tap on Add account. Here you'll choose your cloud storage solution. For this tutorial we'll go with Google Drive, so tap on the Google Drive option. You can give a name to this account, if you're going to be using multiple accounts.

Now, tap on Authenticate Account. You'll be taken to a Google page where you'll be prompted to give read and write permissions to FolderSync. Tap Allow if you're okay with this.

If everything went fine, the app will tell you "Login Succeeded" and you should see your Google account's name as well as your remaining storage space.

Step 2: Create a Folderpair

The next step is to create a Folderpair. As the name implies, you'll be creating a pair of folders, one on your device and one in the cloud, and then you'll be linking them together.

To do this, go to the Folderpairs tab and tap on Create Folderpair, then tap on Google Drive. In the next screen you'll be setting up your preferences for the Folderpair.

Now, tap on the folder icon next to the Remote folder text box and you'll be taken to a view of your Google Drive folders. Select the folder where you want your stuff to be saved, or create a new one if you haven't yet.

Now do the same steps to choose the folder on your phone that you want to back up. Select the folder icon next to the Local folder text box, and then select the folder you want.

Step 3: Set Your Sync Schedule

Scroll down a little bit, and you'll see the Scheduled sync option. Since we want this to be an automated backup, you have to turn this option on.

Set the Sync interval date to whatever you feel is best. I set mine to daily, but if you want you can set custom times down to the specific hour you want the syncing to start.

If you scroll further down you'll see many more options to further customize your Folderpair. You can choose to sync subfolders or hidden files, sync while on mobile data, Wi-Fi, or only on specific Wi-Fi networks, sync only while your phone is charging, as well as choose if you'd like to be notified of changes to your backup or errors that might occur.

Once you're done, simply tap Save. Tap on Sync to start the backup, and watch as all your files get transferred.

That's it! Now the folder you choose will get automatically backed up to your Google Drive. If you want to back up a different folder, just repeat the steps to create a new Folderpair!

Now Your Stuff Is All Safely Backed Up

The importance of keeping backups can't be understated. You never know what might happen; it's only when something goes very wrong—like your phone breaking—that you realize you should've saved all your files just in case.

But if you've done what we've explained in this article and setup your backup correctly, you'll never have to worry about your files being gone ever again (unless you run out of space in the cloud, that is).