How to backup, restore or transfer content using Google's cloud services? (2019 products onward)

You can automatically sync data in your Google apps, such as calendars and contacts, with your Google account. To access the data on a new device or on a device that has been reset to its factory settings, simply sign in to your Google account. Start by checking that automatic data sync is enabled, then decide which apps you want to sync with your Google account.
The following Google apps and data can be automatically synced for each Google account:

• Calendar
• Chrome
• Contacts
• Docs
• Drive
• Gmail
• Google Fit data
• Google News
• Google Play Movies & TV
• Keep notes
• People details
• Play Games Cloud Save
• Sheets
• Slides

Enable sync data automatically:

1. Find and tap Settings → Accounts.
2. Tap the switch next to Automatically sync data to enable the feature.

Automatically sync data for individual apps:

1. Find and tap Settings → Accounts.
2. Tap the relevant Google account.
3. Tap Account sync.
4. Tap the switches next to the different apps to enable or disable automatic sync.
5. To sync manually, tap the (menu icon) → Sync now.

Google Drive is a cloud storage app that allows you to upload backups to Google. Your backups are encrypted using your Google account password. For some data, your device's screen lock PIN, pattern, or password is also used for encryption. The backup is then used to restore your data and settings to a device that has been reset to its original factory settings or to transfer your data to a new device. The backup includes:

• Apps and app data
• Call history
• Contacts
• Device settings (including Wi-Fi passwords and permissions)
• Photos and videos
• SMS text messages

Back up data to Google Drive:

1. Find and tap Settings → System → Advanced → Backup.
2. Tap the switch beside Back up to Google Drive to turn the feature on.
3. Tap Account, then choose a Google account to use.
4. Tap OK → DONE.

Restore or transfer data from Google Drive:

On an Xperia device that has been reset to its original factory settings or on a new Xperia device:

1. Turn on your device.
2. When prompted in the setup guide, connect to a Wi-Fi network.
3. When prompted in the setup guide to Copy apps & data, tap NEXT.
4. Tap either A backup from an Android phone or A backup from the cloud. Both options allow you to restore data from Google Drive.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your data.

Using Google Photos, you can back up and sync photos and videos on your Xperia device and external memory card (SD card) to a Google account. This way, all your photos, and videos are backed up and secure.

If you are using Google Photos for the first time:

1. Make sure you're signed in on your device with the Google account you want to use for backup and sync.
2. Find and tap Photos. The first time you open the app, a Back up & sync window opens in the lower part of the screen.
3. Check that the switch to the right of Back up & sync is active.
4. Check that the shown Google account is the one you want to use for backup and sync, then tap Confirm.

If you have already used Google Photos:

1. Make sure you're signed in on your device with the Google account you want to use for backup and sync.
2. Find and tap Photos.
3. In the upper right corner, tap the cloud icon. When Back up & sync is not active, the cloud icon has an oblique line.
4. Tap the switch next to Back up & sync is off to turn the feature on.
5. Check that the shown Google account is the one you want to use for backup and sync, then tap Confirm.