Google is working on a cleaner backup interface for Android users

By Bryan M. Wolfe Published March 20, 2025

google is working on a cleaner backup interface for android users pixel home screenf — Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

Google is redesigning the backup page on Android to give it a cleaner and more organized appearance. This update is part of the Google Play Services version 25.11.32 beta, as reported by Android Authority.

The Android backup page can be found in the Settings app under System > Backup. It allows users to manage and control the data backed up from their phones or tablets to their Google Accounts. You can initiate backups for various data types, including apps and app data, contacts, SMS, and MMS messages.

Recommended Videos

The updated design for the backup page is still a work in progress and lacks some features, including the option to backup using a limited data connection. Additionally, crashes have been reported in the beta version, which is not unexpected since it is still in testing.

New Google backup up page in beta. — Android Authority

This isn’t the only change Google is prepping for Android. Last week, we noted it was also working on new features for Android Desktop Mode. With this mode, some Android smartphones and tablets can utilize a desktop-like interface when connected to an external display, keyboard, and mouse.

In Android 16 Beta 3, Android Desktop Mode picks up a developer option called “Enable desktop experience features.” This feature allows users to adjust the desktop mode settings on a secondary display or simultaneously on both the phone and the external screen.

We are uncertain about the arrival of the updated backup screen in Android, and we do not know when Android 16 will be publicly launched, although we anticipate it will happen before the end of the year.

Topics

Mobile and A/V Freelancer

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

Mobile

Google rolls out pulse loss detection to Pixel Watch 3 users

Pulse detect on Pixel watch 3

Google has begun rolling out its Loss of Pulse Detection feature to Pixel Watch 3 owners in the United States. This potentially life-saving feature uses the watch's optical heart rate sensors to detect if the wearer's pulse ceases at any point. That can include instances like cardiac arrest or other heart-related abnormalities. When these issues are detected, the watch can automatically contact emergency services should the wearer become unresponsive. The rollout is gradual, with availability expected to reach all users over the next few weeks.

Initially announced alongside the Pixel Watch 3 in August 2024, the feature was already available in several European countries. However, its US debut required clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being released which was granted in late February 2025. Now that it's headed out to new and old Pixel Watch 3 owners, now might be a good time to invest in one should be looking for an alternative to the smartwatch you might currently be wearing.

Mobile

Pixel users, beware: A Google Assistant bug can disable your alarms

Person holds Pixel 9a in hand while sitting in a car.

A Google Assistant bug is causing chaos with Do Not Disturb profiles and causing users to miss alarms, appointments, and more. The bug was first reported on Reddit earlier today by u/Rawalanche, who claimed it started when Pixel received new Do Not Disturb modes.

Their report states that any non-standard DnD profile, such as one that allows calls from only certain contacts or specific applications, will only work if you activate it through the Settings menu or the notification menu. If you request the DnD profile with Google Assistant, it does not activate and instead mutes everything on the phone.

Mobile

Magic Editor not working in your Google Photos? A fix is on the way

Reimagine tool in Magic Editor on mobile.

The Magic Editor feature on Google Photos is a handy way to use AI to edit the images taken on your phone (though not everyone loves the results), but over the last few months some users have been reporting problems using the editor. Now, Google has acknowledged the problems and announced it is rolling out a fix, so if you're having problems with the editor then you should be able to use it as normal again soon.

Problems with Magic Editor were raised by users on Reddit as far back as November last year, with similar complaints appearing on Google's official Photos form in December. Some users found that after making edits with the Magic Editor tool, they were unable to save their images. The issue seemed to be intermittent, particularly affecting photos taken from the Screenshot folder and then edited in the Magic Editor.