A factory reset is typically the last step in troubleshooting persistent issues with your phone. It erases all the information on your smartphone, including messages, apps, files, and contacts. Although this method should help you resolve problems with app crashes, you’ll start with a blank slate. Google’s Pixel 9 series now offers a convenient transfer tool to restore a backup and roll back to the last time your phone worked fine — without a factory reset.
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What does a factory reset do?
A last-ditch effort to get your phone working
Resetting your phone to factory settings is the last resort after you’ve tried everything to fix performance issues. You’ll back up your data before you perform a hard reset.
A factory reset wipes all the data from the device including photos, videos, music, contacts, accounts, passwords, files, and accounts. It also resets the accessibility and device settings, letting you start with a blank slate. You can restore the latest backup after a reset to get your phone running.
How to restore data on your Pixel 9
Get rid of bad data without performing a factory reset
The Pixel 9 series lets you transfer your data whenever you want. It does not restrict you to doing it only during setup or after performing a factory reset. Instead of starting from scratch, you can restore a backup at any point and as many times as you like.
If you suspect corrupt data or a glitching app is causing your phone to misbehave, you can simply restore a backup. It saves you the hassle of taking a backup, resetting the phone, and restoring the data. The new transfer tool merges the data from the older phone, so you don’t have to worry about losing existing data on your Pixel 9. You can access this new option on your Pixel 9 series from the Settings app.
Restoring cloud data on the Pixel 9
Restore data from the cloud anytime
The Pixel 9 lets you restore a backup you saved on the cloud, so ensure you have a backup saved to Google One. Also, check your phone’s storage capacity for a smooth data transfer.
Here’s how to restore cloud data on the Pixel 9 series:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Backup or copy data.
- Choose Copy data.
- Select Can’t use other device? at the bottom of the screen.
- Follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the Choose what to restore page.
- Select the data you want to restore.
- Tap Restore.
Restoring data from another phone
You can choose how you want to copy your data
You can also do a device-to-device transfer. It is worth noting that the tool only allows you to transfer data from the phone you used to copy data during your Pixel 9’s initial setup. You cannot copy content from some other old phone without a factory reset.
Here’s how to restore data on the Pixel 9 series from another device:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Backup or copy data.
- Select Copy data.
- Choose Start.
- Scan the QR code on the Pixel 9 with your old phone.
- Tap Next.
- You can choose from Express or Customize.
- Select Express if you want to copy all the data from your old phone. It won’t transfer content that’s already available on your Google account.
- Select Customize if you want more control over what data to transfer.
- Select the data you want to restore.
- Tap Copy.
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Enjoy a seamless transfer on your Pixel 9
Google introduced a new transfer tool with the Pixel 9 series, making it possible to restore backups anytime you want. Previously, your only options were to transfer data during initial setup or perform a factory reset and restore a backup. With the new tool, you can transfer data from an old phone or restore data from a phone you backed up to Google’s cloud. You can copy files via Wi-Fi or a USB cable if you choose the former.
However, Google isn’t the first to implement a way to restore data anytime after the initial setup. Samsung’s Smart Switch app offers a convenient way to transfer data from your old phone. Even though Google seems late to the game, it would be great to have a similar transfer tool for other smartphone brands.
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Google Pixel 9
The Pixel 9 is Google’s most affordable 2024 flagship, making a few compromises when compared to the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL while retaining the Google smarts the lineup has become known for. An upgraded 48MP ultra-wide camera is paired with a 50MP main shooter, and the selfie cam added autofocus. All of this comes with new Gemini AI features and a 2,700-nit Actua display for exceptional value at its price point.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro is a new addition to Google’s lineup, slotting in as a smaller premium flagship to pair with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The latter is the direct successor to 2023’s Pixel 8 Pro despite its new XL moniker, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro brings a new form-factor to Google’s high-end offerings, sporting the same dimensions as the standard Pixel 9 model while packing all the AI and camera prowess we’ve grown accustomed to from Google’s Pro lineup.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a new name, but it fills the same slot as 2023’s Pixel 8 Pro, having similar specs with roughly the same footprint. The non-XL Pixel 9 Pro is new to the lineup as a smaller premium flagship offering. With the 9 Pro XL, however, you get Google’s fastest charging, a bigger screen and battery, and all of the camera and Gemini AI smarts you’d get in the smaller 9 Pro.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google’s foldable series now has a new name! The successor to the 2023-released Pixel Fold is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, starting at $1,800.The Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts a bigger eight-inch Super Actua inner display, paired with a 6.3-inch outer display. It is powered by Google’s new Tensor G4 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM and a Titan M2 security coprocessor, making it faster than its predecessor, at least on paper.
