Signs of testing a new feature designed to simplify data backup on Android smartphones have been discovered in the code of the updated version of Google Play Services. This innovation allows users to create local copies of files on their computer via Wi-Fi, completely bypassing cloud services and subscriptions.

How the new system works

According to analysts, the new feature is aimed at users who prefer to store data locally without using up their Google One cloud storage limits. The process is fully automated: the smartphone will save photos, videos, and audio files to a connected PC in the background on a daily basis.

To activate the system, certain minimum conditions must be met: the computer and phone must be turned on, be on the same Wi-Fi network, and use the same Google account. Users have flexible control over the process: they can select specific folders or file types to save, as well as initiate copying manually via the Quick Share interface on Windows.

Unexpected limitation for Samsung

The most intriguing fact in the test version interface was a line at the bottom of the screen: "Samsung smartphones are not supported." This restriction seems paradoxical, considering that the South Korean giant is the largest manufacturer of Android devices and closely collaborates with Google on the development of Quick Share technology.

Reasons for the exclusion

There is no official comment from company representatives yet, but experts highlight several probable reasons for this decision:

  • Presence of proprietary software. Samsung already offers users the Smart Switch program for transferring data and creating backups on PCs, as well as having deep integration with Windows through its proprietary synchronization service.
  • Automation issues. The current version of Smart Switch does not support automatic background backups on a schedule, making a potential solution from Google more convenient.
  • Development of a proprietary alternative. There is a possibility that Samsung is preparing an update for Smart Switch with automatic copying functionality to avoid duplicating Google services on its devices.

For now, owners of flagship and Galaxy models will have to continue using manual data transfer via Smart Switch or third-party cloud services until the situation regarding support for Google's new feature becomes clear.