Samsung phone users might not benefit from the next big Android feature

We have known for a few months that Google was testing a new Android backup solution which would greatly simplify backing up files on a PC. However, exactly how the system works remains unknown, at least until now. A teardown of the APK revealed that Google will rely heavily on Quick Share to power its new free Android backup option. Unfortunately, it looks like Samsung might miss out entirely.

Android Authority was able to take a look at the potential UI of the next Android backup system during a teardown of the latest Google Play Services update, and it appears to let you automatically back up files without using cloud storage or paying additional subscription fees – this wording is actually used in the screenshots Android Authority captured of the feature. The system appears to be primarily configured for photos and videos and will perform daily backups whenever your phone and PC are turned on and using the same wireless network, allowing you to back up photos, videos and even audio files.

However, the page also has a warning-style notification at the bottom saying “Samsung phones are not supported.” No explicit reason has been given as to why Samsung phones won’t support the Quick Share backup system, although some believe the feature might not be supported due to Samsung’s existing PC features, which have even expanded to more Windows PCs in recent months.

Phone Link is a useful feature, especially for Samsung users with a Windows PC. The system allows you to connect your PC and your Android phone, allowing you to control your Android phone from your PC, access messages, files and even share the contents of your clipboard across your devices. This is as close as Android currently gets to Apple’s Continuity features on iPhone and Mac, and you can use a backup system similar to the upcoming Quick Share system using the Samsung Smart Switch app.

Both of these apps offer useful features to users, but there’s no reason why Quick Share – a system developed by Samsung and then merged by Google into its own Nearby Share – working with PC backups shouldn’t be possible. Especially since Samsung and Google have worked closely to improve Android and even smart home products. It’s also possible that Samsung is working on its own version of the feature, although this is pure speculation as no details have surfaced anywhere.

Unfortunately, until more information is released about this feature and it starts rolling out to users, it’s hard to say for sure if this is the reason Samsung phones aren’t supported, or if they will be in the future. For now, though, if you own a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or any other Samsung phone, you’ll still have to rely on Smart Switch to back up your content to your PC.