Android is preparing a new protection feature aimed at one of the most overlooked locations on a phone: the Downloads folder. According to Google’s update notes, the goal is to prevent important local files from being lost after theft, damage, or a factory reset.
A long-missing backup for downloaded files
Until now, Android’s Google Drive backup has mainly focused on apps and certain device data, while local downloaded documents often remained outside automatic protection. That means PDFs, tickets, and contracts could vanish when switching phones.
Google Play Services v26.06: what’s coming
With Google Play Services v26.06 (February 2026), Android is expected to add automatic backup for local files, including content in the Downloads folder. Once enabled, users should be able to retrieve downloaded files on other devices tied to the same Google account.
Backup vs sync: still unclear
Google has not clarified whether the feature will behave like real-time sync or a backup copy used mainly for recovery. The difference matters, especially when files are edited or deleted.
Closing the gap with iCloud on iPhone
The move brings Android closer to the iOS experience, where iCloud Drive can keep downloads in the cloud. For people who frequently change devices or store important documents locally, this could be a meaningful quality-of-life and safety upgrade.
