Samsung Cloud is built into your Samsung device and accessed through your Settings
If you own a Samsung phone, tablet, or computer, Samsung Cloud is already installed — you do not need to download anything. You reach it by opening Settings, finding the Accounts section, and selecting Samsung Account. On a Samsung phone running Android 9 or later, this is usually Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts > Samsung Account. On a Windows computer with a Samsung account, you go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and look for the Samsung Account option.
The exact path varies slightly depending on your device model and Android version, but the principle is the same: Samsung Cloud lives inside your existing Samsung Account settings, not as a separate app. Once you are in your Samsung Account settings, you will see options to back up your data, restore from a backup, and manage what is stored in the cloud.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Cloud is accessed through your device Settings under Accounts, not through a separate app download.
- You must have a Samsung Account created and signed in on your device before you can use Samsung Cloud.
- On Android phones, the path is Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts > Samsung Account > Cloud.
- Samsung Cloud stores contacts, calendar events, messages, and device settings, but storage limits vary by account type.
- If you cannot find Samsung Cloud in Settings, your device model may not support it, or you may need to update your Android version.
Creating or signing into a Samsung Account
Before you can access Samsung Cloud, you need a Samsung Account. If you set up your Samsung device for the first time in the last few years, you likely created one during setup. To check whether you have an account or to create one, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts and look for Samsung Account in the list.
If Samsung Account is not listed, select Add account and choose Samsung Account from the options. You will be asked for an email address and password. If you do not have a Samsung Account yet, select Create account and follow the prompts. Samsung will send a verification email to confirm your address. Once your account is created and verified, return to Settings and sign in with those credentials.
On a Windows computer, the process is similar: go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, and if you see a Samsung Account option, click it to sign in. If you do not see it, you may need to link your Samsung Account through the Samsung app or through a Samsung service that came pre-installed on your computer.
What data Samsung Cloud stores and how much space you get
Samsung Cloud backs up specific types of data: contacts, calendar events, text messages, device settings, and some app data. It does not back up photos, videos, or large files — those go to Samsung's separate service called Samsung Gallery or to Google Photos if you have that set up instead. This is important to understand because many people expect Samsung Cloud to back up everything on their device, and then are surprised to find their photos are not there.
Storage space depends on your account type. A free Samsung Account typically comes with 5 GB of cloud storage shared across all Samsung services. Some Samsung devices include a promotional period of extra storage — for example, a new Galaxy phone might come with 100 GB free for the first year. After that period ends, you either pay for more storage or keep only what fits in your free 5 GB. You can check your current storage use and remaining space by going to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts > Samsung Account > Cloud > Storage.
Turning on automatic backups
Once you are signed into your Samsung Account, you can set Samsung Cloud to back up your data automatically. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Backup and restore, and you will see options for what to back up. Toggle on the types of data you want backed up — typically this includes contacts, calendar, messages, and device settings. You can also choose whether backups happen only on Wi-Fi or on any connection.
Automatic backups usually run when your device is charging and connected to Wi-Fi, though you can also start a backup manually at any time by going back to that same menu and selecting Backup now. If you are switching to a new Samsung device, you can restore from your backup during the setup process, and Samsung will ask whether you want to restore your contacts, calendar, messages, and settings from your previous device.
Accessing Samsung Cloud on a computer
If you want to view or manage your Samsung Cloud data from a Windows computer, you have two routes. The first is through the Samsung app, which you can download from the Microsoft Store if it is not already installed. Once installed, open the Samsung app, sign in with your Samsung Account, and look for a Cloud or Backup section.
The second route is through the Samsung Cloud website at samsungcloud.com, though this site is less commonly used and may not be available in all regions. If you go to the website, you will need to sign in with your Samsung Account credentials. From there you can view your backed-up contacts and calendar events, though the interface is more limited than what you see on your phone.
Troubleshooting when Samsung Cloud does not appear in Settings
If you go to Settings > Accounts and do not see Samsung Account listed, there are a few reasons why. First, check that your device is a Samsung phone, tablet, or computer — Samsung Cloud is only available on Samsung devices. Second, make sure your Android version is up to date. Samsung Cloud requires Android 5.0 or later on phones, and older devices may not support it. Go to Settings > About phone > Software update to check for updates.
Third, if you see Accounts but no Samsung Account option, try restarting your device. Sometimes the account option does not appear until after a restart. If it still does not appear after a restart and an update, your device model may not have Samsung Cloud enabled by default. In that case, you can contact Samsung Support through the Samsung Members app (if installed) or through Samsung's website for your region to confirm whether your device supports it.
If you see Samsung Account in Settings but cannot sign in, double-check your email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, go to the Samsung Account sign-in page on a computer or another device and select Forgot password to reset it. You will need access to the email address associated with your account.
Understanding Samsung Cloud versus Google services
Samsung Cloud and Google services (like Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Contacts) are separate systems, and they do not automatically sync with each other. If you use both, you may end up with duplicate backups or confusion about where your data is stored. For example, your contacts might be backed up to both Samsung Cloud and Google Contacts, which is fine but means you are using storage space in two places.
Many Samsung users find it simpler to choose one system and stick with it. If you prefer Google services, you can turn off Samsung Cloud backups and rely on Google instead. If you prefer Samsung Cloud, you can disable Google backups. The choice depends on which ecosystem you use more — if you use a lot of Google services, Google's backup system may be more convenient. If you use mostly Samsung services, Samsung Cloud may be the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Samsung Cloud back up my photos and videos?
No. Samsung Cloud backs up contacts, calendar, messages, and device settings only. Photos and videos are not included. If you want to back up photos, use Samsung Gallery (which comes on Samsung devices) or Google Photos instead. Both of those services have their own storage limits and settings.
What happens to my Samsung Cloud data if I switch to a non-Samsung phone?
Your data stays in Samsung Cloud and remains accessible through the Samsung Cloud website or the Samsung app, but you will not be able to restore it directly to a non-Samsung phone during setup. You can export your contacts and calendar events manually, but it requires extra steps. This is one reason to think about your backup strategy before switching devices.
Can I access Samsung Cloud on an iPhone?
Samsung Cloud is designed for Samsung devices only and is not available on iPhones. If you have an iPhone and want to back up data, use iCloud instead, which is Apple's equivalent service. If you are switching from a Samsung phone to an iPhone, you will need to export your contacts and calendar separately.
How much does Samsung Cloud storage cost after the free tier?
Samsung offers paid storage plans, but pricing varies by region and changes over time. You can see current pricing by going to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts > Samsung Account > Cloud > Storage and selecting an upgrade option. Alternatively, check Samsung's website for your region for current pricing.
Can I delete my Samsung Cloud backup?
Yes. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts > Samsung Account > Cloud > Storage, and you will see an option to delete your backup data. Be aware that deleting a backup is permanent — you cannot recover it afterward. Only delete if you are sure you do not need that data restored to another device.