Google adds granular Android backup toggles and expands Messages sharing features

Google is introducing two new Android backup controls via an update to Google Play Services. Users will soon see separate toggles that let them disable the backup of SMS, MMS and RCS messages, a change that follows recent privacy‑focused policy adjustments. The same update also adds a "local file backup" feature that automatically saves supported document types (DOC, PPT, XLS, PDF and other local files) to a dedicated folder on Google Drive; the function is currently in beta and will roll out gradually.

In the Google Messages app, beta releases are adding forward and share options for multiple images and texts. A new toolbar button now lets users forward selected messages or images, preview the content, add a test message, and choose to send to a group or to recipients individually. These UI changes are being tested with beta versions and are expected to appear in the stable app soon.