How to back up and restore your Chromebook

⚡ Fast fix

• Your Google Account handles a lot of the backup. Supported settings, bookmarks, passwords, apps, and other synced information can follow you to another Chromebook.
• Don't forget local files. Anything saved in Downloads isn't automatically synced, so move important files to Google Drive™ or external storage.
• Try Safety Reset before wiping everything. It can fix some ChromeOS problems without deleting local files and apps.
• Powerwash is the bigger reset. It erases local user data and returns the Chromebook™ to factory settings.

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Imagine having all your data safe and sound on your Chromebook, only for it to disappear. Photos, videos, and documents—all gone. To make matters worse, you can't recall when you last backed up. It's the makings of a nightmare scenario.

You might not be able to control accidental deletions, but you can protect yourself before they happen—we'll show you how. At Asurion, we know tech. From data recovery to fixing your touchpad, we've got you covered. Here's our guide to backing up your Chromebook and safely restoring it when something goes wrong.

Why backing up your data is important

Backing up your Chromebook is crucial for data security and peace of mind. Regular backups protect against accidental deletions, hardware malfunctions, and other unforeseen events. Having a backup also makes recovery much easier if you need to reset the Chromebook or move to another one.

The important thing to understand is that ChromeOS® sync and file backup aren't exactly the same thing. Your Google Account can sync supported settings and information, while files stored locally on the Chromebook need their own backup.

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How to back up Chromebook

Chromebooks make backing up a lot of your everyday information pretty easy, but not everything stored on the device automatically goes to the cloud. Here's what to check.

Google Drive integration

Chromebooks come with Google Drive built in, making it easy to keep important files in cloud storage instead of only on the laptop.

Files you save to My Drive are stored with your Google Account, but files sitting locally in places like Downloads aren't automatically backed up there. If there's something in Downloads you'd hate to lose, move or copy it to Google Drive or an external storage device.

Sync your Google Account

ChromeOS sync is turned on by default when you sign in to a Chromebook. It can save supported information such as settings, history, bookmarks, passwords, apps, extensions, themes, and Wi-Fi networks to your Google Account.

Want to see what's syncing?

1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner, then select Settings.
2. Under Accounts, select Sync and Google services.
3. Select Manage what you sync.
4. Choose Sync everything, or customize which supported information you want synced.

Remember, Downloads aren't included in this sync. Google Account sync can bring back a lot of your Chromebook experience, but it isn't a full backup of every file stored on the device.

External storage backup

Rather have a physical copy of important files too? Connect an external hard drive or USB flash drive to the Chromebook, open the Files app, and copy the files you want to keep onto the external drive.

This is especially useful for anything stored locally that hasn't been moved to Google Drive.

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Before restoring your Chromebook, try Safety Reset

If you're thinking about restoring your Chromebook to its original settings because it's acting up, you may not need to wipe it completely.

On a Chromebook, Powerwash is the name used for a factory reset. It erases local user data and restores the Chromebook to its factory settings. Before going that far, ChromeOS® has a less disruptive option called Safety Reset.

Safety Reset can reset Chrome settings and shortcuts, disable extensions, clear cookies and temporary site data, and reset certain network and input settings without deleting your local user data and apps.

To try it:

1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner and select Settings.
2. Select System preferences.
3. Under Reset, select Safety reset.
4. Follow the prompts, then select Done when the reset finishes.

You'll need to review your network and input settings afterward and re-enable any extensions you still want to use.

If the Chromebook is still having serious problems—or you're preparing to give it to someone else—that's when restoring it with Powerwash makes more sense.

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How to restore your Chromebook with Powerwash

If you need to restore your Chromebook to its factory settings, you'll use Powerwash, ChromeOS's built-in factory-reset feature.

Powerwash erases local user data, including files stored in Downloads, then returns the Chromebook to factory settings. Files already saved to Google Drive™ or external storage aren't erased, which is why it's important to back up anything stored locally before continuing.

To Powerwash your Chromebook:

1. Sign out of your Chromebook.
2. Press and hold Cntrl + Alt + Shift + R.
3. Select Restart.
4. When the reset window appears, select Powerwash > Continue.
5. Follow the onscreen setup instructions.
6. Sign in with your Google Account.

The Google Account you use after the reset becomes the Chromebook's owner account. Once you're signed in, supported information that was synced to your Google Account can begin returning to the Chromebook. Google Drive files will still be available through your account, while anything you backed up to external storage can be copied back manually.

That's the restore part of the process: Powerwash gives the Chromebook a clean start, then signing back into your Google Account brings back supported synced settings, apps, and cloud-stored files. Anything that was stored only on the Chromebook won't return unless you backed it up separately.

What if restoring with Powerwash doesn't fix the Chromebook?

Powerwash restores the Chromebook to factory settings, but it doesn't reinstall ChromeOS from scratch. ChromeOS Recovery goes further.

If ChromeOS itself is damaged, you see a ChromeOS is missing or damaged message, or the Chromebook still has serious problems after Powerwash, ChromeOS Recovery can remove and reinstall the operating system.

Asurion recommends trying less disruptive fixes first. Recovery permanently erases the Chromebook's internal storage, including downloaded files, so back up anything accessible before using it.

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FAQ

Will a Powerwash delete my Google Drive files?

No. Powerwash erases local data on the Chromebook, including files stored in Downloads, but files already saved in Google Drive or on external storage aren't deleted.

How do I restore my files on a new Chromebook?

Sign in with the same Google Account to restore supported synced information such as bookmarks, settings, apps, extensions, and other account data. Files saved in Google Drive will also be available. Local files that weren't backed up won't automatically return.

Can I back up my Chromebook offline?

Yes, for local files. Connect a USB flash drive or external drive and copy important files through the Files app. Google Drive and Google Account sync require an internet connection to update cloud-based information.

Does Chromebook automatically back up everything?

No. ChromeOS can automatically sync supported settings and account information while sync is enabled, but local files such as those in Downloads aren't included. Save important local files to Google Drive or external storage separately.