The Restore process is effectively the inverse of the Backup process, in that it copies files from the Picture Keeper to the device it's connected to.
Restoring files
First, connect your Picture Keeper to your Android device, then follow the steps below for help restoring files. The Pro SSD can only connect to an Android phone with a USB-C port. If yours has a Micro-USB port (older Android phones), Restore Files won't appear. Copy the files to a computer instead and move them to the phone from there (see Copy Files from Picture Keeper to Computer for Mac or Windows).
- Open the Picture Keeper Connect app
-
Tap Settings
at the bottom right:
- Tap Restore Files:
- Tap Got it! on the prompt:
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Tap the checkmark to the left of a device or folder to select all files within that location, or tap the arrow to the right of a device or folder to enter the location and select specific files or folders:
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Tap Start Restore at the bottom and wait for the restore to finish:
- Any photos and videos restored in this way can be found in the Gallery app
Restoring another device’s backup
The list you choose from holds every device that has backed up to this Picture Keeper, not only the one in your hand — so this is also how you move an old phone’s photos onto a new one, including photos that came from an iPhone. Pick the old device, then take all of it or open it and select what you want.
Restored files are placed in a folder called PK Restore — inside Pictures, Movies, Music or Download, depending on the file type — and the app does not back them up again afterwards. The app attempts to skip photos and videos that are already on your phone, but some duplicates could remain. A photo that’s only in Google Photos, and not on the phone itself, still gets restored, as does one whose copy on the phone has been edited or compressed.
Restoring contacts
Only contacts the app actually backed up can be restored. On Android, contacts backup starts switched off, so it is worth confirming it was turned on before you rely on it being there — see Change Backup File Types. In Show Backup Options, tap ALLOW next to Contacts, then turn the switch on.
Open Settings, then Restore Files. Pick the device, select the contacts, tap Start Restore, then tap IMPORT when the restore finishes — your phone's own Contacts app takes over and finishes the import from there:
- If your phone asks which app to open them with, choose Contacts (or your phone's own contacts app).
- When asked where to save the imported contacts, choose your Google account rather than Device, so Google can sync and back them up.
- If you end up with duplicates, use Merge & Fix in the Contacts app (Merge contacts on a Samsung phone). The option can take a restart and a few minutes to appear after importing contacts.
If you need any additional assistance, please contact Picture Keeper support.