memlow

Google Drive backup failed: how to fix it

On Android and on the webUpdated

When a Google Drive backup failed, your notes are still safe on your phone or in your browser, and the backups already in your Drive stay there. The usual causes are no internet connection, Google asking you to connect Drive again, or a full Drive. Memlow says which one it is and offers the button that fixes it.

What you might see

On Android

  • "Couldn't reach Google Drive. Memlow will try again later."
  • "Google Drive needs to be connected again." with Reconnect
  • "Your Google Drive is full."
  • "Enter your backup password to keep backing up."
  • A notification and a card in Settings: Backup isn't working, "Backup hasn't worked since" a date. Memlow shows this after scheduled backups fail three times in a row.

On the web

  • The Google Drive panel's status says "Couldn't reach Google Drive".
  • "Google asks to confirm again. Tap Reconnect." on the notes list, with Reconnect
  • "Your Google Drive is full. Free up some space and try again."
  • "Your backup password changed on another device. Enter it once here."
  • "Paused: sign in to Memlow"

Is my data safe meanwhile?

Yes. A failed backup changes nothing on your device. Your notes stay where they are, and the newest backups in your Drive stay as they were. Memlow tries again by itself. Fix the cause below and your next backup catches up with everything.

No connection, or Google Drive didn't answer

This is the most common cause. The phone or computer was offline, or Google Drive didn't answer in time.

  1. Check that you're online: open any website.
  2. Open the Google Drive screen. On Android: Settings, then Google Drive backup. On the web: Settings, then Storage and Google Drive.
  3. Tap Retry on the warning, or Back up now.
  4. Wait until the status shows the new time: "Last backup:" with today's date on Android, or "Backed up" and how long ago on the web.
Backup and data in Settings on Android, with a warning that the backup hasn't worked and a Retry button

Google asks you to connect again

Google's permission for Memlow's folder can end, for example when you remove Memlow's access in your Google account. Google then wants you to confirm again.

On Android

  1. Open Settings, then Google Drive backup.
  2. Tap Reconnect on the warning.
  3. Choose the same Google account and allow access.

If Google refuses, Memlow says "Google didn't allow Memlow to use your Drive" with an error number. Try again later, and note the number for support.

On the web

  1. Choose Reconnect on the notes list, or in Settings, Storage and Google Drive.
  2. Google's window opens. Pick the same Google account and allow Memlow's folder.
  3. If nothing opens, allow pop-ups for app.memlow.com and try again.

If Google says no, Memlow shows "Google didn't give access. Try again and allow Memlow's folder."

The notes list on the web with the banner Google asks to confirm again and a Reconnect button

Your Google Drive is full

Backups go into your own Google storage, which Gmail and Google Photos share. When it's full, Memlow can't upload.

  1. Free up space in your Google account, or add more storage at Google.
  2. On Android, Google Drive backup shows how much your Memlow backups take: "Backups use" and a size.
  3. Come back to Memlow and tap Back up now.

Memlow keeps only its newest backups from each device and deletes older ones itself, so its own share stays small.

Memlow needs your backup password

The backup password is what encrypts your backups. Memlow keeps it on the device after you enter it once. It asks again when it can't read the key any more, or when another device changed the password.

On Android

  1. Open Settings, then Google Drive backup.
  2. Under Enter your backup password, type it. Memlow says it "needs your backup password once to keep backing up on this phone".
  3. Tap Continue.

On the web

  1. Open Settings, then Storage and Google Drive.
  2. Choose Enter password and type it.

If you've lost it, read what to do about a lost backup password.

You're signed out on the web

On the web, Drive backup comes with your Memlow account and pauses while you're signed out. The panel says "Drive sync is paused".

  1. Open Account and choose Sign in.
  2. Sign in with your Memlow account. Backups carry on by themselves.

See Can't sign in to Memlow if that doesn't work.

Backups wait for Wi-Fi (Android)

With Back up over Wi-Fi only on, the status says "Waiting for Wi-Fi…". Nothing is wrong: the backup runs once the phone is on Wi-Fi.

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi, and the backup starts.
  2. To back up on mobile data too, open Settings, then Google Drive backup, and turn off Back up over Wi-Fi only.

The phone stops Memlow in the background (Android)

Scheduled backups run in the background, and not when the battery is low. If a battery saver stops Memlow, backups only happen while it's open.

  1. Charge the phone if the battery is low.
  2. Set Memlow's battery use to Unrestricted. The steps are in Reminders don't ring, or ring late, and they help backups too.

Still not working?

Write to [email protected]. Please include:

  • your Memlow version (Android: Settings, then About, then Version; web: Settings, then About);
  • your phone's make, model and Android version, or your browser and computer;
  • the exact message Memlow shows, and any error number (a screenshot is best);
  • when the last backup worked.

Please don't send your backup password. We never need it. For how backups work, see Back up your notes to Google Drive.

Questions and answers

What does "Couldn't reach Google Drive" mean?

Memlow couldn't talk to Google Drive, usually because you were offline. It tries again by itself. Tap Retry or Back up now once you're connected.

How do I reconnect Google Drive?

Tap Reconnect where Memlow shows the warning, pick the same Google account and allow Memlow's folder. On the web, allow pop-ups for app.memlow.com if Google's window doesn't open.

Is my data safe meanwhile?

Yes. Your notes stay on your device, and the backups already in Drive stay there. The next backup that works includes everything.