MEGA 16.12 for Android

MEGA 16.12 for Android is the mobile app of the cloud storage and file hosting service run by Mega Limited. You can download it free from Google Play to store, back up and share files from your phone; here are the key facts and a quick guide.

Quick facts

What MEGA is for

MEGA is a cloud drive: you upload files to your account and reach them from any device. The Android app can upload photos and videos from the camera automatically, so pictures are backed up without you thinking about it, and it lets you browse, download and organise everything you have stored. Sharing works through links, and you can also share folders with other MEGA users to work on the same set of files. The service was founded in January 2013 by Kim Dotcom and has always put encryption at the centre of its pitch: files are encrypted on your device before they are uploaded, which is why losing your password or recovery key can mean losing access to your data. The client apps are open source, so their code can be checked. For a phone this is a practical way to free up local storage while keeping files within reach.

How to install

1. Open MEGA on Google Play and tap Install.
2. Create an account or sign in.
3. Save the recovery key the app offers; store it offline.
4. Turn on camera uploads if you want automatic photo backup, and choose whether it may use mobile data.

Using MEGA on a computer

The MEGA Desktop App runs on Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, macOS and major Linux distributions; see the desktop requirements and the download and install guide. For heavy syncing, MEGA recommends at least 2 GB of RAM.

Security tips

• Install the app only from Google Play or mega.io.
• Enable two-factor authentication in the account settings.
• Keep the recovery key somewhere safe; support cannot reset encrypted data.
• Delete public links you no longer need.

Tips for saving space

Once camera uploads have finished, you can remove older photos from the phone and keep them only in the cloud. Mark the folders you need on the road as available offline, and clear the app's cache from its settings if it grows too large. Check your storage meter now and then so backups do not stop silently when the plan is full.

Pros and cons

• Pro: encryption on the device before upload.
• Pro: automatic camera backup.
• Pro: apps for phone, desktop and web.
• Con: a forgotten password can lock you out for good.
• Con: the free plan fills up quickly with videos.

Alternatives

Other storage apps for Android in our listings: Google One, TeraBox and MediaFire. The MEGA features update post describes recent additions.