Since Froyo, a more comprehensive backup was announced (http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/data/backup.html). But I'm still not seeing ALL my settings and app data backed up.
I say this after doing a factory reset on my stock Desire because the contacts sync stopped working (I think it was a phone problem not Google problem). I have backed up in a number of places but the main one I use is MyBackup Pro.
For as good as it is, when it's finished, I still have to go through and put in my settings. Some widgets need to be re-setup. Some settings in the menu need to be re-setup. Signatures in my Google email boxes need to be redone. Ringtones (stock ones) need to be redone. Wallpaper. Etc.
Where are we with the perfect backup? I.e. backup my phone STATE. 1 backup so that should you reset your phone, it goes back perfectly. Obviously if you change phone to another model, you'll have to tweak a few things. But I thought backing up the phone state was possible after flicking through the link above.
So what's going on? Why do we not have the perfect backup yet?
You could root your phone using unrevoked 3.2 and install a custom recovery. This will allow you to make a complete image of your phone.
I don't think the froyo backup feature is available in sense roms. This is a question of HTC including it I.
The issue here is that this is not a complete backup solution in an of itself, but an API that allows developers to add this functionality into their applications.
Since this is API level 8 (Froyo), and since most devices still don't have Froyo, it's not too surprising that few applications have been updated to take advantage of this facility.
Regards,
Dave
I wonder if the newly announced HTCSense.com will address this since the announcement said it will backup customisations. (Obviously not rooted customisations!)
Related
I have a stock (2.1) Desire and am now considering rooting it for the first time. If possible, I would like to make a complete backup of the device before flashing a new rom, to be able to revert and restore my current apps/settings if I for some reason would like to do so.
Is this possible, and if so, can you point me to a guide?
If not, how much of my current settings/apps will be lost after rooting (with either a 2.1 or 2.2 rom), and how much is stored "in the cloud" and would be reapplied after flash?
Thanks in advance.
MyBackup Pro can do pretty good job with apps, settings and data
Thanks for the suggestion.
Looking at the product description, I don't really find any mention of what data is backed up, other than data from a short list of applications neither of which I use.. Also it seems to store the data on the developer's servers, which is not at all what I want.
Thanks anyway..
it allows you to choose where you want to store it, sd card or their servers...
Only few things will miss after restore, like market entries for apps... I can't remember all the details
I used to have a WinMo device that I would flash new roms to a couple times a month. I had a procedure down to backup contacts, SMS, and CallLogs with some other info. Then after, the flash i would restore the SMS, contacts, and Call logs and an auto installer (Sashimi) would redo all my settings (email, registry, etc) and then install a couple apps I used regularly. I used this method because the ROMs would change the software on the device around and I didn't trust a standard app backup since it might restore old files onto a newer build app.
I know with Android, there's a ton of apps (Titanium, sprint, etc) to do backups but some seem more purpose built than others. Plus, the contacts get backed up on google, so they don't matter much.
Does anyone have a good method that they use to backup the data and restore between ROM changes on Android similar to the above?
Titanium backup is pretty much the gold standard for Android
It will back up ALL of your apps, their data, and your system data but you want to be careful about restoring system data. If you restore everything you're likely to get boot loops from something being incompatible, just be selective about what system data you restore and maybe only restore one thing at a time the first couple times so you can get a feel for what restores well and what doesnt.
Conversly I have had almost no problems batch restoring all my apps and their data. The only real problem you are likely to have is with apps that check to see if it's a restored copy or an install from the original apk. None of gameloft's games can be restored, for example. That has been my experience, hope it helps.
nebenezer pretty much got it, I'll just add a couple points
Invest in the donate version of Titanium. It automates the re-install process of apps. Otherwise, you will have to physically press Install, and then OK once an app is finished installing, for every app.
System settings items in green (includes SMS messages, call log, etc) are pretty much safe to backup/restore when switching ROMs, you just have to make sure you are switching between like ROMs.
For example:
2.2 Sense-based ROM <----> 2.2 Sense-based ROM - Ok
CyanogenMOD AOSP <----> 2.2 Sense-based ROM - Bad
Any 2.2 ROM <----> Any 2.1 ROM - Bad
Sense AOSP-lite ROM <----> 2.2 Sense-based ROM - You can probably get away with a few settings, but if you try to restore HTC Browser settings/bookmarks to AOSP browser, etc, or vice versa, it will likely cause issues.
That just goes for settings, as far as user apps, those are pretty much safe to restore to/from any ROM.
Hello everyone,
I have been rooting for a long time since I had a G1. I never understood clearly how to transfer apps without the need to manually install them. Does creating a partition in the SD card to ext3 or ext4 have some factor to it? I would simply follow directions but didn't understand the process. Whenever I installed a new ROM, sometimes all of the apps would be install automatically and some ROMS would require me to install them manually. I also got Titaniumbackup Pro also. Is that still a good app to use to back up these days? Is there a popular app to back up text messaging as well or does many of the
Lately, I have been trying to find a good rom to use after many crashes of Andromadus V13. I am using the latest Anrdomadus Mimicry now and its great. Though, I realized that I didn't transfer any of my apps. As I was rooting a few ROMS previous to it, some would install a majority of the apps and others would require me to install them myself. Im curious of why this is so.
the auto restore is a function of the market, I don't like this method and choose no when I sign in (don't like wasting time and slowing things down cause of all the data over network or wifi
titanium back is my personal favorite way to restore apps on a new rom, there are other apps that will do this (romtollbox etc) tb will do texts but I have had issues with it
I use sms backup + for that and connect it to my google account
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
Apps are tied to your Google Play account and normally get automatically re-installed after you start your phone back up after a new ROM. Except, sometimes installing your ROM gives your phone a new "name" and Google Play doesn't know that it's the same phone (even though it's on the same account). So, if you go to Google Play on your computer, you would have more than one choice of phones to download apps to - your old phone name and your new phone name. And I've also had the occasional app out of many that just doesn't re-install for some reason.
Two words : Titanium Backup (though mainly only useful if you can restore your old rom, run a backup, then flash the new rom back).
While google can half-ass restore your downloads (settings may not always be intact), Titanium Backup will actually restore all your backed up apps along with their full settings/etc. It can also restore your rom's Android ID so that restored apps don't conflict.
But yea since you already have it, you should know least that much. Personally I have not found anything better than 4EXT Recovery and Titanium Backup Pro when it comes to backing up and restoring data.
ps: it can backup your SMS/Call Logs/Wifi Access points, etc to XML files on your SD card which can be re-imported later, just in case the SMS/Etc backups performed are not compatible with your new rom's apps.
It's been awhile since I've dabbled with messing with my phone much (on the 2XL, had a 6P before that and unlocked it but that was it). I am thinking it might be time to wipe the device and start fresh, but wondering what the "best" method for backing up and then restoring is for the wipe. I was never great with making the proper backup to restore from so usually ended up re-adding stuff manually and setting everything up again - would love to avoid that. Is the android/google drive backup and restore option sufficient? Is there a better method out there? I don't have a ton of customizations on this phone this time around but avoiding the hassle would be sweet. All photos are backed up to drive, and I can turn on to backups a few other folders as well. Otherwise its just passwords, wifi networks, bluetooth devices, home screen setup, app settings, etc, etc that I hope to maintain.
Also, this phone is NOT unlocked yet but I will probably do that when I wipe it.
I've never used the native backup and restore method, so I can't really comment on that.
- I use Titanium Backup for all my apps
- I create a Nova backup for my launcher (Nova Launcher)
- I transfer my internal storage to my computer (music, photos, videos and so on)
- once I wipe, I restore all that and the only thing I need to setup from scratch is basically everything in system settings, which I've gotten pretty quick at doing now that I've done it several times.
Unfortunately, Titanium Backup requires root, something I guess you can't achieve without unlocking your bootloader first (which requires a wipe).
I guess the best thing would be to try the native backup and restore option or wait for someone else to provide you with better non-root alternatives.
Norcalz71 said:
It's been awhile since I've dabbled with messing with my phone much (on the 2XL, had a 6P before that and unlocked it but that was it). I am thinking it might be time to wipe the device and start fresh, but wondering what the "best" method for backing up and then restoring is for the wipe. I was never great with making the proper backup to restore from so usually ended up re-adding stuff manually and setting everything up again - would love to avoid that. Is the android/google drive backup and restore option sufficient? Is there a better method out there? I don't have a ton of customizations on this phone this time around but avoiding the hassle would be sweet. All photos are backed up to drive, and I can turn on to backups a few other folders as well. Otherwise its just passwords, wifi networks, bluetooth devices, home screen setup, app settings, etc, etc that I hope to maintain. Also, this phone is NOT unlocked yet but I will probably do that when I wipe it.
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Google Backup has improved vastly over the past year or two, so make sure you have it switched on and actively working (including Photos). It's great. I use TiBu also but I don't use it for any System/GApps- usually only "non-market" and root apps so if you don't have those, you don't necessarily need it, but if you do store it OFFLINE. If you use a 3rd party launcher (eg. Nova), backup your "shortcuts" and settings beforehand OFFLINE. Here's one suggestion:
Disclaimer: Before you start, make sure you have the very latest fastboot/adb binaries installed (August 2018). A standalone version is available you just dump into one folder and verify it is working.
Unlock your bootloader (twice) using sticky guides (Nathan). It's important to do the unlock_critical at the same time. You will be starting from a blank slate. Flash the latest full factory image from Google using the provided script (See the Guide). Once you log back into your account, let Google Backup do it's thing fully and completely. Once finished, run TiBu (OPTIONAL) and restore "missing apps" ONLY which are any apps remaining not already installed by Google Backup. Restore your launcher backup, and you are done. I did this last weekend and from a blank slate it took me about one hour to get back everything the way I had it (not a gamer). If you have no non-market / root apps you can skip TiBu be back up and running even quicker. Google Backups is your friend. In closing, don't under-estimate the value of using a 3rd party launcher and it's built-in backup file. Which ever launcher you choose will really pay dividends when you finish restoring from Google Backup. Your desktop icons, widgets, and all pages will be restored just like you had them before. Best of luck.
Appreciate the response, thanks. Is the desktop/home screen config only able to be backed up and restored with the 3rd party launcher? Haven't touched a different non-stock launcher since I think Nova on my Samsung S4, but sounds like there could still be a benefit there?
v12xke said:
Google Backup has improved vastly over the past year or two, so make sure you have it switched on and actively working (including Photos). It's great. I use TiBu also but I don't use it for any System/GApps- usually only "non-market" and root apps so if you don't have those, you don't necessarily need it, but if you do store it OFFLINE. If you use a 3rd party launcher (eg. Nova), backup your "shortcuts" and settings beforehand OFFLINE. Here's one suggestion:
Disclaimer: Before you start, make sure you have the very latest fastboot/adb binaries installed (August 2018). A standalone version is available you just dump into one folder and verify it is working.
Unlock your bootloader (twice) using sticky guides (Nathan). It's important to do the unlock_critical at the same time. You will be starting from a blank slate. Flash the latest full factory image from Google using the provided script (See the Guide). Once you log back into your account, let Google Backup do it's thing fully and completely. Once finished, run TiBu (OPTIONAL) and restore "missing apps" ONLY which are any apps remaining not already installed by Google Backup. Restore your launcher backup, and you are done. I did this last weekend and from a blank slate it took me about one hour to get back everything the way I had it (not a gamer). If you have no non-market / root apps you can skip TiBu be back up and running even quicker. Google Backups is your friend. In closing, don't under-estimate the value of using a 3rd party launcher and it's built-in backup file. Which ever launcher you choose will really pay dividends when you finish restoring from Google Backup. Your desktop icons, widgets, and all pages will be restored just like you had them before. Best of luck.
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Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Norcalz71 said:
Appreciate the response, thanks. Is the desktop/home screen config only able to be backed up and restored with the 3rd party launcher? Haven't touched a different non-stock launcher since I think Nova on my Samsung S4, but sounds like there could still be a benefit there?
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Click to collapse
If you are asking how complete the stock Pixel launcher backup is (or if it even offers a backup), I cannot answer. I have always used Nova on all my devices and can only speak to the backup/restore capabilities of it. I don't want to get up on a soap box here, but Nova is worth every penny. Once you restore all your apps, run the launcher backup/restore and you are DONE. Everything is back. Once, I lost my tablet launcher backup and used my Nova phone backup and it restored perfectly to my tablet. I would venture to say that if the launcher is not backed up, THAT is where all the time is in recovering an existing setup. Creating pages of shortcuts and widgets is a pain and that is even if you kept screenshots of them. I also know Nova will "import" your Google launcher settings, so you can easily switch over to Nova before your wipe and then backup your settings. Give it a whirl.
I always used Titanium Backup and still do as a backup but Swift Backup has become my main app for flashing and restoring between ROMs etc. Nicer interface and I don't have to pick and choose between stuff I want to restore as much compared to batch restore missing apps on Titanium.
Titanium Pro and TWRP nandroid...
For some reason I'm unable to find restore backup, where do I look for this? You would think it would be beside backup but no, and can we not back up all our apps?
There is no separate restore. It will (should) offer to restore during the initial setup after a wipe. Supposedly, it will also restore when you sign into your Google account. More info here.
And, Google incorrectly calls it a backup - it isn't. It stores info on what apps were installed, and re-installs them from the Play Store. If you sideloaded any, you have to do it again. You also have to re-login to most apps. Finally, it will only reflect the state at the last "backup." If you want to go back to what you had a month ago instead, you can't. If you had older versions of some apps, because the newer were broken or whatever, you're SOL. It will restore some settings, like wallpaper, the position of app icons, SMS messages and call logs. But overall, you will still have a lot of work to do to get your phone back to the same as it was.
If backup is "really" important, would you recommend and give a "thumbs up" to the Swift Backup application ? Recently, I woke up and discovered my old backup ( Titanium ) was now failing in its job and transitioned to Swift.
kevinireland11 said:
For some reason I'm unable to find restore backup, where do I look for this? You would think it would be beside backup but no, and can we not back up all our apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
During the initial setup of the phone, at the point the phone offers to have you physically connect your phone to your "old phone" via USB-C, there's an option to click telling it you don't have the old phone available. Once you choose that, it takes you down the path of restoring from the cloud backup instead.
Naturally, you have to have it connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data before that point, preferably Wi-Fi but should work either way.