Don't think anyone else has posted this yet so here goes:
A Google employee called Rich Hyndman posted this on his Google+:
https://plus.google.com/115995639636688350464/posts/b9ejZegfw8p
With Android 4.0 you can backup and restore app data to a computer using adb with no root required. I just did this on my stock device because I wanted to unlock it and install the 4.0.2 update manually as no OTA notification had come my way. Unfortunately the backup part doesn't work on Windows yet but it does on Ubuntu and Mac OS.
Here are the steps I performed:
1.) Connected my Galaxy Nexus to my Ubuntu machine with the Android SDK already setup
2.) I ran "sudo adb backup -f 20111219.bak -all" (adb only works as root on my machine)
3.) This pops up a screen on the phone asking for an encryption password to use for the backup (this will be asked for when you restore). It might work with no password
4.) Once the backup has completed the adb command will exit. Keep the .bak file somewhere safe
5.) Backup everything on USB storage (I used my Windows machine for this as I have no idea how to get MTP working on Linux)
6.) Wipe your phone with a factory reset or fastboot oem unlock
7.) Once wiped boot normally and you will have to perform initial setup again (do this on Wifi as it takes a while to re-download all apps)
8.) Wait for all your apps to download (download notifications will stop)
9.) With your phone connected to your PC again run "adb restore 20111219.bak" (this works on Windows oddly)
10.) If you used a password in step 3 enter it on your phone here and tap the restore button.
11.) Wait for it to finish restoring.. done
I restored BEFORE applying the update manually as detailed here because I didn't know if backing up on Android version 4.0.1 could be restored to Android version 4.0.2.
This restored all my app and game data and even setup the folders and shortcuts on my home screen (but not widgets). However, it did not restore my SMS message and call history so it looks like at least some apps won't be included in backups - YMMV.
OK so when I type in adb backup -f C\Backups\gnexbackup.ab -all -nosystem
it looks like it does it's thing and backs up everything, but then when I go to the folder (Backups) I don't see that .ab file... what's up?
I am using takju 4.1.1 unlocked bootloader, but no root
same problem
works, but does not fix broken system apps
start cmd with admin
go to location of adb.exe
C:\>cd C:\adb
check adb
C:\adb>adb devices
List of devices attached
0123456789ABCDEF device
connect only one device!
if "adb devices" returns anything else, something is wrong, try '>adb kill-server' and retry and/or redownload newest adb at thanks Snoop05
C:\adb>adb backup -all
confirm at phone with password, no password leads to failure during restoring process, its a known bug (adb v1.0.32 and below)
file C:\backup.ab will be created
restore with
C:\adb>adb restore backup.ab
confirm at phone with password
wait till done
works for me, all user apps and data are restored, but it did not fix my broken google services and deleted calendar storage (accidents happen )
This function is not reliable. Some apps work, others dont. Only use this if you dont have any other options, e.g. broken phone or some malfunction.
hi
I have installed galaxy nexus toolkit . It has option of backing up my phone and I was going through few posts which allows me to backup via ADB . I have few questions regarding this.
1. Are two methods I mentioned (via toolkit and ADB different?
2. If I backup and then do restoration , will the state of my app will be restored ? Like Game scores or levels passed ?
Thanks
I would advise you to drop the toolkit, and follow this (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1830108) guide. It'll require you to install adb and fastboot, so you will be in complete control of your device and will also empower you to fix anything which *may go wrong.
To actually answer your question, 1. yes the toolkit just inputs the adb backup command for you and 2. yes that is usually the meaning of the word backup... (some apps like cut the rope do however check whether it's the same installation, and these will ignore data that have been copied directly)
But please take the time to install adb yourself and get comfortable with the commands yourself, that way you will also be able to fix any problems that may arise yourself.
Drop the toolkit.
and there is a nandroid function on the toolkit, will be a better option......................................
And once again, drop the toolkit..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1812959
re
adb backup -apk -noshared -all -nosystem
I am trying this command to backup my app data . But it is not working it just list all the commands available. My Adb is installed perfectly . Because SD card PULL command worked
adithyavr said:
adb backup -apk -noshared -all -nosystem
I am trying this command to backup my app data . But it is not working it just list all the commands available. My Adb is installed perfectly . Because SD card PULL command worked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you forgot to name your backup file, which is done by the paramater -f
Code:
adb backup -f C:\name_of_your_backup.ab -apk -noshared -all -nosystem
you can name the output anything you like and put it to any folder you desire. just specify those after "-f" . don't forget to enable usb debug in your phone and i would recommend to check "stay awake" as well during the procedure.
i tried with the exact code "adb backup -f C:\name_of_your_backup.ab -apk -noshared -all -nosystem" but it still just lists all the commands there. For some reason it is not recognizing the command . It did for pull .
Funny thing is in that complete listing I cannot see backup command anywhere ? this might help but I installed adb AIO which was available . Can that cause problem ?
adithyavr said:
i tried with the exact code "adb backup -f C:\name_of_your_backup.ab -apk -noshared -all -nosystem" but it still just lists all the commands there. For some reason it is not recognizing the command . It did for pull .
Funny thing is in that complete listing I cannot see backup command anywhere ? this might help but I installed adb AIO which was available . Can that cause problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what version of adb do you have? check with command "adb version". you need adb version 1.0.29 or newer to have adb backup and restore function.
btw, if you have the toolkit from mskip, adb has been renamed to adb-toolkit and that one is at least 1.0.29 as i recall.
oh mine is adb 1.0.26 . Can you guide me to the proper adb download . Also if I install android sdk , will I get the adb ?
adithyavr said:
oh mine is adb 1.0.26 . Can you guide me to the proper adb download . Also if I install android sdk , will I get the adb ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can grab the latest version from google. it's a big download (~390Mb) so if you only need adb or fastbook then i would just use those bundled with the galaxy nexus toolkit. unzip the downloaded file to anywhere you like, and the adb command can be found in sub-folder "platform-tools". that's all you need.
adb backup -f C:\backone.ab -apk -noshared -all -nosystem
I downloaded the latest ADB it did back up perfectly .but in C:\ there is no file called backone.ab
adithyavr said:
adb backup -f C:\backone.ab -apk -noshared -all -nosystem
I downloaded the latest ADB it did back up perfectly .but in C:\ there is no file called backone.ab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nothing comes up if you type the following in your computer?
Code:
dir c:\ /a:h
i can only speculate that windows recognise ".ab" file as system file and hide it. you can name your backup with any extension you like, and people often use ".bak" instead. output your backup to a folder instead of the root direction may also help (-f c:\backup\whatever_name_you_called.bak, for example).
I searched my system and found out that it is stored in Local/AppData i wonder why. Btw , I just unlocked my device . It said said it will wipe my data out . But surprisingly my device is still with same theme and apps . Had no factory reset done !. I have double checked in the fast boot and it shows my phone status as unclocked
Latest ADB and fastboot, sort of, at least i know the one i included supports adb backup..
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p1wn5ywy6bd14hb/MvP3wpoNfx?m
adithyavr said:
Btw , I just unlocked my device . It said said it will wipe my data out . But surprisingly my device is still with same theme and apps . Had no factory reset done !. I have double checked in the fast boot and it shows my phone status as unclocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is known to happen with devices bought directly from the Google Play Store. To the best of my knowledge no one ever figured out why.
LOL
Sent from my i9250
bk201doesntexist said:
LOL
Sent from my i9250
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why lol ? What's so amusing ?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
bk201doesntexist said:
LOL
Sent from my i9250
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I LOL'd
So i wanna start testing a few source builds to improve my dev skills and i needed to backup everything to my PC and since Titanium backup takes a really huge time to create the backup i thought of using my Ubuntu Desktop for the task.
the command : adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -all -nosystem
leads to a screen with the following text. "Unlock your device and..... "
but there is no prompt on my Redmi.
Any one knows what the problem is?
Adb method acts like TitaniumBackup (rooted) and is more practical than Helium/Carbon (non-rooted). It is useful for: -
New phone and doesn’t want to root/waiting for unlocking & root [Like BS4/Pro Case ]
Don’t have account for the app/game or playing as a guest.
Appdata saved within privileges of root access.
Transfer savegame of old/new games.
The method is manually simple and performed individually for each app to outcome precious/efficient results. However, AppData directly saved within “Android/Obb” & “android/data” or by “login”, can be easily backed up by copy/paste. ADB method won’t be much help.
Requirement: -
PC/Laptop
USB cable
ADB software [Attached]
How to prepare USB debugging: -
Refer/Apply steps 1-3 from here.
How to Identify APK Name Package: -
Check out App Info from BS4/Pro.
How to Select/Search for APK Package Via ADB: -
Download/Extract “adb.rar” into PC
Connect the phone to PC via USB cable
Run CMD.exe as admin > type command
adb devices:: A message appears to indicate the correct connectionadb shell pm list packages | sort:: To get the list of your ALL installed alphabetically
Search for desired name package > Highlight and CTRL+C to copy name package
com.sega.sprintE.g. Sonic Force Package
How to backup
Run CMD as admin > Type any following CMD from below.
From phone, A Full Backup message appear > Press BACKUP MY DATA > Wait to finish.
A file with (.ab) extension is generated in “adb folder”.
adb backup -f <filename>.ab -apk <Package Name>
adb backup -f sega.sprint.ab -apk com.sega.sprint:: To backup app+data in (.ab) formatadb backup -f sega.sprint.DataOnly.ab -noapk com.sega.sprint:: To backup data ONLY in (.ab) format
Note: to avoid backup failure (1-KB size backup files outcome). Run your App & extend Battery saving/Optimization (sleep) for longer periods. Then, perform backup CMD process.
How to restore
Run CMD as admin > Type any following CMD from below.
A Full restore message > Press RESTORE MY DATA > Wait to finish.
Check out the phone
adb restore <filename>.ab
adb restore sega.sprint.ab:: To restore app+data in (.ab) formatadb restore sega.sprint.DataOnly.ab:: To backup data ONLY in (.ab) format
Note, restoration data will be the exact as the old phone. Reminder, this method is efficient for Appdata hidden under root access / guest account / app and game with no access with login.
List of App/Game that had been successfully applied: -
ActionTaimanincom.GREMORYGames.ActionTaimaninAngryBirdcom.rovio.angrybirdsAngryBirdSpaceHDcom.rovio.angrybirdsspaceHDBritishCouncilcom.britishcouncil.ieltsprepEveryCircuitcom.everycircuitGrammarorg.cambridge.englishgrammar.egiuRelicRuncom.squareenix.relicrunSonicE1com.sega.sonic4epiSonicForcecom.sega.sprint
You can try your lists & post them in the comments