Develop Bugs

[Q] Backing up etc

Hi all. Well I've not rooted yet (just not had the time), and have a stock orange UK ROM with the default stuff! I have searched around and can't seem to find the answer to simple backup questions!
I am having the reboot issues (well documented in another thread), and it's getting worse and worse. even to the extent now that it's rebooting after calls (started out when charging using games, then now I cant run navigation for more than 2 minutes).
I have been told to do a factory reset (not a bad idea TBH). But backups is my main concern.
I have my contacts and calendar fine (not an issue), what I am concerned about mainly is my paid for apps. I have just synced with AppBrain, but will this get my paid for apps back?
Also SMS is the other thing I want to backup, I have installed SMS Backup which backs up to an XML file, which I can read. But read that some people have had problems with restoring, is this true? Or can someone recommend a better app? I am not too concerned with settings, as happy to do things slightly differently this time round, so mainly paiud for apps! Also what happens when orange eventaulyl send me a new phone (which seems to be the resoltuion of the paid for apps?)
I will take the SD card out when I factory reset, but what else should I worry about?
Regards, Martin

I have used SMS Backup and it seems to work fine with me. Not sure if it backs up MMS though, but there is a seperate free tool to save the MMS to SDcard available on the market.
As for your paid for apps, they will show up in the Market once you have perfromed a factory reset and you will be able to re-install without having to pay again. Just make sure that you log in using the same credentials.
The backups I perfored prior to rooting were as follows:
1) export contacts to SDCard
2) backup SMS using SMS Backup & Restore
3) Backup call logs using Call Logs Backup and Restore - I wanted to keep these.
A factory reset should not wipe what is currently on your SDCard, but I cannot hurt to copy the contents to your PC/Laptop before doing the reset.

dcnice said:
I have used SMS Backup and it seems to work fine with me. Not sure if it backs up MMS though, but there is a seperate free tool to save the MMS to SDcard available on the market.
As for your paid for apps, they will show up in the Market once you have perfromed a factory reset and you will be able to re-install without having to pay again. Just make sure that you log in using the same credentials.
The backups I perfored prior to rooting were as follows:
1) export contacts to SDCard
2) backup SMS using SMS Backup & Restore
3) Backup call logs using Call Logs Backup and Restore - I wanted to keep these.
A factory reset should not wipe what is currently on your SDCard, but I cannot hurt to copy the contents to your PC/Laptop before doing the reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this, yes call logs would be cool too! I'm not too fussed with regards to the settings of the phone, gives me a chance to start over! Im not even that fussed on SMS's nice to have a history they're currently backing up to the google mail thing!
It was the apps I've paid for most concerned for, and yeah sounds good that it's tied to the google account, guess that means if/when I get a new phone they'll just get copied over to the new phone, when orange realise that it needs to be replaced... Pffftt...
Many thanks makes sence now (used to the iTunes/iPhone system! WHich shilst walled, does make some things easy! I PREFER DROID THO!)

Backing up SMS, apps etc before ROM install...

Hi guys, sorry for the lame question. I feel bad asking because I've done dozens of different ROM installs on all kinds of different phones down the years, but there's always something I've never got.
How do I back up all my SMS's, installed apps etc and restore them after I've done a FULL WIPE and installed a new ROM? (SMS is the main one, I hate losing all those)

spireite_uk said:
Hi guys, sorry for the lame question. I feel bad asking because I've done dozens of different ROM installs on all kinds of different phones down the years, but there's always something I've never got.
How do I back up all my SMS's, installed apps etc and restore them after I've done a FULL WIPE and installed a new ROM? (SMS is the main one, I hate losing all those)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The process I'd suggest you for transferring your data when switching ROMs is:
1. Back up
For SMS's, use SMS Backup & Restore. It creates a backup XML which will be used to restore your SMS's after wiping.
For apps and their data, use Titanium Backup (Requires root).
For calls, Call Logs Backup and Restore. It also creates a backup XML like SMS Backup and Restore.
For contacts, I personally sync them using my Google account. If you don't like this you can use MyPhoneExplorer or any contacts backup app.
2. Full Wipe & ROM install
2b. Root your ROM if it is not rooted already.
3. Install Titanium Backup from an APK or Play Store.
4. Use Titanium Backup to restore user apps and their data. I suggest restoring ONLY user apps, unless you know what you are doing. Now it is also a good time to check which apps you really need to restore, since you may have back ups of applications that you don't need anymore.
5. Restore your SMS's and call logs from their backup XMLs using their respective applications.
6. Restore your contacts by syncing or by using the app you chose to back them up.

I've found some that backup to XML won't work if you have pictures in your messages. So either, save the pictures off, or you can use this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=backup.email.inapp&hl=en
It uses your Google account to backup and store your MMS/SMS messages. It works great.

How about using LG backup. It can backup both apps and data so I think it can both backup sms and call logs...

How to copy the system 1:1 to a new device by using TWRP

I got a new device by RMA and now I want to copy my nandroid backup made with TWRP to the new one.
Which partitions do I have to copy?

Most of the partitions are system based, so don't touch them. All you would want to copy is data, but I am not even sure that would work, without a boot loop? I keep all my data backed up with Titanium. And Google drive would restore most of what you had on your phone as long as you were allowing setting>system>backup.

Sui77 said:
I got a new device by RMA and now I want to copy my nandroid backup made with TWRP to the new one.
Which partitions do I have to copy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Data, as it is the one where your settings and app updates are stored. Just be sure the new device is running the same version of Android as the old.
Droid_Nut said:
Most of the partitions are system based, so don't touch them. All you would want to copy is data, but I am not even sure that would work, without a boot loop? I keep all my data backed up with Titanium. And Google drive would restore most of what you had on your phone as long as you were allowing setting>system>backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Restoring a nandroid backup of the data partition to another, identical, device will work without causing a bootloop given the precautions I describe above. Do note however that Google's backup only restores items acquired through the Play Store. Alternative app stores such as Amazon will not be restored, apps acquired through Amazon will not be restored, and any apps sideloaded will not be restored. Since Google's restore function doesn't restore everything, any backup solution - like a nandroid backup - is going to be a better alternative.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Data, as it is the one where your settings and app updates are stored. Just be sure the new device is running the same version of Android as the old.
Restoring a nandroid backup of the data partition to another, identical, device will work without causing a bootloop given the precautions I describe above. Do note however that Google's backup only restores items acquired through the Play Store. Alternative app stores such as Amazon will not be restored, apps acquired through Amazon will not be restored, and any apps sideloaded will not be restored. Since Google's restore function doesn't restore everything, any backup solution - like a nandroid backup - is going to be a better alternative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification that you can restore data as long as you are on the same version, does it have to be at the same security update level as well?
That is why I use Titanium for apps I got off of Fdroid and other sources. I will make sure I try the Nandroid data backup next time.

Security level shouldn't make a difference, but that is not something I have attempted. The pair of identical tablets I have here are running the same security update.

Thanks, data did the trick.
I had to delete 2 files due to a non working finger printer by using TWRP files explorer, but now the phone is fine.
Last thing pending are customer ringtones, but this is a nasty one.
Any idea how to do it?

Sui77 said:
Thanks, data did the trick.
I had to delete 2 files due to a non working finger printer by using TWRP files explorer, but now the phone is fine.
Last thing pending are customer ringtones, but this is a nasty one.
Any idea how to do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having the same problem with the fingerprint reader after restoring data from one phone to another, what files did you delete in TWRP file manager?

Solution for fingerprinter:
1. Boot into TWRP
2. Go to advanced>filemanager to acces the files in your phone.
3. Enter the folder /data/system/user/0
4. Delete following files: ./fpdata/user.db, settings_fingerprint.xml
5. Reboot to system and set up new fingerprints with the fingerprint wizard
6. Everything should work normal
Was not easy to find, but it's easy to do

Sui77 said:
Solution for fingerprinter:
1. Boot into TWRP
2. Go to advanced>filemanager to acces the files in your phone.
3. Enter the folder /data/system/user/0
4. Delete following files: ./fpdata/user.db, settings_fingerprint.xml
5. Reboot to system and set up new fingerprints with the fingerprint wizard
6. Everything should work normal
Was not easy to find, but it's easy to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't think it would be easy to find, but thanks for the tips. :good:

I am just putting this phone online with Q Beta 3 today, I have no notifications for text, and all options are greyed out?

Droid_Nut said:
I am just putting this phone online with Q Beta 3 today, I have no notifications for text, and all options are greyed out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turns out this is a bug in Android Q. With Pie there were some many notifications that I set my sound to none, so I just set my sound to Gibbon Call, and now I get text notifications. :good:

Question Best Backup Solution?

What is the best backup solution that can backup appdata and apps and system settings?

Google backup? I've been wondering this myself, but haven't found anything but Google's backup/restore. :|

For apps and their data, i suggest SwiftBackup. You connect it with your google account for cloud backup (paid) or create a local folder that you can tranfer to usb drive (free) and use it to restore back to your phone or any other device.
It also backs up call logs and messages and wifi networks.

jprattnu said:
Google backup? I've been wondering this myself, but haven't found anything but Google's backup/restore. :|
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google backup doesn't backup all apps just Google apps just tried it.

IamTheBRAVE said:
For apps and their data, i suggest SwiftBackup. You connect it with your google account for cloud backup (paid) or create a local folder that you can tranfer to usb drive (free) and use it to restore back to your phone or any other device.
It also backs up call logs and messages and wifi networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks will try it out

I bricked/un-bricked my phone last night and successfully restored all apps and data with Migrate (NG version downloaded from their telegram channel). Not sure about system settings... I prefer a clean start with those so I didn't try.

IamTheBRAVE said:
For apps and their data, i suggest SwiftBackup. You connect it with your google account for cloud backup (paid) or create a local folder that you can tranfer to usb drive (free) and use it to restore back to your phone or any other device.
It also backs up call logs and messages and wifi networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

Migrate is also a viable solution. I had a problem with their sdcard enabler on another phone so used swiftbackup instead. Very satisfied.

vangry2020 said:
What is the best backup solution that can backup appdata and apps and system settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best I've seen(must be root) Swift Backup(Google play store). You can back up messages, call logs, and most importantly apps, app data, ext data, system apps, ext data. Awesome app and easy to sync to dropbox, drive, etc.

IamTheBRAVE said:
For apps and their data, i suggest SwiftBackup. You connect it with your google account for cloud backup (paid) or create a local folder that you can tranfer to usb drive (free) and use it to restore back to your phone or any other device.
It also backs up call logs and messages and wifi networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this - Question - Can you still get all app & ext data without being rooted? (Yes I'm a root idiot, sorry)!

IamTheBRAVE said:
Migrate is also a viable solution. I had a problem with their sdcard enabler on another phone so used swiftbackup instead. Very satisfied.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had issues with Migrate on an older phone as well (OP 7Pro) , but so far on this phone it has been solid.
Does anyone know of any apps that can do incremental backups of only modified data? I've used Swift Backup but it doesn't seem to be an option. Swift has an option to back up only "updated apps" but I could care less whether the apk was updated... I'd like something that can back up only apps with modified data on a nightly basis, the way I used to do with Titanium Backup on earlier versions of Android.

jprattnu said:
Thanks for this - Question - Can you still get all app & ext data without being rooted? (Yes I'm a root idiot, sorry)!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No don't think so.

terlynn4 said:
I had issues with Migrate on an older phone as well (OP 7Pro) , but so far on this phone it has been solid.
Does anyone know of any apps that can do incremental backups of only modified data? I've used Swift Backup but it doesn't seem to be an option. Swift has an option to back up only "updated apps" but I could care less whether the apk was updated... I'd like something that can back up only apps with modified data on a nightly basis, the way I used to do with Titanium Backup on earlier versions of Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did not see any option for that in the app. You can do it manually by renaming theold backup folder and redoing existing backup option. I think that would work.

IamTheBRAVE said:
Did not see any option for that in the app. You can do it manually by renaming theold backup folder and redoing existing backup option. I think that would work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't that just back up everything again? Or maybe I don't follow what you mean.

terlynn4 said:
Wouldn't that just back up everything again? Or maybe I don't follow what you mean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, back up everything again but since you rename the old backup folder you end up with 2 incremental backup. At least that how i see it but it would be a pain to do that if you want nighly backups.
The only other idea may be to set a scheduled backup (paid). Just took a look, it say you can have customisable backups in premium (which i don't have) maybe someone can tell us what that contains?

IamTheBRAVE said:
Yes, back up everything again but since you rename the old backup folder you end up with 2 incremental backup. At least that how i see it but it would be a pain to do that if you want nighly backups.
The only other idea may be to set a scheduled backup (paid). Just took a look, it say you can have customisable backups in premium (which i don't have) maybe someone can tell us what that contains?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're talking about multiple backups, I'm talking about incremental/differential backups, where only modified data is backed up. The purpose is for smaller size and faster backups so they can be run daily or even multiple times a day. I save my backups to google drive and "all apps" is about 20 GB for me. It's insane to upload that much every single night when most of it hasn't changed, but I want my backups always up to date for the next time my phone is bricked unexpectedly. I do have premium, but the option to back up only modified data isn't there. I'm looking for an app that can do that, like Titanium Backup did flawlessly.

Question Sideloaded Android 13 and no backup found? Any solution?

I've had backups going on my Pixel 2XL for 4 years and Pixel 6 Pro for the past year. I've done so many factory resets and it always showed a backup under my account. Today I sideloaded A13. Worked perfectly. I factory reset maybe even 4 months ago. I decided to do a factory reset for a clean start. And bam, no backup found under my account. Was this user error? I can manually restore it but it sucks losing my text threads and I'm scared this might happen again. I'm in contact with Google support but they are useless.

open Google drive app. click menu, backups. should be a backup listed. if not, it's been deleted.

Adding my 0.02 here.
I've used Google backup and restore many times over the years and frequently SMS & Calls Logs have not been backed up and/or restored properly.
There used to be a way to trigger the restore UI via ADB but that appears to be patched.
I now rely on Google backup for my apps / contacts
And SMS Backup and Restore running daily taking a copy of my SMS & Call Logs.
Check for a backup from your PC. Go to Google Drive > Sotrage > Backups
That will list them all, if you have any.

Alekos said:
open Google drive app. click menu, backups. should be a backup listed. if not, it's been deleted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea it's gone. Had the phone backed up for 5 years and now upgrade to A13, factory reset and it's gone. I want to fully love google but this is one of those insane moments where I absolutely hate them. A reason I always backup everything manually and don't rely on them. Even now with my fresh perfect smooth installation, the phone still hasn't backup up automatically overnight when idle like it says it's supposed to.

skymera said:
Adding my 0.02 here.
I've used Google backup and restore many times over the years and frequently SMS & Calls Logs have not been backed up and/or restored properly.
There used to be a way to trigger the restore UI via ADB but that appears to be patched.
I now rely on Google backup for my apps / contacts
And SMS Backup and Restore running daily taking a copy of my SMS & Call Logs.
Check for a backup from your PC. Go to Google Drive > Sotrage > Backups
That will list them all, if you have any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea it's gone. NOOO idea why. At one point my lower tier Drive ran out of storage so I upgraded to Google One 2TB and wondering if I changed a setting or something causing it to delete the backup. I'm trying to recreate one from scratch now