[Q] Backup with Time Capsule - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello there,
Is there any way to backup the Nexus 4 (or any Android probably) to a Time Capsule?
If it can't be done locally without connecting the phone to my computer, I suppose cloud backup would be fine.
If Time Capsule backup is not possible, what's the best setup people are using?
It could be one or multiple applications setup. It could be either Box, Dropbox, GDrive or similar, or just my own SFTP/FTP host.
What I would like is a solution that would automatically backup my phone (best would be a complete backup - but messages, call log, and SD card is the most important) when I connect to my home WIFI network. Is there such a thing?
It's always better free, but if it's a couple of dollars, it's fine too. Root solutions are acceptable.
Thanks.

If you are coming from the Apple world where your entire phone is automatically backed up in iTunes, you'll find Android does not officially support anything like that. Don't ask me why as I find it inexplicable that official support for this does not exist.
If you want to backup your entire phone you will most likely need root, and use something like Titanium backup. There is no support for Time Capsule here... that requires a Mac OS running Time Machine. As far as automating the process... I am not sure (maybe Tasker), but I doubt it.
If your just interested in apps and app data, you should be able to back that up using Carbon, and schedule backups as well.

Related

Cannot Start Sprite Backup!

I am a paid registered user of the best backup program for WM, Sprite Backup.
I installed the latest version on my HD2. It installed fine.
But every time I try to run it, I get an error message--" a problem has occurred with sprite backup.exe"
Happens every time, even right after rebooting, with nothing else running.
(One time I made the mistake of clicking the "Send" button to report the mistake to Microsoft, and there was a never-ending hourglass, finally had to reboot. )
Has anyone here used Sprite Backup with the HD2?
Consider yourself lucky and use this chance to seek other backup applications. After using this program, and having it tell me my Daily backups were done properly, I tried a restore and found it could not read it's own data file, and the remote backups never took place.
So I am basically fuxored...
Thank you Sprite Mobile.
My email to tech support has gone unanswered, nor do I expect them to answer me. I pretty much just want a refund.
nestersan said:
Consider yourself lucky and use this chance to seek other backup applications. After using this program, and having it tell me my Daily backups were done properly, I tried a restore and found it could not read it's own data file, and the remote backups never took place.
So I am basically fuxored...
Thank you Sprite Mobile.
My email to tech support has gone unanswered, nor do I expect them to answer me. I pretty much just want a refund.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree completely. I purchased Sprite Backup a couple of months ago, having read reviews that praised it. Was already using Microsoft MyPhone to backup some stuff, but wanted a more complete solution (eg., ability to backup installed applications).
Backed up religiously (to PC and to phone's storage card), no errors reported while doing so. Tried three weeks ago to restore a backup file, received message saying something like "device doesn't recognize certificates". No phone number available to call Sprite, so I sent email to their "24/7 HelpDesk." That was my first rude awakening, because it took them five days to reply. We then went back and forth for a week. No resolution, was told in a final email that I should try reinstalling the program and that, other than that, there was nothing they would or could do. I'm investigating SPB Backup and other options -- whoever I choose next will be in the U.S., and they will at least have a phone number so I can talk to human! But you can bet that everyone I know with a Windows mobile phone is now aware that Sprite isn't a viable option.....
Asquared said:
I agree completely. I purchased Sprite Backup a couple of months ago, having read reviews that praised it. Was already using Microsoft MyPhone to backup some stuff, but wanted a more complete solution (eg., ability to backup installed applications).
Backed up religiously (to PC and to phone's storage card), no errors reported while doing so. Tried three weeks ago to restore a backup file, received message saying something like "device doesn't recognize certificates". No phone number available to call Sprite, so I sent email to their "24/7 HelpDesk." That was my first rude awakening, because it took them five days to reply. We then went back and forth for a week. No resolution, was told in a final email that I should try reinstalling the program and that, other than that, there was nothing they would or could do. I'm investigating SPB Backup and other options -- whoever I choose next will be in the U.S., and they will at least have a phone number so I can talk to human! But you can bet that everyone I know with a Windows mobile phone is now aware that Sprite isn't a viable option.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure I agree with you.
I have used Sprite with several other WinMo phones, with no problems. I have only had a problem with the HD2.
I'm surprised you were even able to backup. I could not start the app at all. The only way I was finally able to backup, was to close the Sense UI, and reboot (without Sense). Haven't tried restoring yet on the HD2.
HD2 seems to have a lot of compatibility problems. Today I installed Sk Tools as well, newest version, which I have also paid for. Like Sprite, it installed fine, but will not start up correctly at all!
me said:
I'm not sure I agree with you.
I have used Sprite with several other WinMo phones, with no problems. I have only had a problem with the HD2.
I'm surprised you were even able to backup. I could not start the app at all. The only way I was finally able to backup, was to close the Sense UI, and reboot (without Sense). Haven't tried restoring yet on the HD2.
HD2 seems to have a lot of compatibility problems. Today I installed Sk Tools as well, newest version, which I have also paid for. Like Sprite, it installed fine, but will not start up correctly at all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear your point, and I can't argue that the HD2 can be a compatibility-problem magnet. What I did after first experiencing my problem (and during that period where I was waiting for Sprite to respond to my first email to their HelpDesk) was Google the web for a solution to the certificate problem. During that search, I saw a bunch of complaints of the same problem for quite a number of other phones (some HTC, some not), and a consistent theme was that Sprite Support was essentially ignoring them. That fact is what bothers me most.
Also, if I were you, the only way I'd trust that backup that you finally got to work is by successfully restoring it on your device. I typically maintained at least two separate (one for Mondays, one for Fridays) backup files, which the program always characterized as "Backup completely successfully!". However, none of these would Restore.
Asquared said:
I'm investigating SPB Backup and other options -- whoever I choose next will be in the U.S., and they will at least have a phone number so I can talk to human!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to point out to you, that SPB software compan is not located in the US, but in Russia. (I don't know why, but much mobile software seems to originate in Russia. I think SK software (as in SK Tools) and Resco are also in Russia, others as well.)
Quite unfortunately, reaching a human being in the US (or anywhere) on the telephone, who is actually familiar with a product, and can actually help you, is an extreme rarity these days for any product, hard or soft. "Tech support" for most companies has become a pitiful joke.
----------
By the way, an update on my OP.
I reported that I was not able to start Sprite Backup on the HD, after having successfully installed it.
After removing Sense, and booting into plain Windows Mobile, I was able to start it and do a backup.
Since then, I have reinstalled Sense, and since then, Sprite could do a backup with Sense running as well.
However, nervous from reading reports here that Restore didn't work, although I didn't need a restore, I decided I'd better try restoring. (For if Restore wouldn't work, the backups would be useless.)
So, right after doing a full backup of everything (excluding the storage card, of course), to the storage card, I did a restore of that backup. I didn't do it by starting the Sprite application, but by clicking directly on the .exe file created by the backup. It took a while to start up, and I was getting nervous, after having read the reports here.
But then it did start up, and now the restore is completed, and looks like it went fine.
So, I'll keep using the app.
(I once used the SPB backup app though, years ago. Also a good app, and not as expensive. Not as many options though.)
Glad that things worked out for you. Thanks for the update.
I've never had problems with sprite backup. Ok, I think once, it wouldn't restore. But for the most part it has worked. I have never had problems restoring either.
If I had to go back and order again I would probably use spb backup since so many others recommend it, but I've been using sprite for about 2 years.
You can always try Lookout mobile. Its a security/anti-malware program that also offers data backup. Had it since a week or two after I got my HD2, everythings been great. But on stock ROM it may freeze. Did the first time I installed so I didnt try again until I got a new ROM. Been perfect ever since.

Any way to backup without root?

Sorry for being a noob here. I'm new to Android, and I just want to check that, is there no way to back up everything (like iTunes for iPad) unless the Tf is rooted?
I understand that titanium backup is the most recommended. Does the Tf need to be rooted for the restore to work too?
I honestly would rather not go through the trouble of rooting/unrooting, if I can forever avoid it. I just want to back things up like I did on my iPad. Any help will be appreaciated.
Unless you are going to copy your sd card/ removable device with windows explorer or some other type of file manager...not sure about Mac or Linux..there really is no way to back up without being rooted. Titanium does need root and doing a nandroid backup also requires root. In order to restore...you need to use these items to backup first...and this again requires root then you can restore.
Thank you for confirming. This is a big FAILED on Android. There is a reason why Apple stock is at an all time high.
ikeny said:
Thank you for confirming. This is a big FAILED on Android. There is a reason why Apple stock is at an all time high.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can backup the device through nvflash without root, although this will back up whole partitions, not individual applications/files. I'm not sure what format the .img files are, but you *might* be able to manipulate them to extract individual goodies, but I haven't tried it yet.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1129308
File Expert app has a Backup option in it that will backup all your installed apps, basically just the APK files to reinstall them which for me is plenty, cause I can just manually backup any extra things I might have such as pics or videos.
you can use mybackuppro without root and backup your apps and data including contacts and pictures etc. to sdcard or to the cloud.
you can use Astro to back up apps as apk files as well.
you can connect your Asus to your pc via usb and copy the entire contents to your hardrive.
Hmm apple is much much worse it was a PITA to root. Then its locked down where I have to boot it from a PC everytime or its not rooted any more.
ewitte said:
Hmm apple is much much worse it was a PITA to root. Then its locked down where I have to boot it from a PC everytime or its not rooted any more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point is, you don't need to jailbreak (root) the iOS. Backup works natively on stock iPhone, iPad and iPod. iTunes may not be your favourite app, but it backs up the devices COMPLETELY. That is, when you buy a brand new device, connect to iTunes, and select restore from a backup... Voila! You new device now looks exactly as the old one, with all the personal info, music, movies, apps, games level, app settings transferred.
@CarsnGadgets - if I connect my Tf to pc via usb and copy the entire content over, how do I restore it? Say, if I lose my Tf and buy another one, can I copy the backup over to overwrite the entire content of the new Tf? (I doubt that)
An Android tablet is a whole Google experience product. Therefore, you should already have a gmail account. I mean, whats the point of owning an android product without gmail. Ok, once you set up your new tablet, you log into all google related products. That said, your email, location services, maps saves, buzz etc is synced to your new tablet. As I understand it, when you to the market, and search for an app you already had, the market knows that and allows a re-download and install, even for purchased apps.
If you wanted to "back-up" anything, you could do a file explorer view of the contents of the transformer, and copy the whole thing over to your PC in a folder once in a while. Thats about it.
I would gladly do all this "extra work" compared to being tied down to a Pc with an apple product, which you cannot even use out of the box until it's synced to itunes, What a load of crap.
ikeny said:
The point is, you don't need to jailbreak (root) the iOS. Backup works natively on stock iPhone, iPad and iPod. iTunes may not be your favourite app, but it backs up the devices COMPLETELY. That is, when you buy a brand new device, connect to iTunes, and select restore from a backup... Voila! You new device now looks exactly as the old one, with all the personal info, music, movies, apps, games level, app settings transferred.
@CarsnGadgets - if I connect my Tf to pc via usb and copy the entire content over, how do I restore it? Say, if I lose my Tf and buy another one, can I copy the backup over to overwrite the entire content of the new Tf? (I doubt that)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The nvflash method that I linked to will do the backup/restore. i think it's fairly experimental, so no easy app with a flashy GUI.
Lanpirate said:
An Android tablet is a whole Google experience product. Therefore, you should already have a gmail account. I mean, whats the point of owning an android product without gmail. Ok, once you set up your new tablet, you log into all google related products. That said, your email, location services, maps saves, buzz etc is synced to your new tablet. As I understand it, when you to the market, and search for an app you already had, the market knows that and allows a re-download and install, even for purchased apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...eh... what about the most important part like your in-app data (game data, app setting)? please correct me if I am wrong, but based on the responses from others, and what I read from other websites, I believe it is not possible to back up that unless rooted.
Game data, correct; you cannot back that up to your gmail account. That would not get backed up without rooted backup programs. Still, I'd rather restart Angry birds, having known I didnt have to buy it like the iguys do. That is, if you do not want to root(which is very easy now, for any version of honeycomb). Being able to customize something completely requires some effort. This platform is not for someone who just wants a "perfectly easy user experience". But hey, with effort, comes reward. Like an actual memory slot, HDMI out, a dock with USB's, memory slot in the dock, and lots of battery life.
ikeny said:
Thank you for confirming. This is a big FAILED on Android. There is a reason why Apple stock is at an all time high.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then return your tf and get a ipad. Itunes is.a lovely program. I love the fact that I need to install itunes on Every computers in order to intall apps. Amazing...
dazz87 said:
then return your tf and get a ipad. Itunes is.a lovely program. I love the fact that I need to install itunes on Every computers in order to intall apps. Amazing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have an ipad, and work paid for my Tf. I like using the Tf for flash content and watching movies on the wide screen.
You do NOT need iTunes to install apps. Currently, you only need to activate a new ios device once with a computer. If you don't care about backups, you never have to connect it to any computer ever. Apps, music, movies can be purchased OTA, just like android.
Starting with iOS 5, coming in the fall, everything can be done OTA, including backing up of device settings, address book, calendar, email, apps, AND app data, all for free! No more activation with a computer.
I may seem like an apple fan. But in fact, I am just a fan of 'whatever works best".
Lanpirate said:
Game data, correct; you cannot back that up to your gmail account. That would not get backed up without rooted backup programs. Still, I'd rather restart Angry birds, having known I didnt have to buy it like the iguys do. That is, if you do not want to root(which is very easy now, for any version of honeycomb). Being able to customize something completely requires some effort. This platform is not for someone who just wants a "perfectly easy user experience". But hey, with effort, comes reward. Like an actual memory slot, HDMI out, a dock with USB's, memory slot in the dock, and lots of battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a fact that android is great for customization, and good for those that likes to take advantage of that. For the rest of us, who use tablets as a tool, rather than a hobbie, we want basic things to work without hacking. Backing up in-app data is a basic need in my opinion.
Another one is to prompt for a password everytime when buying paid apps in the market. It is just crazy to me that anyone can pick up your Tf and buy apps with the saved CC info. I don't think I am asking too much.

Moving from G4 to 6P

So, I'm getting a 6P soon, and I was curious if there was an easy way to move all my stuff from the rom I have on my G4 to the 6P when I get it- accounts, apps, everything, so I don't have to take hours redoing everything again
Thanks
start fresh, my friend.
Yea start fresh. Like a new house. You don't want to bring all the old crap your new house that's why you get a new house. But when you setup your new phone it will ask if you want to migrate settings etc from another device it works pretty fast I have had to do it on my 6p when I install a ROM and it only took maybe half an hour to set up. It's actually super fast compared to last year technology
I just made the same move and Helium was the solution that I found. Lets you easily transfer app data without root which was the key for me.
You can backup your apps with Titanium Backup & then restore them
The only problem with Titanium is that it would require an immediate rooting of the N6P. I would recommend trying it un-rooted, at least initially.
Here is a link to a good guide on use of Carbon-Helium to move to an un-rooted phone:
http://lifehacker.com/5843206/how-to-upgrade-to-a-new-android-phone-and-take-everything-with-you
If you root your 6P, you can use Titanium Backup to restore your apps and certain app settings, but as far as accounts and so forth go, start fresh.
Unless you have the itch to root your 6P, I would stick to a purchase of Helium and use that on both devices to move anything that is devices specific. Only restore apps/games/saves that are device specific, don't try to do things like settings, apps with cloud saves, etc. Helium can be a bit tricky as you have to do a few steps to get the computer and device to recognize it but once running I've found it to work smoothly.
You could use android transfer or whatever its called. It mostly transfers your accounts though
If you plan on rooting, do that first.
When you unlock the bootloader, you have to wipe(everything) the device again.
At a minimum unlock the bootloader before you do anything for reason mentioned above.
I just transferred from a Note 5. The Android build-in transfer process will bring over your account info and WiFi passwords, and download your apps again, but that's about it. For SMS/call log, I recommend SMS Backup/Restore, for app data use Titanium Backup (so root is required). I wouldn't restore too much if you can help it just because it is a large change in systems. I only restored some app data to avoid logging into tons of apps again. Most everything else is cloud based nowadays.

[Q] Using Helium to restore apps and data? Keep getting errors.

So since I cant use TB right now. I am trying to use Helium to restore from my Galaxy S6 to my S8.
I already did smart switch to get the core around, but of course as expected it didnt do all my apps since some arent on play store. So now am trying to restore from my Helium backup, but many times it gets stuck on a restore for an app.
So just wondering, how else is everyone getting around all this? Thanks.
try again.
force stop the app on both devices and try again(make sure you do a sync, they're easier and more stable than backup-restore)
the backup process can be a bit unstable, some apps took several tries for me.
also good to know, running apps can't be transferred.
so kill any app you plan on transferring.
and smart switch does sideloaded and discontinued apps too if you use a cable to do the transfer.
Mysticales said:
So since I cant use TB right now. I am trying to use Helium to restore from my Galaxy S6 to my S8.
I already did smart switch to get the core around, but of course as expected it didnt do all my apps since some arent on play store. So now am trying to restore from my Helium backup, but many times it gets stuck on a restore for an app.
So just wondering, how else is everyone getting around all this? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the same problem. The next day, I tried restoring one at a time and it worked. Then, I was able to restore the rest as a batch. I can't explain it.
thedicemaster said:
try again.
force stop the app on both devices and try again(make sure you do a sync, they're easier and more stable than backup-restore)
the backup process can be a bit unstable, some apps took several tries for me.
also good to know, running apps can't be transferred.
so kill any app you plan on transferring.
and smart switch does sideloaded and discontinued apps too if you use a cable to do the transfer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smart Switch doesnt do the app data tho. So even with side loading, Id still be missing the data.
Now as for the sync. Are you doing to internal storage or google drive?
I did try restoring some apps one by one, and "says" complete, but never is. Doesnt even show it installed. So rather odd.
Just know right now. I am lil annoyed without root for a simple process to backup apps and data and restoring. Reminds me of when I do a clean windows install.... 3 days worth of setting up again vs 1 click of Titanium Backup restore. >.<
i used sync.
sync sends the backup straight to your new phone, and can only be triggered from your new phone.
you select your old phone from the restore screen, choose an app, and it will make a backup and sends it to your new phone, which then immediately installs it.
I can't get Helium to work on my S8+ at all. It says it restores apps and data, but the app is never installed. Tried one app at a time, everything. Helium worked fine going from my Note 4 to Note 7, then to my replacement Note 7, then from my Note 7 to my S7E. But from my S7E to my S8+ - it does not work. PITA and there are several apps I REALLY needed to migrate data.
did you try installing the app through the play store or smart switch first?
I didn't have any real issues, but I did go through smart switch first.
Anyone figure out the solution???? Please post
thedicemaster said:
i used sync.
sync sends the backup straight to your new phone, and can only be triggered from your new phone.
you select your old phone from the restore screen, choose an app, and it will make a backup and sends it to your new phone, which then immediately installs it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be nice if I knew how "sync" mode worked. All I get from the restore/sync list under my devices is "An error occured while retrieving your device list"
I can't get Helium to recognize that the S8 is in PTP mode. Even when it is, Helium states that the phone is in MTP mode. Anyone else experiencing this problem with Helium and their Galaxy S8 Plus?
Same issue with helium, it restores everything but then the apps simply aren't there.
I've tried everything to make Helium work - still says apps installed, but they never do. Surely there has to be an answer to this riddle.
Same here. No luck on data / settings being restored
Anyone have any updates or other solutions we can use? Helium devs never responded back to me.. so I feel like I just wasted 5$ on them.
Maybe time to give a one star rating for them on the playstore until they address the issue.
thedicemaster said:
i used sync.
sync sends the backup straight to your new phone, and can only be triggered from your new phone.
you select your old phone from the restore screen, choose an app, and it will make a backup and sends it to your new phone, which then immediately installs it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is sync part of Smart Switch or Helium? Forgive me if question is obvious but since thread is about Helium, just wanted to make sure you are referring to a feature of SmartSwitch
Thanks
it's a feature in helium.
i don't know exactly how the devices find each other, but in my restore screen i can see my old phone as a source and if i select it i can choose from almost any app currently installed on my old phone and have it start a backup on the old phone that immediately restores on my S8.
it is far more reliable than backup to cloud for me.
thedicemaster said:
it's a feature in helium.
i don't know exactly how the devices find each other, but in my restore screen i can see my old phone as a source and if i select it i can choose from almost any app currently installed on my old phone and have it start a backup on the old phone that immediately restores on my S8.
it is far more reliable than backup to cloud for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sync doesn't work for me. I have an error,
An error occurred while retrieving your device list. Getting this on both the new SO and the source phone.
Any secrets to getting the device to list? I am running the latest version of Helium.
Sync doesn't work with the S8. I do believe it was an option when I went from my Note 4 to my Note 7, then from my first Note 7 to my second Note 7, and also available from my second Note 7 to my S7E back in early February. But there is something not allowing sync between devices on Helium and the S8/S8+. So synicing isn't an option when the phones are not being "seen" as being available to sync. As others have said, there is an error message saying phones aren't available or something similar.
thedicemaster said:
it's a feature in helium.
i don't know exactly how the devices find each other, but in my restore screen i can see my old phone as a source and if i select it i can choose from almost any app currently installed on my old phone and have it start a backup on the old phone that immediately restores on my S8.
it is far more reliable than backup to cloud for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CrozB said:
Sync doesn't work for me. I have an error,
An error occurred while retrieving your device list. Getting this on both the new SO and the source phone.
Any secrets to getting the device to list? I am running the latest version of Helium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also do you have to have premium version ?

Does TitaniumBackup actually work at all?

For almost as long as I've been using Android devices (going back to my old Nexus One), I've been reading rave review about TitaniumBackup. I've given it a shot on a few occassions, and I've never been able to get it do anything useful, largely because I was never willing to invest the time to understand the user interface.
I'm now faced with the task of upgrading my daughter's Nexus 10 from the last stock OS release to LineageOS, while preserving her apps, data, settings, etc. I thought that my biggest obstacle would be the locked bootloader (and the automatic data wipe when unlocking it). Fortunately, I was able to root the device with KingoRoot and install TWRP. At this point, I figures that I should be able to use TitaniumBackup to migrate her apps, assuming that I was willing to fight through the UI issues.
Boy was I wrong!
I've now spent the better part of a week trying to get this working. After (sort of) figuring out how to use USB storage, determining that the "create update.zip" function doesn't work at all, and finally, FINALLY, managing to actually restore an app, I find that it hasn't copied any of my daughter's data; all apps behave as if they're newly installed.
What at waste of time and money!
I'm sorry to hear about your experience.
I was a regular user of titanium Backup during the days I spent with changing roms regularly.
I've never used the update.zip feature myself, so I can't say anything about it, however I've never had issues with the app.
The essential workflow is to make a backup and then a restore when on a new rom, both the backup and restore may be done on individual apps or as a batch job for multiple apps.
When you r restored the app, did you select "app only" or "app +data"?
Sent from my KFFOWI using Tapatalk
rufy93 said:
When you r restored the app, did you select "app only" or "app +data"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App+data
The issue seems to be that it simply doesn't understand restricted profiles, which is pretty darn sad in 2017.
ipilcher said:
App+data
The issue seems to be that it simply doesn't understand restricted profiles, which is pretty darn sad in 2017.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume with profile you refer to the mulitiple accounts feature built in android.
I have to say, I have never need to use multiple accounts on my devices, and as such am unfamiliar with them.

Categories

Resources