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Ive recently rooted and now wanna take the plunge to greener pastures... When adding a ROM, will it erase my data and apps? Im assuming Google will take care of the contacts and calendars but will have to re-download apps? I have Titanium backup - I can should just move its backup folder to the external if anything? Please advise an eager and appreciative noob
JD76 said:
Ive recently rooted and now wanna take the plunge to greener pastures... When adding a ROM, will it erase my data and apps? Im assuming Google will take care of the contacts and calendars but will have to re-download apps? I have Titanium backup - I can should just move its backup folder to the external if anything? Please advise an eager and appreciative noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, most of the time the /data partition is formated. What most of us do is use "Titanium Backup" from the market and back up all out apps before flashing. Then you flash your new rom and let it boot up. Log into the market again and re-install Titanium Backup. Once in TB you hit the menu key -> Batch. In there you should see a option to restore user apps and data.
I also use Titanium Backup and it saves me a LOT of headache. The only downside is sitting there hitting the install button (in my case) 200 times.
aloneinshadow said:
I also use Titanium Backup and it saves me a LOT of headache. The only downside is sitting there hitting the install button (in my case) 200 times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you paid for full version, you wouldn't have to click the install button 200 times. I've tried so many roms/updates that at some point it became a no-brainer to pay for the full version and save myself the pain.
aloneinshadow said:
I also use Titanium Backup and it saves me a LOT of headache. The only downside is sitting there hitting the install button (in my case) 200 times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy the donation version, it saves you alot of time. Best $4 I spent
Thanks guys.. what about a Nandroid backup.. can I restore from there?
If you buy the donation version, it saves you alot of time. Best $4 I spent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think its gone up tp $6. I'm cheap. :-D
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JD76 said:
Thanks guys.. what about a Nandroid backup.. can I restore from there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Nandroid backs up the whole ROM, restoring that would undo the ROM install you just did. Just get Titanium, it's the only way to fly.
And when restoring, particularly between ROMs, don't restore system data. It causes issues that are hard to diagnose sometimes. Other times it works fine, but IMO it's not worth it. If you are re-installing the exact same ROM version, it should be OK, but switching from stock to Bionix, for example, it will break things. Just do the user apps and data, it saves hassle.
If you don't like hitting the button constantly, stop being such a cheap bastard and pay up. It's saved me far more time than the $4 or so I spent on it. Even at $6 it's a bargain if you like to play with ROMs and such. And backup your backup, the internal SD can lose data. I just turned on the Dropbox sync and push the backups up there once in a while.
aloneinshadow said:
I think its gone up tp $6. I'm cheap. :-D
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I remember they request 5.99 but if you click the drop down there is a 3.99 option that still gets you the license.
ttabbal said:
And when restoring, particularly between ROMs, don't restore system data. It causes issues that are hard to diagnose sometimes. Other times it works fine, but IMO it's not worth it. If you are re-installing the exact same ROM version, it should be OK, but switching from stock to Bionix, for example, it will break things. Just do the user apps and data, it saves hassle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im also thinking of going from stock to bionix but i want to be double safe more than i want to be sorry so i will ask you to repeat yourselves a bit with a little more detail. are you saying its ok to backup the white (User Apps) and green (System service with useful data) options from stock and restore them in bionix or will some of the green ones screw up bionix? i dont backup the red (System service) options. sorry for asking you to repeat yourselves but redundancy is a noobs best friend. i know im capable of flashing this rom but i want to iron out all the details before proceeding.
I back up system data and restore selectively, like memos and SMS, etc. Don't batch restore all system data, just the stuff that has content you need.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
ok thank you
Paying for titanium takes the sting out of the wipes that all the best roms do. Break it down to what your time is worth. Once you start flashing roms, you will keep doing it more and more and titanium will be your best friend. If they told me I had to pay a new ten dollars, I wouldn't hesitate.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
oh i already payed for TB. ive used it plenty just on the stock vibrant. its priceless in my opinion so $6 is nothing.
sirganon said:
im also thinking of going from stock to bionix but i want to be double safe more than i want to be sorry so i will ask you to repeat yourselves a bit with a little more detail. are you saying its ok to backup the white (User Apps) and green (System service with useful data) options from stock and restore them in bionix or will some of the green ones screw up bionix? i dont backup the red (System service) options. sorry for asking you to repeat yourselves but redundancy is a noobs best friend. i know im capable of flashing this rom but i want to iron out all the details before proceeding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's a lot of stuff you don't need to back up. i only backup apps i've installed and their data (backup all user apps batch). this then requires me to reenter wifi info, resync contacts, and i lose all text messages, which none of those are a big deal to me and minimizes toying with titanium.
JD76 said:
Thanks guys.. what about a Nandroid backup.. can I restore from there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, but it's recommended to do a nandroid backup before you flash your first rom and you only need to ever do it that once. titanium backup is what you want for backing up apps and stuff before flashing a rom.
Well thanks to you guys I now have bionix final on my phone. And I have the circular blue battery mod which in my opinion looks way better than the stock bionix battery. Easier to read too.
Thanks again, loving this rom
I just switched to the donate version so I could sync it with my dropbox account. I'm very glad I did. It's much easier for me to store things there and have my sd card freed up of some space.
Question though; does titanium backup game save data as well?
Sent from my Team Whiskey Powered Vibrant
I just tried to backup my fruit ninja & angry birds but it didnt save any of my data
After reading I could back up to Dropbox and batch reload, the $6 bucks for the Pro version of Titanium was a no brainer for me. While I get a certain amount of geeky satisfaction playing with the phone, hitting install repetitivly is not one.
Just about all the ROMs recommend a full wipe before flashing. It is easy enough to restore the apps with Titanium bacukp, but what about all the OS configs?
I know Ti can restore some of that, but ROM to ROM, it doesn't always work.
Is it simply a requirement to go back and configure all the default and ROM-based apps each time you flash? Examples: Turn off default messaging notification (using Handcent), screen timeout, screen brightness, check USB debug, ringtones, volume levels, GPS, text input, etc.
It is a pain because every time I flash, I have to restore apps/related settings, then go and reset all the other settings. Is there a better or easier way?
snovvman said:
Just about all the ROMs recommend a full wipe before flashing. It is easy enough to restore the apps with Titanium bacukp, but what about all the OS configs?
I know Ti can restore some of that, but ROM to ROM, it doesn't always work.
Is it simply a requirement to go back and configure all the default and ROM-based apps each time you flash? Examples: Turn off default messaging notification (using Handcent), screen timeout, screen brightness, check USB debug, ringtones, volume levels, GPS, text input, etc.
It is a pain because every time I flash, I have to restore apps/related settings, then go and reset all the other settings. Is there a better or easier way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perhaps this will help... I've never used titanium, but I have heard that Titanium backup helps the most. just restore apps and app data
also, it seems there is an app called SMS Backup or something that backs up SMS to gmail?
titanium has always wreaked havoc on my phone every time tried it. I use MyBackup pro, it save apps plus data(the app will be in the exact state when you restore it), also all the system settings and all. Clean and easy UI, there's a 30 day trial, try it out.
bjmingle said:
perhaps this will help... I've never used titanium, but I have heard that Titanium backup helps the most. just restore apps and app data
also, it seems there is an app called SMS Backup or something that backs up SMS to gmail?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Ti-Backup, it works well and backs up almost everything. With it, you don't need a seperate SMS backup, unless you want to archive SMS for other purposes.
My real issue are with the system and ROM-based app settings. They don't always transfer over properly. With all the people flashing all the time, I was just wondering if there is a shortcut I don't know about.
phatmanxxl said:
titanium has always wreaked havoc on my phone every time tried it. I use MyBackup pro, it save apps plus data, also all the system settings and all. Clean and easy UI, there's a 30 day trial, try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have MyBackup Pro, used it when I wasn't rooted. Then switched over to Ti. With Ti, so long as you don't restore everything (system/ROM stuff from the previous phone/ROM), things work fine.
My issue with MyBackup Pro was that it didn't give me the granular control and didn't backup settings for every application.
Do you have any problems going from one ROM to another using MyBackup Pro?
I also use my back up pro. Great app does it all.
snovvman said:
I have MyBackup Pro, used it when I wasn't rooted. Then switched over to Ti. With Ti, so long as you don't restore everything (system/ROM stuff from the previous phone/ROM), things work fine.
My issue with MyBackup Pro was that it didn't give me the granular control and didn't backup settings for every application.
Do you have any problems going from one ROM to another using MyBackup Pro?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only had a problem once, I had something going wrong with my ROM lagging real bad and sd errors, I did a backup using MBP,
I wipeed and reflashed, ran the restore and the data was corrupt. I had an older backup on my pc and I put that folder on my sd and everything loaded fine.
Besides that I never had any problems with that app. Like I said simple, clean, reliable.
phatmanxxl said:
titanium has always wreaked havoc on my phone every time tried it. I use MyBackup pro, it save apps plus data(the app will be in the exact state when you restore it), also all the system settings and all. Clean and easy UI, there's a 30 day trial, try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No here Ti backup has always worked like a champ for me but I only use the app backup feature. I don't really care about have text backed up.
Have a replacement coming tomorrow, had a problem with it not taking a charge. I have several apps (some paid, some not), rooted (z4) and have LauncherPro (pretty sure email still has my license #?).
I rooted for wifi tethering but never deodexed or ran any custom roms so have never had a need to back up. What is the best way to back up everything the way I have it now (settings, apps, contacts, etc) so when I get my replacement I can root (z4 again I would assume) and reload my backup without having to manually chase it all down again?
Thanks in advance.
Titanium backup seems to be the favorite, but it's annoying to use for me and not very intuitive.
I prefer My Backup Pro. You can backup to sdcard OR online. You can backup just the data or the app and the data, etc. Lots of features, and easy to use.
I prefer and use Titanium. I think it is really easy to use and does a great job. Worth the 5 or 6 bucks that it costs.
I use Titanium Backup PRO. It gets the job done.
I like titanium backup pro, works pretty well so far.
I also use Titanium Backup Pro. If you don't plan to run a different ROM, you will be able to restore everything with almost no pain.
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Sent from my Droid X. Powered by Big Red, customized by NATF.
Another vote for Titanium Backup Pro here. What's really nice about it is that it can "freeze" apps in addition to uninstalling them. So I froze all the bloatware apps so they don't run, but they're still on my phone. When Verizon releases an OS update, I unfreeze the apps before doing the OTA update so it's as close to stock as possible. After the OTA, I re-freeze them. Makes for a trouble-free update.
Another feature is that it integrates with Dropbox to back up your phone to the cloud, making it easier to restore to a different phone.
a vote for Droid X Bootstrapper Recovery
i've experienced a problem with the phone dialer and needed to do a number of backup/restore functions. The bootstrapper mentioned not only does a thorough job, but it has an advanced feature that lets you backup/restore separate portions of the phone.
hold on a sec, i'll boot it up and give you the list.
the main screen has a number of options:
- reboot system now
- apply sdcard:update.zip
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- install zip from sdcard
- backup and restore
- mounts and storage
- advanced
the vol up/down keys are used to highlight an option, and the camera button is used to select it. when you choose backup and restore, you get 3 options:
- backup
- restore
- advanced restore
if you chose advanced restore, you are presented with a dated list of all the backups you've done with the utility. pick one, press the camera button and you get 5 options:
- Restore boot
- Restore system
- Restore data
- Restore cache
- Restore sd-ext.
I have done the restore system several times now experimenting to find a solution to a phone dialer problem. i was bouncing between 2.3.151 and 2.3.340. all my installed applications and data stayed exactly the same each time.
i really like it.
"i'm just saying..."
marvin
Thanks everyone. With Titanium can I essentially back up my old device exactly the way it is to my SD card. Activate the new device, install Titanium, and restore that identical copy from the same card? That seems almost too easy but if it takes into consideration licenses already paid for and such, that is basically what I'm looking for.
DNak206 said:
Thanks everyone. With Titanium can I essentially back up my old device exactly the way it is to my SD card. Activate the new device, install Titanium, and restore that identical copy from the same card? That seems almost too easy but if it takes into consideration licenses already paid for and such, that is basically what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never had a need to replace my Droid, so I personally haven't tried it, but that's what they claim. Some apps may no longer work if it inspects the phone ID for licensing purposes. Tasker is one of them. You'll need to contact the app developer for these cases.
BBJohnnyT said:
I never had a need to replace my Droid, so I personally haven't tried it, but that's what they claim. Some apps may no longer work if it inspects the phone ID for licensing purposes. Tasker is one of them. You'll need to contact the app developer for these cases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, will give it a whirl then. I have paid for Tasker and Launcher Pro Plus along with a few others, those are my primary concerns. The settings and adding my contacts and emails and such would take a few minutes, but not a big deal.
I just made a backup in cw then restored it on my new dx and had 0 problems. It was like I didn't even switch phones (minus the defect on the old one). It was almost TOO easy lol.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
8 days after i got my HTC One, the software broke on the phone... Lockscreen stopped working.
So 12 days after i got i (today) - i decided to Factory Restore the phone.
I made sure that everything on the phone is synced and backed up, using ALL the built in backup/sync options...
2 hours later i deeply regret my decision ... or... let's say i'm much wiser now...
- All Text messages are gone
- All Pictures are gone
- All music is gone
- All app settings are gone
- All contacts are more or less reset to sqare-1
But luckily... The phone remembered the placement of Widgets, Icons, Shortcuts and mostly what apps i had installed... how great...
I don't understand how you Android people can live with this ??
There's alot of 3rd party apps to backup your phone. And personally I really don't use these backups at all in fact nobody can even force me to use it. I just feel uncomfortable putting all my messages, contacts, pictures and whatever stuff to some nobody knows what cloud service they use
And ohh by the way I use android tuner and my computer for my backup needs.
Riyal said:
There's alot of 3rd party apps to backup your phone. And personally I really don't use these backups at all in fact nobody can even force me to use it. I just feel uncomfortable putting all my messages, contacts, pictures and whatever stuff to some nobody knows what cloud service they use
And ohh by the way I use android tuner and my computer for my backup needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed "Sandisk Memory Zone" which is able to backup 'SOME' of my data to Skydrive, Dropbox and 8 other online services as well as SD-cards.. I did backup some of my stuff using that service... but not all
Yea - when talking to Droid people, they like to setup their own backup plan...
what i dont understand is why they want that ??
With iPhone i synced with iTunes and ALL setting.. i literally mean ALL SETTINGS... was backed up..
If i lost my iPhone, i plugged a new one into iTunes and 1 hour later im off as if nothing happened... i would love to have such a solution with my HTC One...
Montago said:
8 days after i got my HTC One, the software broke on the phone... Lockscreen stopped working.
So 12 days after i got i (today) - i decided to Factory Restore the phone.
I made sure that everything on the phone is synced and backed up, using ALL the built in backup/sync options...
2 hours later i deeply regret my decision ... or... let's say i'm much wiser now...
- All Text messages are gone
- All Pictures are gone
- All music is gone
- All app settings are gone
- All contacts are more or less reset to sqare-1
But luckily... The phone remembered the placement of Widgets, Icons, Shortcuts and mostly what apps i had installed... how great...
I don't understand how you Android people can live with this ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We live with this by reading up on what the backup will backup. You got a new phone and new apps and you didn't bother finding out what they do? I went to HTC's website and found out exactly what it did, and acted accordingly when I used the backup feature. Never lost a single image.
There are plenty of solutions for full and reliable backup on Android phone. If you are rooted, then go for Titanium Backup or MyBackup, really straight forward, no need for PC.
If you are not rooted then go for Helium (formerly known as Carbon). You need the app installed on PC/Mac as well.
If you just want to backup your messages/call logs, go for SMS Backup and Restore; and CallLog Backup and Restore, no need for root.
You do not need to backup your contacts if you are using Google account, you can setup your phone contacts to your Google account.
As for the pictures, Dropbox or Google+ have automatic upload for them.
For audio files, there are even apps which can sync with iTunes.
ArmedandDangerous said:
We live with this by reading up on what the backup will backup. You got a new phone and new apps and you didn't bother finding out what they do? I went to HTC's website and found out exactly what it did, and acted accordingly when I used the backup feature. Never lost a single image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As an IT professional i have no problems doing all that - i just thought i didn't have to... maybe i'm spoiled by Apple / IOS / iTunes...
but what about Mr and Mrs Noobster ... or even the random Joe who got an Android because he dislikes Apple for whatever reason... those people loose everything eventhough their phone says to them that everything is backed up...
Montago said:
As an IT professional i have no problems doing all that - i just thought i didn't have to... maybe i'm spoiled by Apple / IOS / iTunes...
but what about Mr and Mrs Noobster ... or even the random Joe who got an Android because he dislikes Apple for whatever reason... those people loose everything eventhough their phone says to them that everything is backed up...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the backup and reset feature specifically says "Back up app data, Wi-Fi passwords, and other settings to Google servers", and if you select HTC Account it says "Back up settings, accounts & passwords, bookmarks and apps daily over Wi-Fi".
This is a HTC feature, not an "Android" feature. Apple owns every phone they produce, and thus they can have a unified architecture for their apps and media/backup functions. I'm not defending HTC, or Android. God knows we need a standard backup service that basically copies our whole phone.
encho said:
There are plenty of solutions for full and reliable backup on Android phone. If you are rooted, then go for Titanium Backup or MyBackup, really straight forward, no need for PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will check em out. thanks !
encho said:
If you are not rooted then go for Helium (formerly known as Carbon). You need the app installed on PC/Mac as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice - but seems like it doesn't backup everything
encho said:
If you just want to backup your messages/call logs, go for SMS Backup and Restore; and CallLog Backup and Restore, no need for root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah - seems like i need a 7th program to backup my SMS/Call logs ... jebus !
encho said:
You do not need to backup your contacts if you are using Google account, you can setup your phone contacts to your Google account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently i do... i DID sync my contacts with Google - but i lost some !?!?
encho said:
As for the pictures, Dropbox or Google+ have automatic upload for them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes -- BUT they don't exactly sync BACK to the phone... they just get uploaded to Dropbox / Google+ where they are kind of 'useless'...
HTC One with Sense5 has features like ZOE - and all my data for creating Zoe's are now gone -- or maybe i can transfer my pictures/albums BACK to my One ??
encho said:
For audio files, there are even apps which can sync with iTunes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC Sync is able to sync FROM itunes to the One ... but doesn't remember my sync options like iTunes... meaning i have to re-do everything manually
Sandisk Memory Zone is able to sync my music to the cloud - but i don't know if it also restore my playlists and stuff like that
all in all i'm not that impressed with Android so far
Those were just the options you have, you don't actually need to use "7th app" for anything. I just showed that if you need to backup ONLY sms/calls that you can do that. Titanium Backup for example can backup everything except the files. For files I suggest you use FolderSync which can backup to any cloud out there, including your own ftp/dav/s3/samba folder.
Or you can go back to iPhone and regret it
The lockscreen stops functioning correctly if you turn on an accessibility option in settings. Example would be turning on the Pebble smartwatch accessibility feature.
mjm128 said:
The lockscreen stops functioning correctly if you turn on an accessibility option in settings. Example would be turning on the Pebble smartwatch accessibility feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what happened...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291734
do you think its caused by accessibility ?
This is bad
On my sgs3 with samsung account I can backup phone logs, memos, messages, calendar, bookmarks. I use Spotify so my music/playlists are always there no matter what device I'm using.
Skickat från min GT-I9300 via Tapatalk 2
If you are rooted, I'm surprised no one mentioned Rom Toolbox Pro. Backs up apps and data to internal or external storage, dropbox, box, etc...
More importantly provides a very complete tool set for installing roms, themes, and a host of other utilities to numerous to mention. Anyway, I'm not affiliated in any way, just have been using it for a long time and don't even bother with TiBackup or Rom Manager stuff anymore. Usually this is the first app I load after fresh installs to bring all my apps back.
Either your phone has software defect or you couldn't managed to use it properly. I backed up everything and quite easily.
Also remember to transfer your back ups made titanium back up or my back up pro to dropbox or your computer because when you perform a factory reset I believe it formats your internal sdcard also. So your back up is gone, too.
You shouldnt ever click the button that specifically says that it will delete the entire memory. You only need to do the normal factory reset. Backup your messages to the external storage using the built in backup in messaging and you would have been good.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
The built in backup leaves out a few things. I decided to try it on my last everyday romswap, and most things got back, but without settings, passwords and so on. Imo pretty useless.
Go for helium backup or titanium instead. If they fix it, perfect, exactly what I need
Skickat från min HTC One via Tapatalk 2
What I don't understand is since the introduction of ICS, Android has a built-in backup function accessible via ADB commands even without having to root your phone. This (as far as I'm aware) is available to ALL Android devices running 4.0 ICS or later. Why then are OEM's not including a backup function with their desktop software? If developers here on XDA can create small executable files to run a backup on our devices, then surely it can't be that difficult to integrate a similar function into something like HTC Sync??
With regards HTC Backup one the One, I haven't tried that as I used Helium backup when I reset my phone. Works perfectly even without root.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
altimax98 said:
You shouldnt ever click the button that specifically says that it will delete the entire memory. You only need to do the normal factory reset. Backup your messages to the external storage using the built in backup in messaging and you would have been good.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.. the scenario is: my phone is destroyed, stolen or lost in the ocean... Question is: WHAT exactly did i loose ?
apparently, using "backup" on the phone, only saves me a list of programs that i downloaded - all userdata is gone !!!!!!
Dharkan said:
Either your phone has software defect or you couldn't managed to use it properly. I backed up everything and quite easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good for you - now tell us your secret ?!
did you use a 3rd party backup program ?
was rooting necessary ?
did you use more than one program ?
apparently backup / sync is not implemented out of the box on Android...
BTW... YES... i'm new to Android so i'm 100% sure i'm doing things wrong
Montago said:
Well.. the scenario is: my phone is destroyed, stolen or lost in the ocean... Question is: WHAT exactly did i loose ?
apparently, using "backup" on the phone, only saves me a list of programs that i downloaded - all userdata is gone !!!!!!
good for you - now tell us your secret ?!
did you use a 3rd party backup program ?
was rooting necessary ?
did you use more than one program ?
apparently backup / sync is not implemented out of the box on Android...
BTW... YES... i'm new to Android so i'm 100% sure i'm doing things wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's what I did basically. I used the built-in SMS backup feature, manually forced a whatsapp backup (only the automatic 4am backup is saved on SD, unless you force a backup) and backed up my contacts with Go Contacts (I just don't know how Google Contacts work, just wasn't ever that reliable to me). With these 3 done, I did the Backup & Reset thing. Then I copied my whole SD to my hard drive. Done
How did you guys restore apps and data along with sms/mms, call history and bookmarks from your previous phone? I am coming from a rooted gs3 and would like to figure this out before I make the leap to the gs5. I have always used and loved titanium backup but know it won't work without root.
rotzy said:
How did you guys restore apps and data along with sms/mms, call history and bookmarks from your previous phone? I am coming from a rooted gs3 and would like to figure this out before I make the leap to the gs5. I have always used and loved titanium backup but know it won't work without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also migrated from rooted s3, no luck on app data (had to reenter some), apps that sync to cloud (i.e. google apps) restored data fine. Used samsung smart switch app to migrate call logs, sms, bookmarks, etc..see play store, worked well.
Really? Nobody saves and imports their app data when they switch phones or is it so simple to do that no one wants to tell me how to do it!?
rotzy said:
How did you guys restore apps and data along with sms/mms, call history and bookmarks from your previous phone? I am coming from a rooted gs3 and would like to figure this out before I make the leap to the gs5. I have always used and loved titanium backup but know it won't work without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use SMS Backup+ for SMS/MMS and call log. Apps and data I didn't really bring with, I started over, except for a couple with their own backup and restore functions, like Llama and Nova Launcher.
I prepared to restore more data using Koush's Helium, but decided against it so that none of the "issues" from my old phone would follow me to the new one...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
You can use Helium (on the app store) by Clockworkmod to back up the app data on unrooted phones (you need to plug into computer first and download a Helium app on the computer). It can backup app data on rooted phones without any issues. Note that saving the backups to external SD card and then transferring the SD card will not work - I don't think Helium has been updated to work with external SDs in KitKat yet. Therefore, use the cloud save or simply sync between your two devices.
I have run into some issues with game saves - for example, restoring a Plants vs Zombie save ended up causing a force close on the program (while PvZ 2 works fine). A couple other games refuse to back up (oddly enough, I never ran into this issue while my GS3 was on Jelly Bean 4.2, only after I updated to 4.3 and went to backup in prep for a move to the GS5). I also generally have bad luck restoring data to apps that have associated "accounts" - i.e. facebook and linkedin, so I take care to avoid restoring those and just login with my new information.
You can also use ADB on your computer to do a manual backup (Helium actually does this technically, it just spoofs your phone into thinking its still plugged in). Apparently this backup solution is a built in part of Android, just never utilized. Its not easy to use, and cannot selectively backup and restore apps unless you know the specific "com.android.xyz" app name. Google "ADB backup android" and you should find some tutorials - there is one on the Nexus forums here on XDA that walks through some of the flags and settings. Be careful to not backup system apps if you do that, you are asking for trouble.
Personally it bugs the crap out of me that there is no app data migration built into Android - yes contacts, calendar, etc can all be stored in the cloud, but why not app data? For all its rhetoric about the cloud and keeping information synced up, its a glaring oversight on Google's part. I think android theoretically restores app data on certain apps (if developers code it the right way) when the initial restore is performed after initially setting up a device, but I have yet to see that work correctly. Plus that initial restore process is full of holes - lots of apps don't re-download. You would think that, in order to sell more phones, at the very least manufacturers would want to make backup/restore as easy as possible. Samsung does have Smart Switch, but it doesn't backup app data and really only restores those items that are likely in the cloud or on SD cards anyway (pictures and contacts).
Even early 2000s blackberries had backup and restore functionality, as did old palm pilots from the 90s.
Thanks Rlin5741.
I've read such contradictory reviews about Helium that I didn't want to try it without hearing from someone here. Are you saying it is possible to plug my rooted GS3 into the computer and backup apps and data with Helium and then restore them onto the new phone OR would I need to plug both phones in and transfer directly?
rotzy said:
Thanks Rlin5741.
I've read such contradictory reviews about Helium that I didn't want to try it without hearing from someone here. Are you saying it is possible to plug my rooted GS3 into the computer and backup apps and data with Helium and then restore them onto the new phone OR would I need to plug both phones in and transfer directly?
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Rooted GS3 can back up to Drive without a PC. New GS5 will need to be connected to a PC to restore.
You don't have to have both at once.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
JohnKuczek said:
Rooted GS3 can back up to Drive without a PC. New GS5 will need to be connected to a PC to restore.
You don't have to have both at once.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
JohnKuczek said:
Rooted GS3 can back up to Drive without a PC. New GS5 will need to be connected to a PC to restore.
You don't have to have both at once.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've generally done very selective backups - game saves, etc, and perhaps call logs and SMS/MMS. I generally do not back up system apps (especially if you are moving to a different model phone), any app that has an associated "account" (email, facebook, linkedin) because those apps have deeper integration with the system. If you do not backup system apps, and selectively backup others, if you still run into issues you can clear app data through the app manager; that should clear out any restores.
Since Helium uses Android's built in, hidden backup functionality, it actually refuses to back up certain apps - such as Google Authenticator. I think app developers can flag their apps to prohibit backups for security reasons.
More on Android's built in backup solution (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351). I DO NOT recommend doing the full backup from your old phone and restoring it on your GS5 - the full backup will hit all apps. At the very least, use the flag to avoid system files.
Rlin5741 said:
I've generaly done very selective backups - game saves, etc, and perhaps call logs and SMS/Mook marks nerally do not back up system apps (especially if you are moving to a different model phone), any app that has an associated "account" (email, facebook, linkedin) because those apps have deeper integration with the system. If you do not backup system apps, and selectively backup others, if you still run into issues you can clear app data through the app manager; that should clear out any restores.
Since Helium uses Android's built in, hidden backup functionality, it actually refuses to back up certain apps - such as Google Authenticator. I think app developers can flag their apps to prohibit backups for security reasons.
More on Android's built in backup solution (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351). I DO NOT recommend doing the full backup from your old phone and restoring it on your GS5 - the full backup will hit all apps. At the very least, use the flag to avoid system files.
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Click to collapse
I definately don't want system apps or anything you can log into. I'm only looking to restore call logs, sms/mms, bookmarks and game data. I'll give helium a try when I'm ready to switch.