Related
Seems like a great time to start comparing.
Im very confused as to what exactly Google backs up now.
I tried it out yesterday and it seemed to backup my wifi , desktop , apps , and user dictionary.
Desktop icons and Alarms dont seem to have returned.
I havent tried MyBackup Pro but the new "with root" feature claims to re-install apps with market links. But does it keep per app preferences ?
Titanium does all of the apps/data/market in batch. But does not do "settings" ((if it did i recall having issues I forget which))
Just wondering if Googles backup/apps2sd is comprehensive enough that from now on flashing new ROMS or updates we'll no longer need to worry about backup reinstalls.
((Yes I know nandroid is best but for updates like this useless))
I don't think the full Google Backup demo'd at the I/O will be operational until www.android.com has re-launched with the new functionality.
Is there a list of what it currently backs up ?
I never really tires it extensively so not sure what it does/doesnt do.
The apps did work for me though.
Apps only, and only if you're unrooted I think.
Suppose you lost your Android tablet or phone tomorrow, or it died and you got a replacement. Then you realize you don't have back up of your in-app data (like your games level, files you created on devices).
Before you argue that you have your phone rooted and can use titanium backup or similar apps, consider this:
1) - what if you are upgrade to a different device (GTab 10.1 to GTab 7.7), or (Gingerbread to Honeycomb), your backup may not work;
2) - manufacturer like Samsung don't approve rooting, as it voids your warranty.
In other words, there is NO official method to backup your data in a way approved by Google!
Am I the only to think that this is plain unacceptable?
In the settings > backup and reset, it says you can keep your application data, wifi passwords, and more (I think this includes calendar and phone book) as a copy in your Google account. Tbh I haven't tested this but could it be what you are looking for? Otherwise, yeah you are absolutely right...
Sent from my amazing 10.1 galaxy tab
Panos_dm said:
In the settings > backup and reset, it says you can keep your application data, wifi passwords, and more (I think this includes calendar and phone book) as a copy in your Google account. Tbh I haven't tested this but could it be what you are looking for? Otherwise, yeah you are absolutely right...
Sent from my amazing 10.1 galaxy tab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that's not it. That "backup" does nothing to you in-app data.
ikeny said:
No, that's not it. That "backup" does nothing to you in-app data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Have to support the OP in this, the fact that there is no standard non-root backup approach is truly appalling.
I'm trialling MyBackup at present - so far, so good, but the fear factor is high - I'd hate to have to depend on it without warning.
ikeny said:
Suppose you lost your Android tablet or phone tomorrow, or it died and you got a replacement. Then you realize you don't have back up of your in-app data (like your games level, files you created on devices).
Before you argue that you have your phone rooted and can use titanium backup or similar apps, consider this:
1) - what if you are upgrade to a different device (GTab 10.1 to GTab 7.7), or (Gingerbread to Honeycomb), your backup may not work;
2) - manufacturer like Samsung don't approve rooting, as it voids your warranty.
In other words, there is NO official method to backup your data in a way approved by Google!
Am I the only to think that this is plain unacceptable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ALWAYS root and I simply wouldn't buy a device which is locked (that's why in early January I bought a G.Tab 10.1" instead of a Transformer TF101, my first choice was the TF101 but the latest units on the market were locked).
Even without root, anyway, the only things you would loose is data apps (which, games aside -and I don't do games on my mobile devices- mainly means apps settings) and I never restore them when changing devices or going through major software updates.
That said, I do agree with you that there should be a better, OFFICIAL, integrated and comprehensive backup solution.
ikeny said:
Suppose you lost your Android tablet or phone tomorrow, or it died and you got a replacement. Then you realize you don't have back up of your in-app data (like your games level, files you created on devices).
Before you argue that you have your phone rooted and can use titanium backup or similar apps, consider this:
1) - what if you are upgrade to a different device (GTab 10.1 to GTab 7.7), or (Gingerbread to Honeycomb), your backup may not work;
2) - manufacturer like Samsung don't approve rooting, as it voids your warranty.
In other words, there is NO official method to backup your data in a way approved by Google!
Am I the only to think that this is plain unacceptable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't been stock for a long time, but if you really want to backup app data without root I think you can just save those folders. Probably differences between apps in how/where data is stored, but if there's something specific you might be able to figure it out. Also, there's an app called saveshare (sharesave?) that backs up certain games to dropbox so you can save your game across multiple devices (not exacly elegant, but if that's what you want).
But really, why would you ever be stock if you have android? And if you are, why are you on XDA? Also, what other operating system has this feature? Even on a desktop this isn't an easy fix.
slack04 said:
Also, what other operating system has this feature? Even on a desktop this isn't an easy fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well apple is pretty damn good on this. I wish kies, or another program, had that iTunes functionality. It backs up apps and settings and they can be easily restored...
Sent from my amazing 10.1 galaxy tab
Panos_dm said:
Well apple is pretty damn good on this. I wish kies, or another program, had that iTunes functionality. It backs up apps and settings and they can be easily restored...
Sent from my amazing 10.1 galaxy tab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, that's just not correct. itunes backs up the apps and setting, but not the appdata (which is what the OP was specifically talking about). Unless you're talking about imaging a hard drive (which is what apple does with the "time machine" software) you're not going to save your appdata. Sorry, guys, but this just doesn't exist yet. Root, install Titanium, and backup; or complain on a forum that isn't for folks who were doing that stuff anyways...
slack04 said:
Sorry, that's just not correct. itunes backs up the apps and setting, but not the appdata (which is what the OP was specifically talking about). Unless you're talking about imaging a hard drive (which is what apple does with the "time machine" software) you're not going to save your appdata. Sorry, guys, but this just doesn't exist yet. Root, install Titanium, and backup; or complain on a forum that isn't for folks who were doing that stuff anyways...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually Apple does back up app data. When you restore from backup everything gets restored on the device.
welcome to life.
ikeny said:
Suppose you lost your Android tablet or phone tomorrow, or it died and you got a replacement. Then you realize you don't have back up of your in-app data (like your games level, files you created on devices).
Before you argue that you have your phone rooted and can use titanium backup or similar apps, consider this:
1) - what if you are upgrade to a different device (GTab 10.1 to GTab 7.7), or (Gingerbread to Honeycomb), your backup may not work;
2) - manufacturer like Samsung don't approve rooting, as it voids your warranty.
In other words, there is NO official method to backup your data in a way approved by Google!
Am I the only to think that this is plain unacceptable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed, more than enough times i have changed my tablet or android phone and lost all save progress in all my games, it's really annoying!
with ipod touch there is a auto backup that restores everything with a click of a button, this is the only downside to android and needs to improve with android especially when android promotes the tablets as a mobile gaming machine on the go.
i don't have the patience to play games on tablet to completion because of the way save files are handled, i play angry birds so many times and it ends up getting reset everytime i get a new phone so i don't bother anymore, it doesn't help that game developers from the console market release games on android and those types of games need a save backup feature just like on consoles, even a basic cloud save service would be great even if you had to pay for it would make it less painful for people constantly changing their tablets and phones all the time, because we all know that technology moves fast and the latest thing gets old within 2 years so our tablets and phones are always changing, i would like in the future to cloud sync my save progress whenever i upgrade or buy a new phone.
a good example is now, i have a xoom and want to upgrade to a galaxy note 10.1 i can't take anything with me apart from pictures and media like mp3s and video, everything else will be wiped from the tablet, i can't use titanium backup pro without wiping my xoom first and then backup (which is completely useless why wipe a device to root it when there is nothing left to backup?) mybackup pro or titanium backup cannot backup much without root so i am SOL and there is not much i can do about it please sort this out google for future updates, this is essential imo for a popular OS like this, you shouldn't have to void your warranty or wipe your data to backup stuff, it should be a simple easy process.
So I understand this is a new feature in marsmallow, right? Your app data within reason being backed up into your google account.
I'm wondering if any of you has actually tried recovering from it and could share their experience? I'm considering whether to root the 6P to install Xposed, and obviously unlocking the bootloader will wipe everything out and to be fair life is too short to spend configuring all my apps again the way I like them.
Not all apps get backed up. Comes down to the developer allowing whatever api's are necessary. For me the biggest pain is having to set up phillips hue stuff every time. I'm still unrooted at least for now. good news is that if you do root, titanium backup will be there for you in the future.
As @y2whisper said, it is on an app by app basis. Details here: http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/0...-of-apps-to-google-drive-plus-auto-restoring/
I had to RMA my first N6P. I was impressed with how many of my settings were restored. I assumed that most of my apps would not support it already, and was pleasantly surprised. It was everything, of course, but it was a good portion, and went smoothly.
Thank you guys.
fury683 said:
As @y2whisper said, it is on an app by app basis. Details here: http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/0...-of-apps-to-google-drive-plus-auto-restoring/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That article actually says otherwise:
According to Google, app data and setting preferences in those apps will be automatically backed up to Google Drive in Android M. On a user side, this option can be toggled on or off at the system level, but on the developer side, developers simply need to decide if they want to limit what data is backed up. That’s it. Otherwise, Google is automatically backing up app user data and setting preferences to Google Drive, then encrypting it all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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 ?
I about to redo my phone completely and I still own Titanium Backup Pro, is that still the best way to backup everything or can I simply backups my files (photos, videos, PDF's etc...) and use Google's basic restore apps when I reboot my phone from stock?
I know TB is great but last time I used it, I felt there were some bugs and it couldnt restore some apps which was disturbing. Then in the end, I have no idea what is actually did and did not restore, a real PITA.
It also took forever and felt like it got stuck in some parts.
Are there any downsides to using Google apps restore feature? Not sure if that will also maintain all my game/app data.
I also read some good things about TunesGo Android Backup.
Dathaeus said:
I about to redo my phone completely and I still own Titanium Backup Pro, is that still the best way to backup everything or can I simply backups my files (photos, videos, PDF's etc...) and use Google's basic restore apps when I reboot my phone from stock?
I know TB is great but last time I used it, I felt there were some bugs and it couldnt restore some apps which was disturbing. Then in the end, I have no idea what is actually did and did not restore, a real PITA.
It also took forever and felt like it got stuck in some parts.
Are there any downsides to using Google apps restore feature? Not sure if that will also maintain all my game/app data.
I also read some good things about TunesGo Android Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Google apps restore has improved significantly since MM. I do keep TWRP Nandroid backups offline, but have not used them in ages. I use Google apps restore for all of my Play Store and System apps, and TiBu for the "non market" stuff... maybe ~30 apps? I zip the TiBu folder into a single file (Solid Explorer) and move it offline. When upgrading from 6-7 or 7-8, I just completely wipe the phone, flash a full image, let Google Play restore from the cloud. Then extract and use TiBu zip to restore the remaining apps. Icing is a Nova launcher backup to restore all the shortcuts and widgets, and my setup is 99% there in under one hour from a complete blank slate. I've also been experimenting with FlashFire to make ADB backups offline. Very slick backup tool, in addition to it's primary use of flashing monthly security updates. I have not yet restored a FF backup via ADB yet... I just keep one recent backup as a precaution. As for your other thread on rooting- I only see the upside. I don't see any downside. Android Pay not working irritates many, but I will never use that so not a concern. Why buy a Nexus if you're not going to unlock and root?
v12xke said:
The Google apps restore has improved significantly since MM. I do keep TWRP Nandroid backups offline, but have not used them in ages. I use Google apps restore for all of my Play Store and System apps, and TiBu for the "non market" stuff... maybe ~30 apps? I zip the TiBu folder into a single file (Solid Explorer) and move it offline. When upgrading from 6-7 or 7-8, I just completely wipe the phone, flash a full image, let Google Play restore from the cloud. Then extract and use TiBu zip to restore the remaining apps. Icing is a Nova launcher backup to restore all the shortcuts and widgets, and my setup is 99% there in under one hour from a complete blank slate. I've also been experimenting with FlashFire to make ADB backups offline. Very slick backup tool, in addition to it's primary use of flashing monthly security updates. I have not yet restored a FF backup via ADB yet... I just keep one recent backup as a precaution. As for your other thread on rooting- I only see the upside. I don't see any downside. Android Pay not working irritates many, but I will never use that so not a concern. Why buy a Nexus if you're not going to unlock and root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome reply, exactly what I was looking for thanks!
So u gave a lot of info and I just want to summarize what I should do to redo my phone as cleanly and quickly as possible, but first can you tell me how you personally differentiate the non-market stuff for TiB? Meaning I have like 200 total apps, so just trying to plan a process here.
Dathaeus said:
Awesome reply, exactly what I was looking for thanks! So u gave a lot of info and I just want to summarize what I should do to redo my phone as cleanly and quickly as possible, but first can you tell me how you personally differentiate the non-market stuff for TiB? Meaning I have like 200 total apps, so just trying to plan a process here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lots of tutorials out there on how to properly wipe and install a fresh stock image onto a blank phone. Probably the best example can be found on the Google webpage where you download the full image. I use Google restore for all system apps plus the apps I have paid for at the Google Play Store. I use TiBu only for those apps from elsewhere that are not backed up or restored by Google restore. It's made easy by TiBu because after Google restore is 100% complete restoring everything it possibly can, I fire up TiBu and use the "Restore Missing Apps" option.
Can't wait to see the day where all the apps (Gapps too) stop asking things you already seen or chosen when you do a factory reset or change your phone.
Android Backup and Restore has improved a lot, but still has a long road to go. Probably in the future, you just change the Phone and everything, not just some things, are restored. All the little checkbox you ticked in each of the apps. (With "Settings" app, this is happening a bit at the moment, some settings are restored).
Examples: "Dark theme enabled in Tapatalk" / "Use" or "Background activity disabled for Facebook Messenger lite".
thesebastian said:
Can't wait to see the day where all the apps (Gapps too) stop asking things you already seen or chosen when you do a factory reset or change your phone.
Android Backup and Restore has improved a lot, but still has a long road to go. Probably in the future, you just change the Phone and everything, not just some things, are restored. All the little checkbox you ticked in each of the apps. (With "Settings" app, this is happening a bit at the moment, some settings are restored).
Examples: "Dark theme enabled in Tapatalk" / "Use" or "Background activity disabled for Facebook Messenger lite".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean like with a full Nandroid backup? :laugh:
v12xke said:
You mean like with a full Nandroid backup? [emoji23]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that's different... that's a copy of everything in the phone. I'm talking about Android backup and restore.
So you don't need to start configuring alarms, app and everything after you upgrade your phone.
Sent from my Nexus 6P
v12xke said:
Lots of tutorials out there on how to properly wipe and install a fresh stock image onto a blank phone. Probably the best example can be found on the Google webpage where you download the full image. I use Google restore for all system apps plus the apps I have paid for at the Google Play Store. I use TiBu only for those apps from elsewhere that are not backed up or restored by Google restore. It's made easy by TiBu because after Google restore is 100% complete restoring everything it possibly can, I fire up TiBu and use the "Restore Missing Apps" option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhhhhhhh perfect, I didnt see that "Restore Missing Apps" last time I did this but that was a looooooooooong time ago... I was just nervous about using TiB again bec last time it kept freezing and it was an exhaustive process and basically I just gave up, pissed me off on a paid app.
thesebastian said:
Can't wait to see the day where all the apps (Gapps too) stop asking things you already seen or chosen when you do a factory reset or change your phone.
Android Backup and Restore has improved a lot, but still has a long road to go. Probably in the future, you just change the Phone and everything, not just some things, are restored. All the little checkbox you ticked in each of the apps. (With "Settings" app, this is happening a bit at the moment, some settings are restored).
Examples: "Dark theme enabled in Tapatalk" / "Use" or "Background activity disabled for Facebook Messenger lite".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya seems like every app saves differently so thats why I laugh when people are like, whats the big deal, just redo your phone and only takes an hour.... um no. Maybe if you dont do much and use your phone to check email, calls, and texts and a couple of games but for me its an exhaustive process bec even after you think you restored, there are always some things in the subsequent weeks u find that wasnt restored, missing, or settings are all screwed up. Not a life breaker, but ya, someday maybe they will universally code settings the same way so a backup program can do something like what imaging does in Windows, although Android has many more roms and providers to deal with so u may need some additional steps anyways.
Yes it's a lot of work. For me is never an hour. It's like 3 hours after the android welcome assistant and then several days till I open app by app and setup the settings for each one of them.
Sent from my Nexus 6P
thesebastian said:
Yes it's a lot of work. For me is never an hour. It's like 3 hours after the android welcome assistant and then several days till I open app by app and setup the settings for each one of them.
Sent from my Nexus 6P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea that sounds much more realistic... some people try to oversimplify and think they are doing it in an hour but not.... or they just cant tell time.
I still use TiBi pro for backing app all of my apps. It's just quicker in my opinion. Immediately after flashing new images or roms, I just go into batch actions of TiBu and restore all missing apps with data. Takes about ten minutes and all my apps and data are restored.
Dathaeus said:
Yea that sounds much more realistic... some people try to oversimplify and think they are doing it in an hour but not.... or they just cant tell time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I have to add that recently I'm just not rooting anymore...
Currently I have the 6P with open bootloader but just because by bank doesn't support android pay and I don't want to go through this android restore slow process.
Sent from my Nexus 6P
Pain-N-Panic said:
I still use TiBi pro for backing app all of my apps. It's just quicker in my opinion. Immediately after flashing new images or roms, I just go into batch actions of TiBu and restore all missing apps with data. Takes about ten minutes and all my apps and data are restored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You never had it freeze or not restore something properly? That is the one I am most worried about, its a highly frustrating process when an "automated restore" just doesnt finish the job after waiting over an hour, which is what happened last time I used it for my Galaxy S4, tried 3 times too, so I ditched it and used Google restore and dealt with all the settings after manually.
Dathaeus said:
You never had it freeze or not restore something properly? That is the one I am most worried about, its a highly frustrating process when an "automated restore" just doesnt finish the job after waiting over an hour, which is what happened last time I used it for my Galaxy S4, tried 3 times too, so I ditched it and used Google restore and dealt with all the settings after manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sir. I've been running TiBu pro on my Nexus 6p since launch. I've flashed almost every factory image/security update after completing a full wipe before each flash, thus removing all of my apps and data along with it. TiBu pulled through every time. I also make sure to do a batch "redo" of all my backups prior to wiping/flashing the device so this way all my apps data are up to date when I restore them. I'd be lost with TiBu!