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[Q] How to backup contacts, apps and settings?

Can someone tell me, or point me to a tutorial that explains how to:
1. Backup contacts to PC
2. Backup paid apps to PC(don't want to have to buy it twice...)
3. Backup app data/settings to PC.

Using appbrain will sync your apps with your account on appbrain.com
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

So, there is no way to backup to your SD card, or PC? For windows mobile, I use Sprite, which works great. I was looking for something like that.
Thanks

Never used WinMo, but Titanium Backup might be what you're looking for. You need root to use it though.

I don't mind rooting if that is what it takes, but I can't belive that there is not an easy way to at least backup your contacts.

Backing up Contacts, several ways:
Samsung Kies -- follow the sticky at the top of this forum, it will back them up to your PC.
Export to SD Card, then copy to your PC -- Enter the Contacts app, hit Menu, More, Import/Export, Export to SD Card.
Copy them to your SIM -- Enter the Contacts app, hit Menu, More, SIM Management.
Sync them to AT&T's servers, which will do it in real-time when you add/delete them, similar to if you synced to your Gmail contacts .. the other benefit here is that you can log on to your AT&T account via the web to manage your phone contacts and it will sync your changes. Useful if you're mass-adding and want to use a full keyboard for speed. -- Enter the Contacts app, hit Menu, More, Settings, AT&T Address Book, click Auto Sync contact with online Address Book.
Backing up paid apps: I have not used it, myself, but Titanium Backup might do what you need, as the previous poster said. You can find it in the Market and read up on it.
Backing up app/data settings to a PC. I'm guessing this would be more app-specific than anything, no? I don't think Google imposes or enforces any standards on data/setting storage for apps, so any single backup tool would have to support individual apps one-by-one. Please update this thread if you find anything, because it would be pretty convenient ....

UserNamer said:
Backing up Contacts, several ways:
Samsung Kies -- follow the sticky at the top of this forum, it will back them up to your PC.
Export to SD Card, then copy to your PC -- Enter the Contacts app, hit Menu, More, Import/Export, Export to SD Card.
Copy them to your SIM -- Enter the Contacts app, hit Menu, More, SIM Management.
Sync them to AT&T's servers, which will do it in real-time when you add/delete them, similar to if you synced to your Gmail contacts .. the other benefit here is that you can log on to your AT&T account via the web to manage your phone contacts and it will sync your changes. Useful if you're mass-adding and want to use a full keyboard for speed. -- Enter the Contacts app, hit Menu, More, Settings, AT&T Address Book, click Auto Sync contact with online Address Book.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. Sounds like backing up the contacts won't be a problem.
Backing up paid apps: I have not used it, myself, but Titanium Backup might do what you need, as the previous poster said. You can find it in the Market and read up on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will look into it. What would really be nice would be if google would do this for us. Seems like it would be pretty easy for google to remember which apps I have purchased, and not charge me next time I try to download it. Perhaps the marketplace already does this? I just don't want to buy an app and then remove it to find out....actually I will not pay for any apps until I can figure out how to back them up. I don't mind spending $5 on an app, but I do mind spending $5 for each app every time the phone gets reset...
Backing up app/data settings to a PC. I'm guessing this would be more app-specific than anything, no? I don't think Google imposes or enforces any standards on data/setting storage for apps, so any single backup tool would have to support individual apps one-by-one. Please update this thread if you find anything, because it would be pretty convenient ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, I don't know, this is my first android phone. But with Ubuntu Linux, pretty much all apps store their settings in a hidden folder in /home/{your-username}/ (i.e. firefox would store it's data in /home/{your-username}/.firefox/ ) All you have to do to backup all of your settings is to backup the /home/{your-username}/ folder. It is common for people to place /home/ on a different disk/partition, so that you can reinstall the OS and not loose any of your data/settings...
Android is also linux so I would think it would be similar...

cypho said:
Seems like it would be pretty easy for google to remember which apps I have purchased, and not charge me next time I try to download it. Perhaps the marketplace already does this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure how most app developers currently handle this, but I think Google made it easier a few weeks ago with the announcement of their new "licensing service for android applications". Plug that into your favorite search site (minus the quotation marks) and a post from Eric Chu explaining it on the Android Developers Blog should be up top.
But with Ubuntu Linux, pretty much all apps store their settings in a hidden folder in /home/{your-username}/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Home directories are great. =) I haven't used Ubuntu in a long time, so I'm not sure if you're saying that the system enforces it or if it's still just up to the individual developers to follow convention and store their settings in /home/ ... but I'm looking through my internal SD card and it seems like most of the apps I have installed (including the Google ones) each created their own data directory at the root level. :\

Titanium also backs up your contacts, paid apps, and free apps. The pros of rooting outway the cons. You can always un root if you need to send your phone in. I am also a newb and I've been wondering if I had to return my phone and get a new one will my paid apps carry over to a new device. I have the my license key for Titanium so I am thinking that I will be good in the event of such emergency. All of my paid apps are backed up there and I wiped my phone to factory settings the other night, I didn't un root, I was trouble shooting an issue caused by AT&. I did a reinstall of Titanium and it recognized my device because it installed donated version and I restored everything with ease.

UserNamer said:
I haven't used Ubuntu in a long time, so I'm not sure if you're saying that the system enforces it or if it's still just up to the individual developers to follow convention and store their settings in /home/ ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, as I'm not a developer. But I would think that it would cause problems if a program tried to save data outside of /home/ The user would probably be prompted for their password every time the app tried to write a file...since sudo is required to gain write access to anything outside of home.

[Q] Gmail not syncing; NO Gmail Storage application

Daily, my Gmail will no longer sync with the web version and even though the mobile inbox shows no literally unread messages, the counter will have a number above 0. I am able to clear this by working in the web inbox but should not have to.
I have read everywhere that the solution seems to be clearing the data and cache from the application Gmail Storage but I do not have this application listed under Settings - Applications - All.
I have a HTC Hero CDMA currently running CM6.0 with the latest version of Gapps flashed (gapps-mdpi-20101020-signed.zip). I restored my nandroid of my stock rom and was able to see Gmail Storage. Using Titanium Backup, I backed up just the Gmail Storage portion but was unable to install it due to it being a .tar. I did find out that Gmail Storage corresponds to the file GmailProvider.apk. The latest Gapps zips listed do not contain the GmailProvider.apk.
I have tried manually installing the GmailProvider.apk and also using Terminal Emulator to copy the file from my SD card into /system/app. I was able to get the apk visible in /system/app but after reboot, I was still unable to see Gmail Storage in my applications list.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what I am missing? Do the new versions of Gapps no longer use the GmailProvider.apk for installing/running Gmail Storage?
Thank you for any help anyone can offer.

I am bumping this because I am having the same issue.
I receive Gmail messages fine. I can read them and everything.
However, when I archive them, they disappear from the inbox view but the counter still includes them. And if I log in to Gmail.com on the web, I can see the "archived" messages still sitting in my inbox marked Unread.
Also, sending messages from the application doesn't work. They just sit in my outbox.
The application is behaving as if it can only read my Gmail account, and cannot create or modify. It's really weird and any help would be greatly appreciated.
I am rooted running CM 6.1.1 and flashed gapps-hdpi-20101114-signed.zip from goo-inside.me

[Q] Need advice on cleaning up SD card

I know most of the files on the SD card are pretty clear as to what they contain....but I am wanting to clean my card up to regain space and dont know exactly which folder contains my contacts. I can pretty much figure out the media files and downloads...but what folders have to remain to keep you from losing contacts? I bricked my phone one time before when I was updating to a new ROM. I ended up having to go back and install back to totally stock then had to do the rooting again, s-off, etc.
The problem I am having is that when I go to make a back up my phone screws up again and I have to take the battery out to get it to shut off and then have to reboot. I am guessing that there are still some files on my SD from the original screwup I did. Any help would be appreciated. And yes, I am a totally lost noobie trying to read and learn as I go. So please be gentle.

PBCRUM1970 said:
I know most of the files on the SD card are pretty clear as to what they contain....but I am wanting to clean my card up to regain space and dont know exactly which folder contains my contacts. I can pretty much figure out the media files and downloads...but what folders have to remain to keep you from losing contacts? I bricked my phone one time before when I was updating to a new ROM. I ended up having to go back and install back to totally stock then had to do the rooting again, s-off, etc.
The problem I am having is that when I go to make a back up my phone screws up again and I have to take the battery out to get it to shut off and then have to reboot. I am guessing that there are still some files on my SD from the original screwup I did. Any help would be appreciated. And yes, I am a totally lost noobie trying to read and learn as I go. So please be gentle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was not aware that contacts are stored on the SD card, unless this is something you intentionally did. Mine are all synced to google, so it doesn't matter what I do to my SD card. As far as keeping everything neat, and folders that I make myself, I use all capital letters for fast navigation.
Copy your entire SD card to your computer. then format the SD. put it back in the phone and reboot. (Leaving the SD card completely blank during this process) ...Once done, check your contacts 10 minutes later, NOT immediately. Let me know the results
Note: I know that my reply is not a full answer. It was done that way on purpose. We are doing this a few things at a time, instead of flooding you all at once with everything. I know when I was new to this, a flood of info completely overwhelmed me.

Contact Profile Pictures
I have realized over time & time again with wiping & new ROMs and what not that Google DOES NOT backup profile pictures from your phone to your Google account.
That being said, the phone DOES import any profile pictures FROM Google onto your phone when you sync. That means that if you want profile pictures on your phone, you must set them up on Google FIRST.
This of course sucks, as i never use Gmail, and always add phone contacts on my, well, PHONE.
In addition, if you 'link' your phone contacts to your Google contacts, the Google profile picture takes precedence.

Little_Ant said:
I have realized over time & time again with wiping & new ROMs and what not that Google DOES NOT backup profile pictures from your phone to your Google account.
That being said, the phone DOES import any profile pictures FROM Google onto your phone when you sync. That means that if you want profile pictures on your phone, you must set them up on Google FIRST.
This of course sucks, as i never use Gmail, and always add phone contacts on my, well, PHONE.
In addition, if you 'link' your phone contacts to your Google contacts, the Google profile picture takes precedence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why your phone is doing this... I can add pics on my phone, and they update on Google just fine. Just now did it to verify. There has to be a setting somewhere that you are missing. Either on Google, or your phone.

[Q] Store contacts locally? - BlindICEv8

Hi everyone,
I'd like to store my contacts on the local phone storage. Unfortunately the contact app doesn't seem to support that. If I remember right the one from "Vanilla ICE v2" did.
Is is possible to just flash the apk from Vanilla/CM9/whatever supports local storage? Can I perhaps change the settings in the current app to support local storage? Or is there a option somewhere and I am just stupid^^?
Thanks for the help.
Best
Teorax
PS: I am not really keen on syncing my contacts with google or anyone else so thats not really a solution...more of a dealbreaker. :/

There should be an option to Import/Export from storage in contacts.
Go to Contacts > press menu button > Import/Export
You'll then get the options to:
Import from Sim card
Import from Storage
Export to Storage
Share visible contacts
If the options are not there, then it must be a bug in BlindIce v8.
Oh, and be sure to turn off Google's contacts sync!
Sent from my HTC Desire S

Teorax said:
Hi everyone,
I'd like to store my contacts on the local phone storage. Unfortunately the contact app doesn't seem to support that. If I remember right the one from "Vanilla ICE v2" did.
Is is possible to just flash the apk from Vanilla/CM9/whatever supports local storage? Can I perhaps change the settings in the current app to support local storage? Or is there a option somewhere and I am just stupid^^?
Thanks for the help.
Best
Teorax
PS: I am not really keen on syncing my contacts with google or anyone else so thats not really a solution...more of a dealbreaker. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
may i ask why u dont want to use google to sync as trillions of people use it ?

Hi,
@miz_pimp
Thanks for the help. If I understand you right, I should just use the Google account but not sync it. I already thought of that but hoped there would be a real local storage (like in other roms I have used).
@htc-phones
I just not comfortable with Google constantly integrating my contacts into my other web activations. And also I find it kind of rude that they use this data for there business.
And also I don't think the masses are a good adviser...
To precise my original question: is there a possibility for "real" local storage like some roms are able to (without the fear of accidental sync)? Does it depend on the contact app used?
Thanks again.
Teorax
sent from XDA

Maybe I misunderstood you. I have my contacts saved to my SD card, and do NOT have it synced with Google. Every time I flash a new ROM, I just restore my contacts from my SD card, but before doing so, I do not sync my Google account yet.
While my account is syncing, I quickly turn off "Sync Contacts", before any of my contacts are synced with my Google account.
Sent from my HTC Desire S

I think I understood what you meant, but if I got you right your still linking your contacts to your Google-Account (the one you e.g. log into the market with), you just don't update (sync) the contacts within its "online address book".
But what I am infact looking for is the possibility to NOT link the contacts. In Endymion for example (but I remember correctly Vanilla as well) you can select "phone storage" as location to import your .vcf to. That option I am missing.
The workaround you suggested might work, but after flashing most roms auto sync is on and you have to be quick.
The point is since you can not really take back any mistakes in that field (since leaked informations can not be retrieved) I would really prefer a local solution.
But thank you for your help!
Best
Teorax
PS: Perhaps I would not be so "paranoid" if I had not received a mail from Google congratulating me to my new Galaxy Nexus after flashing Vanilla >.<. Or if I would be able to delete the serial of my old DesireS which I returned after fried eMMC...

I'm not so sure then, as I don't recall seeing that option, sorry.
Sent from my HTC Desire S

here's my fix http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1808037

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.idea.backup.smscontacts&hl=en
Hope it helps!

I don't sync my contacts with Google either, all my contacts are backed up with TB then restored after a new Rom by just restoring data not app and data, as a backup I export to sd card.
Swyped from my desire s running blindIce

Data lost after update

Hey guys, I just updated my phone, all stock updates, no root or custom roms. Now all my music and pics are gone, as well as contacts but the messages are still there
Has this happened to anyone else, it's really stressful for me and I don't what to do :/

You're contacts should have been stored in google and when you went through the device set up after update they should have been restored after you sign into google? In the future there it's a application called my backup and it doesn't require root to use it. You can backup you're applications data and contacts that way if you are updating or things of that nature. In your contacts is there a way to see if they are stored on your sd card? It's been a long while since I was running stock but I think I remember settings that you can restore the contact's from your sd card back to your device. Look into the contract menu and see if that option is available . I'm a bit confused as to why they were not restored automatically when you signed into your google account? Being stock your very limited as to what you can and can not do. If all else fails contact your provider, they might know of a way to restore your contacts on there end. I wish I could be of more help but I'm not sure what kind of options you have available to you running stock .
Perhaps try a reset again and sign in through your google during set up and google should restore them automatically after sign in. I know when I flash roms and change my software, once I sign in the initial set up through google my contacts are all restored . This might work. It wouldn't hurt to try it. I wish you the best and hope you can get your issue resolved soon ! Hopefully they are not gone but stored to your sd card. If you have a card reader you can put the sd card in it and see which files are stored on it, including pictures. Unless the update erased them somehow. I wish I could be of more help. Best wishes.
Sent from my Sensation Z710e using xda premium

No but a recent update by htc ****ed up my wifi real bad. I don't like it when HTC updates my stuff because they always **** **** up.