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Mods: Sorry if this thread was posted in the wrong sub-forum, I didn't realize till I was done typing that I was asking a question! Please move to Q&A if it belongs there.
One of the major features I was looking forward to with my new Razr Maxx HD was finally being able to have device encryption similar to what I had with my Blackberry. That's one thing BB really nailed on the head. Today, I finally get around to set up encryption on my phone and I contacted Motorola to ask a few questions. I asked about how to copy files to a PC and what happens with the data on the SD card if the device breaks. The agents reply?
"I do recommend that you don't encrypt your device. Just do the normal process."
I asked her about several scenarios and was told every time that there is no way to copy files from the device to a computer and no way to guarantee that the files will be retrievable even with regular use of the encryption feature that they falsely represent in sales tactics as "government grade encryption" for the device. They use the term to try and sell the phone to serious business people like me, then tell me that they advise against using it at all because the data on the phone may never be able to be retrieved if something happens to the phone. Not to mention that there is no way to copy the files to a PC if you want to do regular backups. I was the one who asked about the possibility of just emailing important files form the phone to myself or uploading them to dropbox, she couldn't even recommend that on her own. All in all, it's a very pathetic situation.
So, what I'm wondering is. Is there anyone who uses device encryption? Have you figured out any way to get around the issue of being unable to backup your files to a PC? I really want to use encryption, I've been missing it for over two years since I switched from BB. I'm not a top secret FBI agent or anything, but I do feel more secure with my personal and business information encrypted. What I'm thinking is, set up Titanium Backup to do a scheduled sync to Dropbox. I haven't done that before, but I think Titanium will do that. This should cover pretty much anything on the phone itself. Now, what I am wondering, is there something similar to Titanium Backup that can backup contents of the SD card to the cloud? I already have Dropsnap uploading my photos to Dropbox, so those are safe, but I would like to backup the rest of my data from the SD card too. Seems any way the phone can send the files to a server would basically be a good way to backup data in an unencrypted state. I just don't know of any solution for that for the SD card.
This is a very disappointing thing about the encryption, I'm hoping someone here has some ideas!
gadsden,
One app that I am fond of for transferring any type of file from my phone to the cloud is FolderSync. It can sync any type of file to the more popular cloud services (Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, etc.), and it has a lot of additional functionality such as move files around on your phone (internal storage to SD, SD to cloud, cloud to SD, etc.), instant syncs, scheduled syncs, widgets for syncing on demand, and more.
It's just under $3, but it's well worth the functionality it brings and it may be what you are looking for. Definitely worth a look at regardless.
madkel said:
gadsden,
One app that I am fond of for transferring any type of file from my phone to the cloud is FolderSync. It can sync any type of file to the more popular cloud services (Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, etc.), and it has a lot of additional functionality such as move files around on your phone (internal storage to SD, SD to cloud, cloud to SD, etc.), instant syncs, scheduled syncs, widgets for syncing on demand, and more.
It's just under $3, but it's well worth the functionality it brings and it may be what you are looking for. Definitely worth a look at regardless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, that seems like it will do exactly what I want. I'm definitely going to give it a try, thanks!
Backing up camera photos, messenger pics, contacts, documents etc. to Windows in their original format.
Smartphone: unrooted Mate9 with Android 8
What I used to do:
Connect my previous phone (rooted Ascend Mate) to Windows via USB, it's SD card got connected as a real mass storage device. I then ran a custom robocopy batch routine that backed up/mirrored all the important things to my computer. I folder mounted everything interesting from the internal memory to the SD card, like messenger pics.
This worked really great.
Problem I have now:
My new Mate9 does not support true USB mass storage connection anymore. It only supports this awful pseudo MTP file transfer connection to Windows.
This makes robocopy unusable because it only works with real drives with an assigned letters of course.
I really don't know what to do now.
Any cloud backup solution is not an option for me, because of sensitive data and slow internet. Full phone backups feel like an overkill and I cannot access the files on the computer directly.
I know that some people run a samba server or something on their phones to turn the storage into NAS drives. (Robocopy supports NAS I think) This seems to be maximum overkill and difficult to setup and resource intense but I'm interested if its the only way.
Any tips? Thank you
Don't know much about Windows, or MPT for that matter, but perhaps you could map your device (folders you need) to a letter drive? If I recall correctly, that mapping will allow you to read the files located on the MPT drive.
This is acually possible. I found a commercial software that lets you map a driver letter to an MTP device but it's $40.
Did some more research and getting a drive letter for Android storage over WiFi is acually stupidly easy.
Just install WebDav Server on Android and click the button. Then on Windows Explorer -> Map Network Driver and enter the IP displayed on Android. Thats literally it.
I only hope that I can get two drive letters for internal and external storage. Need to try.
So I found a complete solution that I'm VERY happy with!
Its running two WebDAV servers on Androind, one for accessing the internal storage and one for the sd card. This allows me to map 2 network drives in Windows and that means robocopy magic!
Here is how I did it:
1. Install the free app WebDAV Server Ultimate. This app allows you to run multiple servers at once AND let you specify custom storage paths. Both things that the other popular app WebDAV Server can't do!
2. Create two new servers in the app with the plus button and specify the according storage paths. Also make sure these two servers use different ports. The name can be specified freely. Click on the play button to start the servers.
3. Open the Windows Explorer and click "Map network drive" in the top bar. A new window pops up: Pick a drive letter you want and enter the Network IP of your smartphone and the port under "Folder" like this example sceme: \\192.168.178.01:8080 Also check the box "Reconect at logon" if you want the drives to still be there after a restart. The your current phone IP can be viewed in the WebDAV app when you klick on the info icon.
Thats it basically. After that you have your internal storage and sd card mapped to driveletters in Windows over WiFi. Just write your robocopy routine and do one click backups You can check "Keep the device fully alive" in the WebDAV app settings which helped stability and might improve speed. I got about 4-5 MB/s which isn't fast but fast enough for me.
One more thing:
If you use Windows 7 and you want to transfer files bigger 50 MB you have to do this registry workaround by Microsoft. For security reasons, Windows 7 limits WebDAV filetransfers at 50 MB by default.
Doomkeks said:
So I found a complete solution that I'm VERY happy with!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good stuff, I'd consider making a how-to thread in your devices forum for others!
Hello guys,
I have been searching for answers to some of the tech stuff, but couldn't find them.
Here are some of those questions. Hope some of you would have answers to these. Thanks in advance!
ANDROID
1. How to share files between multi-users on Android 11?
Before Android 11, it was possible to save files inside the Android/ obb folder, and these files were visible for all users on the device. In Android 11, this is no longer working as the 'obb' folder appears to be exclusive to each user.
I know this is possible via USB OTG or a cloud service, but is there a solution without these?
2. How to copy/ backup game data for non-rooted devices?
Helium Backup doesn't seem to work. I have played a game for long on my Mediapad, and I would like to copy that game to my phone. Unfortunately, my Mediapad is not rooted and losing all that game progress has become a nightmare. I have written to the app developer to provide some sort of backup using either Google Play Games or social media integration like Facebook/ Twitter, but haven't received any response.
3. How to force apps (esp. file managers & gallery apps) to use in-app media viewer without changing system default.
For example, I may use the stock gallery app as default for viewing media. But if I am using another gallery app or a file manager that is capable of viewing media files using its own media viewer, I would rather want it use it than open the default app. Is there a way to do it?
4. Replace stock file manager (a system app) with another app from Google Play Store or other sources. Is this possible?
I am not asking how to convert a user app into system app. I know that part. I tried replacing the apk file of the stock file manager with a 3rd party apk, even renamed it, but it didn't work.
5. Extract a system app from one device and install it on another device without root. Is this possible?
I have tried it, but apk installation fails. For example, Samsung Gallery app on OnePlus phones.
iOS
1. How to install .ipa (iPhone app) on an iPhone (not jail-broken) without a laptop (iTunes)?
2. Is it possible to have SFTP server for iPhone?
All Operating Systems
1. How to provide LAN only access for non-rooted devices as well as in Windows & iOS?
For rooted devices, we have apps like AFWall+ that can do it. But is there a way to do it for devices without root, as well as for Windows and iOS?
For non-rooted devices, we have apps like Netguard that support 'Allow LAN access' whilst blocking internet access.
Are there any alternatives and solutions for other platforms?
2. How safe is it to enter login credentials in an app to allow it access to network drives?
I use several apps (on various platforms) to connect to my laptop over SMB. This requires me to provide the app with my Windows Login Credentials, which is a Microsoft account. Am I risking my account by providing this info to the app? Is it safe to enter login credentials of cloud services in file manager apps?
Just bumping this thread as it seems to have been lost/ unnoticed.
@Ultramanoid can you answer some of these?
Sridhar Ananthanarayanan said:
@Ultramanoid can you answer some of these?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't help much, sorry. As to Android, some notes :
1. Never have used an OEM / Google's version of Android, or anything other than rooted single-user systems.
2. In addition to the previous answer, I'm not a gamer.
3. I usually don't ever set defaults with some rare exceptions, so I am always given a choice of what I want to use to handle a file. It may vary depending on many things; I may want to edit an SVG file as text, or view it as an image, for instance. There are applications / services that will intercept intents to allow you to do this sort of thing as well, but I can't recommend a specific one, never use them myself.
4. Possible, but will break Android as by now the system requires it as a file picker in many instances without recognizing alternatives and developers of most applications do expect it as well and their services will not work without it. Don't do it. With recent Android storage changes, including the scoped storage debacle, this is not a viable option anymore.
5. Depends, but not likely as a general rule, specially for OEM garbage, which relies on their own proprietary modifications of Android, their libraries, frameworks, et al. You'd have to carry those over to the destination too, which may not even be possible. Use OEM-independent and not Google Services reliant applications. ( Edit : you'll find some of those applications built to install on all devices here on XDA by single developers, "SONY camera for all devices" and that sort of thing, not recommended anyway, not well supported or long-lived experiments. )
Ultramanoid said:
Can't help much, sorry. As to Android, some notes :
1. Never have used an OEM / Google's version of Android, or anything other than rooted single-user systems.
2. In addition to the previous answer, I'm not a gamer.
3. I usually don't ever set defaults with some rare exceptions, so I am always given a choice of what I want to use to handle a file. It may vary depending on many things; I may want to edit an SVG file as text, or view it as an image, for instance. There are applications / services that will intercept intents to allow you to do this sort of thing as well, but I can't recommend a specific one, never use them myself.
4. Possible, but will break Android as by now the system requires it as a file picker in many instances without recognizing alternatives and developers of most applications do expect it as well and their services will not work without it. Don't do it. With recent Android storage changes, including the scoped storage debacle, this is not a viable option anymore.
5. Depends, but not likely as a general rule, specially for OEM garbage, which relies on their own proprietary modifications of Android, their libraries, frameworks, et al. You'd have to carry those over to the destination too, which may not even be possible. Use OEM-independent and not Google Services reliant applications. ( Edit : you'll find some of those applications built to install on all devices here on XDA by single developers, "SONY camera for all devices" and that sort of thing, not recommended anyway, not well supported or long-lived experiments. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much. But I wish you answered the last 2 questions as well.
If time permits, would you be interested in telling us how you use your phone? I mean which device, which OS and what apps you use. I would like to give that a try (on a spare device) and see if it is possible for me to live without Google.
Sridhar Ananthanarayanan said:
Thanks very much. But I wish you answered the last 2 questions as well.
If time permits, would you be interested in telling us how you use your phone? I mean which device, which OS and what apps you use. I would like to give that a try (on a spare device) and see if it is possible for me to live without Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't answer because it won't be helpful.
As to the 1st, I don't use LAN, and I don't keep data in any device or computer unless in use. External independent encrypted storage to be used wherever, whenever, independent of device, cables if needed.
As to the second, it's a matter of common sense, being informed of vulnerabilities and aware of reputation, and trust. Would you trust Chrome or Mozilla with data if you're online banking ? Seems reasonable -- but be aware of major vulnerabilities that may be going on. Would you trust an application released yesterday by a single developer for the same ? Probably not a good idea.
Finally, I doubt what I use and how I use it would be acceptable for you, or most people. In essence you could : Install latest firmware, wipe device, install latest security patched Lineage build for it, remove vendor / Lineage applications, get full root, remove anything you don't need or use which could have vulnerabilities; frameworks, libraries, binaries, etc ( Bluetooth, SMS, Android system-wide downloader, system-wide WebView, NFC, and on and on .. ), install your own binaries, fonts, hosts file, and applications where appropriate ( /bin /etc et al ), install Termux and all Linux packages required for your use, everything open source whenever possible, and stay away from any Google services / Play / applications with ANY trackers, analytics, data mining or even crash report capabilities; zero tolerance. Internet permission only for a secure web browser -- and terminal if / when needed. Half of what I do or use goes through terminal to be honest. In short, for me an Android device is a full Linux laptop replacement with added perks : Always on and on me, camera, GPS, pedometer, unlimited LTE data, and emergency calls for medics / police. ( Edit : And Japanese EEW alarm of course ! Only notification I use. We learned our lesson well in 2011. )
You can use ApkExport to extract any apk including system apks. I've transferred apks between other devices devices with it.
Never had need of doing that though with a system apk.
This is not about backing up data on your phone. It is about utilise your (old) smartphone to backup files from other devices.
If you use any computer system at home or work - you know, you have to make backups to avoid data losses. Often windows computers are used to backup files from network shares. I am wondering, if my smartphones can do that job too?
I think about the following senario:
When going to bed, I hook my phone up on a powered USB-C hub to charge it.
Instead just sitting around and waiting being charged, it could do something usefull.
One could connect a USB harddrive to the hub and run the backup app atomatically at 3am or so.
After a few hours it should have finished the backup and I got my badly needed sleep. --> Win/Win Situation.
Thats the idea, but even if there are a bunch of apps, that can access network shares (via SMB or FTP), I did not find an app, that can do a file synchronisation or backup job to a USB drive.
I started thinking about creating some TASKER jobs, but I hope, there are already wokring solutions to accomplish the target.
Do you have any suggestions or app recommendations for me?
Get 2 or more enterprise class hdds for backup. Keep them electronically isolated when not in use.
Keep one with your main data base isolated except for updates every 1-12 months in case of malware infections. Best to store in a separate location in an earth grounded metal box.
Stagger the updates between the rest.
You absolutely need to use more than one backup device/copy...
If the phone supports OTG then you can fully backup your phone to USB-drive either from inbuilt File Manager or with USB Backup app. This free-of-charge app requires Android version 5.0 and above.
This app enables you to turn automatic backup on with the help of which whenever you connect the same USB Drive and OTG cable, your device’s backup will begin on its own. You can also set backup reminder to remind you after one month that no backup has made till now.
USB Backup (Android)
Back up your Samsung smartphone
usb-backup.en.uptodown.com
Wokoloko said:
This is not about backing up data on your phone. It is about utilise your (old) smartphone to backup files from other devices.
If you use any computer system at home or work - you know, you have to make backups to avoid data losses. Often windows computers are used to backup files from network shares. I am wondering, if my smartphones can do that job too?
I think about the following senario:
When going to bed, I hook my phone up on a powered USB-C hub to charge it.
Instead just sitting around and waiting being charged, it could do something usefull.
One could connect a USB harddrive to the hub and run the backup app atomatically at 3am or so.
After a few hours it should have finished the backup and I got my badly needed sleep. --> Win/Win Situation.
Thats the idea, but even if there are a bunch of apps, that can access network shares (via SMB or FTP), I did not find an app, that can do a file synchronisation or backup job to a USB drive.
I started thinking about creating some TASKER jobs, but I hope, there are already wokring solutions to accomplish the target.
Do you have any suggestions or app recommendations for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sync is not just copying files it is much more than that. Sync usually means you create clone of one particular thing into another computer, while if there is any change in future then the change will be copied and only the changing part will copy not the whole thing. There are very good apps for syncing, by far my favourite one is Syncthing. Because it is full free opensource, works under nat(meaning no need to have fix ip). There is power condition. You can set that up. There is file versioning and option for one-way/two-way sync. You can give it a try. available for multiple platforms.
Thx for the suggestion, @jwoegerbauer. But the idea is not to backup data, that is stored on the phone. It is about having data on a Windows server and backing it up to a USB drive, that is connected to your phone.
Try mixplorer. It should be able to achieve that
kouseralamin said:
Sync is not just copying files it is much more than that. Sync usually means you create clone of one particular thing into another computer, while if there is any change in future then the change will be copied and only the changing part will copy not the whole thing. There are very good apps for syncing, by far my favourite one is Syncthing. Because it is full free opensource, works under nat(meaning no need to have fix ip). There is power condition. You can set that up. There is file versioning and option for one-way/two-way sync. You can give it a try. available for multiple platforms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Syncthing sounded good at first. Although it needs a client to be set up on the source machine (hosting the network share). In my eyes that is a drawback, because it means to set up and install the syncthing on two machines. Especially the installation on the source machine feels unnessessary, because the files are already accessable to the backup machine.
Isn´t there any app, that as a backup machine "simply" reaches for the network share and stores the files on a direct connected OTG/USB drive?
[Edit: Typos]
Wokoloko said:
Syncthing sounded good at first. Although it needs a client to be set up on the source machine (hosting the network share). In my eyes that is a drawback, because it means to set up and install the syncthing on two machines. Especially the installation on the source machine feels unnessessary, because the files are already accessable to the backup machine.
Isn´t there any app, that as a backup machine "simply" reaches for the network share and stores the files on a direct connected OTG/USB drive?
[Edit: Typos]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you describe the source machine. I mean is it a windows/linux/mac OR another android device OR an ios device? And do you want to backup files to an usb drive/pendrive that is connected to your android device by OTG?
If that is yes. Then you have 3 device.
1. Source machine. ex: windows/mac/linux.
2. Android device that will receive files/pull files from source machine.
3. USB drive connected to android device by otg, where files will be stored.
One thing to note is that source machine needs to give permission to access files to android device(SECURITY REASON). Or needs additional setup to access them. So you need to install additional software. If you are already running a ssh server you may try rsync.
Install ssh-server in source machine and use termux with tasker to sync using rsync. I am not an expert in rsync. you have to do your research for this matter.
@Wokoloko
Thx for the suggestion, @jwoegerbauer. But the idea is not to backup data, that is stored on the phone. It is about having data on a Windows server and backing it up to a USB drive, that is connected to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As with Android fetching file(s) from Windows server can be done by either WGET ( retrieve files via HTTP or FTP ) or CURL ( retrieves files via HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS ) binary. Both binaries are available in Termux shell.
Simple wget example:
Code:
wget -P <ANDROID-USB-DRIVE> <FILE-URL>
So, as of Android 12, rightfully so: https://developer.android.com/about/versions/12/backup-restore
For apps running on and targeting Android 12 and higher:
Specifying android:allowBackup="false" does disable backups to Google Drive, but doesn’t disable D2D transfers for the app.
Specifying include and exclude rules with the XML configuration mechanism no longer affects D2D transfers, though it still affects Google Drive backups. To specify rules for D2D transfers, you must use the new configuration covered in the next section.
So, is there a way to use adb or something else to access this functionality so that we can make PC backups of app data?
This is the 1 Achilles Heel of Android: you can't make backups of all app data.
I want to make an Android app or PC app that makes use of this D2D app-data transfer functionality so that users can backup their app-data with ease and peace-of-mind.
Read this review of the companion app for this feature that Google has for Pixels.
At least I think this is the app for that and it doesn't look too good:
Data Transfer Tool - Apps on Google Play
Restore apps and more from an old phone
play.google.com
That being said, this might be just that one app and other OEMs might simply elect to not have these restrictions, but it's something I had been wondering myself for a while when I read that Google chooses to replace adb backup with a function that's curiously not called a backup anymore, but a transfer tool.
It's not that uncommon for stipulations like these to be the difference between a backup and a transfer.
Definitely something to look out for.
Not allowing easy and complete app-data back-ups is user-hostile.
iOS isn't perfect but much better about this because it allows complete backups via iTunes or Finder.
And, I think this Data Transfer Tool app is either Pixel-only or that OEMs implement it or include it themselves directly.
I agree, it is very hostile and I'm honestly puzzled why backups that are transferable within various Android flavors at least for third-party apps aren't legally required of Google by now.
The EU is going ahead to mandate that all charging ports on mobiles should have the same standard when there are already only 2, but this **** is allowed to fly?
Absolutely ridiculous and out of touch.
Too bad I care about long-term support in terms of security patches and features like a usable pen (S-Pen), otherwise I'd be on some Xiaomi phone where apparently complete backups are a reality.
Glassed Silver said:
Too bad I care about long-term support in terms of security patches and features like a usable pen (S-Pen), otherwise I'd be on some Xiaomi phone where apparently complete backups are a reality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Xiaomi beat Smart Switch and grab the app-data of apps that don't have that backup boolean set to true?
Smart Switch grabs the app-data of all apps that have that backup boolean set to True. And, you can backup to an external HDD via a USB-C hub also. This beats Google hands down.
iOS has been doing this since forever. I don't understand the delay in implementing this very basic feature. No apps should be allowed to bypass this requirement.
nixnixnixnix4 said:
So, is there a way to use adb or something else to access this functionality so that we can make PC backups of app data?
This is the 1 Achilles Heel of Android: you can't make backups of all app data.
I want to make an Android app or PC app that makes use of this D2D app-data transfer functionality so that users can backup their app-data with ease and peace-of-mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this:
[TOOL][ADB][WIN]Android Partitions Backupper / Cloner
Hi all, wrote a Windows CMD script that backups / clones partitions of an Android device via ADB because I wasn't content with any 3rd-party APK what claims to do this job. The backups /clones are stored on Windows computer as...
forum.xda-developers.com
jwoegerbauer said:
Try this:
[TOOL][ADB][WIN]Android Partitions Backupper / Cloner
Hi all, wrote a Windows CMD script that backups / clones partitions of an Android device via ADB because I wasn't content with any 3rd-party APK what claims to do this job. The backups /clones are stored on Windows computer as...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you can grab the app-data as a restorable package, the way adb does, this won't make life easier.
nixnixnixnix4 said:
Does Xiaomi beat Smart Switch and grab the app-data of apps that don't have that backup boolean set to true?
Smart Switch grabs the app-data of all apps that have that backup boolean set to True. And, you can backup to an external HDD via a USB-C hub also. This beats Google hands down.
iOS has been doing this since forever. I don't understand the delay in implementing this very basic feature. No apps should be allowed to bypass this requirement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read yes.
Xiaomi being a Chinese company I guess they just don't give much of a toss about what those app devs think should be happening to the app data, which in this instance is a good thing for the user, however I don't really trust my valuable data to Xiaomi in general, so I'd rather steer clear of that company.
I just cannot trust them. It's got nothing to do with them being Chinese, but them being at the direct whim of the CCP.
Actually same for Huawei where I have to admit to still own a MediaPad 8.4 for manga reading, but I'm really picky about what I put on there and am actively looking for a replacement. Something with 8 inches (perfect manga reading screen size) and somewhat decent specs and build quality that comes with Android and ample security patch timeline.
Basically I'm waiting for something like a Galaxy Tab S7 in 8 inches. Yeah, that'd be pretty fly. No A-line please, I'd really like an S-Pen on it, especially since I'm not too certain I want to go with a foldable phone after my Note20, but I for sure want to keep using an S-Pen...
Glassed Silver said:
however I don't really trust my valuable data to Xiaomi in general, so I'd rather steer clear of that company.
I just cannot trust them. It's got nothing to do with them being Chinese, but them being at the direct whim of the CCP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rumor is: If a Xiaomi phone hears you say the word "Tibet" more than 3 times, it will explode.