Database Info

[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.

How do I delete all device contacts only?

Mom gave me her S7. Synced with Google, all my contacts are in. Now I realize there are still 2000 of HER contacts in the DEVICE storage. Some are automatically linked to MY google contacts.
How can I delete all the device contacts? If I set it to view device contacts only, select all, and delete, it says "all contacts will be deleted from linked accounts" ... doesn't this mean it will also delete the linked Google contacts?

That always trips me up too. What I actually do is make a backup of my Google account contacts. Save them safely somewhere on a computer. Then blow away all the phone contacts. If the Google contacts online are messed up I re-import the saved contacts online, then re-sync with phone. My way may be overkill, but it works for me lol. There may be an easier way.

I think I found an easier way.
1. Go to Settings > Applications > Application Manager
2. Tap More > Show System Apps
3. Scroll down to "Contacts Storage" (NOT "Contacts"), tap it
4. Tap "Storage", Tap "Clear Data"
That will delete all contacts, including Google, but then within minutes Google contacts will get restored via Sync.

Export your contacts from contacts.google.com before deleting anything, I deleted my phone contacts and lost them from gmail too (Luckily made a backup first) - but when you select contacts to be deleted it should only delete the ones you have selected, no others
Personally I would have factory reset the phone when your mom gave you it, before adding your own account
So export from gmail
Delete from phone
If all is well that's all you need to do, if it deletes them all you have your backup to import again

To some extent，Whatever data can be easily deleted from the phone, it's easy to recover on the phone, isn't it ?
As you said , how to delete contacts from Android phone , what is more that how do your make sure these deleted data can not be recovered back any more ?
You may be insterested in : https://www.safewiper.com/tutorials/android-data-eraser.html

[Completed] Contact Data getting deleted

I purchased a Moto G4 mobile phone from Amazon about 2 months ago. At the time of purchase, I already had Airtel connection. In addition, I also got R Jio connection, which I am using for Whatsup & Browsing.
I have been noticing that on day to day basis, one or the other contact details is getting automatically deleted. I imported all details from Gmail a/c. Later someone suggested that the deletion is happening because of sync with Gmail. Hence, I delinked it. Even then, this problem continues.
Just at the time of requirement, when I want to call a person Or send an SMS Or whatsup, I notice there are no details. It is becoming difficult.
I have written to Google also and no response.
Awaiting an earliest solution.
Thanks,
S. Sundaresan
+91 99020 69722

Hi there and welcome to assist,
Try this...
1. Make a full backup of your contacts. To backup your contacts use any third party app from the PlayStore. I recommend using [SMS Backup & Restore] by Ritesh Sahu.
2. Make sure you have only one main Google account syncing. If you have any other Gmail account go to settings > Accounts > click on the other accounts and remove it for now.
3. Go to settings > backup and reset > uncheck Backup my data (this will erase all of ur backups on Google servers).
4. Restart your phone and restore you contacts using SMS Backup & Restore.
5. Go to settings again > Accounts > Google > here you should see your Gmail account. On top right corner click on the three dots > Sync now. Wait until it finish syncing.
6. You can now re-enable Backup my data. Settings > Backup & Reset > Check Backup my data.
7. Re add your other Gmail accounts.
If this method didn't work try to disable the Google Contacts Sync service with Startup Manager .
You'll have to create an account to post in the main forums if you have any other questions.
> Moto G4 > Moto G4 Questions & Answers
Good luck

Backup and restore app with data

my phone is rooted, i need to backup 1 app, just 1 app. is there any way to install apk and data when switching to new rom? Can i install it via twrp? i don't want to root on new rom
Or
When i root to restore and unroot, unroot really clean? (worried about banking app, game not allow root)
Thanks

Google's backup service should be turned on by default after you set up your Android device, but you should double-check that's indeed the case. If you have trouble finding the backup settings by following the steps outlined below, use the search bar in the Settings app to find "backup."
Back up apps, data and settings​To view your backup settings, open the Settings app on your Android device and tap on System > Backup. There should be a switch labeled "Back up to Google Drive." If it's turned off, turn it on. You can select which Google account you want to use to store your backups by tapping on the Accounts option if you are signed into more than one Google account on your phone.
With backup turned on, your phone will automatically back up the following information:
Contacts
Google Calendar events and settings
Wi-Fi networks and passwords
Wallpapers
Gmail settings
Apps
Display settings (brightness and sleep)
Language and input settings
Date and time
Settings and data for apps not made by Google (varies by app)
You'll see a list of data categories under the Active Backups section, along with the last time that information was backed up. Tap a section, such as App Data, to view more information or fine-tune which apps are backed up. For example, if you tap Photos & Videos, the backup settings page for Google Photos app is automatically opened.
If you're switching from one Pixel phone to another, your home screen layout is backed up and restored. However, I've had mixed luck when restoring a back up from a Pixel to, say, a Motorola phone. Your mileage will undoubtedly vary.
At any time, you can visit this section and tap Back Up Now to manually start a backup. Make sure your phone is connected to a strong Wi-Fi network, and plug it into a charger to speed up the process. If you're upgrading phones, you should manually start a backup before setting up your new phone.
Hope this can help you!
Thanks
ProDirectKickz

prodirectkickz said:
Google's backup service should be turned on by default after you set up your Android device, but you should double-check that's indeed the case. If you have trouble finding the backup settings by following the steps outlined below, use the search bar in the Settings app to find "backup."
Back up apps, data and settings​To view your backup settings, open the Settings app on your Android device and tap on System > Backup. There should be a switch labeled "Back up to Google Drive." If it's turned off, turn it on. You can select which Google account you want to use to store your backups by tapping on the Accounts option if you are signed into more than one Google account on your phone.
With backup turned on, your phone will automatically back up the following information:
Contacts
Google Calendar events and settings
Wi-Fi networks and passwords
Wallpapers
Gmail settings
Apps
Display settings (brightness and sleep)
Language and input settings
Date and time
Settings and data for apps not made by Google (varies by app)
You'll see a list of data categories under the Active Backups section, along with the last time that information was backed up. Tap a section, such as App Data, to view more information or fine-tune which apps are backed up. For example, if you tap Photos & Videos, the backup settings page for Google Photos app is automatically opened.
If you're switching from one Pixel phone to another, your home screen layout is backed up and restored. However, I've had mixed luck when restoring a back up from a Pixel to, say, a Motorola phone. Your mileage will undoubtedly vary.
At any time, you can visit this section and tap Back Up Now to manually start a backup. Make sure your phone is connected to a strong Wi-Fi network, and plug it into a charger to speed up the process. If you're upgrading phones, you should manually start a backup before setting up your new phone.
Hope this can help you!
Thanks
ProDirectKickz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
????

zBackup - APK/Data/OBB Backup & Restore (Split Apps) (Batch Uninstaller)
zBackup helps you quickly query, export (extract) or share locally installed apps. It supports to compress the Data and OBB data in the external storage of the corresponding app into a ZIP format compressed file. Extremely useful for some games...
forum.xda-developers.com

xXx yYy said:
zBackup - APK/Data/OBB Backup & Restore (Split Apps) (Batch Uninstaller)
zBackup helps you quickly query, export (extract) or share locally installed apps. It supports to compress the Data and OBB data in the external storage of the corresponding app into a ZIP format compressed file. Extremely useful for some games...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im looking backup data/data
Not android/data

Quota and Functionality Questions related to Device Backup

I am confused about inconsistences between Device Backup on two different Pixel phones:
On my old Pixel phone, the Backup app says the backup will use Google One storage, so I do not have it turned on.
On my new Pixel phone, the Backup app doesn't mention Google One. In fact, it explicitly states that the device backup will not count towards "Drive" storage.
I'm not sure the new Pixel phone is fully patched (just took it out of the box) so it's possible the software hasn't been updated to reflect the Google One service.
I have the following questions:
Does the device backup count towards a Google storage quota or not?
Is there a difference between Google One and Google Drive?
On both devices, the device backup states that the information is encrypted before being uploaded, but it is not clear whether the backup is inaccessible by Google (can Google decrypt the backup)?
The device backup states that it will backup: apps, app data, call history, contacts, device settings (including Wifi passwords) and SMS & MMS messages. How do I restore these things on the new phone if I back them up on the old phone first?
Can I selectively restore apps and app data for only a few apps? There are some apps that are device-specific (e.g. Syncthing) where I don't want to necessarily restore the settings and app data associated with that app, because my shared folders will be located in a different place on the new phone. I would rather set up from scratch and establish my new folder locations, then allow the files to sync through Syncthing.
Thanks for any answers you can provide to these questions.
I would also welcome links to resources that explain how this works, especially vis-à-vis the new Google One branding.

With regards to "Is there a difference between Google One and Google Drive?" look inside here