Gimme the straight dope on backups - General Questions and Answers

OK nerdscape, I'm only gonna spit this once so disconnect your oculus rift headsets take off those nintendo powergloves and listen good. I don't "get" you. I find your technical jargon and whip-smart banter strange and confusing. Despite my sub-normal cognitive faculties and deficient social intelligence, I've managed to coast through life on a conventional blend of white male privilege--which I REALLY don't like to confront--and physical intimidation. The open exchange of ideas in this culture infuriates me, probably because I'm terrified that all of you are smarter than I am, but I don't have the emotional maturity to explore any of that, so instead I'm gunna vent by verbally abusing my goldfish with homophobic epithets.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, I need help figuring out a backup strategy that works for me. I recently upgraded to the Nexus 6P, but the santecmonious dweebs at Best Buy only had the 32 GB model in stock--no matter how much I yelled at them and broke everything, they just didn't have any 128 GB or 64 GB to sell. So I'm looking for the smartest way to do this right, without eating up a lot of space.
1. I have installed TWRP, TI backup and Franco Kernel. Each offers backup options--does it make sense to use more than one? How do I decide?
2. I'd like to automate backups that will quickly and easily restore my phone from nothing--call logs, text message history, app settings, system settings and user data (e.g. photographs, videos, recordings, downloads files saved by third-party apps). Basically, if I were to format all the data on my device and install android N tomorrow, I want to be able to pull something simple off the cloud that restores everything. It seems like google has the apps and contacts piece dialed, so I don't need to back any of that up.
3. I'd also like to schedule local backups, but without all the big user data files--For that much I can just count on the cloud.
Hit me

Related

Child friendly ROM

I was wondering if anyone already tried to create a ROM wich is child friendly.
I have an old Wizard that I might give to my son of 5 to play with.
I also provided a SIM card into the device so that My wife or I can call him when he is at his grandparrents. But most roms provide so many applications and to easy access to the configuration, that it is too easy for my son to screw it up.
So I was looking for a ROM that has an easy menu with BIG buttons.
Most required items requested.
Windows Live Messenger
Games (like bubbe breaker, etc...)
Dailer with only programmed pictures (so he can not call to the bahamas : )
Configuration of the device should be possible after inserting a password.
Anyone any idea?
Bror
Bump great idea!!!
I really like this idea... really like it!
I suppose that with MANILA it is possible to set the contacts programs and and everthyng... I just don't know how to password protect the settings.
How smart is your 5 yearold?
Also, I know that the wizard was built to last, but how do you know he won't drop it?
I think that you should start collecting programs and games. I think that limiting the access to the settings can be done with initflashfiles.dat OEM_LANG.provxml.
You could access the settings via activesync or pocket controler on the computer, and you could also create shotrcuts to all the settings programs on a separate storage card.
If you know of any programs that limit settings for ppc let me know. I really like this idea!!
S.V.I said:
How smart is your 5 yearold?
Also, I know that the wizard was built to last, but how do you know he won't drop it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He is smart enough to watch closely my actions and to copy them directly. Even experimenting and learning from the results. This last thing bothers me, coz I do not want to spend every night to put everything in order.
But I can assure you that he does take care for it. From time when driving I already asked him to pick up the phone and he knows to take care.
I do not think this ROM should need much fancy things...
Call firewall is nice to block unwanted incoming/outgoing phonecalls. So having this in the autostart would be fine.
A replacement for the startmenu but with a password which then gives access to the config settings... (could not yet find anything like this)
On the today maybe 2 manila buttons which is contacts and applications (just a matter of configuration)
Windows Live (so he can send voiceclips in stead of typing)
Lot's of games (sandbox, bubblebreaker)
Browser with youtube support (yes, he knows to handle youtube)
Camera ( He likes to take ugly pictures of his younger brother)
all the rest like mobile office and calculater, ... can be left away...
Of coarse a good configuration of the buttons will be important too
Do you have any idea which should be included ?
Cheers,
SirSkull
sirskull said:
I was wondering if anyone already tried to create a ROM wich is child friendly.
I have an old Wizard that I might give to my son of 5 to play with.
I also provided a SIM card into the device so that My wife or I can call him when he is at his grandparrents. But most roms provide so many applications and to easy access to the configuration, that it is too easy for my son to screw it up.
So I was looking for a ROM that has an easy menu with BIG buttons.
Most required items requested.
Windows Live Messenger
Games (like bubbe breaker, etc...)
Dailer with only programmed pictures (so he can not call to the bahamas : )
Configuration of the device should be possible after inserting a password.
Anyone any idea?
Bror
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows Live Messenger for a 5yo? Oh my...
Why not get him a mobile that was actually designed for kids of his age? I heard there is one on the market - makes calls to programmed numbers only, has a few games, plays music etc.
He fancys dad's phone and is keen on the games on it. So since I have a 2nd Wizard here where the screen is slightly scratched, I do not mind giving this to him. He knows how to use the messenger voiceclips, so when he is at home he can use messenger to chat with me. This would reduce the MobilePhone calling costs. And no, skype is no option since I am not aloowed to install this on my company pc + skype is blocked by the firewalls at my work.
Buy him a Nintendo DS. It'll be more expensive, but it'll also be a lot less work at your end, because I guarantee something awful like deleting system files will happen more often than you care to realize.
I foresee many flashings and re-flashings to this phone...
That said, I'd put a manila-flavored ROM on it, and unless you have an unlimited data plan, I'd load Modaco's NoData, lock out all data transmissions except the phone, and remove the shortcut to make NoData harder to find (along with any other settings-related functions. You can also hide the whole Settings directory in QuickMenu, and then turn it back on when you need to adjust something for him.
Parental Controls
I am thinking about givign my 13 y/o one of these as a cellphone... I have an 8925 and so does my older stepsone... MY 13 y/o needs a little more constant supervision.... I am not too concerned aobut bigger buttons and such.. but about child frendly as in parents can have some sort of parental password before the kids do certian things (like Vista does)... Say before he calls someone outside of his contacts list or adds someone to it.... makes a call after a certian time... or even limit the number of min he can use or something.. Any suggestions on any of that?
there is a way to get rid of the file explorer as well as the settings menu. without the file explorer you have no access to the windows folder... but you should also realize that you can not delete files that are in rom... however you still have access to the settings apps in the windows folder.
This is what I would do:
1: delete the shortcuts to file explorer and other program shortcuts and move them into a folder to a blank storage card.
2: set the last programs shortcut in the start menu to "total commander on this storage card. since the program can not be activated without the storage card inserted, you have no access to settings.
3. gather all of the "parental control programs" and post the cabs here on thos thread so that they can be cooked in to the rom, without the shortcuts... shortcuts can be made into a cab... or manual copy/paste shortcuts or even autorun CPY1/CPY2 to storage card upon hard reset (hardware buttons)
I think that the most important part for the parents to realize, is that the child should not be limited too much. this is an opportunity for these youths to get a first hands on experience of technology, as well as understanding of computers.
Up untill now these devices were too expesive to hand off to children, now that they have gotten old and cheap, they are perfect tools to help with a child developing their inteligence (problem solving, writing, counting, organization... etc)
there are enough repressed children without life exerience out there. no sex no drugs and no rock and roll unless it is 20 years old and have been tested and proven by Dysney Corp (who put phalic symbols in every movie)
dont be a fashist parent and keep in mind that kids need to learn from experience. I will not cook a rom that limits that.
S.V.I said:
3. gather all of the "parental control programs" and post the cabs here on thos thread so that they can be cooked in to the rom, without the shortcuts...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call Firewall v1.4 can block selected incoming and outgoing calls. It only needs a macro application in order to minimize (and maybe save) the application after it started up.
S.V.I said:
there are enough repressed children without life exerience out there. no sex no drugs and no rock and roll unless it is 20 years old and have been tested and proven by Dysney Corp (who put phalic symbols in every movie)
dont be a fashist parent and keep in mind that kids need to learn from experience. I will not cook a rom that limits that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My son is free to experiment with my second device (my wife will become angry when she would read this. She thinks I making a geek of him. I call it technological self deployment )
As a mom of twin 8 year olds...
I cannot cook, however, having 8 year old twins, I know exactly what you are asking for. My kids are techies and love to play around with my wizard, so I think it is safe to say that I understand where you are coming from.
NTS made a WM6 rom quite some time back, which is crazy stable and fast. It is a dinosaur by today's rom standards, however, my kids mess with my phone and it has yet to freak out, crap out, or anything. I would be happy to upload it for you. It is pretty minimal to begin with, and if you add HTC Home, delete a few shortcuts, add one or two programs like tcpmp and call firewall, and some games, I think it would fit your needs. This rom is NOT fancy, does not have manilla, sliders, or any real bells or whistles--it is close to 2 years old, but again, it is crazy stable and seemingly twin proof. The rom is called Jaguar 3.1 if you want to search the threads for it to read up...the links are all dead though. I still have it on my wizard, and while I have tried updated roms, I keep going back to this one because it plays well with children.
Always happy to test this Jag 3.1 Rom. Maybe we can adopt this version into WM6.1
Crazy stable, childproof= yay Jag!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=314660&highlight=jaguar
This link is for Jag 3.1 rom. The rom download links are dead, but if you want to read about it...
As far as childproof roms go, I absolutely swear by Jag!
I can upload it if you want to give it a test drive.
Looks promising... Can you make the rom available too? I'll see what my son thinks about it then.
Linky...
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SO1U6CLF
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
This is a link to the Jaguar 3.1 rom-- created by nottoosmart.
As I said, it is an older WM6 rom, without any real bells or whistles, but it is amazingly stable and kid-friendly. You can install HTC Home (the version for WM5 works best), call firewall, tcpmp for movies and cartoons (using an sd card for storage) and some games and it would be pretty much ready to go.
I do not know if Manilla will work on this rom as I have not tested it myself, but HTC Home can be customized, thanks to the program by emunutz.
It does support Google Maps, Skype, Skyfire browser and those types of "grown up" apps-- so just because it plays well with kids, doesn't mean it isn't capable of kicking ass.
Enjoy.

[Q] Android Developers, why are you treating my SD card like a garbage can?

This has been bothering me for quite a while, so I conjured a little story to help sooth my frustration.
Lets say my Android device is the new tenant of a nicely formated loft, this loft being 16gb of square space. To commemorate this new exciting space my device throws a house party. Most of the Apps he invites are pretty well behaved, but some start spilling drinks, then puking on the carpet, then having an orgy, then bukkake-ing the root directory. After discovering such acts, the device politely requests the disruptive guests force quit and leave. "I need more space on my phone." the device replied as each questioned on their way out. To his disbelief, NONE of the Apps cleaned up their mess! Even worse it seems some of the classier Apps, though more organized seem to have been influenced too. Unfortunately the device is forced to live with it, as the police force stopped responding to calls in his neighborhood. One man tries, but it always returns to a mess.
I hope that entertained someone.
i know exactly how you feel... there is at least 7 unused folders just wasting space on my phone. not to mention random mp3's hidden deep within my phone...
PhxkinMassacre said:
i know exactly how you feel... there is at least 7 unused folders just wasting space on my phone. not to mention random mp3's hidden deep within my phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you understand about the unused folders and NOT the bukkake-ing!!
hello, nice story!
I won't say that I am even close to being a developer but I do develop some apps and the thing that I wan't to point out is that apps do not run when they are installed or uninstalled. It's not each application job to clear up the mess it may have created but package manager's which apparently leaves some files be just in case you would like to reinstall the app later(?)...
I would propose to look for a more efficient package manager or doorman/janitor for your loft
That's why I don't invite the guy whos only existence is to make farting noises!
Very good point. However, one thing I don't know is if uninstalling through the market cleans up the SD card better than using a third party mass uninstall app. Something you may want to experiment with.
Back at it again...
Here I am again, and I still don't flippin get it!
After reading some of your comments I realized my main point kind of got glazed over(no pun intended @Scudderb)
My big issue is that there's no hierarchy in place for this crap. In windows, program files are stored in the 'Program Files' directory. In Android (and I credit google and the developers for this sloppy BS) Apps are just throwing all their **** in with my stuff on the ROOT.
How is this acceptable. Seriously, HOW? And if its all cache files and/or temporary documents than WHY THE **** ISN'T ALL THIS CRAP BEING PUT INTO A TEMP/CACHE FOLDER.
I'm PISSED! Why does every app I install get to put their own folder on the ROOT WITH the FOLDERS and FILES that actually matter to me ex: like my music, pictures, movies, documents (OH and by the way, a lot of apps developers do a REALLY ****ty job with their NAMING CONVENTIONS so the folders being created may or may not even look related to the app that put it there!)
::end rant::
My apologies for the colorful language, folder structure and hierarchy are something I design as a web designer so when I see this crap going on in my phone like the inmates are running the asylum... I get angry.
Today I was cleaning up my SD card for the umteen'th time, and found that Foursquare was dumping its temp files directly onto the root of my directory. I blew my top and had to get it out of my system... so..
A MESSAGE TO ALL THE APPS PULLING THESE SHENANIGANS: GROW UP!
The problem here is that it's hard to do it right
For custom data, files are supposed to be saved into "/data/data/com.appname/blah" (that's from the top of my head, could differ slightly). That's the directory to use for data files, but there's one big issue with it: it's on the internal memory storage. We all know that internal memory on Android (without custom ROMs) is.. limited. That's probably why most devs are using SD for larger files.
There's also the "Android/data/com.package_name.blah/blah" directory on the SD card. This directory should be used by apps to store files into and is automatically deleted when the user removes the associated app (but only when you're running Froyo or greater).
The issue with this approach is that users (and developers too, when testing the app) will lose all their data when removing an old version of a specific app. Let's say there's a bug with the Market again and the app suddenly gets uninstalled. User will have to reinstall, result: data will be all gone. That's only one of the many doom scenarios.
I can't speak for other developers, but that's more or less the reason why I started to use a common directory outside of the preferred ones when I was doing apps. It's not a great situation, I fully agree. But would you rather have your data accidentally deleted?
If anyone knows a good way to get around this issue, I'd love to know more about it...
orly
Thanks for the reply @Stripeymilk
I can think of multiple solutions:
#1 Development community adopts a universal directory for files deemed 'User' or 'Save' data that should be stored for future use. (or Google creates this for developers)
#2 Development community adopts the practice of allowing users to pick the directory users want to store an apps data in. (prompt at app's first start)
#3 Store files/data in the cloud.
#4 Users dump trash in the lobbys/living-rooms of developer's and see how quickly they find a solution.
#5 USE THE "Android/data/com.package_name.blah/" FOLDER WHEN ALL YOU'RE REALLY DOING IS STORING CACHE/TEMP FILES!!!
BOTTOM LINE: Its not hard to do it right, Its just hard to get people to do it.
You make it sound so easy
1) I'm all for it, but Google needs to put its weight behind an approach like that because otherwise people will say "I like /Data better than /data or /Mydata or /MyData". It's a bit like coding conventions: everyone wants to be different.
2) Good for techy people, not so good for "normal" users. Could make it easier with a small "file manager", but that's too much work for indie devs. Could be a nice idea for a new open source project though.
3) Great idea, could actually work if the associated account would be created automatically (like in Cut the Rope for Android with Scoreloop), but:
- The backup functionality in Android for storing data in the cloud is available for API level 8 and greater, making it of not so much use when you're targeting API level 5 or 6 and greater. Could be fixed by using something like Google Storage combined with Jets3t instead, but that would be useless for apps written in C++, like many games are.
- Cloud storage isn't free. Developers can't pay for that as it would be too expensive. If every Android user would've gotten free cloud storage from Google it could be a nice alternative, but (yeah, there's always a but) most current users don't have that.
4) If you're prepared to send your trash by plane to another country, go for it!
5) Agreed. Useful for temp data.
I'm not trying to make it sound easy, believe me I know how it isn't. I'm trying to make it sound simple, because really.. it is...
In response:
1) I agree and this is exactly what I mean by the real hard part is getting people to do it. This requires widespread endorsement by developers big and small - that this is a 'best practice' that should be adhered to. I think the gate swings both ways though.
example: Twitter didn't invent hash tags, their users did, and with its widespread adoption, Twitter adopted/implemented it too.
2) Another good point, though this process can be curated to drive the user in the right direction (holding their hand). The XBOX 360 does this for every game you play, the first thing it does is ask you which storage device you want to use for game saves.
example: in combination with solution # 1, the default folder the app saves to could be '/data/theAppsName' and the prompt could say "This app saves files to your SD CARD in '/data/theAppName'. Would you like to choose a new location?" [Yes] [No] [?]. The [Yes] option brings up a simple file manager, the [No] option uses that location, the [?] option brings up an easy to understand write up on what its asking and why its asking it.
3) We'll get there eventually, my point really was if you've got the resources, why not. Its a solution better than #1 and #2
4) I plan on sending human clones to create trash individually and exponentially
5) AMIRITE~!
In all seriousness though, thank you @Stripeymilk for taking the time to go in depth and have a conversation about this. I seriously think it doesn't take an act of Godogle to solve this (to what I beleive) is a big issue!
I can't agree more with you.
As developer (Windows, iSeries) I try to make my programs as structured and readable as possible. The same goes for the files and folders used used by the programs, but sadly, even with all the available resources, some people (colleagues) make a complete mess of it, cause "that's not/less important", as long as the program does what it's intended to do ...
It's all about the resources and people using them the right way!
Cool, didn't know about the hash tags on Twitter
Well, we're on a great site here with developers on it. If everyone here would adhere to the same standard, it could at least be a nice push to make the Android SD card world a better place.
What's the directory we're going to settle on? Any pros and cons?

Transfer data over to my new Mango phone?

Just got my Samsung Focus S, and I'm trying to get as much data as I can from my old Samsung Focus over to the new phone. What's the best way of doing this?
image the phone to the sdcard and then change the car.... oh wait.... wp7.... nevermind
that was fun
Bottom line, you can't get there from here.
Anything that has been copied to your PC through Zune (photos, videos, music) can be copied back to your new phone. Also, anything that is already stored in the cloud will still be available. But anything that is solely on your phone (app/game settings & saves, SMS messages, documents created by apps that don't support cloud storage, etc), will be permanently lost.
Microsoft does not provide (or even allow for) any mechanism to make a transferable backup of your device.
ohgood said:
image the phone to the sdcard and then change the car.... oh wait.... wp7.... nevermind
that was fun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea that was productive...NOT!!! go somewhere. Anyway u can't make a backup of one device and transfer it to another but u can reinstall all ur apps from the web marketplace and resync all media once reconnected to Zune. Text messages and game saves will be gone unless the games get updated for cloud saves.
Sent from my T7575 using Board Express
any chance of using that custom backup tool and then forcing a restore backup? I know the backups that Zune makes before an update store everything (sms, apps, contacts)
ScottSUmmers said:
any chance of using that custom backup tool and then forcing a restore backup? I know the backups that Zune makes before an update store everything (sms, apps, contacts)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The backup is just like a Image backup in your Windows, which means any changes after the backup is voided if you restore.
What we want is, a working backup that can backup our precious data like SMS, apps data, etc... so that we can quickly restore it after we reseted our phone or switching to a new phone...
Cheers~
weijoon said:
The backup is just like a Image backup in your Windows, which means any changes after the backup is voided if you restore.
What we want is, a working backup that can backup our precious data like SMS, apps data, etc... so that we can quickly restore it after we reseted our phone or switching to a new phone...
Cheers~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No but that's what I'm getting at. If this guy has a new phone, in theory, he'd just have to load the image of backup over the new phone's OS. Unless, Windows Phone freaks out over hardware changes like Windows does
ScottSUmmers said:
No but that's what I'm getting at. If this guy has a new phone, in theory, he'd just have to load the image of backup over the new phone's OS. Unless, Windows Phone freaks out over hardware changes like Windows does
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To further your knowledge, each backup are encrypted and unique to each phone by reading the device ID and which only restorable to that specific device.
Yeah, means if you switch to new phone, your old phone backup cannot transfer to the new phone
JustinTV773 said:
yea that was productive...NOT!!! go somewhere. Anyway u can't make a backup of one device and transfer it to another but u can reinstall all ur apps from the web marketplace and resync all media once reconnected to Zune. Text messages and game saves will be gone unless the games get updated for cloud saves.
Sent from my T7575 using Board Express
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're taking a loyalty to a phone far too seriously here mate.
wp7 could benefit from real, full os imaging, just like -any- digital device that reads/writes zeros and ones could.
imaging a device has aboslutely zero security risk, to the owner, developer of applications, or to the market (hardware) place. the unique device ID (hardware) is enough to ensure software piracy is kept at bay.
its a huge plus to the consumer:
at 3am the phone automagically images it's entire self to microSD, and deletes the oldest past 3 backups, saving two.
sms, gamesaves, offline documents, offline settings, CALL LOGS, and system updates are all in a safe, convenient place.
then just mount the microSD to your computer and copy over the phone images to your computer or encrypt and upload to a secure server.
this means destroying a phone is only a hardware loss. within 10 minutes of recieving a new piece of hardware the entire phone could be as it was before whatever damaged the previous.
how people see this as something that isn't needed is beyond me.
weijoon said:
To further your knowledge, each backup are encrypted and unique to each phone by reading the device ID and which only restorable to that specific device.
Yeah, means if you switch to new phone, your old phone backup cannot transfer to the new phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah gotcha. Didn't know that.
[/COLOR]
ohgood said:
you're taking a loyalty to a phone far too seriously here mate.
wp7 could benefit from real, full os imaging, just like -any- digital device that reads/writes zeros and ones could.
imaging a device has aboslutely zero security risk, to the owner, developer of applications, or to the market (hardware) place. the unique device ID (hardware) is enough to ensure software piracy is kept at bay.
its a huge plus to the consumer:
at 3am the phone automagically images it's entire self to microSD, and deletes the oldest past 3 backups, saving two.
sms, gamesaves, offline documents, offline settings, CALL LOGS, and system updates are all in a safe, convenient place.
then just mount the microSD to your computer and copy over the phone images to your computer or encrypt and upload to a secure server.
this means destroying a phone is only a hardware loss. within 10 minutes of recieving a new piece of hardware the entire phone could be as it was before whatever damaged the previous.
how people see this as something that isn't needed is beyond me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree. I love wp7 and will fight its corner against anything to anyone however if something is missing and needed its still missing and needed! This is one of them things just like vpn. I am 4 days from upgrading to the lumia 800 and i hate the fact i will lose all my game saves esp as some are working towards xbox live points. As i said you cant pretend something isnt needed just because its not there, this is a real shame. To me though it is like loveing my son but i do hate it when he screams at me cos i didnt give him my malteasers. Dont mean i love him any less but i would hope they sort it out. Or ay least give me some malteasers.
ScottSUmmers said:
Ah gotcha. Didn't know that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad that I can help.
ohgood said:
how people see this as something that isn't needed is beyond me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most we can do at this point is VOTE UP that feature in the windows phone feature suggestion page and MAYBE microsoft will implement it. That feature has a ****load of votes, cannot remember link. The idea is quite good.
The reason the dude commented on your post was because your initial post did absolutely NOTHING to help the OP, it only satisfied your urge to bash the platform :-/
Very unproductive.
so no way to restore from old phone ..............hmmmmm
What if Microsoft made a feature like the ones found in Windows, the Easy Transfer wizard? They could whip up a feature in Windows Phone settings as "Easy Transfer" and let the user choose how they will transfer the files and settings (wallpaper, sms, system settings, as in ALL including synced emails) from the old phone to the new one, either wifi, or at least bluetooth. EVERYBODEH HAPPEH
I wrote a data backup app for HTC phones a while ago, but nothing for Samsung yet because Heathcliff74 hasn't released a tool for getting filesystem access (like his WP7 Root Tools app does) to other devs yet. No guarantee it'd be immediatley usable anyhow though, since the Focus S seems to use different high-privilege DLLs than the first-gen phones so all our current high-privilege apps (registry editing and provxml and all) don't work yet.
just found a way to get my apps back on my Focus S
Its not quite the end all fix,
but I just bought a focus S and wanted to transfer my apps from my old focus, of course the marketplace doesn't show that I own those apps on my new phone and there's no way to transfer them in Zune, but you can do it through the windowsphone site.
if you log into your windowsLive ID at WindowsPhone.com theres an option to reinstall apps from your purchase history. you just select the phone you want to transfer to, and then you select the app or game and then it sends you a text message to reinstall the app.
its not the greatest way, but atleast you dont have to buy all the stuff over again
newtype311 said:
Its not quite the end all fix,
but I just bought a focus S and wanted to transfer my apps from my old focus, of course the marketplace doesn't show that I own those apps on my new phone and there's no way to transfer them in Zune, but you can do it through the windowsphone site.
if you log into your windowsLive ID at WindowsPhone.com theres an option to reinstall apps from your purchase history. you just select the phone you want to transfer to, and then you select the app or game and then it sends you a text message to reinstall the app.
its not the greatest way, but atleast you dont have to buy all the stuff over again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Attempting to repurchase an app will simply tell you you've purchased it before and install it for free. So the market doesn't tell you what you've bought before, but there's no risk of repurchasing either.

Struggling to find how to do a Full Backup including all Application Data to do a Recovery of deleted (accidental) files

Hi XDA members,
So I am a wiz at Apple software..... but
I have been provided with a Customers phone ( Google Pixel 3a) they have accidentally emptied the Trash Can instead of selecting the Restore option...All there photos have been deleted permanently.
I understand that the phone will need to be put into 'root' mode, but have read that rooting will wipe the phone which I do not want to happen.
My customer has got applications to do with taking regular Medication setup, and many more application that they do not want deleted with the data wiped.
Your urgent help on this matter would be kindly appreciated.....
Paul
P.s. I have installed ADB & Fastboot along with Bluestacks application but am stumped from here on in.
They are probably lost unless Google cloud gives you restore options.
Always redundantly back up critical data to at least 2 hdds that are physically and electronically isolated from each other and the PC.
It’s not my phone but a Customers well more of a friend but Customer still regardless..
I work tirelessly on Apple devices, but trying to do a big favour on this occasion with an Android.
The advanced software I use daily does not support Android devices.
In regards to Backup..I do back up everything of mine to a NAS drive…just my friends doesn’t/didn’t and their Google account doesn’t seem to show any photos of the deleted items from Trash at least..and they apparently hold precious moments that cannot be captured anymore.
My friend was trying to create a folder to put the images in, but instead deleted them then when they went to restore from the trash they ended up deleting them… no idea how they made this error with all the extra warnings that appear during the process, but that’s what they did and I’m not one to argue with a customer.
Could really do with someone being able to get my friend/customer out of this horrid situation
many thanks
Paul
At this point if the pictures are that important I would power down the phone and give it to a data recovery specialist. Any more mistakes may make recovery impossible if it is now.
Do not use online apps that claim to be able to do this!
If the jpegs that haven't been overwritten already can be recovered, it will be only the image. All file structure, exif data, time stamps, etc are lost in a sea of juxtaposed data. Only file types and file size can be searched for in the recovered data. This alone is a daunting task. The images have no time structure at all. Only memory can separate and index them back to order.
It's a rude shock... to the neat, organized data that once existed.
The magnitude of this is enormous. Even a flash card with a 120 images is a true pain to reconstruct and of limited value without the exif data. I need a stiff drink just thinking about it... always redundantly backup critical data. Never encrypt data drives.
Maybe your friend did back them up on Google at one point. Worth a shot, on a different phone/PC. Remember every second the victim phone is on is a second it can be overwriting data! Even after Backup Transport is disabled I've seen Google servers retain that data in spite of the warning to the contrary. If deleted on Google it's self... that's a question for Google.
I loathe cloud services and don't use them now.

Question New to Sammy Z flip3, question

Hey guys & gals I just received my brand new Galaxy Z flip 3, (still haven't opened sealed box yet, lol).
I was hoping someone could answer a Q concering Samsung Switch? I am coming from a Sammy note 10+, and my Q is, "does the Samsung switch app truly transfer all my content to my new phone, meaning absolutely everything?
I've used the app in the past and ran into issues where it only partially copied text messages, contacts, and files saved to my internal storage.
I guess my Q is a 2 parter, lol, if not Samsung switch is there a better, safer, more complete app that will do this? If it means using a PC program thats fine too. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and thank you all in advance!
I hoped you backed up all your critical data...
Use Contacts to make a export/import file copy of your contacts. Any app like Poweramp that allows for backup files do so. Docs, pictures, etc copy/paste from your backup source.
SmartSwitch isn't that smart; it may or may not work. Best to load the new Fold from scratch.
If you get a bad build using SmartSwitch you'll need to do a factory reset.
The odds of it not screwing up aren't that good. Something simple like contacts it can likely do ok. Apps, homepage settings probably won't end well going from the N10+ to a Fold.
Never trust SmartSwitch to backup critical data as it can fail you miserably.
Thanks for the reply very much appreciated. What process/app do you use? I was thinking of just using one of the full backup/transfer apps for pc, and just do it that way since it seems to truly back up everything, any thought recommendation?
I noticed you did mention loading the Galaxy ZF 3 from scratch, so do you recommend that versus's a total back up & transfer, bc I was thinking a lot of my setting home screens, etc. arent always going to play nice, and will just cause slowed performance, crashes, etc. any thoughts?
Thank you again for the reply I really do appreciate it, I just want to do things the right/less pain in the ass way.
I have 2 N10+'s. The oldest, running on Pie, was hand loaded and that load will be 2 yo in June, still fast and stable.
The newest is running on Android 10. I used SmartSwitch but screwed up making the SmartSwitch copy. I had intended to only copy homepage settings but inadvertently included apps. It seemed to work but it has a lag now that I need to troubleshoot. It may well be from using SmartSwitch and force me to do a factory reset I'll play with it more as it may be something simple. It's the backup for this phone, no rush.
Unfortunately with stock Samsung's SmartSwitch is their one trick pony. Unless rooted there are no cloning options. One of the major shortcomings of stock Androids. All my PC OS loads are cloned. The good news is the Android OS load can be extremely long lived with minimal maintenance if you don't update the firmware.
A clean load is important as poorly written apps can change hidden user settings and sometimes a factory reset is needed to clear them. You are what you install... I use ApkExport to save installable copies of all my apps which are known good. No Playstore needed, it makes a reload faster and more precise, no surprises.
Everything I need to do a full reload is on the SD card which in turn is backed up redundantly to hdds.
You can use a OTA flashstick to do this but also make at least 2 hdd copies of it that are physically and electronically isolated from each other and the PC. Verify data size, number of folders and that the copies are readable.
Never use encryption on backup data drives.
Never clone music or other databases that can be damaged by compression... those silly null marks matter. This is another possible way SmartSwitch may damage critical data, compression.
Very interesting, and a lot of great information I did not know, so thank you for educating me on your diffrent techniques, Sammy switch, and everything else, my phone will thank you!
Samsung Kies, SmartSwitch's predecessor was worse
ColorNote is another favorite; it allows direct hyperlinks to the browser. I use it for bookmarks and more. It allows for daily cloud, SD card backup.
This is ApkExport, it's on Playstore too.
It works with Android 9 and 10 but not sure about 11 and up. A near perfect freeware apk.
Smart Switch has changed a lot in 3 years. I wouldn't write it off before giving it a try, especially in combination with Google's own backup and restore or other solutions. The important thing is to read the options before clicking next. Exclude system apps and you eliminate the risk of corrupted settings. You are not obligated to enable every single option, but even if Smart Switch only works to copy text messages and bookmarks, Samsung is going to have much better access to those items than any third-party app.
The copy does not remove the data from the original phone, so the only harm in trying is time. You can always do a factory reset and try another way if it doesn't work out. Compared to exporting all of your apps and manually inputting the settings back into every one from the start, it seems worth even an hour to see if you can save two.
I copied from a Note 20 Ultra, so the configuration was a little closer. Obviously, a Note 10 is not going to be a near match in terms of the stock setup. Using the two methods together left me with going through system settings and a handful of apps that I had to manually set up again (mostly logins and things that really shouldn't transfer).
I have used smart switch to set up my z flip from my OnePlus 7t pro McLaren 5G and I used it to transfer my original phones contents to my warranty replacement z flip 3 and I have had no issues
luigi90210 said:
I have used smart switch to set up my z flip from my OnePlus 7t pro McLaren 5G and I used it to transfer my original phones contents to my warranty replacement z flip 3 and I have had no issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes it works, but you better be prepared if it doesn't. It's not suitable for critical data backup. Neither was Kies
twistedumbrella said:
Smart Switch has changed a lot in 3 years. I wouldn't write it off before giving it a try, especially in combination with Google's own backup and restore or other solutions. The important thing is to read the options before clicking next. Exclude system apps and you eliminate the risk of corrupted settings. You are not obligated to enable every single option, but even if Smart Switch only works to copy text messages and bookmarks, Samsung is going to have much better access to those items than any third-party app.
The copy does not remove the data from the original phone, so the only harm in trying is time. You can always do a factory reset and try another way if it doesn't work out. Compared to exporting all of your apps and manually inputting the settings back into every one from the start, it seems worth even an hour to see if you can save two.
I copied from a Note 20 Ultra, so the configuration was a little closer. Obviously, a Note 10 is not going to be a near match in terms of the stock setup. Using the two methods together left me with going through system settings and a handful of apps that I had to manually set up again (mostly logins and things that really shouldn't transfer).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You had said, "using the two methods together left mewith going....", which two methods are you referring to? Thanks!
paranoid365 said:
You had said, "using the two methods together left mewith going....", which two methods are you referring to? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way that I read it it's Smart Switch and Google backup combo
paranoid365 said:
You had said, "using the two methods together left mewith going....", which two methods are you referring to? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like @beanbean50 said. I did the two that prompt during setup. I let Smart Switch do stuff like messages and browser (excluding desktop and system), but had Google do my apps. Photos and files I copied manually. I use Smart Launcher 6, so that has its own backup and restore.
blackhawk said:
Sometimes it works, but you better be prepared if it doesn't. It's not suitable for critical data backup. Neither was Kies
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At no point did anyone say it's critical data that needed to be transferred
OP stated themselves it's basic things that OP wants that many other backup systems take care of(literally 3 of them exist on Samsung phones out of the box) unless you're a dingus and turn all that off
Google backup and Samsung backup both backup contacts, photos, videos, texts, apps, ect and having both of these systems on an older Samsung would mean that even if smart switch missed something like a few text messages, google or Samsung backup would fill in what's missing and to have both of these systems not functional would mean you disabled that on purpose
If your data is that critical and important you are already either practicing good backup practices or your company makes you auto back up to their servers. You wouldn't be using Samsung smart switch and while I understand to some people pictures of "your grandma"(not you specifically) are important and valuable, it's by no means the definition of critical data
luigi90210 said:
At no point did anyone say it's critical data that needed to be transferred
OP stated themselves it's basic things that OP wants that many other backup systems take care of(literally 3 of them exist on Samsung phones out of the box) unless you're a dingus and turn all that off
Google backup and Samsung backup both backup contacts, photos, videos, texts, apps, ect and having both of these systems on an older Samsung would mean that even if smart switch missed something like a few text messages, google or Samsung backup would fill in what's missing and to have both of these systems not functional would mean you disabled that on purpose
If your data is that critical and important you are already either practicing good backup practices or your company makes you auto back up to their servers. You wouldn't be using Samsung smart switch and while I understand to some people pictures of "your grandma"(not you specifically) are important and valuable, it's by no means the definition of critical data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That fact that SmartSwitch can corrupt a otherwise clean load is also always a risk. Do it right the first time... you know the definition of insanity, right?
blackhawk said:
That fact that SmartSwitch can corrupt a otherwise clean load is also always a risk. Do it right the first time... you know the definition of insanity, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never had that happen to me or any of the thousands of customers I have processed line upgrades for, have you considered you did something wrong or maybe your data was corrupted from the other device or maybe you tried doing everything wirelessly instead of hardwired, all of these things are factors that can cause what you're describing and then some, just the act of disconnecting the phone while data is transferring can risk data corruption
Also if you're not a dingus and you didn't turn off all the other backup systems on your Samsung, you're supposed to use Google restore to restore accounts, texts and apps and you use smart switch to move photos, videos, and other personal files over
Guaranteed to never corrupt your install but considering how many people I have just used smart switch to move their accounts and data over from one phone to another and it's never given me an issue personally or professionally, I think smart switch is gonna be fine for OP and 99% of people out there in the world
luigi90210 said:
Never had that happen to me or any of the thousands of customers I have processed line upgrades for, have you considered you did something wrong or maybe your data was corrupted from the other device or maybe you tried doing everything wirelessly instead of hardwired, all of these things are factors that can cause what you're describing and then some, just the act of disconnecting the phone while data is transferring can risk data corruption
Also if you're not a dingus and you didn't turn off all the other backup systems on your Samsung, you're supposed to use Google restore to restore accounts, texts and apps and you use smart switch to move photos, videos, and other personal files over
Guaranteed to never corrupt your install but considering how many people I have just used smart switch to move their accounts and data over from one phone to another and it's never given me an issue personally or professionally, I think smart switch is gonna be fine for OP and 99% of people out there in the world
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're entitled to your opinion. Let's see the white papers to back up that bold statement. I'm all ears.
An easy option for the lazy. It guarantees nothing...
It's not a cloned copy so there's a lot that can go wrong as it tries to merge the data.
Samsung and Google backups?
When they fail, then what? Both Samsung and Google have had hacks and lost client accounts forever. Hell Samsung can't even secure their own critical data
Meanwhile they waste power and resources, constantly in the background

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