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Shiny new Nexus S backup question

Is there an app like Titanium Backup for a non-rooted SNS? Do I really need to backup if I don't root the phone? I would like to backup before I start the playing (sorry for the newbie question but I am a recent convert from i****e 4).
Thanks in advance, Jeff

You can boot into Clockwork Recovery (with fastboot) and do a nandroid backup, all without flashing anything.

If you have no intentions of rooting odds are you don't need a backup app. When you first set up your phone you can check the box that will backup with google and in the event you get a new phone all your apps will be there. Anything you purchase on the market will automatically backup to your account even if you don't check off the box. Welcome to Android, I'm sure you will enjoy your experience.

icandy75 said:
If you have no intentions of rooting odds are you don't need a backup app. When you first set up your phone you can check the box that will backup with google and in the event you get a new phone all your apps will be there. Anything you purchase on the market will automatically backup to your account even if you don't check off the box. Welcome to Android, I'm sure you will enjoy your experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank icandy75 for the quick reply. Is that data (pics, contacts, bookmarks, etc.) and apps if I check the box? Is the backup encrypted or passworded? BTW I am currently using a Samsung Intercept for the last 5 weeks with 2.1 and temporary root so I really like Titanium Backup to wipe data and being able to reverse things. Can the backup to Google do anything like that, I am suspecting not.
P.S. So far the experience has been wonderful even after using iPhones for 3.5 years.

shrivelfig said:
You can boot into Clockwork Recovery (with fastboot) and do a nandroid backup, all without flashing anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. I assume these are not as robust and flexible as Titanium Backup. Is it inevitable that I will really just want to root to get better apps? Sorry but new to the wonderful world of Android. BTW I am only going to use the SNS via WiFi for now.
Thanks for the info., help and advice,
Jeff

jefftab11 said:
Thank icandy75 for the quick reply. Is that data (pics, contacts, bookmarks, etc.) and apps if I check the box? Is the backup encrypted or passworded? BTW I am currently using a Samsung Intercept for the last 5 weeks with 2.1 and temporary root so I really like Titanium Backup to wipe data and being able to reverse things. Can the backup to Google do anything like that, I am suspecting not.
P.S. So far the experience has been wonderful even after using iPhones for 3.5 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pics are not backed up but you can back those up manually to you computer without root. Contacts are backed up to your Gmail account for easy access. It will also back up your wifi passwords but not your sms. There really is no reason not to root on this phone. It's very easy to do and reversible plus root gives you the ability to use a bunch of apps like TB. If you get into flashing roms I would suggest getting the paid version. It makes it a breeze to switch from one rom to next and gives you a few more options like dropbox sync and the ability to freeze apps.

use mybackup pro for backups if you dont have root.
backs up all sms, mms, android home, system settings, call logs, music playlists, bookmarks, dictionary, call logs, applications (doesnt back up the data/settings inside the app). lol am i missing something?
you can save the backups online or to your sd card

Yeah, My Backup pro is the only other app that I know of that people liked for non-rooted devices.

Clockwork Recovery Backup
I know this thread is about a month old, but...
I have to say, if you want to do any rooting or ROM flashing later the Clockwork Recovery backup is probably the better way to go.
It wasn't said earlier, but if you have adb and fastboot already installed/config'd on Ubuntu (but should be the same commands on Mac OSX - not sure about Win):
Code:
adb reboot-bootloader
fastboot boot <path to recovery file>/recovery-clockwork-herring.img
I already unlocked my bootloader prior to this, so all the data I have has been wiped previously and I reloaded manually.
Vol Down to "backup and restore" and hit power button. First option is Backup. Just hit power button and let it do the backup. This may take a bit of time. The recovery is not perm and will be gone when you reboot.
The backup is stored on your "SD" partition under "clockworkmod/backup/[backup date]"
You should be able to use the same thing to restore at a later time if needed, selecting "restore" instead of the "backup" option.

There is a app on the market called* backup everything*. I've never used it but description says works for non rooted phones.

takkun1946 said:
I know this thread is about a month old, but...
I have to say, if you want to do any rooting or ROM flashing later the Clockwork Recovery backup is probably the better way to go.
It wasn't said earlier, but if you have adb and fastboot already installed/config'd on Ubuntu (but should be the same commands on Mac OSX - not sure about Win):
Code:
adb reboot-bootloader
fastboot boot <path to recovery file>/recovery-clockwork-herring.img
I already unlocked my bootloader prior to this, so all the data I have has been wiped previously and I reloaded manually.
Vol Down to "backup and restore" and hit power button. First option is Backup. Just hit power button and let it do the backup. This may take a bit of time. The recovery is not perm and will be gone when you reboot.
The backup is stored on your "SD" partition under "clockworkmod/backup/[backup date]"
You should be able to use the same thing to restore at a later time if needed, selecting "restore" instead of the "backup" option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify commands, specifically for Mac OSX:
(These commands are assuming you've downloaded this file (http://www.mediafire.com/?qoz9f6e8fbx8zs0) and unzipped it to your desktop)
Code:
~/Desktop/adb-fastboot/adb reboot bootloader
Code:
~/Desktop/adb-fastboot/fastboot oem unlock
Code:
~/Desktop/androidsdk/tools/fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-3.0.0.5-crespo.img

Full phone backup without root

Did anyone try to backup the way suggested in this thread?
It'd be great, if it worked: a full backup (apps, settings, everything) without needing to root. I'm trying this right now, but when the phone prompts me to allow backup I tap on the "allow backup" button but it's if it weren't tapped (nothing happens, not even the tapping animation).
Someone tried this?
Edit: it would also allow access to some files that are unaccessible without root...

nor-ric said:
Did anyone try to backup the way suggested in this thread?
It'd be great, if it worked: a full backup (apps, settings, everything) without needing to root. I'm trying this right now, but when the phone prompts me to allow backup I tap on the "allow backup" button but it's if it weren't tapped (nothing happens, not even the tapping animation).
Someone tried this?
Edit: it would also allow access to some files that are unaccessible without root...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried by running the various adb backup options manually on Stock 2.21, but haven't had much luck, although got further than you. It will get part of the way through the backup, but silently errors out after a few packages and shows backup complete (when I know it isn't). Removing a problem app just results in it failing on the next one. On my Nexus 7 it works as expected, so there may be a bug in the stock version. Would be interesting if someone with CM or anything non stock could comment.

will1987 said:
I've tried by running the various adb backup options manually on Stock 2.21, but haven't had much luck, although got further than you. It will get part of the way through the backup, but silently errors out after a few packages and shows backup complete (when I know it isn't). Removing a problem app just results in it failing on the next one. On my Nexus 7 it works as expected, so there may be a bug in the stock version. Would be interesting if someone with CM or anything non stock could comment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree, would be interesting to see if the issue is related to HTC rom.
I've read on the Nexus 7 subforum that a user is stuck at my same point. I wonder what's causing this...

I had no luck either, although it has been awhile since I tried. I thought I read something on the original documention that made it sound like I wouldn't have any luck. Forget what it was now--

I was able to get this to work with my wifes stock unrooted one s (still on android 4.03 and sense 4.0).
in developer options you need to specify a password BEFORE you start the backup and enter that password on the "full backup" start screen.
i also couldnt get it to create a file for the backup in C:\ so i created a folder, and put it in there, but made sure to check permissions and that the folder was not read only.
I havent restored the data yet, but actually getting the backup file and it being an appropriate size (about 680mb), i would say i am optimistic about the results.
I will report back after i root and update the OS.

[Q] Need help restoring a backup taken from Helium

I've taken a backup of all the app data with Helium (checked "Backup app data only") via my laptop's browser (connecting to the local IP address of the server) and now, after unlocking bootloader, flashing TWRP, and gaining root I need to restore it.
(I've posted this at the Help thread, but since it seems to be more than a simple question I'm migrating it here.)
To sum what I've done so far:
How I've taken the backup:
Opened Helium Server via my laptop's browser and selected all the apps, checked the "Backup App Data Only" and then clicked backup, it asked me where to save the zip file, clicked ok and now I have a backup of about 80MBs.
Now I want to restore the backup, what I've done:
Installed Helium
Connected it successfuly with my laptop running run.sh script
Opened helium and selected settings and then the 1st option (sth about PC), so I got the local address of the Helium server
Accessed the server via my laptop's browser and clicked browse to select my backup file
It said uploading and after that the list of all the apps showed up, clicked the Restore button
At the phone, the Backup/Restore dialog opened, a quick message showed up in this dialog about the 1st app (9gag) and then the dialog closed (not force close) with a toast notification saying "Restore starting..."
After that I got a message at my laptop's browser that "Restore complete" although no such thing happened
So, what can I do now?
Is there any way to manually restore the apps via adb restore now that I don't have an ab file? Actually I don't care using GUI, I just want to proceed restoring the backup, I've seen these threads here and here but I have a zip file, not an ab.
Does helium backup uses adb backup and then this tool to convert the ab file to zip?
Really frustrated that this has taken up so much time..

I have never used or even heard of Helium before today. But I looked it up and read the description. One of the points said "You may need to set your USB Connection Mode to "PTP". (Nexus 7, Nexus 10, etc)". Did you do that?
And maybe you should try Titanium Backup if you havent before. It works Flawlessly.

jsgraphicart said:
I have never used or even heard of Helium before today. But I looked it up and read the description. One of the points said "You may need to set your USB Connection Mode to "PTP". (Nexus 7, Nexus 10, etc)". Did you do that?
And maybe you should try Titanium Backup if you havent before. It works Flawlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've asked at the help thread for a backup application without having root (because Titanium needs root) and they recommended this one.
Yes, it's connected via PTP
I've also tried testing with the app a little bit, here's what I got/done:
Installed an app
Taken a backup of this single app checking the "Backup app data only"
Restored the backup via the browser client (at my laptop) and it said "Restore starting...", but also "Restore finished", but there wasn't any prompt to install the application from Google Play
I've also sent an email to the developer..

pspuser007 said:
I've asked at the help thread for a backup application without having root (because Titanium needs root) and they recommended this one.
Yes, it's connected via PTP
I've also tried testing with the app a little bit, here's what I got/done:
Installed an app
Taken a backup of this single app checking the "Backup app data only"
Restored the backup via the browser client (at my laptop) and it said "Restore starting...", but also "Restore finished", but there wasn't any prompt to install the application from Google Play
I've also sent an email to the developer..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive looked into the app a little bit more and watched the video. I'm starting to get interested in the app. lol. You said you backed up app data only. Maybe you need to download the app first.

jsgraphicart said:
Ive looked into the app a little bit more and watched the video. I'm starting to get interested in the app. lol. You said you backed up app data only. Maybe you need to download the app first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it says at the option "Backup app data only" that "You will be prompted to download the app from Google Play before restoring.", so something surely goes wrong. Maybe I've hit a bug, I don't know. I hope I get a prompt reply from the devs team.
Also, I've tried doing that with viber and it didn't work. So I've browsed through /sdcard/Android/data/ and here's the result of
Code:
ls -l
.
Note that the only non standard package is
Code:
com.ninegag.android.app.tmp
, which is probably the one that flashes when I click restore just before the app goes off focus and posting the toast notification "Starting Restore...".

pspuser007 said:
Well, it says at the option "Backup app data only" that "You will be prompted to download the app from Google Play before restoring.", so something surely goes wrong. Maybe I've hit a bug, I don't know. I hope I get a prompt reply from the devs team.
Also, I've tried doing that with viber and it didn't work. So I've browsed through /sdcard/Android/data/ and here's the result of
Code:
ls -l
.
Note that the only non standard package is
Code:
com.ninegag.android.app.tmp
, which is probably the one that flashes when I click restore just before the app goes off focus and posting the toast notification "Starting Restore...".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well just to see, download an app first and then restore the data and see if it works. If it does, then its just not prompting you to download the app.

jsgraphicart said:
Well just to see, download an app first and then restore the data and see if it works. If it does, then its just not prompting you to download the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing happened :/

pspuser007 said:
Nothing happened :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With my lack of experience with the app, I dont know what else to say. I guess just wait and hope you hear back from the dev. Sorry

Total shot in the dark, but I saw some mention earlier that Helium (maybe adb-backup itself?) has issues running on a PIN-locked device. Maybe try disabling your phone security before doing the restore? It can't hurt to check, at least.
I had an issue on another device, where an adb backup with a password showed similar problems on restore -- "starting restore" then immediately "restore complete" or whatever, without actually writing any files. Making a new backup without a password "fixed" this -- the restore actually worked. Not sure if that helps you at all, since your old data is already gone

[Q] Backed up with Halo, then rooted. Now I can't restore.... help!

Hi Everyone.
I'm new to the smartphone world having just upgraded from my 2003 Nokia bar phone about 12 months back. I chose android because I wanted to control app permissions, because I don't trust any company with my information. Anyway, long story short, when I finally got around to clamping down my apps (thanks facebook) I found out I needed to root the phone to control their poor behavior !!
Reading up, I learned that changing bootloader would wipe back to factory default, so I used Halo Backup (a simple gui using adb) to do a full backup so I wouldn't lose my contacts, apps, or message history. I successfully got TWRP and SU working, but when I try to restore the backup.ab file I made (1.6 GB) , I'm having big issues.
When I start to restore, I will be prompted to unlock my phone and input password, but then the restore lasts for only 1 second and says complete! (Nothing in fact was restored.) I tried to skip the gui and use adb through cmd prompt, but the same issue persists.
Can anyone please suggest what I should do? I am very upset about the idea of losing all my contacts, txt history, apps, data, simply because I can't restore the backup I made!!
Thanks!

[Q] "adb restore" leaves stuff out

I am trying to restore files back to my reset OnePlus One using "adb restore <file>" but while the restore happens without error, some files/folders are not restored. I have checked the backup file and the files and folders are present in the backup file, yet adb restore does not restore them
My backup is created with this command:
adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all -system
And I try to restore with this:
adb restore backup.ab
Especially in the /sdcard/Android/data are a lot of files and folders missing and apps are not getting restored to their working state.
How do I restore the backup properly? Do I have to push every single file/folder to the phone manually?

Never mind. I just noticed that the backup files did not care to backup the /sdcard/Android folder and I have lost all files.
Why is it so impossible to make a proper backup on Android?
I am so close to ditching android just because I cannot get a working backup/restore to work!
And no, my phone is not rooted as rooting erases my files. Chicken and egg problem. I really hate android here.

"adb restore" didn't restore any of my accounts! I am so very pissed about android right now. Such a "mature" platform and no working backup/restore.
Plenty of tools offering to make backup/restore, but the all require me to erase all data (root) making the backup moot. And those tools that do not require root cannot backup anything besides what "adb backup" offers to back up (which is more miss than hit).
I am really envious of Apple users here. They have perfect (so it seems) working backup and restore.

... and I cannot add the missing accounts because they are already created. So, none of my accounts were restored and even though all accounts are actually there, none of them can synchronize as they are not there.
And all this trouble just to fix non-working MMS which turned out not to work after a reset anyway. I hate really hate android. So f...... unreliable.

I seriously cannot recommend anyone to use adb backup/restore. This will totally mess up your phone. Copy files manually and write down all your accounts (type/username/password/all settings) create them manually afterwards. "adb restore" cannot restore accounts.

If everything is lost at this point might as well root now and use titanium backup or parcel in the future? Not sure if parcel can backup accounts, titanium backup can though
Sent From Lollipopified Bacon Goodness!

ek69 said:
If everything is lost at this point might as well root now and use titanium backup or parcel in the future? Not sure if parcel can backup accounts, titanium backup can though
Sent From Lollipopified Bacon Goodness!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed

galmok said:
And no, my phone is not rooted as rooting erases my files. Chicken and egg problem. I really hate android here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why didn't you just connect to your PC and copy your files across? Or at least research the phone before you bought it or started using it? If you unlock the bootloader when you receive the device the wiping that occurs during the unlocking process is a non-event.
There's no reason to "hate Android" because of this situation. There are several ways to make backups on an Android device, you just failed to unlock your device at the correct time. Just trying to put it into perspective a bit here.
Transmitted via Bacon

timmaaa said:
Why didn't you just connect to your PC and copy your files across? Or at least research the phone before you bought it or started using it? If you unlock the bootloader when you receive the device the wiping that occurs during the unlocking process is a non-event.
There's no reason to "hate Android" because of this situation. There are several ways to make backups on an Android device, you just failed to unlock your device at the correct time. Just trying to put it into perspective a bit here.
Transmitted via Bacon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot copy everything to my pc. Accounts for instance cannot be copied. Same with system settings, Wi-Fi passwords and some apps do not survive the adb backup/restore (like Waze that enters a crash loop) and other apps just vanish. This system is not user friendly. There is no way I could make anyone I know accept this phone if they knew they couldn't back it up. They know nothing about rooting but they will not accept a non-working backup.
I at least tried (hard) to make a backup and restored it back and that was a horrible experience. I cannot help wondering why Google hasn't arranged android to have working backups. Apple has it and it seems near perfect compared to android.

galmok said:
I cannot copy everything to my pc. Accounts for instance cannot be copied. Same with system settings, Wi-Fi passwords and some apps do not survive the adb backup/restore (like Waze that enters a crash loop) and other apps just vanish. This system is not user friendly. There is no way I could make anyone I know accept this phone if they knew they couldn't back it up. They know nothing about rooting but they will not accept a non-working backup.
I at least tried (hard) to make a backup and restored it back and that was a horrible experience. I cannot help wondering why Google hasn't arranged android to have working backups. Apple has it and it seems near perfect compared to android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google does have backups, in the settings menu. Most of the system settings are backed up (and even if they weren't it should only take a total of ten mins to set them up again). Apps are backed up and downloaded again on a fresh install. It all works perfectly if you know what you're doing.
Transmitted via Bacon

timmaaa said:
Google does have backups, in the settings menu. Most of the system settings are backed up (and even if they weren't it should only take a total of ten mins to set them up again). Apps are backed up and downloaded again on a fresh install. It all works perfectly if you know what you're doing.
Transmitted via Bacon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except I have apps that are not on Google Play. I cannot backup my Wi-Fi passwords and am forced to let Google keep a copy. And there are so many settings that 10 minutes is far from enough to find them all and fix them. And the point is, I shouldn't have to. I should be able to make a backup, preferably compartmentalized, and restore the sections I want, if not all. And it should be 1 tool.
Also, following a reset, the phone will begin reinstalling apps from Google Play and what happens if I begin adb restore at the same time? I didn't want to find out and let it install. But when some games use 1.5GB of storage, that takes a long time. Would be much faster if I knew I could use adb restore.
Oh well, I will have to accept the horrible backup/restore solution for this phone, but I really am envious of the backup/restore for iOS devices.