ADB Backup is soon to be depreciated and for a good reason - it doesn't actually work. I think Google's "Good Drive Backup" is similar to ADB Backup, but I am not sure because I don't know how to download Google Drive Backup files onto Windows PC. I can see that it is there, but it doesn't allow me to download it like other files. I would like to keep those Google Drive Backups somewhere other than Google Drive because it backs up Wi-Fi passwords and other sensitive data.
DirtyAngelicaSecured said:
ADB Backup is soon to be depreciated and for a good reason - it doesn't actually work. I think Google's "Good Drive Backup" is similar to ADB Backup, but I am not sure because I don't know how to download Google Drive Backup files onto Windows PC. I can see that it is there, but it doesn't allow me to download it like other files. I would like to keep those Google Drive Backups somewhere other than Google Drive because it backs up Wi-Fi passwords and other sensitive data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, but I don't think it's possible, since there aren't any option in Google Drive. Plus the save file may be encrypted by Google before storing it on Google drive so even if you had that file you'd also need the encryption key.
Sorry but to me, it's not possible.
DirtyAngelicaSecured said:
ADB Backup is soon to be depreciated and for a good reason - it doesn't actually work. I think Google's "Good Drive Backup" is similar to ADB Backup, but I am not sure because I don't know how to download Google Drive Backup files onto Windows PC. I can see that it is there, but it doesn't allow me to download it like other files. I would like to keep those Google Drive Backups somewhere other than Google Drive because it backs up Wi-Fi passwords and other sensitive data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backups stored by Google are meant to be flashed or installed directly to the device from the drive, not to be downloaded separately to another storage device.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Related
So I just got an HTC One, and I'm trying to restore some of my app data (mostly save games... note I do NOT want a full backup that's why I used Helium because I heard it can backup specific apps only) from my old Nexus 4. Since I didn't pay for Helium Premium, I just copied the carbon folder (I assume that is where it's storing the backups) from my Nexus 4 and transferred it to the PC. I then plugged my HTC One and copied the carbon folder in the root of the Internal Storage.
However, when I click "Restore" on Helium on my HTC One, it says it cannot detect any backup files. I also tried manually copying the files from carbon to the data folder and overwrote the files there, but when I start the game it still sends me to the beginning as if I started from scratch. Should I put the carbon folder elsewhere or something? I really need help because I do not want to start these games from the beginning again
Same issue here, except I use a Nexus 7 and only this Nexus 7. Used Helium to make a backup of some apps, stored the folder on my PC. Completely reset the Nexus 7 and transferred back the folder but Helium doesn't see the carbon folder with backup apps in it. If I backup a new app it does place the backup in that specific folder...
Helium restore issues
I had the same issue as you both. I fixed it the hard way. I had to download and install each app that I wanted to restore (from Play store). I started each app (so that Helium would see them) without any configuration. Then I did another backup of all the apps I wanted. I then copied all of the .ab files from the original backup to the new backup folders. Restore... voila!
gmouser said:
I had the same issue as you both. I fixed it the hard way. I had to download and install each app that I wanted to restore (from Play store). I started each app (so that Helium would see them) without any configuration. Then I did another backup of all the apps I wanted. I then copied all of the .ab files from the original backup to the new backup folders. Restore... voila!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is probably the most fool-proof solution. I do have a question about text messages, though. Everything else seemed to work (thanks for this solution, definitely helpful to at least confirm data). Anyways - the one thing I can't seem to figure out is how to restore text messages (com.android.providers.telephony.ab) - I've tried to do it as a whole app using the PC interface, tried copying the folder as a replacement via Android File Transfer to the 'carbon' folder, etc.
When I try to restore via helium server, it quickly shows me everything as restored but I don't see the messages. When I try to do it manually (e.g. force copy), I don't see an option under "Restore and Sync" to actually select messaging.
Am I missing something stupid / obvious? The raw data seems to be there (for example, call logs were uploaded just fine, text messages seem to have an issue).
--Dan
So I came up with a solution based on what works for others. Why this works when it didn't previously is beyond me, but hopefully someone else can use it if individual parts of their Helium backup don't work properly (in theory it should work for any app / SQL dataset). The whole point of Helium is that we're running non-rooted phones and so Titanium Backup or the like aren't applicable. For reference, I'm running an N4 to OSX 10.7.x
1. Use the Helium Server to create a full backup.
2. Wipe phone or whatever you need to do (I had to do a factory reset for Google since it's an N4 and my proximity sensor is dead).
3. Install the apps you had previously via Play Store (pain in the a**).
4. Run Helium server and upload the backup data.
5. Update apps as needed (should be auto but who knows for individual stuff).
6. Check app data in apps. Texts are obviously easy to see for me. Hopefully everything restored nicely for you here.
***Now for the bit for people who got corrupted restores.
7. Unzip the backup file on your computer, select the .ab files that correspond to the missing / corrupted restores and then zip those into a new file on your computer (for step 9). Keep these files handy in unzipped form as well for step 10.
8. Perform a new Helium backup of those sections onto the internal SD card (yes it will be blank, worry not).
9. (Optional step): Run Helium server and upload that new zip file (with the stuff that didn't make it) alone. Try restore. Unlikely to work but worth a shot.
10. Running Android File Transfer, find the SD card, find the folder 'carbon' and then find the corresponding sub-folders that have the modules that were corrupted. Replace the SD card backups of the broken modules with the good ones from your computer.
11. Run Helium restore again, but only for the sections you want (I swear, for me Messaging didn't show up the first few times but after step 10 it did).
12. Wait, hoepfully it works well. I would reboot after running the restore to a) kill Helium and b) confirm functionality.
FWIW, my telephony.ab was 1.8MB and took SIX hours to restore. Seriously. Yeah yeah, that's a lot of texts but six hours? I've since added "SMS Backup & Restore" to my phone and will probably just use that, map out my phone layout and functionality and just manually replace apps from now on since most data is in the cloud. You lose some stuff, but prima facie it's boat tons easier.
Hopefully that helps someone else who had the same issues.
Best,
--Dan
please tell me the manual way,it doesn't restore sms backup and showing error in restoring subway surfers app
bfettd said:
So I came up with a solution based on what works for others. Why this works when it didn't previously is beyond me, but hopefully someone else can use it if individual parts of their Helium backup don't work properly (in theory it should work for any app / SQL dataset). The whole point of Helium is that we're running non-rooted phones and so Titanium Backup or the like aren't applicable. For reference, I'm running an N4 to OSX 10.7.x
1. Use the Helium Server to create a full backup.
2. Wipe phone or whatever you need to do (I had to do a factory reset for Google since it's an N4 and my proximity sensor is dead).
3. Install the apps you had previously via Play Store (pain in the a**).
4. Run Helium server and upload the backup data.
5. Update apps as needed (should be auto but who knows for individual stuff).
6. Check app data in apps. Texts are obviously easy to see for me. Hopefully everything restored nicely for you here.
***Now for the bit for people who got corrupted restores.
7. Unzip the backup file on your computer, select the .ab files that correspond to the missing / corrupted restores and then zip those into a new file on your computer (for step 9). Keep these files handy in unzipped form as well for step 10.
8. Perform a new Helium backup of those sections onto the internal SD card (yes it will be blank, worry not).
9. (Optional step): Run Helium server and upload that new zip file (with the stuff that didn't make it) alone. Try restore. Unlikely to work but worth a shot.
10. Running Android File Transfer, find the SD card, find the folder 'carbon' and then find the corresponding sub-folders that have the modules that were corrupted. Replace the SD card backups of the broken modules with the good ones from your computer.
11. Run Helium restore again, but only for the sections you want (I swear, for me Messaging didn't show up the first few times but after step 10 it did).
12. Wait, hoepfully it works well. I would reboot after running the restore to a) kill Helium and b) confirm functionality.
--Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know super old thread - Just wanted to thank you for the above. Before migrating to a new Nvidia Shield I used Helium to backup to my Mac - however when I tried to restore onto the new device it kept saying "Invalid backup file" (Any idea why?) Anyway, you're approach saved me! Yea bit of pain to download all the apps again first, but at least this above worked, so thanks!
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.
Hello all,
I've been searching this topic for a few weeks, and have yet to find a viable solution. I want to grab some files out of the app caches on the data partition of my Pixel 2. I don't necessarily want to root it, because I have no desire to modify anything, just want to view some stuff.
I've tried several backup apps - which have either failed because they need root, or "backup disallowed". I've also tried adb using pull, backup, cp, shell, etc. It seems a bit backwards to unlock the bootloader, wiping the device of the very data I'm trying to extract. It's been frustrating to not be able to access one's own personal data ?
Any ideas? Thank you.
+1 I'd love to have this answer as well. All my passwords are in Twik (Play store app). I don't think Google is backing up app data (or are they?). If I ever decide to flash the Pixel 2, I'll have to re-type all my websites, plus the private key. Twik is one of the few apps I rely on that isn't cloud based. I suspect the answer is there's no way on an unrooted android device.
Speaking of Google backing up app data, Google android says it can restore app and app data, but in my experience, unless the app uses cloud based data, it ain't happening. So why do they claim to backup app data? I suppose they are refering to Google apps, as of coarse, Google does keep your Google app cloud data anyway, so you'll have it restored when you log back into your android device.
You could try using Helium for backing up data. Even without root, if you follow the instructions (download the file to a Windows box and connect the phone to it) Helium should work.
Rukbat said:
You could try using Helium for backing up data. Even without root, if you follow the instructions (download the file to a Windows box and connect the phone to it) Helium should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I tried that once. But without root, it skips anything that has it's backup flag set to "false". Unless you know a way to trick it ?
I backed up my WhatsApp messages both to Google Drive and to the SD card, and flashed an AOSP ROM without Google apps.
However, when I copy over my WhatsApp backup it tells me it found a backup from 1/1/70 of 0kb, and then gives the following error:
Sorry, we were unable to restor any of your message history backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the WhatsApp FAQ it basically says you need to be logged into the same Google account and use Google Play Services.
Is there any way to restore a backup without Google Play Services, or am I just SOL with my worthless backup?
I guess in that case best I can do is extract the backup from Google Drive, just for archive purposes.
I wish to fully backup a list of apps (including their private data) to restore them all quickly on a new ROM after a clean-flash.
In the past I could use `adb backup` for this, but since Android 12, they deprecated this command (it'll be removed soon) and this command is no longer able to backup the app's private data.
Is there anything else I can use, on a rooted device?
I would prefer using a command from command line, rather than an App: this way I can save and paste the list of apps to backup, instead of having to select N apps one by one in a GUI every time.
peoro said:
I wish to fully backup a list of apps (including their private data) to restore them all quickly on a new ROM after a clean-flash.
In the past I could use `adb backup` for this, but since Android 12, they deprecated this command (it'll be removed soon) and this command is no longer able to backup the app's private data.
Is there anything else I can use, on a rooted device?
I would prefer using a command from command line, rather than an App: this way I can save and paste the list of apps to backup, instead of having to select N apps one by one in a GUI every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see Swift Backup
Swift Backup - Apps on Google Play
A simple, fast and smart backup solution for Android smartphones
play.google.com
Sorry to be a bit off topic, but I am surprised that you were able to even use that command
When I tried to use the command (yes, I tried on all my Android devices)it does not do anything and no dialog box shows up at all.
All apps I use have their own backup functions, Google backs up photos automatically, office backs up to onedrive, bookmarks back up to Google etc. and I have not run into a scenario that I have to back up any app data.
Would you like to share what type of data specifically that you want to backup? Maybe I can think of a workaround.
Nicknackpaddywack101 said:
Sorry to be a bit off topic, but I am surprised that you were able to even use that command
When I tried to use the command (yes, I tried on all my Android devices)it does not do anything and no dialog box shows up at all.
All apps I use have their own backup functions, Google backs up photos automatically, office backs up to onedrive, bookmarks back up to Google etc. and I have not run into a scenario that I have to back up any app data.
Would you like to share what type of data specifically that you want to backup? Maybe I can think of a workaround.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a number of apps which don't back stuff up automatically and reinstalling and reconfiguring all of them takes quite a bit of time:
Slide for Reddit: I have 4 different accounts and logging in to all of them + reapplying the general configuration is a pain.
Bitwarden, Telegram, Keybase (and a handful others): needs to log in through 2FA and I'd rather skip that.
andOTP: needs to manually export and import its data.
CovPas: needs me to re-scan the QR codes of all my COVID vaccines.
AdAway, Yi Action Camera: they're not on the Play Store, so the APK needs to be installed manually.
I just installed a new ROM and ran into some issues (after installing and configuring everything). I need to clean-flash it again, but don't want to reconfigure everything manually. I wish to copy the current configuration as it is and be done.
Fytdyh said:
see Swift Backup
Swift Backup - Apps on Google Play
A simple, fast and smart backup solution for Android smartphones
play.google.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'd have preferred something via command line (without a GUI), so I can just paste the list of my apps and be done with it, but thiss will be a valid alternative if no CLI option is available.
peoro said:
I have a number of apps which don't back stuff up automatically and reinstalling and reconfiguring all of them takes quite a bit of time:
Slide for Reddit: I have 4 different accounts and logging in to all of them + reapplying the general configuration is a pain.
Bitwarden, Telegram, Keybase (and a handful others): needs to log in through 2FA and I'd rather skip that.
andOTP: needs to manually export and import its data.
CovPas: needs me to re-scan the QR codes of all my COVID vaccines.
AdAway, Yi Action Camera: they're not on the Play Store, so the APK needs to be installed manually.
I just installed a new ROM and ran into some issues (after installing and configuring everything). I need to clean-flash it again, but don't want to reconfigure everything manually. I wish to copy the current configuration as it is and be done.
Thanks, I'd have preferred something via command line (without a GUI), so I can just paste the list of my apps and be done with it, but thiss will be a valid alternative if no CLI option is available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are using twrp, how about a twrp backup ?
what are adb backup alternatives?
i have a lenovoA319 i wanna get involved into the root thing , so i wanna make a backup of my stock phone in case i wanted to get it back to its conditions-i dont care about warranty but i lilke to keep a copy of every thing- as adb backup doesnt...
forum.xda-developers.com
If you have adb that is root (without su) and you can adb pull data/data/com.example.app/shared_prefs/App.xml
then you can try my AdbSync.exe (in my sig).
Code:
C:\>mkdir Backup
C:\>adbsync /hscu Backup data/data /i*:*
Yeah, the /i*:* ignores the one problematic file of com.google.android.gms/shared_prefs/nearbysharing:service:state.xml
Colons don't work so hot in Windows.
Code:
C:\>adb pull data/data/com.google.android.gms/shared_prefs/nearbysharing:service:state.xml
adb: error: cannot create '.\nearbysharing:service:state.xml': No such file or directory
To restore:
Code:
C:\>adbsync /ascu Backup data/data
Fytdyh said:
if you are using twrp, how about a twrp backup ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using OrangeFox (which supports a similar backup system)... However it backups the whole /data partition, not single apps, right?
I need to reinstall my ROM from scratch because something broke (Google Maps, after installing it both via the store and by flashing the NikGapps addon) and I'm afraid that part of the misconfiguration could be in the /data partition: would prefer to only save the data of a set of selected apps.
Renate said:
If you have adb that is root (without su) and you can adb pull data/data/com.example.app/shared_prefs/App.xml
then you can try my AdbSync.exe (in my sig).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on Linux though.
xXx yYy said:
what are adb backup alternatives?
i have a lenovoA319 i wanna get involved into the root thing , so i wanna make a backup of my stock phone in case i wanted to get it back to its conditions-i dont care about warranty but i lilke to keep a copy of every thing- as adb backup doesnt...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet! That's a nice little script that seems to do what I need.
Would you know whether it's possible to pull the app's APK too? I'm not sure where/how it's stored.