Hello community!
I think this is the best place to ask this question as this is a forum of default for all developers.
Why is Android not providing backup of app data?
On iOS, factory reset and restore is a breeze. The process is extremely simple, and there is absolutely no user intervention required after a factory reset. iOS simply puts everything in its place as if nothing happened. Same is true for macOS, WatchOS & iPadOS. This is just a wonderful implementation. The only limitation is if an existing app is no longer available on the Apple AppStore. In that case, the app data would still remain in the cloud (or iTunes backup), and can be easily restored if the app (.ipa file) is backed up using iTunes (or similar 3rd party software).
Can someone answer why the same is not available on Android, despite it being the more versatile software?
As far as I know, backup over ADB isn't reliable. And more importantly, ADB isn't for everyone.
Thanks.
android is google. there exist native backup option to backup app data in google drive. adb backup is androids native backup option. it will save apps data to PC and can restored even to other devices.
so your question should be, why android provides solution to app developers protecting their app data from backup.
aIecxs said:
android is google. there exist native backup option to backup app data in google drive. adb backup is androids native backup option. it will save apps data to PC and can restored even to other devices.
so your question should be, why android provides solution to app developers protecting their app data from backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The native backup solution doesn't backup most of the apps data. As a result, most things must be setup from scratch after a factory reset. The process isn't automatic and requires plenty of manual work. This is clear from the numbers below:
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Size of actual backup:
It is clear that most apps are not backed up, and only a very few apps' data is included, which I believe is mostly Google stuff.
That said, why does Android allow developers to prevent their apps' data from being backed up? This doesn't make sense because the data belongs to the user, not the developer of the app.
what you don't understand app data can be perfectly backed up. it's just the app developers they decide whether it's allowed or not. It's controlled in AndroidManifest.xml
android:allowBackup="true" API level < 30
android:debuggable="true" API level > 30
https://developer.android.com/about/versions/12/behavior-changes-12#adb-backup-restrictions
btw your screenshots refer to EXTERNAL_STORAGE
https://developer.android.com/training/data-storage
aIecxs said:
what you don't understand app data can be perfectly backed up. it's just the app developers they decide whether it's allowed or not. It's controlled in AndroidManifest.xml
android:allowBackup="true" API level < 30
android:debuggable="true" API level > 30
https://developer.android.com/about/versions/12/behavior-changes-12#adb-backup-restrictions
btw your screenshots refer to EXTERNAL_STORAGE
https://developer.android.com/training/data-storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On iOS, the backup doesn't include apps' own data (those that are required for the app to run properly), instead only the data that the app has collected from the user, such as settings, login credentials, etc. So that when the user restores a backup, everything simply works like nothing happened. And this includes crucial apps like Banking apps too.
During the restore process, the system downloads the apps automatically from the Store that comes with the entire database, libraries and other files that the app needs to run properly, which isn't part of the backup. The user doesn't have to worry about any of these things as the system handles EVERYTHING automatically.
I don't understand why App Developers should have a say in whether the user specific data that they collect and store in their working directories should be part of the backups. That data belongs to the user and as such only the user should decide whether it needs to be backed up or not, just how it is in iOS.
On Android, where does the app save all of user configurations and files?
I think we can track it down to simple rule.
if you wanna have control and responsibility about your phone in your hands, use android.
if you don't care a f** about what's stored in cloud - buy iPhone
aIecxs said:
I think we can track it down to simple rule.
if you wanna have control and responsibility about your phone in your hands, use android.
if you don't care a f** about what's stored in cloud - buy iPhone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You missed an important point: on iOS, user decides whether his data that is collected by an app should be backed up to the cloud or not. You get to control what to backup, and what not to backup. If user chooses to save in the cloud, Apple is pretty good in keeping that data secure. Most cases of breach are users' own stupidity.
With Android, it is absurd that the app developers make this decision for the users. And you are saying one should use Android if he wants to take control of this. I don't see a simple or reliable way to do that.
Yes because Android is highly customizeable. I know how to backup my data. There exist TWRP, Migrate, Titanium, and I never used any cloud. Btw the last thing I would backup is /storage/emulated/0/Android this is the first directory I always delete, and I never lost any app data (although I don't know what obb really contains as I never played games, used WhatsApp or any other memory wasting stuff)
It's okay if it is absurd to you, but sure it's not a technical reason. I have linked the documents explaining. To me it would scare me to dead if my device would re-install everything and becomes in the exact same state as before factory reset
TheMystic said:
The native backup solution doesn't backup most of the apps data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you give example app please, let's do reality check
It's simple, main reason is GDPR, cmiiw
Data needs to be separated between application data (config, everything that is not stored any customer/user/client information) and user's data (login sessions, anything that might compromise customer/user/client information).
For most application data, it can be safely assumed, google, huawei, or any third party software, can back it up, stores it in any kind of their backup storage (cloud, ftp, you name it), and restores it as they wished. However, as the user's data, they cannot. At least without user's consent. And it's because of GDPR.
And @Alecxs is correct. Imagine if someone can restore your data in their phone, and then they were identified as you, imagine the horror. If you think no it's impossible, think again. If you think Apple is secure and that's not possible, think again.
And now, why many backup apps exist in play store that can do that? Simple, they don't provide any kind of agreement that they will store your data in their storage, it's always in your local storage or your own cloud storage (dropbox, drive, you name it). And because there isn't any clear protocol from android to do so (separated backup between application or user data), most of them needs to be operated under root.
aIecxs said:
Yes because Android is highly customizeable. I know how to backup my data. There exist TWRP, Migrate, Titanium, and I never used any cloud. Btw the last thing I would backup is /storage/emulated/0/Android this is the first directory I always delete, and I never lost any app data (although I don't know what obb really contains as I never played games, used WhatsApp or any other memory wasting stuff)
It's okay if it is absurd to you, but sure it's not a technical reason. I have linked the documents explaining. To me it would scare me to dead if my device would re-install everything and becomes in the exact same state as before factory reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Less than 2% of Android users install a custom recovery and/ or root their device. And a much smaller number use ADB to take care of a few things on their non-rooted device. I'm talking about backup solution for the remaining over 98% users.
Pretty much everyone knows how to backup their stuff. It's just that there is a lot of work to do and requires patience. An automated backup solution helps in saving plenty of time and unnecessary work for the user.
There are, however, some situations where the user is helpless. I was playing a game for a long time, spent a good amount of money on in-app purchases, and when I bought a new phone, there was no way to transfer all that stuff. That game provided no means (either using Google Play Games or Social Media integration) to backup the user account. I wrote to the developer several times, but never got any response. I even complained to Google, but nothing happened for a pretty long time. I stopped buying stuff in that game. Many months later, the developer finally allowed saving game data to Google Play Games. Although I could now move my stuff to my new device, it was just too late. I lost interest in that game. In my case, I still had the old device with me, and working fine. So I could save all my details to Google Play Games. Imagine if someone lost their device, or broke it, or sold it...for them all that money spent in that game would be gone.
'As with your scare me to death' statement, I think you haven't understood how backup & restore works on iOS. iOS will wipe everything on your phone, do a fresh installation of the OS, download all your apps again, and then restore user settings, login credentials, etc, which pretty much takes care of EVERYTHING. The user has no work to do here. But the system is fresh, and all the junk built up over time by both the system and the apps are now gone! It is NOT a system image and restore that will bring everything back, including the unwanted stuff. So your device isn't actually in the exact state like before. It is much leaner, cleaner and much more efficient. The exact same thing happens when you migrate to a new device. Only the things that matter are migrated, the rest are not.
Do note that the user has full control over which apps to backup, and therefore, which ones will be restored/ migrated.
aIecxs said:
can you give example app please, let's do reality check
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I factory reset my Android phone, the backup will only restore call logs, sms, contacts, and a few basic stuff. It will also download all my apps from the Google Play Store. But here ends the similarity. Beyond this, the user has to setup every app from scratch, with the exception of a few like Google's and Microsoft's cloud based apps. User also has to setup all the permissions for apps from scratch. There is a lot of work involved, which can be easily avoided if Android provided an automated way of getting this done.
User configuration files and login credentials belong to the user. You haven't explained why app developers can choose whether this information can be backed up or not. To me, it seems like Android has a big limitation in the way it is designed, and so is unable to provide a simple backup solution that takes care of these things like in iOS.
x3r0.13urn said:
It's simple, main reason is GDPR, cmiiw
Data needs to be separated between application data (config, everything that is not stored any customer/user/client information) and user's data (login sessions, anything that might compromise customer/user/client information).
For most application data, it can be safely assumed, google, huawei, or any third party software, can back it up, stores it in any kind of their backup storage (cloud, ftp, you name it), and restores it as they wished. However, as the user's data, they cannot. At least without user's consent. And it's because of GDPR.
And @Alecxs is correct. Imagine if someone can restore your data in their phone, and then they were identified as you, imagine the horror. If you think no it's impossible, think again. If you think Apple is secure and that's not possible, think again.
And now, why many backup apps exist in play store that can do that? Simple, they don't provide any kind of agreement that they will store your data in their storage, it's always in your local storage or your own cloud storage (dropbox, drive, you name it). And because there isn't any clear protocol from android to do so (separated backup between application or user data), most of them needs to be operated under root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GDPR? Seriously?
Is GDPR not applicable to Apple?
And GDPR is not about backup and restore. It is about collecting user data without authorization AND using it for purposes that benefit someone else.
For the purposes of backup, all data remains with the user account and not used for any purpose other than to restore the same to the user's device(s), subject to credentials verification.
By your logic, there cannot be any cloud based solution either, including emails!
As mentioned before, Apple is pretty good in taking care of their cloud services. And so is Google. Most cases of breach have been found to be a fault at the users' end. Someone keyed in their credentials in the wrong place and then complained that their account is compromised, their photos have been leaked - not Apple's fault.
TheMystic said:
it seems like Android has a big limitation in the way it is designed, and so is unable to provide a simple backup solution that takes care of these things
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please give me example app pkgname so I can double check
aIecxs said:
please give me example app pkgname so I can double check
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can take any app on your phone which isn't cloud based. Take the file manager app for example. I have set up several remote connections on my file manager. There is no way this information will be restored from the stock Android backup. I will have to setup all remote connections again if I were to uninstall this app and reinstall it. Same holds true if I factory reset my phone or migrate my information to a new device. Android will only reinstall the app for me automatically. I will have to setup all remote connections manually, AND also setup all the custom configurations for the app that I have setup in System Settings.
Only if the app itself provides a built-in way to export all the configurations, will I be able to export them and import it back after a factory reset/ migration. Even then, the configurations (or permissions, etc) for the app under System Settings must be redone manually on Android.
can you please provide pkgname (or google play link) of your file manager, so I can double check?
aIecxs said:
can you please provide pkgname (or google play link) of your file manager, so I can double check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because this is applicable for all non-cloud based apps which are the majority, I don't have to be specific.
But, since you asked, here are a couple :
1. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alphainventor.filemanager&hl=en
2. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en
okay I am not going to test crappy google one backup on my daily driver, as I don't want to safe my phone to cloud for reason.
Haven't checked Nova Launcher but for File Manager I can say android:allowBackup="true" is allowed in AndroidManifest.xml, so adb backup and restore of app data will work (I can test it later)
Not sure what you mean with non-cloud based apps, are you trying to say these apps can't backed up from google drive? If so, who decides if an app is "cloud based" or not?
aIecxs said:
okay I am not going to test crappy google one backup on my daily driver, as I don't want to safe my phone to cloud for reason.
Haven't checked Nova Launcher but for File Manager I can say android:allowBackup="true" is allowed in AndroidManifest.xml, so adb backup and restore of app data will work (I can test it later)
Not sure what you mean with non-cloud based apps, are you trying to say these apps can't backed up from google drive? If so, who decides if an app is "cloud based" or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of the important/ critical information are already in the cloud for almost everyone. This includes emails, photos & videos, documents, etc. for those who use Cloud Storage (which is pretty much everyone, with an exception of an insignificant minority, insignificant being purely in terms of numbers).
Which also means that all login credentials are already with the service providers in encrypted form, in the cloud. So there isn't really anything critical in the app backups that isn't already there in the cloud. App specific configurations don't come under critical information, and as such all that data should never leave the device, unless it is part of the system backup. More importantly, that data belongs to the user, and there is no reason app developers should have a say in whether that should be available for backup or not. It simply shows that Android is most likely limited by its flawed design on this issue.
Pretty much everyone uses the built-in Backup feature provided by Google, and it makes sense to use that over others like Samsung Cloud because a Google backup is available on all brands of Android devices. I haven't used Samsung Backup or other OEM specific backups, but I guess they are pretty much the exact same like Google Backup, the only difference being the service provider.
By cloud based apps, I mean apps that save all data in the cloud, e.g. Gmail, Outlook, Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. Apps like file managers, launchers, clipboard managers that don't use a cloud, firewall apps, etc that work locally are the apps whose data must be backed up to the cloud. Again, by app data I mean the user configurations (e.g. remote/ cloud connections set up in a file manager) and login credentials that belong to the user, and not the app or its maker.
user configurations (e.g. remote/ cloud connections set up in a file manager) and login credentials for com.alphainventor.filemanager can backed up, I don't see a problem here besides the fact the app developer seems to agree with your opinion and does allow it (there are good reasons for app developers to deny, I can give you example if you want)
lets stay at facts, regardless of your opinion post #2 applies. Android is providing backup of app data
aIecxs said:
user configurations (e.g. remote/ cloud connections set up in a file manager) and login credentials for com.alphainventor.filemanager can backed up, I don't see a problem here besides the fact the app developer seems to agree with your opinion and does allow it (there are good reasons for app developers to deny, I can give you example if you want)
lets stay at facts, regardless of your opinion post #2 applies. Android is providing backup of app data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please, adb doesn't come under official backup feature provided on phones. ADB, root, custom recovery, etc. are for a niche of users who are an insignificant minority of the user base.
So, Android needs to provide a way or redesign itself where it's Backup & Restore function is just as seamless and effortless, as it is on iOS.
Do let me know what 'good reasons' app developers have to opt out of data backups. Hope they do realise that no one is interested in the app specific stuff, they only care for their own configuration files. And those who do, they know how to root and extract all app data.
Related
Has anyone been able to get this working with Root? I install fine, enter my pin and it goes through but since I have root it doesnt sync. Im running liberty, any suggestions
matt1313 said:
Has anyone been able to get this working with Root? I install fine, enter my pin and it goes through but since I have root it doesnt sync. Im running liberty, any suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Checking for root is configurable by your IT area. My account is not setup to check for root but I have had other problems. Can you easily unroot and reroot your device so Good would work except for the rare times that you actually need root? One problem I have had is the initial setup would never complete (stops at retrieving policies) unless I go back to stock eclair, get it working and back it up via Titanium backup, then upgrade to Froyo or GB, and then restore it. Mine continues to work via root though. The other problem I have had is if I ever restore to an earlier state (using the same PIN), it will stop syncing. I need a new PIN issued to get it working again.
I'm reading that IT admins can lock your phone camera, wipe SD card, etc.
What other kinds of things can they do once "Good for Enterprise" is installed on your personal phone?
Nate2 said:
I'm reading that IT admins can lock your phone camera, wipe SD card, etc.
What other kinds of things can they do once "Good for Enterprise" is installed on your personal phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was involved in piloting "Good for Enterprise" for my company. I do know that the possible "controls" vary depending on the platform. Good for Enterprise on the IPhone will have much more control because the devices (hardware) and OS are very limited compared to Android. Keep that in mind as you read some of these items if they don't mention which platform. Also, the Good application would have to be granted root access to your phone "I believe" in order to do any of the items you mentioned. If you are running a custom ROM and have the "SuperUser" app, you would see if it had that access. I "think" it will be very hard for Good to implement some of those controls unless the Android OS provides an API for it because the underlying hardware can vary so much. I'm not a developer but I think that is correct.
Also, if you work for any decent sized company, they will be very concerned about the legal aspects of company provided software deleting (or even reading) personal information outside the "Good container". I mention the word container because Good provides encryption of everything within the app so it can not be read by anything outside the app (such as root explorer). I have successfully backed up and restored the encrypted data to another ROM but it is just bits to Titanium Backup or anything else. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions on it that I might be able to answer. I know the admin for Good for our company that I could ask other questions.
I'm reading that the installation can detect jailbroken iPhones and rooted Android devices, and if the IT admins decide, they can configure it to refuse installation on such devices to prevent compromising Good's security/integrity of its resources.
(I'm not rooted, and don't plan to root my DroidX, so it is a moot point for me)
I heard from Verizon that IT admins can remotely control hardware components, including cameras, Bluetooth and IR ports, SD Cards, and more.
Things I'd like to know... can IT admins:
Track/monitor internet usage on the device?
Track/monitor GPS usage?
Copy non-Good related resources (e.g. files) from the device or SD card?
Lock the device?
Locate the device?
Wipe non-Good related resources?
Does the Good app send device System Logs to the IT folks?
Phone call logs?
App Permissions:
YOUR ACCOUNTS
ACT AS AN ACCOUNT AUTHENTICATOR Allows an application to use the account authenticator capabilities of the AccountManager, including creating accounts and getting and setting their passwords.
MANAGE THE ACCOUNTS LIST Allows an application to perform operations like adding, and removing accounts and deleting their password.
SERVICES THAT COST YOU MONEY
DIRECTLY CALL PHONE NUMBERS Allows the application to call phone numbers without your intervention. Malicious applications may cause unexpected calls on your phone bill. Note that this does not allow the application to call emergency numbers.
NETWORK COMMUNICATION
FULL INTERNET ACCESS Allows an application to create network sockets.
YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
READ CONTACT DATA Allows an application to read all of the contact (address) data stored on your device. Malicious applications can use this to send your data to other people.
READ SENSITIVE LOG DATA Allows an application to read from the system's various log files. This allows it to discover general information about what you are doing with the device, potentially including personal or private information.
WRITE CONTACT DATA Allows an application to modify the contact (address) data stored on your device. Malicious applications can use this to erase or modify your contact data.
PHONE CALLS
READ PHONE STATE AND IDENTITY Allows the application to access the phone features of the device. An application with this permission can determine the phone number and serial number of this phone, whether a call is active, the number that call is connected to and the like.
STORAGE
MODIFY/DELETE USB STORAGE CONTENTS
MODIFY/DELETE SD CARD CONTENTS Allows an application to write to the USB storage. Allows an application to write to the SD card.
SYSTEM TOOLS
RETRIEVE RUNNING APPLICATIONS Allows application to retrieve information about currently and recently running tasks. May allow malicious applications to discover private information about other applications.
PREVENT DEVICE FROM SLEEPING Allows an application to prevent the device from going to sleep.
YOUR ACCOUNTS
DISCOVER KNOWN ACCOUNTS Allows an application to get the list of accounts known by the device.
HARDWARE CONTROLS
CONTROL VIBRATOR Allows the application to control the vibrator.
NETWORK COMMUNICATION
VIEW NETWORK STATE Allows an application to view the state of all networks.
VIEW WI-FI STATE Allows an application to view the information about the state of Wi-Fi.
SYSTEM TOOLS
READ SYNC STATISTICS Allows an application to read the sync stats; e.g., the history of syncs that have occurred.
AUTOMATICALLY START AT BOOT Allows an application to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the device and allow the application to slow down the overall device by always running.
KILL BACKGROUND PROCESSES Allows an application to kill background processes of other applications, even if memory isn't low.
Sent from my unrooted DroidX using XDA App
I've been using EVO CM7 nightlies for quite a while now and never had issues with Good for Enterprise. With last 3 versions of nightlies, Good hasn't worked. When trying to reinstall Good, it says there is no phone network when trying to register. When looking at Device Info in Good setup screen, it doesn't have a phone number. Tried clearing, data, all cache, etc.
Is anyone else having this issue? It's like CM7 is not sending the phone string to Good when calling it.
A coworker also uses CM7 (not nightlies) and has no issues with Good on EVO. The phone number shows up in Good device info on his EVO.
I had the same problem, but I'm luckily an admin at our company on the good software. After messing around with it... this is what I had to do.
1. Uninstall Good from your phone on CM7 (Must be uninstalled at first for this to work....)
2. Reboot into Recovery and make a Nandroid Backup
3. Wipe the both Caches and Data, Install a Sense Rom
4. Install Good Mobile and have you admin resend you the email to enroll your phone
5. After entering the code and entering a password.. the Good will try to pull emails... kill the good app before this.
6. With Titinium Backup, backup Good and its Data.
7. Reboot into recovery.
8. Wipe the both Caches and the Data... Recover your previous CM7 Nandroid backup.
9. In CM7 launch Titanium backup and restore Good Mobile and its Data.
Worked after that... this way Good would communicate with the phone during the enrollment... which for some reason with CM7 it doesn't work... and just complains about not being connected to your mobile network.
Coincidentally I've just put up another post relating to IMSI numbers which was prompted by Good refusing to activate as some devices are reporting the same 1st 6 digits of their IMSI rather than the full 15 that Good uses to authenticate the license relative to the specific SIM card the license is for. Has anyone else come across this issue with Good?
matt1313 said:
Has anyone been able to get this working with Root? I install fine, enter my pin and it goes through but since I have root it doesnt sync. Im running liberty, any suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine quit syncing after the first day. I had to upgrade my personal unlimited data plan to a corporate/enterprise data plan for an additional $15/month with Verizon, and reinstall Good.
Sent from my unrooted DroidX using XDA App
Sievers said:
I had the same problem, but I'm luckily an admin at our company on the good software. After messing around with it... this is what I had to do.
1. Uninstall Good from your phone on CM7 (Must be uninstalled at first for this to work....)
2. Reboot into Recovery and make a Nandroid Backup
3. Wipe the both Caches and Data, Install a Sense Rom
4. Install Good Mobile and have you admin resend you the email to enroll your phone
5. After entering the code and entering a password.. the Good will try to pull emails... kill the good app before this.
6. With Titinium Backup, backup Good and its Data.
7. Reboot into recovery.
8. Wipe the both Caches and the Data... Recover your previous CM7 Nandroid backup.
9. In CM7 launch Titanium backup and restore Good Mobile and its Data.
Worked after that... this way Good would communicate with the phone during the enrollment... which for some reason with CM7 it doesn't work... and just complains about not being connected to your mobile network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I previously had a similar problem that I mentioned above - on custom FROYO ROMs it would stop at retrieving policies but flashing to stock eclair, I could finish the setup (and let all current emails come in) and then backup via TB, flash to custom FROYO, then restore and it would be all set. However, when I recently reinstalled Good on Continuum 5.5, I decided to try to let it complete the setup and it did with no problem. I only tried that since my IT admin setup "self-service" for me. I can access a link where I can send a new PIN for my account since it can easily stop syncing. The PIN goes to your corporate email so it is safe to allow.
@Nate2 - sorry I didn't see your post previously. Yes, there are Good policies that can be setup to detect "jailbroken" IPhones, etc. At my company, Good on Android is still not a standard offering because corporate policies are limited to what they can do on Android due to the numerous OS and hardware combinations. However, I have been pushing simply putting trust in the Good encryption (AES 256 if I remember right). Looking at the permissions of the app makes it look at first glance like it can do anything. However, I don't think it is as extensive as it seems. The only "data" outside the Good container that can be read by the app "to my knowledge" is the contact info. This is because your IT administrator can allow Good to sync corporate contact info (in Good) to your phone's contact info. This allows you to easily see who is calling (rather than a phone #) if it is one of your corporate contacts. Although it can access (modify/delete) SD contents, it doesn't say "Read". I don't think I am "reading" too much into that... For internet access, I know Good is working on adding in internet access (from inside the Good container) so browser access is allowed. I am "guessing" this is mostly for IPhones, etc. where the IT admin could stop internet access outside the Good container. That way they could control internet access on a "corporate" device. This is speculation on my part, though. I do think it can send device logs which is required "I think" to detect root access. Look over all the permissions listed keeping in mind READ access to system logs and contact info only and it seems to fit. Therefore, I think they probably can detect that you enabled/disabled GPS but I "doubt" they can detect where you went since I don't "think" that goes in system logs that they pull. If you still have any question, send me a PM since I don't frequently check this thread.
Thanks RichMD.
I once worked in a large company where a sysadmin was fired for accessing the corporate e-mail of an employee (his ex-girlfriend). She reported the incident to HR. Possible access to additional sensitive resources on the phone makes these kinds of incidents worse, and that's why we should be cautious.
Sent from my unrooted DroidX using XDA App
I've just got a Nexus S after having a Desire for 6 months but how would I transfer over my app settings? I know that once I log in with my Gmail account, this'll transfer over a lot but there are other things like system preferences, app preferences, game saves etc that probably won't.
I haven't rooted my phone - I've customised it extensively (as much as possible without rooting) and don't want to root and lose that now as that defeats the purpose of this migration. So I can't use Titanium Backup or most of the other backup options.
Could I just copy everything from my SD card, transfer that to a computer, and then transfer that to the internal memory of the Nexus?
Any help would be much appreciated.
you can only transfer user apps + settings
no system settings
Ah ok so leaving system preferences alone, would I transfer the apps and settings by moving the entire contents as-is from my Desire SD card to the root folder of the Nexus? Are the only things stored on internal memory system settings/preferences?
sort of...
do a full backup using titanium backup
then copy over the titanium backup folder from your Desire to SNS
then when you run TI on SNS, make sure to select only restore "User Apps + User Settings"
Ah, I haven't rooted my Froyo Desire - is there any way to transfer without rooting?
The Desire's going to someone who isn't going to want root privileges as they'll want OTA updates without flashing custom ROMs.
that wont work then
all the apps available on market that lets you do full backup requires root
the ones that does not requires roots, does not save your settings, it only saves the APK
That's quite a large oversight by those developers that don't back up to the cloud in that case. I understand the limitations posed by not having root privileges, but for many end-users that is going to put an unnecessary sting in migrating between Android phones.
Thanks for the info AllGamer.
developers can't do much about it.
it's the OS security limitation, if you have no root, you can't get access to the settings data which are protected by default if you are not rooted
sandeepg said:
That's quite a large oversight by those developers that don't back up to the cloud in that case. I understand the limitations posed by not having root privileges, but for many end-users that is going to put an unnecessary sting in migrating between Android phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cloud backups are not the only way. An application could also export settings to sdcard and be able restore them.
I think that Google should also draw some guidelines and even integrate them in the framework to ease the life of the developers and users.
Why not put something like:
/sdcard/backup/<packagename>.settings
When this file was present and no settings in the phone (new install/clean data) a dialog could popup asking if the user would want to import the settings.
Google should also allow to backup this files (basically the contents of each app data) from the settings menu. It could be on demand and/or scheduled.
Security risks aside, migrations would be easier.
by all means you can report this issue to Google and make it a BUG or FEATURE REQUEST. then it'll be a matter of time before enough people STARTs it and flags it as a high priority item for Google to have it integrated
DoomFragger said:
Cloud backups are not the only way. An application could also export settings to sdcard and be able restore them.
I think that Google should also draw some guidelines and even integrate them in the framework to ease the life of the developers and users.
Why not put something like:
/sdcard/backup/<packagename>.settings
When this file was present and no settings in the phone (new install/clean data) a dialog could popup asking if the user would want to import the settings.
Google should also allow to backup this files (basically the contents of each app data) from the settings menu. It could be on demand and/or scheduled.
Security risks aside, migrations would be easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I notice that if you want to backup an app and it's data, the apps that do this require root.
This has largely never been of concern to me as usually within a week of a new phone I've rooted and installed a custom ROM.
But now I need Good for Enterprise on this phone so rooting is not an option. But this inability to now backup data is beginning to annoy. It seems to me as a lay person that this should be a basic feature especially if you want people to have a good experience when they upgrade their phone.
Does Google have a good reason for having designed the OS in this manner?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk
milomak said:
I notice that if you want to backup an app and it's data, the apps that do this require root.
This has largely never been of concern to me as usually within a week of a new phone I've rooted and installed a custom ROM.
But now I need Good for Enterprise on this phone so rooting is not an option. But this inability to now backup data is beginning to annoy. It seems to me as a lay person that this should be a basic feature especially if you want people to have a good experience when they upgrade their phone.
Does Google have a good reason for having designed the OS in this manner?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its mainly for security purposes. If apps were able to read the data of other apps just like that (without acquiring root access from the user) then it'd be quite easy for a malicious app you installed on accident to read the data from that banking app you have installed. And you wouldn't even know until its way too late.
I suppose one could argue that Google could implement it in such a way the backup apps would need to seek permission from the user before reading the data from other apps, but seeing that most users barely pay attention to what it is that they're granting permission to....its probably better to leave it out altogether.
On a final note though, maybe Google would rather have you store your precious & valuable data on their servers instead. As they do offer backup options for your contacts, calendar, passwords, and even certain app's data.
So how does iOS get around this or does the vulnerability you talk about exist?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk
milomak said:
So how does iOS get around this or does the vulnerability you talk about exist?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've not used iOS in a while so I really don't know. I sincerely doubt iOS has apps that can backup data though. Seeing that they're only just getting a file manager in iOS 11.
milomak said:
I notice that if you want to backup an app and it's data, the apps that do this require root.
This has largely never been of concern to me as usually within a week of a new phone I've rooted and installed a custom ROM.
But now I need Good for Enterprise on this phone so rooting is not an option. But this inability to now backup data is beginning to annoy. It seems to me as a lay person that this should be a basic feature especially if you want people to have a good experience when they upgrade their phone.
Does Google have a good reason for having designed the OS in this manner?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the Helium app, it's worked for others but as always, your mileage may vary.
Also, the built-in Google backup feature in system settings should backup apps and data then after updating the device(s), during setup wizard, it should prompt asking if you want to restore apps, data and settings from the Google backup.
But....
If you leave the devices on stock firmware and un-rooted, then during stock updates you should only have to wipe the cache partition. Factory reset shouldn't be necessary if you're only updating stock, wiping only the cache partition during/after flashing/updating should be all that you need to do. This should update your device(s) system and leave all your settings and other data intact.
You can also try using a file manager such as ES File Explorer on android to create backups of the apps you installed (this will not work with system apps), in ES File Explorer, the backed up apps will be in sdcard/backups or storage/emulated/0/backups, or something similar. You can copy those apk backups to PC then look in internal for storage/emulated/0/Android/data folder, this folder contains folders for all of your installed apps that store app data, the names of the individual folders should correspond with the app it stores data for. You can copy these folders to PC.
To restore these apps and their data, copy the backed up apk files to your internal to the folder of your choice, then go to system settings>security>unknown sources and turn it on so you can install your apps from the apk files you backed up instead of from Google or PlayStore. Then using a file manager on android, go to the folder you copied the apk files to and click on them to install them from there, then copy the folders containing your app data to your storage/emulated/0/Android/data folder then reboot, you may have to boot to recovery and wipe the cache partition (do not factory reset, only wipe cache). This method may or may not work depending on the app being restored.
I'm not an iOS user but as far as I know, iOS is strictly dependant on Apple/iTunes, you just about can't do anything with iOS that doesn't involve iTunes, including backups probably.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Any help will be much appreciated.
I have to install an app which I don't trust, but which requires too many permissions, which obviously I am not keen on giving the app. For reasons beyond my control, I can't name the app (it's a work thing).
My idea is to create a new user on the phone, (OnePlus2) and install the app for that user only. Would this stop it from being able to access the data under my own user, and restrict it to only read the data available for the new user for which it is installed?
It requires permission to: (just incase this info helps)
Draw over other apps
Take pictures and videos
Find accounts on the device
Approximate location, precise location
Read SMS/MMS, Send & View SMS/MMS
Modify or delete contents of USB storage
Read contents of USB storage
Read phone status and Identity
Any other solution I should look at? Or will this work just fine?
Cheers!
No way I would install that. Not on a device I use. Unless I had full control over the source code for the apks. I could see some uses.
But to answer your question, I think that should work. I don't have much experience with the details of extra users on the device bit you can look it up on the Google developer site.
That should be enough.
For good measure, I Tried Doing this on my Moto G4 Plus. I created a new user and installed Drupe and Textra. And here is what happened.
1. The New User did not have access to my contacts, call records or SMS
2. The old user could not see these two apps.
since the gallery is tied to photos on the Moto, the users could not see each other's photos.
UPDATE: I just saw an app on another thread that may work for you. - https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/closed-beta-test-incoming-companion-app-t3366295
So, as of Android 12, rightfully so: https://developer.android.com/about/versions/12/backup-restore
For apps running on and targeting Android 12 and higher:
Specifying android:allowBackup="false" does disable backups to Google Drive, but doesn’t disable D2D transfers for the app.
Specifying include and exclude rules with the XML configuration mechanism no longer affects D2D transfers, though it still affects Google Drive backups. To specify rules for D2D transfers, you must use the new configuration covered in the next section.
So, is there a way to use adb or something else to access this functionality so that we can make PC backups of app data?
This is the 1 Achilles Heel of Android: you can't make backups of all app data.
I want to make an Android app or PC app that makes use of this D2D app-data transfer functionality so that users can backup their app-data with ease and peace-of-mind.
Read this review of the companion app for this feature that Google has for Pixels.
At least I think this is the app for that and it doesn't look too good:
Data Transfer Tool - Apps on Google Play
Restore apps and more from an old phone
play.google.com
That being said, this might be just that one app and other OEMs might simply elect to not have these restrictions, but it's something I had been wondering myself for a while when I read that Google chooses to replace adb backup with a function that's curiously not called a backup anymore, but a transfer tool.
It's not that uncommon for stipulations like these to be the difference between a backup and a transfer.
Definitely something to look out for.
Not allowing easy and complete app-data back-ups is user-hostile.
iOS isn't perfect but much better about this because it allows complete backups via iTunes or Finder.
And, I think this Data Transfer Tool app is either Pixel-only or that OEMs implement it or include it themselves directly.
I agree, it is very hostile and I'm honestly puzzled why backups that are transferable within various Android flavors at least for third-party apps aren't legally required of Google by now.
The EU is going ahead to mandate that all charging ports on mobiles should have the same standard when there are already only 2, but this **** is allowed to fly?
Absolutely ridiculous and out of touch.
Too bad I care about long-term support in terms of security patches and features like a usable pen (S-Pen), otherwise I'd be on some Xiaomi phone where apparently complete backups are a reality.
Glassed Silver said:
Too bad I care about long-term support in terms of security patches and features like a usable pen (S-Pen), otherwise I'd be on some Xiaomi phone where apparently complete backups are a reality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Xiaomi beat Smart Switch and grab the app-data of apps that don't have that backup boolean set to true?
Smart Switch grabs the app-data of all apps that have that backup boolean set to True. And, you can backup to an external HDD via a USB-C hub also. This beats Google hands down.
iOS has been doing this since forever. I don't understand the delay in implementing this very basic feature. No apps should be allowed to bypass this requirement.
nixnixnixnix4 said:
So, is there a way to use adb or something else to access this functionality so that we can make PC backups of app data?
This is the 1 Achilles Heel of Android: you can't make backups of all app data.
I want to make an Android app or PC app that makes use of this D2D app-data transfer functionality so that users can backup their app-data with ease and peace-of-mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this:
[TOOL][ADB][WIN]Android Partitions Backupper / Cloner
Hi all, wrote a Windows CMD script that backups / clones partitions of an Android device via ADB because I wasn't content with any 3rd-party APK what claims to do this job. The backups /clones are stored on Windows computer as...
forum.xda-developers.com
jwoegerbauer said:
Try this:
[TOOL][ADB][WIN]Android Partitions Backupper / Cloner
Hi all, wrote a Windows CMD script that backups / clones partitions of an Android device via ADB because I wasn't content with any 3rd-party APK what claims to do this job. The backups /clones are stored on Windows computer as...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you can grab the app-data as a restorable package, the way adb does, this won't make life easier.
nixnixnixnix4 said:
Does Xiaomi beat Smart Switch and grab the app-data of apps that don't have that backup boolean set to true?
Smart Switch grabs the app-data of all apps that have that backup boolean set to True. And, you can backup to an external HDD via a USB-C hub also. This beats Google hands down.
iOS has been doing this since forever. I don't understand the delay in implementing this very basic feature. No apps should be allowed to bypass this requirement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read yes.
Xiaomi being a Chinese company I guess they just don't give much of a toss about what those app devs think should be happening to the app data, which in this instance is a good thing for the user, however I don't really trust my valuable data to Xiaomi in general, so I'd rather steer clear of that company.
I just cannot trust them. It's got nothing to do with them being Chinese, but them being at the direct whim of the CCP.
Actually same for Huawei where I have to admit to still own a MediaPad 8.4 for manga reading, but I'm really picky about what I put on there and am actively looking for a replacement. Something with 8 inches (perfect manga reading screen size) and somewhat decent specs and build quality that comes with Android and ample security patch timeline.
Basically I'm waiting for something like a Galaxy Tab S7 in 8 inches. Yeah, that'd be pretty fly. No A-line please, I'd really like an S-Pen on it, especially since I'm not too certain I want to go with a foldable phone after my Note20, but I for sure want to keep using an S-Pen...
Glassed Silver said:
however I don't really trust my valuable data to Xiaomi in general, so I'd rather steer clear of that company.
I just cannot trust them. It's got nothing to do with them being Chinese, but them being at the direct whim of the CCP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rumor is: If a Xiaomi phone hears you say the word "Tibet" more than 3 times, it will explode.