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[Q] removing apps for later use?

Due to some warranty issues, I need to take my rooted and unlocked Captivate back to AT&T. Before I do that I must set it back to factory default. What I don't want to do is lose the programs that I painstakingly searched for and installed onto the device. Some of these I think I can't find anymore. Is there a way to remove these apk apps from the phone and store them onto my PC for re-installation later. Things like busybox installer, root explorer, Superuser permission, etc?

Downloaded apps are stored in /data/app and native apps in /system/app. This path may be different depending on your carrier and OS version. On a Samsung phone I used which was running 2.1, I think downloaded apps were in /d/apps.
If you still can't find then, try running:
Code:
find -name *.apk
. That will tell you where everything is.

Titanium Backup. Backup all user apps + data, then reinstall later. I suggest getting the Pro Key, but it isn't necessary.
If you want something a little more minimal, there are apps that backup a list of installed apps. You can save the list in HTML form. Open it with a text editor from your phone, click the link, and it takes you to the market download page.
(from... Evo/MIUI/Tapatalk)

Thanks! I have Titanium Backup Pro installed. So, I just run backup and save it to my PC, then reinstall it all later? That sounds SO easy! I hope I understood you correctly. Thanks again!

Yep. Run the backup, then move the Titanium Backup folder to your computer. Since app purchases are tied to your Google account, just reinstall TB and the Pro key from the market, move the folder back, and batch reinstall.
Almost seems too good to be true, but it isn't. I wouldn't restore system apps/settings across different roms or phones. The only system stuff I restore are wifi access points and playlists.
Good luck!
(from... Evo/MIUI/Tapatalk)

bimfi said:
Due to some warranty issues, I need to take my rooted and unlocked Captivate back to AT&T. Before I do that I must set it back to factory default. What I don't want to do is lose the programs that I painstakingly searched for and installed onto the device. Some of these I think I can't find anymore. Is there a way to remove these apk apps from the phone and store them onto my PC for re-installation later. Things like busybox installer, root explorer, Superuser permission, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple. Just do a nandroid backup and it will be saved in your sd card. If you restore it, it will restore all the apps, system settings, launcher settings, etc; it will be in the same exact state as it was before the nandroid backup. Steps on how to do a nandroid backup and restore from an earlier nandroid backup can be found here:http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/how-to-perform-and-restore-a-nandroid-backup/

[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!
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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.

Non-rooted backup of app caches on data partition?

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 ?

Question Root without phone resetting? Or backup app+it's data via adb or similar?

So I'm changing phones, but there's one app which I would have to backup including it's data. If I'd be rooted I could use Titanium Backup, unfortunately I'm not rooted.
Is there a way to root without wiping the phone or is there another way to backup the apps data (and restore) via adb or something else?

Google backup and restore is pretty good, it should restore your apps

beanbean50 said:
Google backup and restore is pretty good, it should restore your apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I need the actual data of the app, does that come with Google backup and restore?
App in question is WhatsApp and I need the app including the registration etc on the new phone. Titanium backup can do that, but obviously needs root

Whatsapp has its own backup and restore feature I use it all the time. It will restore all your data, chats etc but you have to log in first

beanbean50 said:
Whatsapp has its own backup and restore feature I use it all the time. It will restore all your data, chats etc but you have to log in first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know... that's exactly the issue though. I'm asking for a way to backup 1:1 so I don't need to do the login. Which Titanium Backup can do since it's does it with all the apps data, but that obviously needs root which I don't have. Hence I'm asking for help here.

I found this which doesn't need root not sure how deep it goes though
How to fully backup and restore your Android device without root
One of Android’s little-known tricks is its built-in backup and restore process that allows users to save their private data...
9to5google.com

beanbean50 said:
I found this which doesn't need root not sure how deep it goes though
How to fully backup and restore your Android device without root
One of Android’s little-known tricks is its built-in backup and restore process that allows users to save their private data...
9to5google.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For that I'd need a way to remove everything from the backup besides WhatsApp though. As that does a backup and restore of everything, all apps, all file system etc IIRC
Trying adb backup now, there seems to be a java tool that allows you to open the backup file on pc
GitHub - nelenkov/android-backup-extractor: Android backup extractor
Android backup extractor. Contribute to nelenkov/android-backup-extractor development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com

M4-NOOB said:
For that I'd need a way to remove everything from the backup besides WhatsApp though. As that does a backup and restore of everything, all apps, all file system etc IIRC
Trying adb backup now, there seems to be a java tool that allows you to open the backup file on pc
GitHub - nelenkov/android-backup-extractor: Android backup extractor
Android backup extractor. Contribute to nelenkov/android-backup-extractor development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately WhatsApp wasn't included in the full backup for some reason

I just tried an app on play store called Swift Backup and it worked!
I made a backup of just whatsapp then deleted it and it restored it without signing in

beanbean50 said:
I just tried an app on play store called Swift Backup and it worked!
I made a backup of just whatsapp then deleted it and it restored it without signing in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your phone rooted? Because all it does for me is apk backup, no data

hmm.. yep I'm rooted
why can't you sign in to whatsapp on your new phone

beanbean50 said:
hmm.. yep I'm rooted
why can't you sign in to whatsapp on your new phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm living in the UK for a few more months, but still use my German number on WhatsApp. The number has since been retired so I can't get SMS/calls on that one anymore, so I'm unable to sign in.
I wish I would've rooted the phone....

M4-NOOB said:
So I'm changing phones, but there's one app which I would have to backup including it's data. If I'd be rooted I could use Titanium Backup, unfortunately I'm not rooted.
Is there a way to root without wiping the phone or is there another way to backup the apps data (and restore) via adb or something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smart swich is proudly sponsors

tiennhu89 said:
Smart swich is proudly sponsors
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Click to collapse
Is that the Samsung moving phones thingy? Does that move apps including it's data so you don't have to set them up again?
I usually avoid the moving data from phone to phone during setup, because I take setting up a new phone as an opportunity to clean up data/apps. So I only reinstall those I actually need
EDIT: Just tried it, sadly not:
https://imgur.com/gyCtmLs

M4-NOOB said:
Is that the Samsung moving phones thingy? Does that move apps including it's data so you don't have to set them up again?
I usually avoid the moving data from phone to phone during setup, because I take setting up a new phone as an opportunity to clean up data/apps. So I only reinstall those I actually need
EDIT: Just tried it, sadly not:
https://imgur.com/gyCtmLs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup with ur whatsapp. Its too easy. Anyway, in case u cant do it, think u have to reset only single app (whatsapp - like ur screenshot), so u cant?

tiennhu89 said:
Backup with ur whatsapp. Its too easy. Anyway, in case u cant do it, think u have to reset only single app (whatsapp - like ur screenshot), so u cant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned in here, using the backup inside WhatsApp still needs you to sign in again on the new phone which isn't my goal. I want to backup ALL of WhatsApp including the sign in, so I can just move it to the new phone without logging in.

M4-NOOB said:
As mentioned in here, using the backup inside WhatsApp still needs you to sign in again on the new phone which isn't my goal. I want to backup ALL of WhatsApp including the sign in, so I can just move it to the new phone without logging in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then u have 2 options:
1 - Root your phone.
2 - Ask dev of Whatsapp to do something for u (for all too.lol). But i think it'll never come true. Its too risky for any apps.

tiennhu89 said:
Then u have 2 options:
1 - Root your phone.
2 - Ask dev of Whatsapp to do something for u (for all too.lol). But i think it'll never come true. Its too risky for any apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah thanks, I know it's possible with root which I don't have and doing it wipes the phone which makes my whole reason for this pointless.
This whole post was just asking if there's any way to do it without root. If you can't help don't reply?

Question Would like to root my device and keep my data

I've seen many websites and many videos on how to root my phone. However, I can't seem to find anything that I would trust. I would like to keep all my data, would prefer to not wipe it. Would you be able to help me through this? My model is SM-G996B/DS with android 12 and one ui 4.1 bought in The Netherlands. I also want to know, if I would actually have to wipe all data, would I be able to use my back up and have all my data back while keeping my phone rooted?

You will need to unlock the bootloader first before rooting and that will trigger a factory data reset.
But there's a few ways you can backup your data first, Samsung's Smart Switch, Google backup and Swift Backup are probably the most reliable of the bunch.
I mostly use Swift Backup as it saves my wifi passwords, text messages, apps etc even my wallpaper background!
Swift Backup now supports Android 12 and rootless batch backups via Shizuku
Swift Backup now supports Android 12 and rootless batch backups via Shizuku. You can check out what that means and how to set it up here!
www.xda-developers.com
It doesn't seem to save my photos though, so i save them to my PC first or use Google photo backup.
Magisk patched AP file is probably the safest way to root.

beanbean50 said:
You will need to unlock the bootloader first before rooting and that will trigger a factory data reset.
But there's a few ways you can backup your data first, Samsung's Smart Switch, Google backup and Swift Backup are probably the most reliable of the bunch.
I mostly use Swift Backup as it saves my wifi passwords, text messages, apps etc even my wallpaper background!
Swift Backup now supports Android 12 and rootless batch backups via Shizuku
Swift Backup now supports Android 12 and rootless batch backups via Shizuku. You can check out what that means and how to set it up here!
www.xda-developers.com
It doesn't seem to save my photos though, so i save them to my PC first or use Google photo backup.
Magisk patched AP file is probably the safest way to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer. If I then back up everything and wipe up the phone, would I be able to restore my data, all my apps and all into my phone after being rooted? Won't for example smart switch or swift backup say that my phone is rooted and deny to restore my data, or even having a problem while doing that? Or would I have to install everything again and all that?

I wouldn't do a restore until everything has successfully flashed. Unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP and rooting with Magisk will all trigger data resets. No problems with swift backup and root.