Question Image Backup - Google Pixel 6a

I haven't rooted a phone in about a decade. Back then, unlocking the bootloader didn't reset the phone. I've got a Pixel 6a that I want to backup before I root it and lose my setup.
Way back when... there was no decent imaging backup for Android. Is there one now? I just want to do something like I do with Windows PC "disks". Which is transfer an entire disk image (or partition).
Thanks for any insight.
(Oh, and I did do a search, just maybe with the wrong keyword or wrong place.)

I'm actually using the Pixel backup in your Setttings-System-Backup.
On wifi it takes about 10 mins to backup - then if i fresh flash or go back to stock, you can access it in the setup menu. It essentially copies all your texts and app-data...then as you re-download apps the cache is there, etc.
It's pretty slick. Oh - the backup file is saved in your Drive-backup folder. Make sure it's there before you reset - GL

mmead1143 said:
I'm using the Pixel backup in your Settings-System-Backup.
On wifi it takes about 10 mins to backup - then if i fresh flash or go back to stock, you can access it in the setup menu. It essentially copies all your texts and app data...then as you re-download apps the cache is there, etc.
It's pretty slick. Oh - the backup file is saved in your Drive-backup folder. Make sure it's there before you reset - GL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
That will keep the essential info, yes. But, I want an exact image that will restore everything exactly as it is now. Meaning all shortcuts and nested shortcuts are exactly in the same place. I've got dozens of shortcuts nested and spread out over three home pages.
Reconstructing those every time I reset was why I quit tinkering with Android, to begin with. In my case, I may be screwed because I'll have to root to run any such backup... catch-22.
But, I am already running the built-in backup on a two-hour schedule.

Lawrencetate1 said:
Thanks,
That will keep the essential info, yes. But, I want an exact image that will restore everything exactly as it is now. Meaning all shortcuts and nested shortcuts are exactly in the same place. I've got dozens of shortcuts nested and spread out over three home pages.
Reconstructing those every time I reset was why I quit tinkering with Android, to begin with. In my case, I may be screwed because I'll have to root to run any such backup... catch-22.
But, I am already running the built-in backup on a two-hour schedule.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah - not sure the google backup will do all that. But all my widgets etc. come right back, not like the background image.
So you'll lose some stuff but not much from my history with it - that said, I'm pretty minimalist so maybe keep looking haha GL

No twrp images anymore since google switched to 'dynamic' updates that use 2 partitions...slot A/B. Kinda sux imho...

Related

[APP] Titanium Backup

If I do a wipe and change roms would do the pro version of titanium backup put all my apps and settings back exactly how they were with the new rom?
djsaad1 said:
If I do a wipe and change roms would do the pro version of titanium backup put all my apps and settings back exactly how they were with the new rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're switching different roms (like Cyanogen to Sense), it'd probably mess stuff up quite a bit
would be going from cyanogen to enomther. I would like to try enomther out but really not in the mood to install everything again and put all my settings back in, especially if I end up going back to cyanogen again.
I'm not sure if this is how it works, but everytime I flash I backup the app and data of helixlauncher and when I restore it my icons are all in the right place. You obviously have to reinstall all your applications first before the icons work, but it worked, to my surprise.
From my experience with the pro version, which is much better than the free, and worth it,
Any of the stuff in red, i dont back up. I just backup all my actual apps I know i use on my phone, with data.
I use mybackupPro, to restore all my call logs and texts, yadda yadda, but titanium backup for apps+data
I haven't found anything to successfuly restore my screens and widgets without error or issues, but whatever. atleast the widgets data is still stores [atleast with Pure calenders and such]
I wish there was some sort of better guide though, like exactly which system settings NOT to back up, that would be awesome.
I too would like to see it all spelled out. Especially for noob such as myself.
I've been using mybackupPro for exactly the same reason, together with Titanium. But my widgets and shorcuts aren't restored. And I use More Icons Pro which is more of a pain to redo after every flash or ROM change.
Ok Guys. Here is an easy report on Titanium Backup.
Titanium Backup will backup all of your installed applications(this can include system apps), settings, Launcher Icon Layout, Wifi, sms/calllog etc..
It WILL work between at least android 2.1 roms(Cyan, Enom etc,,). I have not tried going over to a desire ROM
PRO is VERY much worth it. It allows you batch install instead of clicking for every app. Easily worth 4 or 6 bux.
Now what you do.
Install and possibly donate. U use paypal and get an email with the "pro" key soon after.
-Click backup/restore
-Click menu(phone button), batch
-Click Backup All user apps.
-Let it run, then go back.
-Individually backup all items highlighted in green. This will be bookmarks, call log, calendar, LAUNCHER, wifi, stuff like that.
-SKIP RED ONES. These are system apps and u basically are overwriting your new ROM.
Ok now you are backed up in your SD card in folder Titanium backup.
You can now, Wipe, install a rom, download titanium from market, click backup/restore, Click batch. Then click restore all apps and Data.
Restart your Phone.
And your back in business. EZ PZ. Your settings, Wifi, Icon layout, etc. will be installed. The only thing I have to adjust is my wallpaper/widgets usually.
All in all you can do a full ROM from wipe swap in about 15 minutes. I always Wipe because its so easy, why not.
Also. This works with Apps2sd as well. It can go from non-apps2sd to apps2sd, or apps2sd to non-apps2sd. Basically it doesnt care...
seanowns said:
Ok Guys. Here is an easy report on Titanium Backup.
Titanium Backup will backup all of your installed applications(this can include system apps), settings, Launcher Icon Layout, Wifi, sms/calllog etc..
It WILL work between at least android 2.1 roms(Cyan, Enom etc,,). I have not tried going over to a desire ROM
PRO is VERY much worth it. It allows you batch install instead of clicking for every app. Easily worth 4 or 6 bux.
Now what you do.
Install and possibly donate. U use paypal and get an email with the "pro" key soon after.
-Click backup/restore
-Click menu(phone button), batch
-Click Backup All user apps.
-Let it run, then go back.
-Individually backup all items highlighted in green. This will be bookmarks, call log, calendar, LAUNCHER, wifi, stuff like that.
-SKIP RED ONES. These are system apps and u basically are overwriting your new ROM.
Ok now you are backed up in your SD card in folder Titanium backup.
You can now, Wipe, install a rom, download titanium from market, click backup/restore, Click batch. Then click restore all apps and Data.
Restart your Phone.
And your back in business. EZ PZ. Your settings, Wifi, Icon layout, etc. will be installed. The only thing I have to adjust is my wallpaper/widgets usually.
All in all you can do a full ROM from wipe swap in about 15 minutes. I always Wipe because its so easy, why not.
Also. This works with Apps2sd as well. It can go from non-apps2sd to apps2sd, or apps2sd to non-apps2sd. Basically it doesnt care...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great write-up. I think a lot of us needed this...
is Titanium regarded as a better backup solution than Nandroid? or are they comparable?
thnx!
Does the author of titanium post here?
Would like to share some feedback.
MI_canuck said:
is Titanium regarded as a better backup solution than Nandroid? or are they comparable?
thnx!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different types of backups.
MI_canuck said:
is Titanium regarded as a better backup solution than Nandroid? or are they comparable?
thnx!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid will back up your entire ROM, all apps, and all settings in one package. Titanium just baks up the apps that you use, so if you switch ROMs or wipe, it's a very fast and easy process to reinstate them.
Both are pretty mandatory. Show some love and get the donate version. Good devs shouldn't have to eat Ramen Noodles. Except by choice.
seanowns said:
It WILL work between at least android 2.1 roms(Cyan, Enom etc,,). I have not tried going over to a desire ROM
PRO is VERY much worth it. It allows you batch install instead of clicking for every app. Easily worth 4 or 6 bux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a note: The free version does batch back-up and restore, but no verify or market doctor. This may be a recent change to the free, as I just started using titanium when I got my Nexus.
Jumped to the MoDaCo Desire Rom for a few, and reinstalled only the apps without any system data, worked just fine. I can see a potential issue though doing backups from Desire of anything requiring Sense, and trying to restore on a non-Sense ROM.
seanowns said:
Ok Guys. Here is an easy report on Titanium Backup.
Titanium Backup will backup all of your installed applications(this can include system apps), settings, Launcher Icon Layout, Wifi, sms/calllog etc..
It WILL work between at least android 2.1 roms(Cyan, Enom etc,,). I have not tried going over to a desire ROM
PRO is VERY much worth it. It allows you batch install instead of clicking for every app. Easily worth 4 or 6 bux.
Now what you do.
Install and possibly donate. U use paypal and get an email with the "pro" key soon after.
-Click backup/restore
-Click menu(phone button), batch
-Click Backup All user apps.
-Let it run, then go back.
-Individually backup all items highlighted in green. This will be bookmarks, call log, calendar, LAUNCHER, wifi, stuff like that.
-SKIP RED ONES. These are system apps and u basically are overwriting your new ROM.
Ok now you are backed up in your SD card in folder Titanium backup.
You can now, Wipe, install a rom, download titanium from market, click backup/restore, Click batch. Then click restore all apps and Data.
Restart your Phone.
And your back in business. EZ PZ. Your settings, Wifi, Icon layout, etc. will be installed. The only thing I have to adjust is my wallpaper/widgets usually.
All in all you can do a full ROM from wipe swap in about 15 minutes. I always Wipe because its so easy, why not.
Also. This works with Apps2sd as well. It can go from non-apps2sd to apps2sd, or apps2sd to non-apps2sd. Basically it doesnt care...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi seanowns,
Many thanks for this mini-guide. I'll definitely add something like this to my web page
Just one thing: the reason why we usually skip the "red" system items is not because Titanium Backup would overwrite these system apps (it doesn't) but rather because they are items which usually don't contain any interesting data.
For system apps: Titanium Backup currently never backs up (nor restores) the app itself. It only touches the system data.
Daswolven said:
Just a note: The free version does batch back-up and restore, but no verify or market doctor. This may be a recent change to the free, as I just started using titanium when I got my Nexus.
Jumped to the MoDaCo Desire Rom for a few, and reinstalled only the apps without any system data, worked just fine. I can see a potential issue though doing backups from Desire of anything requiring Sense, and trying to restore on a non-Sense ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is still accurate today. I might add the backup verifier in the free version, but it's hard as that requires Hypershell.
Yes indeed, when backing up/restoring across HTC and Google ROMs (or generally speaking: between wildly different ROMs), it is advised to restore the system items with caution, and generally only the system items you need. There's no such problem with user apps & data, which will *always* work across ROMs.
Ahh. Good to know about the Red system items. It means I can be even more lazy and just back up everything.
Adding an official guide is a good idea. I had these same questions a few months ago and actually held of trying it for a week.
@ joel.bourquard
Welcome
Thanks for stopping by...BTW..i love your app...full version
I didnt know about the green and red labeled items lol
Have to look whether there is a feature to select all *green* or similar to that.
Or if Green items in list can be added to a batch execution, if it is, im not understanding the wording of the batch files
Ideas for Titanium Improvement
joel.bourquard said:
This is still accurate today. I might add the backup verifier in the free version, but it's hard as that requires Hypershell.
Yes indeed, when backing up/restoring across HTC and Google ROMs (or generally speaking: between wildly different ROMs), it is advised to restore the system items with caution, and generally only the system items you need. There's no such problem with user apps & data, which will *always* work across ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I'm asking a ton here, but it's something to think about implementing. What would be really useful is to have one (or more if you have multiple backup copies selected) main "Market/User batch" backup restore. If multiple backups are enabled, a name for each set would be cool.
The really useful part would allow several system app/settings entries and allow unique naming by user. One could have say a Cm, a Desire and Enomther system folders, and could back up and restore to each as need be. That way if someone's testing several ROM's there's no confusion about which system app/setting came from which build. That way you're not restoring Enomther's Spare Parts app to a Desire build.
I don't know if this is possible either (I know nandroid does this, but I'm stretching for in house), but a feature where if you are unsure about a system app/data/setting restoration, allow a onetime snapshot pre-restore, so if things do not work out, an undo of last action is possible. Or, if you implement the ideas in the latter paragraph, that responsibility could be left to the user, since they could save the fresh target and data in it's new folder before messing with it.
I'm sure this is all possible now by moving and renaming the backups on sdcard, but it would be much cleaner from within Titanium's ui.
Great app...happy donator here, and it has been a staple in many tutorials I have scattered around the forums. Thank you, and keep up the good work!
Nice Idea!!
And TitBackup is absolutely worth the money!!! (Happy ProVersion User)
rori1 said:
Nice Idea!!
And TitBackup is absolutely worth the money!!! (Happy ProVersion User)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly the best abbreviation...
So, can I backup the MUSIC playlists? I tried backing up the Music (in ReD) in hopes that it would contain the playlist...but when I restored...it didn't have the playlist.

[APP] Titanium Backup and Froyo - What settings can I restore without issue?

If I restore all the settings labeled green I can't get a location fix with the Genie widget and I can't move apps to the SD card.
sinbot said:
If I restore all the settings labeled green I can't get a location fix with the Genie widget and I can't move apps to the SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is it exactly that you want to restore??? Personally, I wouldn't (and didnt) restore ANYTHING from titanium. It takes like what 5 minutes to go through the settings menu and set stuff back up the way you had it?
Apps have to be coded to allow them to be moved to sdcard. It's up to the developers to add that option in. It's not because you are restoring stuff from titanium, but because you are trying to move something that doesn't have the ability to be moved yet.
gIMpSTa said:
What is it exactly that you want to restore??? Personally, I wouldn't (and didnt) restore ANYTHING from titanium. It takes like what 5 minutes to go through the settings menu and set stuff back up the way you had it?
Apps have to be coded to allow them to be moved to sdcard. It's up to the developers to add that option in. It's not because you are restoring stuff from titanium, but because you are trying to move something that doesn't have the ability to be moved yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can force your phone to allow apps2sd with pm setInstallLocation=2
In anycase your response was not helpful but dismissive. My reasons to backup and restore are valid enough for me to ask and if you can't answer go find another post to respond to.
In any case I have by trial and error found that a number of settings restore just fine and I have put mot of my applications on the sdcard.
sinbot said:
You can force your phone to allow apps2sd with pm setInstallLocation=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know all about this. Anything with a widget or service will not work, but will still goto SD (bad). And other apps may not work properly. YMMV, but personally I set that option on, moved a couple of big apps, tested them, then immediately turned it back off (pm setInstallLocation=0). I'm on my third wipe and things are running better then ever since doing it this way. I had apps that do not include a widget or service, were not protected, that should have run fine from there and did not.
sinbot said:
In anycase your response was not helpful but dismissive. My reasons to backup and restore are valid enough for me to ask and if you can't answer go find another post to respond to.
In any case I have by trial and error found that a number of settings restore just fine and I have put mot of my applications on the sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't being "dismissive" by any means... I was simply curious as to what it was you wanted to restore as it helps to answer "what you can safely restore" if people know what it is that you want. My point about it taking 5 minutes was simply trying to point out you may actually save your self some time and frustration by doing it manually.
gIMpSTa said:
I wasn't being "dismissive" by any means... I was simply curious as to what it was you wanted to restore as it helps to answer "what you can safely restore" if people know what it is that you want. My point about it taking 5 minutes was simply trying to point out you may actually save your self some time and frustration by doing it manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you should read hat I wrote before just saying not to even try backing things up. Wow I wanted to keep my settings, text messages and call history and be able to toss my applications on the SD and get a location fix. Some setting carried over stops those from working and wanting to know what it is or why it is is a whole lot more intelligent than just throwing my hands up and saying "Well, I paid for an application I guess I shouldn't use it!"
This probably doesn't help but I personally don't like everything about titanium. It seems to restore too much. I still use it for apps but It's hard to identify what you are restoring when it comes to "data". mybackuppro does a better job of choosing what to back up and restored. very clear and concise, everything is labeled, (ie: sms, call log, mms, playlists, home screen icons etc etc). I know I know, its not help with titanium but maybe it'll help.
sinbot said:
Maybe you should read hat I wrote before just saying not to even try backing things up. Wow I wanted to keep my settings, text messages and call history and be able to toss my applications on the SD and get a location fix. Some setting carried over stops those from working and wanting to know what it is or why it is is a whole lot more intelligent than just throwing my hands up and saying "Well, I paid for an application I guess I shouldn't use it!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay pointless argument. Once again, I wasn't saying "dont even try!" I said "PERSONALLY, I didn't restore anything". That's because after my first install I did restore several things and it caused issues. I was giving you my personal advice on the matter. Sorry it didn't answer the question the way you wanted, but it wasn't by any means trying to put you or what you wanted to do down.
I also paid for titanium backup and use it and love it all the time. I think we are asking a bit much of it to backup stuff from a (assuming here) custom rom, then importing them onto a stock rom and have absolutely no issues.
Maybe I could have worded my initial response better, but it helps people to answer your questions if we know what you wanted to restore specifically rather then trying to answer what can and cannot be restored. Had you said how can I safely restore my texts, and call logs someone may have piped in and said "I restored X in titantium backup and had no issues!"
Again, wasn't flaming, telling you to give up, or anything. Only offering my personal experiences with this.
sinbot said:
If I restore all the settings labeled green I can't get a location fix with the Genie widget and I can't move apps to the SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
polo79 said:
This probably doesn't help but I personally don't like everything about titanium. It seems to restore too much. I still use it for apps but It's hard to identify what you are restoring when it comes to "data". mybackuppro does a better job of choosing what to back up and restored. very clear and concise, everything is labeled, (ie: sms, call log, mms, playlists, home screen icons etc etc). I know I know, its not help with titanium but maybe it'll help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with polo79. While Titanium is fantastic at restoring apps and their data, It is not very concise on what data is restored. IMO, the most useful feature Titanium offers is it's ability to replace the Market links to the restored apps. While what you want to do probably is possible using Titanium, MyBackup Pro makes it much more clear cut on what you're restoring.
As far as restoring apps go (and I have many of those), after much trial and error, what I did was restore as much as I could using InstallLocation 0 until I ran out of room. Then I set it to 2 and went through and moved what I thought safe to sd. Then went back and installed more using Titanium using 0 again...well, you get the procedure.
And enough bickering. Gimpsta was only trying to help, but maybe a "no reply" here would have been best.
Well I went through and my results are I can restore all applications and the following datasets without issue to location or installing to sd:
[ACCOUNTS] Account and Sync Settings 2.2 - check.
Application widgets - blanks out desktop but can get location lock.
[Bookmarks] Browser 2.2 - check
[Calendar] Calendar Storage 2.2 - check
[USER DICT] com.amdroid.providers.userdictionary 2.2 - check
[CONTACTS/CALLS] Contacts Storge 2.2 - Check
[SMS/MMS/APN] Dialer Storage 2.2 - check
I didn't try the rest because everything was working and I didn't need anything weird in the rest.
Hi, I'm testing froyo roms now, currently very pleased with performance
Tintanium backup is really a great app, I ditch all other backup programs after installing it.
I was able to restore to froyo, APNs, contacts, call history, wifi settings, sms.
cheers,
can somebody shed some light why i can't restore contacts from 2.1,
sms restored perfectly, but contacts say restored successful but i can't see them, only call log
tnx
don't know why, but here's how i got around it
can't tell you why, but i miight be able to show a way around it.
I had the same problem a couple of time. what i did is exporting my contacts to a "vcf"-file on sd card. after flashing the new rom i imported all contacts with now probs.
hope it will work for you to.
the tiny drawback is, you have to nandroid-backup your actual setup. restore the previous, export your contacts. restore the actual and import.
good luck
sidebar:
anyone know what you need to backup when using titanium to back up my contacts ringtones i set for each contact?

[Q] Saving my data when trying different roms

I am new to Android but experienced with PC's C++ etc.
Anyway, a quick question. I bought a g-tab today. Immediately installed clockworkmod and TNT lite. All is good and I am having fun.
Is it easy to switch roms without losing my userdata (passwords, bookmarks etc).
I would like to try other roms and don't want to create more work than I need to.
Oh and the viewing angles are acceptable to me as the user
I have been using Titanium backup without any issue for doing it
Sent from my TnT G-Harmony using Tapatalk
Stuggy said:
I am new to Android but experienced with PC's C++ etc.
Anyway, a quick question. I bought a g-tab today. Immediately installed clockworkmod and TNT lite. All is good and I am having fun.
Is it easy to switch roms without losing my userdata (passwords, bookmarks etc).
I would like to try other roms and don't want to create more work than I need to.
Oh and the viewing angles are acceptable to me as the user
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Titanium backup!!!
Yes, use Titanium Backup to do Batch backups of Apps and Data before you try other ROMs. I also do a full Backup in Clockwork before I try something new, in case I want to go right back to where I was.
ok thanks guys. New to Android so getting up to speed. I must say very smooth process getting it up and running and tweaking it so far.
I noticed the slower boot time with tnt-lite but last boot it seemed faster. I think it was mentioned in the docs.
It might be interesting if there was a poll for which roms people prefer.
Stuggy said:
ok thanks guys. New to Android so getting up to speed. I must say very smooth process getting it up and running and tweaking it so far.
I noticed the slower boot time with tnt-lite but last boot it seemed faster. I think it was mentioned in the docs.
It might be interesting if there was a poll for which roms people prefer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your First boot is always going to take some time as there is alot going on in the background that you can only see if you are watching Logcat via adb. After the first boot, boot times should drop unless a large number of apps have been installed.
Trist
Titanium Backup is awesome, but would be nice if there was a big "Back up All System/Data/Apps" button on the main menu. That's pretty much what everybody wants it for right?
nunjabusiness said:
Titanium Backup is awesome, but would be nice if there was a big "Back up All System/Data/Apps" button on the main menu. That's pretty much what everybody wants it for right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't want to restore system data with Titanium anyway. This is not recommended especially when changing roms. Apps and their data are okay. I make full system backups with Clockwork and backup my apps and data everyday with Titanium. My titanium is linked to dropbox so returning from a repartition/reformat is easily done as well.
thebadfrog said:
You wouldn't want to restore system data with Titanium anyway. This is not recommended especially when changing roms. Apps and their data are okay. I make full system backups with Clockwork and backup my apps and data everyday with Titanium. My titanium is linked to dropbox so returning from a repartition/reformat is easily done as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you have experience with this, is there a way to force TB to send the backups to my external SD card? Copying it there manually is not REAL difficult, but it is an extra step.
nunjabusiness said:
Since you have experience with this, is there a way to force TB to send the backups to my external SD card? Copying it there manually is not REAL difficult, but it is an extra step.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I know of. Its easier for me to setup the free dropbox account and link Titanium to that. I have the same account on my laptop so it automatically uploads from my tab to dropbox and then downloads to my laptop
thebadfrog said:
Not that I know of. Its easier for me to setup the free dropbox account and link Titanium to that. I have the same account on my laptop so it automatically uploads from my tab to dropbox and then downloads to my laptop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got a dropbox account since it looks stupid-easy to do it that way.

[Q] Android: Backups of various different things.

I have recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy S2. I have the phone set up the way i like it but i wish to try different OS versions which will require rooting and wiping my phone so a few questions regarding backups:
1) Currently i have my gmail contacts and facebook contacts "linked" together. I believe this is only stored locally on my phone. Is there a way i can save all this contact info so when i log back in to my profile in the future it will all be seamlessly placed as it was.
2) Currently i have a whole batch of homescreens with icons and widgets and my applications screen with every app in a "folder" can i back these up exactly as they are?
3) Within various different applications there are different options or save games and various things like that, are these easily accessible and able to be backed up
4) Finally can i just do an "image" of my phone and if i wipe it and mess about then simply restore that image back to exactly how it was?
Cheers for any help
boxrick,
Can't answer specifically for the Galaxy S2 as I don't have it, and because Android is "pimped" in various ways by different device makers some of the homescreens/layouts are custom implemented, and best backed up by the methods appropriate for--or offered by--that device.
Having said that, if you are using Google market, a lot of stuff (like the apps obviously) is automatically saved with them. Or the apps themselves can be backed up with any good file manager, like Astro, to an SD card or via USB.
I can't answer you about the Gmail & Facebook contacts being "linked together", but from experience most items are stored in the Google Contacts data-fields and stored remotely in your Google account (and therefore restored from there straightaway)
I have multiple Android devices, and to tell you the truth I pretty much just copy everything "en-masse" to a hard drive. If you're rooted, it's fairly easy to pull down almost everything this way. You're just dealing with files and folders, just like on your regular computer (which is why I'm pretty much done with anything "black-box" like formerly iphone/ipad, btw )
If you're looking for a "set-it-and-forget-it" type app, I don't currently use any, but on my travels I've seen a few "names" tossed around with good reviews. You can research
MyBackup Pro
Sprite Backup
Those two are pretty well known full-blown-backup type apps. They're paid apps, but cheap.
I've heard of The Missing Sync which takes a different approach by syncing all your data to a Windows or Mac desktop for backup and also for re-distribution to other devices. Sort of like a "data-centralizer" type approach, which might be up your alley. I think the app runs about $40 though.
Finally, I do use the free LifeSaver 2 app for important SMS messages and call logs-- picked it up over at F-droid.org. It's for pretty specific data types, but it's this stuff that usually is the hardest to save (since I don't actually know where it is when I backup the entire root directory + subs & files).
Hope the above gives you some ideas. My general advice would be to research, read the boards, with special attention to the threads dedicated to the Galaxy S2, because the other users have gone before you
And btw, if you find something really cool (including if one of the apps above turn out to help you), make sure you come back and post your findings. I'm always on the lookout for a "gem" app that makes my life easier.
Good luck!
Apps: Titanium.
Data: MyBackup.
MyBackup does a much better job at saving your contacts than Google does. MyBackup restores them exactly as they were, Google often loses custom fields and messes up your contact names. Just look at the mess when you sync a contact called "Al's Pizza (open 'till midnight)" back from Google. It also gets the timestamps on SMSs right, which most competitors don't.
You could forget about Tit and backup your apps with MyB too, but then you miss out on all the different batch jobs that come with Tit.
There's one thing that all backup apps choke on: widgets. I always have to set 'em up again after a wipe/restore job.
Can't titanium backup both apps & data?
Titanium can backup user data, sort of.
Restoring user data with Tit is not as straightforward as with MyB. They should add a user data screen so you don't have to hunt for your data in a long list of apps.
One final question, if I was to change from Android Phone A to Android Phone B. Will these "apps" and backups be able to restored to a totally different phone?
rogier666 said:
There's one thing that all backup apps choke on: widgets. I always have to set 'em up again after a wipe/restore job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rogier, what widget app do you use? I use Elixir, and in it there's an option to export widget data. Search for the "edit widgets" button, click it and you'll be taken to a pane where all the widgets are replaceable. Below it, you'll see a "More" button--that's where the import/export widgets button is. After you export widgets settings (you have to type in a name for it), Elixir then saves that exact config. After flashing a ROM and restoring via Ti, you can then choose to add back your widgets via the "Import" button. Remember though: if you want to bring back a 5x5 widget, you have to choose "5x5" widget after long pressing on a blank space, otherwise the widget won't restore properly. With this, you can have as many widgets you want and not worry about the tedious process of reconstructing them after a restore.
do you have to use the paid for version of titanium?
boxrick said:
One final question, if I was to change from Android Phone A to Android Phone B. Will these "apps" and backups be able to restored to a totally different phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can with Google . Go to Settings --> Privacy --> Back up my data.
When you buy your new phone, select restore my data. At first you won't see any difference, but after a few hours your apps will be restored
Borat38 said:
rogier, what widget app do you use? I use Elixir...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now I've got Widgetsoid, DroidStats, Smooth Calendar, PlayerPro, DroidWall, Make Your Own Clock, and seNotes on my home screens.
Some widget apps have a backup option, some only come in one flavor (like DroidWall) so they don't really need a backup option. But others (like most notes widgets) don't have any backup option at all.
This is really annoying for the sticky notes widgets, because it's often impossible to remember what info you'd have to put back in them (which is why you wrote it in a note to begin with).
So I'd really like a one click option to back up and restore all my widgets.
thetinybus said:
do you have to use the paid for version of titanium?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, you don't. The free version backs up everything too. It just takes more clicks to restore your stuff.
The free version of MyBackup only restores to the same phone that it backed up, so if you want to use MyBackup to transfer your data to a new phone you'll need the paid version.
I have purchased MybackupPro. The problem is I am fairly confident it will not back up my linked contacts. Therefore I need to root my phone and use TI backup...
Id like to post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125414&page=12 and find out about after unrooting, flashing back to the default kernel ( for warranty purposes ). Need 10 posts
Now it seems I am getting restrictions on the amount of times I am posting. This also doesn't help me much!

backup before unlocking bootloader

Is there a way to back up everything before a wipe that restores well? The ones i've tried miss system settings and all app settings have to be reset. Titanium Backup was awesome but requires root., but something like that is what I'm after
tomplatz said:
Is there a way to back up everything before a wipe that restores well? The ones i've tried miss system settings and all app settings have to be reset. Titanium Backup was awesome but requires root., but something like that is what I'm after
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a biggest issue Google hasn't provided a solution for. You can't backup an android phone unless you root... [emoji1418]
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
Any decent apps anyone has found? I know TB level backup not possible
System settings and all app settings backup is hard. Usually, Samsung Kies, mobile data manager software, etc just help us back up data like contacts, text messages, photos, videos, music, apps, etc. Of course, there is no need to root Samsung phone before using them.
tomplatz said:
Is there a way to back up everything before a wipe that restores well? The ones i've tried miss system settings and all app settings have to be reset. Titanium Backup was awesome but requires root., but something like that is what I'm after
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind once you unlock bootloader then KNOX will be permantly disabled and apps like samsung pay, samsung pass, encryption and some more will no longer work after this and even if you re-lock bootloader the KNOX will still be unavailable since it's so called safety thing in chip has ben cut so it becomes permanently hardware disabled.
So think before doing it, if you plan to use samsung pay and pass and such later on then avoid unlocking the bootloader.
Also warranty will be voided too.
Skickat från min SM-N986B via Tapatalk
tomplatz said:
Is there a way to back up everything before a wipe that restores well? The ones i've tried miss system settings and all app settings have to be reset. Titanium Backup was awesome but requires root., but something like that is what I'm after
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best you can do is use the SD card as your data drive. All mission critical data goes on it.
Therefore no PC or internet connection is needed for a full restore. No wasted time transferring data from the PC or cloud.
All critical data, photos, vids, music, documents, settings backups for apks that let you, contacts and copies of all loaded apks and updates.
I use ApkExport to make copies of all my apks and system updates so after a reload I don't need Playstore and know exactly what to load, fast.
Get at least a .5 tb card so all the data used by the phone can easily fit plus 100 gb headroom.
I pretty much hit the ground running and a reload is 99% complete in about 5 hours with no loss of critical data.
Not copying settings for some apps and especially system settings is a better plan as any bad settings don't get carbon copied. Manual set up also keeps you in aware of what does what. Plus you will find and learn new tricks like this.
I reload about every 6 months to take full advantage of the new optimizations I incorporated since the last reload. Invariably you play with trash apps trying to find the good ones and the poorly written ones can leave a mess behind. It's simply impossible to weed out all the trash and subtle misconfigurations that happen over time.
A reload takes out the trash.
Each reload should get you a couple steps closer to device perfection.
Once you have a fast, stable platform be very cautious of any firmware or OS updates as it only takes one to wreck everything. Many times an "upgrade" turns into an ugly downgrade.
Many app updates are useless or wreck the the app as well.
No reason to fix something that ain't broke... once optimized leave it be.
Find something else to play with.
Just install Samsung Smart switch on your phone. And back up to the SD CARD.
You'll still need to setup individual apps but you will keep system settings.
pcriz said:
Just install Samsung Smart switch on your phone. And back up to the SD CARD.
You'll still need to setup individual apps but you will keep system settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
I forgot about this app.
Last time I used it transfering from a S4 to the 10+ it was a terror. However it should do much better on the same model/OS.
16 gb took 10 minutes to backup to a fast card plus you can see and edit its saved files.
The icon layout will be lost if it saves the theme/icon pack I will wuv it to death...
It should save some time... if not I'll reset again:laugh:
The legendary Tom Platz. Now that's a blast from my past lol
Limeybastard said:
The legendary Tom Platz. Now that's a blast from my past lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have big legs too. Seemed to fit.
tomplatz said:
I have big legs too. Seemed to fit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll take your word for it. No need for pics. ?

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