Android backup for future phones
Jul 13, 2013 | 8:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,818
Android backup for future phones
Is there a way I can backup all my info from my Android and so all data (i.e. game saves) stays the same when I buy a future Android? On iPhone it's pretty simple, I just backup (through cpu or iCloud) and any iPhone I switch to has 100% been saved and appears exactly how I left it from the previous phone. Anything similar for Android? The "back up my data" setting doesn't do this as I thought it would.
FWIW, I decided to ask FTers first before creating a new handle on the Android forum(s).
FWIW, I decided to ask FTers first before creating a new handle on the Android forum(s).
Jul 14, 2013 | 12:11 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
If you've rooted your phone, Titanium Backup (free or paid) works really well. It'll do exactly what you want.
Since all my phones are rooted, I'm not sure if there's a non-rooted app.
Since all my phones are rooted, I'm not sure if there's a non-rooted app.
Jul 14, 2013 | 12:45 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,818
Good to know, thanks. Anyone know if there is a non-rooted way? I want the root to be my last resort.
Jul 14, 2013 | 8:40 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,430
Androids are decentralized compared to iPhone. In other words, iPhone requires all apps to do things a certain way so that the OS can control the data from all apps, which makes it possible for the OS to do a complete backup of all data from all apps in one fell swoop.
Android is more relaxed, so individual apps tend to store their data in different spots, and the OS doesn't always know where it is and has no built-in facility for backing up everything all at once. However, you can easily backup the majority of your data manually, in a few separate steps.
First, you'll need to go through your contacts list and make sure that all of your contacts are saved in your Google account, not saved only on the phone. When you do this, all of your contacts - which are arguably the most important phone data you need to transfer - will be synced with Google's server on a regular basis and automatically transferred to your new Android when you configure it with your Google info. Note: This does not, unfortunately, backup ringtones or caller ID images along with the contact info.
Next, you need to configure any app that you can to store its data on the external SD card rather than internal storage. This includes your camera/gallery apps, and any music and video players you might install. I like to keep all of my audio-visual data files on the SD card under a folder called "Media", with subfolders for "My Pictures", "My Videos", and "My Music".
By pre-configuring as many apps as possible to store their data to your SD card, you make it easy to back up that data on a regular basis, as well as transfer it all to a new phone by simply transferring the SD card.
And finally, backup your data on a regular basis, starting with the data on the SD card, by connecting to your computer and copying the data off. You'll need a Windows (or Mac) utility that lets you sync files between two locations, or you can simply use Explorer (My Computer) and copy the whole kit and kaboodle in one shot.
I prefer to use a file manager called Total Commander, which I've been using for over 15 years under every version of Windows from 3.1 to 7. It also has an Android version. It does everything that Explorer does, plus has features like file sync, batch rename, a killer FTP utility, built-in support for all of the major archive file formats (and plug-ins for additional ones like CAB and ISO files). It's inexpensive ($44USD or 32EUR) and includes free upgrades for life.
If this all seems like too much work and too time-consuming... well, then maybe the iPhone is a better product for you. Android and iPhone each have their strengths and weaknesses, so you need to choose which strengths you want and which weaknesses you are willing to put up with to get the strengths.
Android is more relaxed, so individual apps tend to store their data in different spots, and the OS doesn't always know where it is and has no built-in facility for backing up everything all at once. However, you can easily backup the majority of your data manually, in a few separate steps.
First, you'll need to go through your contacts list and make sure that all of your contacts are saved in your Google account, not saved only on the phone. When you do this, all of your contacts - which are arguably the most important phone data you need to transfer - will be synced with Google's server on a regular basis and automatically transferred to your new Android when you configure it with your Google info. Note: This does not, unfortunately, backup ringtones or caller ID images along with the contact info.
Next, you need to configure any app that you can to store its data on the external SD card rather than internal storage. This includes your camera/gallery apps, and any music and video players you might install. I like to keep all of my audio-visual data files on the SD card under a folder called "Media", with subfolders for "My Pictures", "My Videos", and "My Music".
By pre-configuring as many apps as possible to store their data to your SD card, you make it easy to back up that data on a regular basis, as well as transfer it all to a new phone by simply transferring the SD card.
And finally, backup your data on a regular basis, starting with the data on the SD card, by connecting to your computer and copying the data off. You'll need a Windows (or Mac) utility that lets you sync files between two locations, or you can simply use Explorer (My Computer) and copy the whole kit and kaboodle in one shot.
I prefer to use a file manager called Total Commander, which I've been using for over 15 years under every version of Windows from 3.1 to 7. It also has an Android version. It does everything that Explorer does, plus has features like file sync, batch rename, a killer FTP utility, built-in support for all of the major archive file formats (and plug-ins for additional ones like CAB and ISO files). It's inexpensive ($44USD or 32EUR) and includes free upgrades for life.
If this all seems like too much work and too time-consuming... well, then maybe the iPhone is a better product for you. Android and iPhone each have their strengths and weaknesses, so you need to choose which strengths you want and which weaknesses you are willing to put up with to get the strengths.