Related
I was just curious to find out if there was a general consensus as to the better app for recovering your phone. I realize that there are quite a few that do the job. I just want to find the one that does the job and does it well, because if my phone does ever get stolen/lost, I only have one shot to get it right. Trial and error doesn't really give me peace of mind when it's something you actually need it to work.
Any opinions?
princearic said:
I was just curious to find out if there was a general consensus as to the better app for recovering your phone. I realize that there are quite a few that do the job. I just want to find the one that does the job and does it well, because if my phone does ever get stolen/lost, I only have one shot to get it right. Trial and error doesn't really give me peace of mind when it's something you actually need it to work.
Any opinions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use titanium donate version and it does everything I could possibly ever want it to do. Will restore everything, even system settings.
lralexl said:
I use titanium donate version and it does everything I could possibly ever want it to do. Will restore everything, even system settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he's referring to tracking software...
I've seen some nice Tasker scripts that will lock up the phone and e-mail you its GPS coordinates if you send a certain text to it. This way you would get more for your money since Tasker does so many other amazing things.
Have you looked into WaveSecure? seems pretty good, https://www.wavesecure.com/wavesecure/android.aspx
I've heard some good things about Prey but in all honesty, it's good to keep things locked down with either encryption/passcode unlock too. I don't know the statistics on recovery of lost phones but being a pessimistic/optimist I'd say hope for the best but expect the worst. Sync your contacts/emails/etc on a regular basis (maybe once a week and you can use tasker for this), keep sensitive personal information off the phone if possible, etc.
Froyo might let you remote wipe (I heard it would be a feature for enterprise lvl stuff) but if the person who found it is tech savvy (pretty much anyone who can flash a rom) they might just pull the SIM & wipe the phone which would moot any security features you might have in place. I could be wrong though, I don't have a lot of experience in anti-theft and should probably look more into protecting my own phone too and seeing what options are available.
I do know that insurance will cover the loss but it doesn't help if you don't have a backup of all your important info somewhere. Oh, and before I forget, in addition to contacts/email you can sync your calendar too. You just need to make sure when you create an entry that you save it as a Google calendar entry and not to the phone. That way it will sync too.
MyLookout - It also has backup & virus protection
Master™ said:
MyLookout - It also has backup & virus protection
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
10char
-bZj
Sim Checker Pro - Because if someone changes the SIM card, you can't send it a text message for other programs.
When the SIM card is changed out, it'll send me a text message (so I have the new number) and an email with the GPS location.
I also move the app from /data/app-private to /system/app as well, so it can't be deleted with a system wipe either [I just tested this.....Sim Checker is still there & it remembers my password]. Odin can obviously destroy it, but we're assuming this is stolen/found by someone who just thinks your phone is cool, not someone who knows the ins/outs of Samsung Vibrant hacking.
Another plus is if they do a wipe they'd probably lose root (forgot to verify this), which might be good as well.
From there, there are TONS of apps that will send back locations with GPS updates, Wheres My Droid is a popular example.
I would move all of these apps into the /system/app section to be on the safe side.
If I were to find a phone and decide not to give it back (hypothetically of course, don't blast me for something I haven't done), I would power it down & wipe it before doing anything...having them in your /system will help with this. I'm sure most people would probably just yank the SIM card.......either way, if you use Sim Checker, you'll be safe, but make sure you have another option like Wheres My Droid as well.
Also, I'm pretty sure if Sim Checker is in /system, it'll be able to turn the GPS on as well.
Unfortunately, I was one of the few that got left behind when VZW pulled the update. I really want to update, even with the VM bug and everything. I came across this guide on how to manually upgrade to GB but I noticed it said it completely wipes my phone. Now I know Backup Assistant saves my contacts, my music is on my SD card so I'm not too worried about that. I'm afraid I might lose app data suchas all the hours and HOURS I put into Angry Birds Rio to get 3 stars on every level. Can anyone help me find a way to fully save all of my app data before I manually upgrade? BTW I've never rooted and I'm on stock Froyo
Do you plan on rooting? If so use the Revolutionary method it works great and there are plenty of How To guides to step you through it. As far as backing up your Angry Birds, Titanium Backup works very well. However, you do need root access for that app to work. The free version will do what your looking for. The pro version adds a couple nice features if you are going to play around with some different ROMs.
Stratejaket said:
Do you plan on rooting? If so use the Revolutionary method it works great and there are plenty of How To guides to step you through it. As far as backing up your Angry Birds, Titanium Backup works very well. However, you do need root access for that app to work. The free version will do what your looking for. The pro version adds a couple nice features if you are going to play around with some different ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't really planning on rooting. Would you just suggest waiting another eternity for VZW and HTC to push out the fixed version of GB?
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using XDA Premium App
Anybody?
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using XDA Premium App
My backup pro will work
I'm still fairly new to the root world. I don't know or have not read of any way to back up your apps reliably without root access. Titanium backup, and Mybackup Pro are the 2 most common apps used to make back ups. There might be more? Titanium requires root, where Mybackup claims to have some functionality without root access.
From mybackup pro's website:
Key facts about MyBackup Pro:
Works on non-root phones, as well as root phones.
Root phones have the ability to backup APK+Data and Market Links.
Titanium has a free version that you can use that will back up your apps and all of their data. The Pro version adds a couple nice features that are handy for people that flash roms and like to change stuff around often.
Without root access Mybackup only does:
Application install files (If phone has root access, this includes APK+Data and Market Links)
Contacts
Call log
Browser bookmarks
SMS (text messages)
MMS (attachments in messages)
System Settings
Home screens (including HTC Sense UI)
Alarms
Dictionary
Calendar
Music playlists
Integrated third party applications
Not really what you want. Since you would lose your angry birds data and spend hours trying to gain 3 stars again on the levels! If you flashed the new Ruu.
It boils down to what you are comfortable doing I guess. Rooting is not for everyone. If you do not want to root you are pretty much stuck waiting on vzw and htc to get their OTA fixed and pushed back out.
Rooting is easy with Revolutionary, but you do void your warranty and open the door to being able to delete important system files. Once you root most likely you will find it hard to resist the urge to flash and try out new roms to!
jumpman1229 said:
Unfortunately, I was one of the few that got left behind when VZW pulled the update. I really want to update, even with the VM bug and everything. I came across this guide on how to manually upgrade to GB but I noticed it said it completely wipes my phone. Now I know Backup Assistant saves my contacts, my music is on my SD card so I'm not too worried about that. I'm afraid I might lose app data suchas all the hours and HOURS I put into Angry Birds Rio to get 3 stars on every level. Can anyone help me find a way to fully save all of my app data before I manually upgrade? BTW I've never rooted and I'm on stock Froyo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you link me to the guide you are referring to?
I think the easiest way is to just root it. Revolutionary method is pretty easy (I hear). I used the old school ADB method (which was nerve racking for me bc I am no Android guru). The Revolutionary method is a little harder to un-root though.
Are you opposed to rooting bc of the warranty issue? After you root than you can back up all your data. I don't know of a way to back up data wo root. Plus with root access you can flash some sweet roms.
If you will link me to the guide I will try to remember to get back to you with some more thoughts
Stratejaket said:
I'm still fairly new to the root world. I don't know or have not read of any way to back up your apps reliably without root access. Titanium backup, and Mybackup Pro are the 2 most common apps used to make back ups. There might be more? Titanium requires root, where Mybackup claims to have some functionality without root access.
From mybackup pro's website:
Key facts about MyBackup Pro:
Works on non-root phones, as well as root phones.
Root phones have the ability to backup APK+Data and Market Links.
Titanium has a free version that you can use that will back up your apps and all of their data. The Pro version adds a couple nice features that are handy for people that flash roms and like to change stuff around often.
Without root access Mybackup only does:
Application install files (If phone has root access, this includes APK+Data and Market Links)
Contacts
Call log
Browser bookmarks
SMS (text messages)
MMS (attachments in messages)
System Settings
Home screens (including HTC Sense UI)
Alarms
Dictionary
Calendar
Music playlists
Integrated third party applications
Not really what you want. Since you would lose your angry birds data and spend hours trying to gain 3 stars again on the levels! If you flashed the new Ruu.
It boils down to what you are comfortable doing I guess. Rooting is not for everyone. If you do not want to root you are pretty much stuck waiting on vzw and htc to get their OTA fixed and pushed back out.
Rooting is easy with Revolutionary, but you do void your warranty and open the door to being able to delete important system files. Once you root most likely you will find it hard to resist the urge to flash and try out new roms to!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I don't really wanna root. I might have to try that out. But when you say:
"Application install files (If phone has root access, this includes APK+Data and Market Links)"
^doesn't the "APK=data" part mean the saves within each app?
thepolishguy said:
Could you link me to the guide you are referring to?
I think the easiest way is to just root it. Revolutionary method is pretty easy (I hear). I used the old school ADB method (which was nerve racking for me bc I am no Android guru). The Revolutionary method is a little harder to un-root though.
Are you opposed to rooting bc of the warranty issue? After you root than you can back up all your data. I don't know of a way to back up data wo root. Plus with root access you can flash some sweet roms.
If you will link me to the guide I will try to remember to get back to you with some more thoughts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/0...d-rom-radio-and-full-ruu-for-htc-thunderbolt/
Yeah, I dont really want to root bc of the warranty thing. ^There it is.
jumpman1229 said:
Yeah, I don't really wanna root. I might have to try that out. But when you say:
"Application install files (If phone has root access, this includes APK+Data and Market Links)"
^doesn't the "APK=data" part mean the saves within each app?
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/0...d-rom-radio-and-full-ruu-for-htc-thunderbolt/
Yeah, I dont really want to root bc of the warranty thing. ^There it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah. that file will most certainly wipe you out and you'll have to start all over. I still haven't found a solution for backing up wo out root. Sorry.
I'm pretty sure backing up the .apk part isn't a big deal, worst case you can just redownload that. You want the DATA part backed up. The apk is just the file format android uses to install software. Like .exe in windows. (I'm pretty sure at least.)
The post from android police you linked will definitely wipe everything. If you don't make a root accessible back up you will lose all of your app data.
I totally understand the warranty concern. I held out for as long as I could. I received the OTA to GB and was very unimpressed. After hoping for months that the update would be more than what it is, I took the leap into freedom of root and made my phone what I wanted it to be.
Sounds like you should check out some new backgrounds to keep you interested in your current setup.
thepolishguy - Don't worry about it bro. Thanks for trying to help. Left you a thanks
Stratejaket - That's Exactly how I was feeling. If this GB update fix doesn't come soon, I will definitely look into rooting. Lol I was getting bored with this thing lol. Also left you a thanks for trying to help. *runs to zedge for a new background*
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using XDA Premium App
jumpman1229 said:
*runs to zedge for a new background*
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HAHA Good Luck man.
pardon me, but i'm pissed. I started fiddling with this thing yesterday with no luck now i've just spent the past 5 hours with this crap...i upgraded from the s3 and have no fkn idea why they've made some features so fkn difficult....excuse my language.
here's my problem, before changing phones i used mybackup to backup sms, mms, call logs, contacts and apps. Well after searching i see the reware directory needs to be put in the legacy/emulated folder....i did that but mybackup still can't see it. No problem, i'll do everything with good old Kies...but i can't find kies on the S5, market or samsung store. i've tried every fkn thing...i plugged in my old phone and downloaded easy back up and some other crap that's for rooted phones only. i can't find the easybackup directory. i downloaded some wifi transfer apps and the free ones have transfer limits...
can someone please help me before i throw this fkn phone and break it? thanks and btw my s5 and s3 aren't rooted.
A8000 said:
pardon me, but i'm pissed. I started fiddling with this thing yesterday with no luck now i've just spent the past 5 hours with this crap...i upgraded from the s3 and have no fkn idea why they've made some features so fkn difficult....excuse my language.
here's my problem, before changing phones i used mybackup to backup sms, mms, call logs, contacts and apps. Well after searching i see the reware directory needs to be put in the legacy/emulated folder....i did that but mybackup still can't see it. No problem, i'll do everything with good old Kies...but i can't find kies on the S5, market or samsung store. i've tried every fkn thing...i plugged in my old phone and downloaded easy back up and some other crap that's for rooted phones only. i can't find the easybackup directory. i downloaded some wifi transfer apps and the free ones have transfer limits...
can someone please help me before i throw this fkn phone and break it? thanks and btw my s5 and s3 aren't rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First a question: Are you afraid of rooting/tripping knox?
Answers: 1) Root will help with this. Get titanium backup PRO, but it requires root. I have been using it for I don't know how long.
2) Root will help with this. The S3 can be rooted and then returned to stock for your backing up needs. Once you root the S5 for your restoring needs, knox flag will trip and stay with you.
3) Calm down! Read the above answers again and think about it. He He good luck
I use My Backup Pro and if I'm not mistaken only the pro version will restore from one phone to a different phone. I'd also suggest using the cloud option. I backed up my S4 and restored to my S5 in minutes using the cloud and did not attempt it on a memory chip. It's also possible that KitKat security changes might make reading the data from the chip a problem. I am also not rooted yet.
Strychtnine said:
I use My Backup Pro and if I'm not mistaken only the pro version will restore from one phone to a different phone. I'd also suggest using the cloud option. I backed up my S4 and restored to my S5 in minutes using the cloud and did not attempt it on a memory chip. It's also possible that KitKat security changes might make reading the data from the chip a problem. I am also not rooted yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good idea to try the cloud, I never tried that.
KitKat only messed up the WRITE to SD card permissions, there's an app that restores it though on the play store. READING from the SD card to restore your backups and other things is not a problem even without the fix.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Super Backup from the play store is great for backing up and restoring all your messages, contacts, and call log. It saves them as tiny XML files, and even gives you the option to e-mail it to yourself. Then you can restore it just as easily in the app on the new phone. You can browse for the file, so you don't have to worry about where it's saved. Just e-mail it to your gmail and download it right back on the new phone.
I used this method for myself (I have the stupid AT&T variant that is going back soon, no root, no hope, no nothing) and friends and family with no root.
As for the apps, I just let Play Store reinstall it it whether it's after a full wipe and install of a ROM or moving to a new phone.. But if you have certain apps that can't be obtained from Play Store, and since you obviously don't have Titanium Backup having no root, Super Backup can also backup the apps, then browse to the backup folder for the APK files it saves and move it over manually. Use a file explorer to open the apk and install.
tenxo said:
First a question: Are you afraid of rooting/tripping knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the advice, but i'm not rooting right now. this is my 7th Android phone, i rooted the first 5, but i didn't root the s3 and have no plans of rooting this unless there's some incredible features that i really desire. i use to root back in the day to get the features that now come stock. Most of the things i dreamed of having on my phone now come stock, so i now don't see much need to root. Besides i have nightmares about the last 2 devices i rooted....gps no longer worked, phones started rebooting by themselves more often (every android i had did that but after rooting it seemed to happen more often)....i got tired of doing camera fixes, gps fixes, bluetooth not working.......i don't know, maybe the game has changed in 2014 and roms are more stable. I was deep into that starting with my g1, then my Nexus (the very first Nexus, i paid like $500 for it). I respect the developers and those who root their devices, i just don't see much personal need for it with these megaphones on the market in 2014.
What would rooting my S5 this early give me? Its currently fast enough, smooth, i love the camera, everything works like a charm(gps, bluetooth, etc...), my battery is CURRENTLY lasting all day with heavy use (i'm no fool, i know that wont last forever, especially coming from the another samsung phone). With all the widgets and things i have, i don't have a desire to root, maybe months from now, i'll get bored with the phone and see some good features....but rooting now.....you care to share your favorite features that a rooted S5 is currently bringing?
thx
tenxo said:
Good idea to try the cloud, I never tried that.
KitKat only messed up the WRITE to SD card permissions, there's an app that restores it though on the play store. READING from the SD card to restore your backups and other things is not a problem even without the fix.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you know the name of the app that restores it? also, Strychtnine, i have mybackuppro, but saved the backup to sdcard...i no longer have another phone so i can't backup mybackuppro online. i used easy backup and saved to google drive, thankfully I was able to restore my sms, mms and call logs....unfortunately many of my contacts didnt restore, i never had that issue with mybackup, its always been my preferred and most trusted backup app dating back to the G1.
A couple other questions while I have a few of you in this thread.
Where is Kies? is it no longer available....i used it heavily with the S3, i don't see it on the s5, playstore, or samsung store. Is there another free app that will allow me to view files on my computer and make changes like Kies? Wifi Transfer is cool but it has a very small transfer limit (i think it was like 10mb or something). I'm not into Google Drive, i use it for hosting music but its a pain to me....first 100mb takes around an hr to upload, then i have to download it on my phone, which takes another few minutes. I honestly prefer the good ole days of plugging the usb to the computer and boom! By the way, has that feature returned with the s5? i plugged usb to computer but it says can't find software. I searched online for s5 drivers and can't find a thing. Any suggestions? i took several pics that i want to send to computer, i don't feel like using google drive, with gmail, i'd have to attach all the files then download them.....i wish i could just connect phone to computer (usb or wireless) and copy/paste files. thanks
A8000 said:
What would rooting my S5 this early give me? you care to share your favorite features that a rooted S5 is currently bringing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel what your saying about the past devices and the problems that Custom Roms can create. Root however is different. I use root to run apps that require root i.e., Titanium backup, Greenify, GSAM battery, etc...
Kitkat 4.4.2 and probably Android going forward is some what weird if you think about it. It brought great features like being able to turn off apps (bloat) that you don't use in manage apps, and allows moving apps to the sd card...But on the same note they crippled the SD card write permissions for what reason? Oxymoron? So again here you need root to be able to edit the permissions file or use that SDfix https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix from the playstore. Note the first thing In the description is ROOT REQUIRED.
I also like Xposed and modules which allows me to customize certain things without needing a custom rom. Note that Xposed is causing some people problems with lag, S health, and Private mode not working.
I have two S5's both with root. On one S health works but Private mode doesn't. NO noticed lag.
The other one however, has extreme lag and freezing, and both S health and Private modes broken don't know why the difference. I don't use S health nor Private mode so no problem there but the lag was terrible so had to uninstall Xposed on the second one. Root alone doesn't break anything.
A8000 said:
do you know the name of the app that restores it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix
A8000 said:
Where is Kies? is it no longer available....i used it heavily with the S3, i don't see it on the s5, playstore, or samsung store. Is there another free app that will allow me to view files on my computer and make changes like Kies?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kies 3 is available I don't see it on the phone which is good it connects right up once you plug up with computer. http://www.samsung.com/sg/support/usefulsoftware/KIES/JSP . Make sure you select the install for the NEWER phones Note 3 and newer I think it says.
A8000 said:
I honestly prefer the good ole days of plugging the usb to the computer and boom! By the way, has that feature returned with the s5? i plugged usb to computer but it says can't find software. I searched online for s5 drivers and can't find a thing. Any suggestions? i took several pics that i want to send to computer, i don't feel like using google drive, with gmail, i'd have to attach all the files then download them.....i wish i could just connect phone to computer (usb or wireless) and copy/paste files. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just plugged it in and windows 7 installed the drivers right away...Maybe once you install Kies above it will install the drivers for you... The S5 actually come with USB 3.0. If you have USB 3.0 on your computer the transfer speeds will be insanely faster than previous phones. Why use Kies just use windows explorer for transfers, Kies just becomes a middle man!
Hi,
I just got a new phone, if I go through the process to copy all of my old phone over to the new one can I still use my old phone after its done?
The main reason I'm asking is because I've got hundreds of open browser tabs (on 3 separate browsers!) that I want to sort through and bookmark before I lose them but want to start using my new phone straight away.
Otherwise it seems that all app data, apps, contacts etc is automatically saved and transfered so I think the open tabs are the only thing that needs sorting. Is there anything I'm forgetting/missing?
Thanks!
domdom272 said:
Hi,
I just got a new phone, if I go through the process to copy all of my old phone over to the new one can I still use my old phone after its done?
...
Otherwise it seems that all app data, apps, contacts etc is automatically saved and transfered so I think the open tabs are the only thing that needs sorting. Is there anything I'm forgetting/missing?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Idk which method you'll use to transfer data, but your old phone won't be reset if you don't ask for it. Usually data transfer are just a "copy/paste" of the data from one phone to another. The only phone I know that loses data when transferring is the iPhone (and hopefully you don't have one).
Have a good day
Haha, no iPhones here! OK thanks, I couldn't find an answer with Google so thought I'd ask on here.
Great news as it means I can go ahead and start using my new phone.
Which method do you recommend? Does it matter? Options seem to be via cloud or direct transfer over WiFi.
Thanks!
@domdom272
Look inside here.
I have my lg v30 about 2 years, i bought it new and ni wish i had thought about rootin when i had nothing inside... now i have notes, important sms's contacts, calentar, media, apps and app setings, a tone of things time worhting of backup and restore... but i need it rooted now that the battery bents under its weight i need to remove the bloatware and i can't without root... if someone knows anything....
bkokkinos said:
I have my lg v30 about 2 years, i bought it new and ni wish i had thought about rootin when i had nothing inside... now i have notes, important sms's contacts, calentar, media, apps and app setings, a tone of things time worhting of backup and restore... but i need it rooted now that the battery bents under its weight i need to remove the bloatware and i can't without root... if someone knows anything....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can remove bloatware using adb
You'll have to manually backup media.
Contacts and SMS could be backed up using apps on playstore. Contacts could also be backup up to your google account
You can try using LG's inbuilt backup creator but not all app data/settings would be backed up.
I would be more concerned that you have no backup to begin with... rather than worrying about how to root without erasing. Without a backup, if something happens to the phone, you'll lose everything anyway.
GET A BACKUP FIRST... figure out how to do that and make sure it works for all your important data. It may not be a single app to do it... you may need multiple ways. For SMS I use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore but there are many others. For pictures and videos, I use Gphotos, though that is losing its free space in the summer, but I think you can still use it for now. If not there are others (Amazon does this for Prime users), Etc.
If it's important, you MUST have a backup. Whether it's phones, computers, or whatever.
schwinn8 said:
I would be more concerned that you have no backup to begin with... rather than worrying about how to root without erasing. Without a backup, if something happens to the phone, you'll lose everything anyway.
GET A BACKUP FIRST... figure out how to do that and make sure it works for all your important data. It may not be a single app to do it... you may need multiple ways. For SMS I use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore but there are many others. For pictures and videos, I use Gphotos, though that is losing its free space in the summer, but I think you can still use it for now. If not there are others (Amazon does this for Prime users), Etc.
If it's important, you MUST have a backup. Whether it's phones, computers, or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have backup of my media. The most i concern about are the app data and settings. In my past devices i never succeeded to recover settings and app settings completely.
bkokkinos said:
I have my lg v30 about 2 years, i bought it new and ni wish i had thought about rootin when i had nothing inside... now i have notes, important sms's contacts, calentar, media, apps and app setings, a tone of things time worhting of backup and restore... but i need it rooted now that the battery bents under its weight i need to remove the bloatware and i can't without root... if someone knows anything....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, you can't root without wiping. Bootloader unlock itself will automatically wipe the phone. You need bootloader unlock to root.
And even the temporary installation of the early Oreo firmware you need for bootloader unlock (unless you are on that firmware already) will wipe the phone, since you will be installing it either via Refurbish mode or Partition DL mode. You only need to stay on that early Oreo firmware long enough to utilize the WTF exploit to unlock bootloader, then you can update back to newer firmware.)
But there's TWO instances right there where your phone will be wiped completely before you can install TWRP and root.