[Q] [Help] Backup App Data With Unrooted Phone? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Background:
I had a Nexus S. Got some games and got pretty far in them. I did not root the phone. Now I have an N4. I want to pick up where I left off on the new phone with regards to the games.. let's say, They Need To Be Fed as an example.
Now, neither phone is rooted, so obviously this complicates things, but it is not impossible. I can easily use Carbon to backup my app data and restore it onto the new phone without requiring a root. However I want to explore alternative methods.
So in a perfect situation, I would like the app data (and/or the app itself) to be backed up into one nice file that can be saved onto the new phone and then opened up to put the saved data where it needs to be. I'm not sure, but do .apk's contain app data as well? Could I save my current progress on TNTBF along with the app itself into a .apk and then extract the file on my new phone to continue where I left off?
What Carbon does is create a folder specific for the app and its data, which is a bunch of files I'm not familiar with, and requires Carbon to restore the data itself. Although this app is phenomenal and will be my last resort, I'd like something that doesn't require the app itself to restore the data. I used to use something called Ultimate Backup I think. When I selected to backup an app, it would save a .apk to the sd card. I'm not sure if it was backing up just the app or the app data as well, but if it did save the app data then that would be optimal.
Is anyone familiar with anything -- app or program -- that can do something like this? Backup app data that can be restored without the app itself on unrooted devices?
From my research, it seems the answer is 'no'. But maybe something recent has come up!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351 :adb backup, skip system applications.

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[Q] How to migrate from another Android phone?

I am about to upgrade from HTC Hero to SGS2 and I wonder what is the best way to migrate my apps (I've got more than 100 installed)?
TA123 said:
I am about to upgrade from HTC Hero to SGS2 and I wonder what is the best way to migrate my apps (I've got more than 100 installed)?
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must you really bring everything across? I look on new phone as a chance to clear out the crap...
Titanium backup perhaps, if you must bring it all over...
pulser_g2 said:
must you really bring everything across? I look on new phone as a chance to clear out the crap...
Titanium backup perhaps, if you must bring it all over...
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Click to collapse
That's exactly what I did, although I had to copy all the files from my sd card onto the internal memory for TB to realise there were backups to restore.
@Pulser ... how dare you call my **** crap ;-)
My method when I want to start fresh is backup stuff like astrid to the sd and then backup the sd to save the various data. I use myappslist off the market, it will generate a list of all the apps you have which you can email to yourself. I like to put the barcodes in there so I can just go directly to the app on the market. You can also use plain text or html or a combination. On the new phone I go to the market and download barcode scanner, open up the email I sent myself and start installing the apps onto the phone. If you're like me a couple will be ones I never used but forget to unistall so I skip them. Then I open up my backed up sd and move over the data, ringtones etc. I usually hang onto the backup for a week or so until I'm sure I have all the data moved across and then I delete it and make a backup of the new setup.
I always do this when switching to a new rom or switching to a new phone. In between I use ti.
I am guessing you have a Google account to download apps from market, when you log in to the your new phone with your google account and choose to sync your phone with Google your apps should automatically transfer to your new phone.
You can view and load apps via https://market.android.com/ instead of scrolling through your phone its much easier and when you click 'Install' on the website it will send the app to your phone and install automatically. https://market.android.com/account will show you all your apps.
Thanks a lot, guys!
If you log in with your Google Account on install it will start downloading all your apps from the Market anyway. Just make sure you are on wifi when you do it!
If you want saved game states (Angry Birds), you will need to use Titanium on the old phone to backup the settings and then use it on the new one to restore. (Requires root on both).
Upgraded from a Hero myself, and all my paid-apps were there waiting there in the marketplace. It was however only the paid apps, the free apps I had to install again. I did have a minor hitch getting the phone contacts and SMS off the Hero as there wasnt a batch backup function available, but luckily there are plenty of market apps that can backup and restore your contats and SMS.

Titanium Backup Info needed

Ive been thinkn about getting titanium backup. Im trying to find out who has it already n who used it with success after updates. Especially one after ICS. So from what I heard/read it can back up apps n games and the system stuff n data. FOR the apps n games it actually backs up the apk or makes copies of them? Like lets say you know there's an update coming or you might have to send tablet to Asus. what steps would you use with Titanium Backup to make sure you can go back to the same apps n setup you had before? I thought I read somewhere here someone had an issue trying to restore info after an update. Is this true? Also I don't have an external micro SD card yet. Is this needed for Titanium or is that the best way to back up? Would backing it up on the Prime itself do any good or will it get wiped on an update or by Asus if sent in?
I have around 150-200 apps already n set alot of stuff up n hate having to manually try to do everything again. IS the built in Asus Backup any good or works just as good as Titanium? Doesn't it back up to the cloud or something or is it on the prime itself or external memory card? Does it do the data n system setup also?
Sorry for all the questions. Never used it before and figured might be time to make sure my stuff doesn't get erased. THANKS IN Advance for any info/help
A must have tool - Work fine with ICS 4.0.3
demandarin said:
Ive been thinkn about getting titanium backup. Im trying to find out who has it already n who used it with success after updates. Especially one after ICS. So from what I heard/read it can back up apps n games and the system stuff n data. FOR the apps n games it actually backs up the apk or makes copies of them? Like lets say you know there's an update coming or you might have to send tablet to Asus. what steps would you use with Titanium Backup to make sure you can go back to the same apps n setup you had before? I thought I read somewhere here someone had an issue trying to restore info after an update. Is this true? Also I don't have an external micro SD card yet. Is this needed for Titanium or is that the best way to back up? Would backing it up on the Prime itself do any good or will it get wiped on an update or by Asus if sent in?
I have around 150-200 apps already n set alot of stuff up n hate having to manually try to do everything again. IS the built in Asus Backup any good or works just as good as Titanium? Doesn't it back up to the cloud or something or is it on the prime itself or external memory card? Does it do the data n system setup also?
Sorry for all the questions. Never used it before and figured might be time to make sure my stuff doesn't get erased. THANKS IN Advance for any info/help
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Click to collapse
I'm using it years ago and is just excellent to backup all the apps on all your android devices. It work really good with ICS. It allows you to save all your app and the data of it. Is a must have tool.
You can try it free, you just have to restore one by one which is a major pain. Also on my bionic some apps don't restore right and it hangs, remember that app and don't check it in the batch list, then try and restore just the app and then just data. That problem may be because I was using t bolt backups on the bionic, but I never had any problems on my Droid X or t bolt.
Titanium backup is the greatest! I have used it for many years across multiple devices. Every time I was getting ready to flash a different rom I would run a backup, flash the rom, and then titanium all my apps back.
Not sure if you have to have an sd card or not, I have always had one when using it. Most of the issues seem to come when people try to restore /system data after flashing to a different rom. All I backup and restore is apps under /data.
It wont backup home screens, widgets on home screens, ringer settings etc. Only apps. Also, with that many apps you are going to want to spring for the premium version. In the free version when you are restoring apps you have to click install on every single one of them. Premium version does it automatically.
I use it and bought the pro key. I love it. Especially when you flash roms. Makes it so much easier. I highly recommend pro. Other wise you will have to it install for each app.
Sent from my DROIDX using xda premium
Thanks for the info! Anyone know if the Asus built in backup is just as good? Ill more than likely get this asap.
I'm not sure it would restore old apps from HC to ICS well but I haven't tried it. Otherwise it does everything you want. Restoring system files doesn't work so well sometimes but you can manually do that. You can also use it to restore data only to apps like the Alarm Clock for all of your times. One nice thing about the pro version is you can freeze apps which basically removes them from your system but doesn't delete them all the way. Deleting system apps can be an issue when it comes time to update as ASUS updates will not work if you have deleted system files.
It will work on different versions. I backed up on gingerbread and restored on ics on my phone.
Sent from my DROIDX using xda premium

[Q] restoring app data to a different android device?

Atrix is my first android device, and I've learned a lot about it.
One thing I love is the ability to back up apps and data using TiBu (titanium backup)
Now I am thinking of ending my run with the atrix and picking up a new android phone (most likely the Note).
Since I've invested a lot of time into apps and games (ok mostly games) on my Atrix --- is there a way I can restore my saved data onto a new Android phone?
Would importing the files from my TiBu backups onto the new phone, and then restoring just "data only" instead of "App+data" work?
If not, is there another way?
Thanks in advance!
Nothing? So I'm just gonna try backing up to sd and putting that in new phone.
Sent from my CM7 Atrix
I've done it going from moto to moto, but when coming from flipside to atrix, I had to go "find" where all the backups were. Pointed tibu to the right directory and viola, everything there. Just remember don't restore system apps. Oh and drag racing you have to start all over again no matter saved or not. I gave up after the 3rd time with that game.
Restoring apps + data will cause you nothing but trouble. I used to do this and it caused a number of apps to go 'rogue' and wouldnt let my phone go to sleep like it should. Prevented it from going to sleep. Once I stopped using TiBu my battery life saw a tremendous increase.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
i was planning on restoring "only data" -- and re-downloading the apps that i need.
then after -- deleting all backedup data, then doing a backup of the current apps..
we'll see if it works, i got a couple more months until i do though

Pre ICS upgrade question...

Is there anyway to backup everything (all settings, all apps, all data, home screens, shortcuts, BT pairings etc.) on GB and have it perfectly restored after a new OS version upgrade (ICS) ? I have been researching this on various sites but can't find a clear answer. I know if I root my Note I can create a NANDROID backup image. But when restored it restores the OS as well. Correct? Or is there a way to restore a NANDROID backup with out restoring the OS? Or will using Titanium or My Backup Pro accomplish what I'm asking for? THANX!
You are correct on nandroid, no way to do it without the OS. You will have to re set up all of your settings and bt pairings afaik. Titanium will restore all of your installed apps, but not how you had everything set up. As for texts, there are some SMS backup apps on the market. Some launchers also provide the ability to backup how you had them set up, but I'm not sure which ones, and if you're not using it currently it wouldn't do much good anyways. Also, if you're doing the update through kies, it will wrote everything off your phone, so be sure to transfer your photos to your computer before you do. Also, if you use titanium, you would have to transfer that file to your computer before using kies.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Maybe I'm repeating this... Titanium does not keep the settings? I dont particularly like Titanium because I want to select my important apps and do a batch backup to my SD card. I want it to keep the settings and logins too. Then, when I get a new rom, I can load the app, settings, log ins and everything.
Is this not possible?
I use 128 bit passwords that are about 30 characters long, so I end up texting myself my AndroidMarket password and using the online market to push the apps to the phone over wifi. Then I use USB to copy over a KeePass database and load KeePass Droid to start setting all my logins for VOIP, emails, media apps, etc. since it has a notification bar user/pswd dropdown to copy. It is more time consuming than I prefer, it makes it impossible to really try new roms that often, keepass makes it at least bearable.
Would you care to tell me how people manage to use nightly builds and things of that nature while not spending hours plugging in all the settings?
Titanium restores app data.
The first batch of each sub section is what i use.
Backup:
Backup all user apps
Restore:
Restore missing apps with data
Theoretically you could backup all system data that appears with green txt I'm the list of programs in tibu, which would include things such as Wi-Fi password and bt pairings i believe.
but if you were to have issues by restoring that, because restoring system data can be funky sometimes, you'd have to factory reset and start over, so that part is up to you.
I don't do anything other than the batches i mentioned above.
If you are upgrading ICS from a stock GB then you won't lose your app, its data and contact.
But settings, home keys and shortcuts will be initiated.
I don't know how to back it up but I usually screen shot those and then just redo when I have a new rom installed.

What is best method to backup and restore?

Almost all my data has been stored by default to my internal storage. Pictures, DL's, I figure I will sync to my laptop and back them up there, but there must be an easier way all you flash addicts are doing it. And TB is still preferred method to back up and restore all apps, msgs and call logs?
Is there a good startup noob guide? Things change so fast around here I never know if the guides are now obsolete.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Clockworkmod recovery......for a complete backup...
and although TB is a great app, it seems to cause as many problems as it solves..
the app pulls data into a fresh build (on occasion) and causes problems when setting up..
I personally load "all" of my apps from the market again, on a fresh rom install....g
Most would store their downloads and pics on the external sd card. Contacts should be made google contacts that way they sync automatically. And Titanium backup works well. You just have to know what to restore. Issues are usually attributed to user error by not knowing fully what they are doing.
Taking everyone's valuable suggestions one step further, send backups from external sd card to Google Drive or Dropbox.
gregsarg said:
Clockworkmod recovery......for a complete backup...
and although TB is a great app, it seems to cause as many problems as it solves..
the app pulls data into a fresh build (on occasion) and causes problems when setting up..
I personally load "all" of my apps from the market again, on a fresh rom install....g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Agoattamer said:
Most would store their downloads and pics on the external sd card. Contacts should be made google contacts that way they sync automatically. And Titanium backup works well. You just have to know what to restore. Issues are usually attributed to user error by not knowing fully what they are doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
rangercaptain said:
Taking everyone's valuable suggestions one step further, send backups from external sd card to Google Drive or Dropbox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent using the Greatest Device EVER!
So you change the default settings of where to store dl's and photos every time you flash a new rom?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
When I restore I log in to google and get TiBU.
I make sure it knows my backup folder location.
I restore the apps I backed up. Never select restore system apps.
Then I restore sms and calls. When I restored those apps they get their settins restore so I don't have to do anything.
So the only location I check/change is TiBU.
I used to CWM but now I use TWRP for flashing and creating backups. I also use TB pro and I have to say I haven't had any problems but I do only restore apps and their data and nothing else. I also have become a fan of My Backup. I am able to backup and restore how I have my icons saved on my screen. Makes it real easy and quick to get back up and running.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
You can save the launcher and it's data with tibu also, no need for a second app...That's what i do
hell some launchers have a backup option built into them.
Serious? Well face palm myself. I never paid attention that TB did.
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using xda premium
Just so you know, nothing on your internal or external SD is affected by flashing a ROM. Sounds like you think you might lose your pictures and downloads. They will be safe unless you format them.
OK, so I bought the pro version of TiBu, actually had a tough time getting it to sync with the free version and recognize the key on fresh rom install....
But my bigger problem after rom install hand TiBU restore...I am getting 3 errors and it caused the phone to hang so bad, had to do a factory reset and start from scratch with everything.
1. Calendar sync not working properly
2. Messages sync not working properly
3. Android.process.acore not working properly.
I would love to flash roms more often but dont out of fear of having to restore everything I liked back manually (I have to learn how to backup launcher too BC that is a big time factor in setup after a flash)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
The trick is the System Apps. If they're Green then you can usually backup and restore them without any issue. If they're Red then you shouldn't back them up and restores won't be useful.
For some of the Green items (e.g., messages, bookmarks, call log) there's a Yellow equivalent which indicates XML. For these, you should favor the XML since it'll restore across ROMs better.
For all apps, if you switch between ROMs that are extremely different (for example, if you jump straight from stock GB to CM9(ICS) then there can be problems. You can usually get around these by uninstalling the offending app, installing from Play Store and then restoring just the data.

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