Replacing Titanium Backup with Helium - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm a long time user of Titanium Backup as it has allowed me to backup and restore my app data when I need to do a factory reset or when I switch phones. This is the main reason why the first thing I do with the phone is to enable root access. However, I've just come across Helium (yeah bit slow off the mark on that one) which seems to allow doing this job without root access. However, everything I read seems to imply that it only works for user installed apps.
Does anyone know if this works for system installed apps that are part of the ROM as well?
TIA

Related

[Q] What is lost during a ROM change? How to backup phone so I can play with ROMS

I'm running streakdroid 1.9 but I would like to do some experimentation with my streak. If I flash a new rom what will I lose? How do you backup your data so you can flash to your hearts content?
Thanks
if u flash stock roms, they do a factory reset during first start up.
So u end up loosing everything.
However if u flash .zip version of the stock roms using CWM or streak recovery , u will retain almost everything but may loose somethings like root and so on.
Remember stock roms will flash its default recovery everytime it boots up
Ok thanks. Is it wise to do a factory reset anyway?
What tools can I use to backup messages, apps, photos, etc?
I use titanium backup.
If you do a nandroid backup, when you restore it, everything will be just as it was before you flashed another ROM...
As far as using Titanium... it has never worked for me completely, nor has MyBackUp Pro, they cause me more headache than being useful...
I have gotten to the point to when I flash a new ROM, I just manually install everything, I know it sounds like some hassle, but you end up with a much smoother operating phone.
I even do a nandroid backup first, then go into my ROM and manually uninstall everything, so that when I boot up my new ROM and setup my market account, it doesn't try to install everything on its own and bog down my phone at first, I install everything manually in the order I want and set them up as I go.
I know this sounds cumbersome, but I have found it creates a cleaner environment and practically eliminated force closes
That is the way I like to do things also but what about the things that you can't just re-install e.g. sms, application specific data?
Advice
I was having a sim card and constant restart issue after updating to streakroid 2.4.4, and even after flashing dsc, the problem persisted. After I reviewed the steps I had taken I realized that I never did a factory resest (fearing I would forever lose my precious app data, which I did -_-). It turned out that was the fix, after doing the factory reset, my sim card was recognized immediately and a couple of the text I had missed showed up. However, I fixed one fixed problem and developed another.
Even though I restored a MyBackup and Titanium backup I did right before resetting I recovered my several apps without their precious data (setting, notes, bookmarks). I tried doing internal backups within the apps, some conveniently had syncs to a cloud yet I missed doing that with a few apps because I have over 100+ and I use more than half on a regular basis (even if for 5 minutes). All my apps are on my device, which is a good thing but I cant appreciate that given the missing data.
So my advice is:
Use apps that have can automatically backup or sync data -- there are enough apps with similiar utility that you can avoid ones without that function.
Do a manual backup within your important apps. -- Some apps backup files to locations that may be wiped during update, doesn't have auto backup or the last backup is months old.
Pics, texts, call logs are easily backed up -- Backup programs will explicitly state or ask what to back up in that regard.
Do a nandroid backup -- I believe this only restores rom and apps but someone can correct me.
Caveat
Through all the research done before actually need to restore a backup I missed the fact when restore apps depending on the restore program every app has to be reinstalled individually. If you have more than 25 apps then #$#@!, also for some reason when restoring with titanium if during a batch restore you come across an app if you hit cancel during one of the install prompts because you actually don't want to restore that app the batch will freeze and you'll have to force close titanium and start the restore all over. Go through the list of restore options and choose each app one by one, save yourself the time.
Lastly, to piggy back off what was said before, a factory reset( FR) after updating rom is always recommended but its not always needed. Most roms will update without causing you to lose any data but like I said previously I had sim card issues when I updated without a FR. YMMV
At this point I don't know if this helps the OP but maybe it will benefit someone else who reads this thread.
This guide by _n0p_ tells how to do an upgrade and minimize the re-installation of apps.
Key items:
Use the backup function of any apps that have it
Don't count on restoring data with TB or My Backup
Make a nandroid - just in case
I have found TB and My Backup to be useful for things like browser bookmarks.
The post linked to discussed going from Froyo to Gingerbread but the same techniques apply for moving to any other ROM.
Last time i changed roms, i used the Dell backup utility for evertyhing but the apps, which can be backed up together with their data with QtADB which creates a backup folder on your SD. After installing the new rom, i chose advanced recovery from the Dell Utility and set it to recover everything but the apps, which i recovered with QtADB. However, I also strongly recommend nandroid, in case the steak doesn't boot after the install.

Cannot restore system apps using Titanium Backup

I have an SGSII, rooted with Odin/CWM 4 and I cannot restore any system apps using Titanium Backup - it simply sits there saying 'Restoring App' and nothing happens. Normal apps can be restored OK. I tried changing the app processing mode in TB to Auto/Indirect but it didn't help.
Any ideas? I have TB Pro FWIW.
Can't you just restore systemdata? I assume the apps are there already.
ps you know the downside of restoring system apps?
I backed up and then uninstalled some system apps using TB Pro (TpLauncher, AccuWeather, etc.) but now I'd like to get some of them back. I assumed using the TB restore option was the way to go.
What's the downside of doing this? Can I restore these manually?
Same happened to me, I guess lesson is don't uninstall sys app unless you really don't want them.
Glad it's not just me and I have a nandroid so I can get everything back but it's annoying. I've reported it to the TB devs. If they come up with a solution I'll let you know.
I use root explorer backup the system apk, restore it when need it back.
what i do, is close titanium application then restart it again. then viola.
seems strange ... TB Pro always do the job for me
FWIW these were apps I first freezed, then uninstalled (without unfreezing). I wonder if this is relevant. Perhaps the permissions are screwed or something. If I could get a TB log I could find out. Hopefully the developers will help out.
Bump. Any updates on this? I'm having the same problem
Here is my reply from Titanium Backup support:
"We're sorry, system apps are critical and should not be removed in the first place. Some apps are tightly ROM bounded, while others are dependent on other system entities which could break things when they are removed. We have already provided the warning in the preferences that you will be held responsible of your own actions upon removing the system apps and we will not provide support for restoring them back. In most cases like this, you will have to reflash your ROM or restore your nandroid backup (you must always keep a nandroid handy)."
So in other words - tough sh*t! Not what I was expecting.
I restored my Nandroid and now only freeze apps, and they seem to defrost OK but after that reply I'm wondering if I should continue to use their product.
rec71 said:
Here is my reply from Titanium Backup support:
"We're sorry, system apps are critical and should not be removed in the first place. Some apps are tightly ROM bounded, while others are dependent on other system entities which could break things when they are removed. We have already provided the warning in the preferences that you will be held responsible of your own actions upon removing the system apps and we will not provide support for restoring them back. In most cases like this, you will have to reflash your ROM or restore your nandroid backup (you must always keep a nandroid handy)."
So in other words - tough sh*t! Not what I was expecting.
I restored my Nandroid and now only freeze apps, and they seem to defrost OK but after that reply I'm wondering if I should continue to use their product.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fairness they are right, anyone who uninstalls system apps is asking for trouble why would you want to do that in the first place,you can simply freeze any apps you don't use instead, i have most of the Samsung bloatware frozen in Titanium as i don't use them and many of them are responsible for excessive battery drainage.
BTW Titanium Backup is probably the best overall app in the whole market and they always release updates, i highly recommend this app to anyone who doesn't already have it.
As a software developer myself if one of my apps didn't work correctly and a customer asked for help I would do my level best to get to the bottom of the issue instead of fobbing them off.
The app lets you uninstall system apps and restore them again - why would you want to? because on some devices space might be at a premium - I freed up 100MB on my previous device (Xperia Arc S) using this feature for example - which made a big difference.
Luckily I don't need the space on my SII but I'm surprised that the TB devs wouldn't want to find out what the issue is.
rec71 said:
As a software developer myself if one of my apps didn't work correctly and a customer asked for help I would do my level best to get to the bottom of the issue instead of fobbing them off.
The app lets you uninstall system apps and restore them again - why would you want to? because on some devices space might be at a premium - I freed up 100MB on my previous device (Xperia Arc S) using this feature for example - which made a big difference.
Luckily I don't need the space on my SII but I'm surprised that the TB devs wouldn't want to find out what the issue is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They know what the issue is. The outcome of removing an restoring system apps is just unpredictable. They gave a warning that it could cause unwanted results. Messing with roms gives unpredicted results.
Same thing happened to my Galaxy Pocket. I uninstalled system apps and can't restore them.
THE solution is wen u want to uninstall an system app den first of all make an back up of DATA of that system app and den go 2 loaction of app through root explorer in internal storage and copy that APK file to ur sd card as backup .
den delete the APK file mannualy or uninstall using titanium backup...
wen u want dat app again den copy the APK to its original old location of system /app and restore the data using titanium backup and just restart the phone..
hope it helps ...
Yes, I can restore system data
Lennyz1988 said:
Can't you just restore systemdata? I assume the apps are there already.
ps you know the downside of restoring system apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be more thorough:
I am able to restore system data of an app but I can't restore an app.
In fact, if I locate the apk which titanium backup had backed up with a file browser and install it manually, it works fine! I can then restore data with titanium backup.
Issue on my Galaxy SII (no matter what ROM I use)
You shouldn't be restoring system apps at all/you shouldn't need to (the data may be another question though). Why are you wanting to restore system apps/which apps in particular ?

[Q] - Recommendation for a Backup & Restore App

Having always rooted my phones I never had an issue backing up apps and data via Titanium backup but am now looking for a solution to back up apps and their data on my non-rooted Z2.
Having just flashed the latest Z2 firmware via Flashtool which wipes the phone, I've restored backups I had made with Sonys Back Up and Restore app only to find it didn't backup all it said it did, so had a number of apps and data missing.
Can anyone recommend a solution to this
kersey said:
Having always rooted my phones I never had an issue backing up apps and data via Titanium backup but am now looking for a solution to back up apps and their data on my non-rooted Z2.
Having just flashed the latest Z2 firmware via Flashtool which wipes the phone, I've restored backups I had made with Sonys Back Up and Restore app only to find it didn't backup all it said it did, so had a number of apps and data missing.
Can anyone recommend a solution to this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in the same boat as yourself, Ive found a good one is HELIUM, plus helium will state what apps don't have a backup option coded into them so unlike sonys own app u wont be annoyed when some apps do/don't backup Also Helium allows cloud backups as well as internal and external sd card backups
Im currently using helium for apps and Mybackup pro for my text message backups as I found heliums message backups were weirdly in the opposite date order to normal use( instead of latest being at bottom of list it was at top)
Thanks mate, will give Helium a try
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
SwiftSmoke said:
I was in the same boat as yourself, Ive found a good one is HELIUM, plus helium will state what apps don't have a backup option coded into them so unlike sonys own app u wont be annoyed when some apps do/don't backup Also Helium allows cloud backups as well as internal and external sd card backups
Im currently using helium for apps and Mybackup pro for my text message backups as I found heliums message backups were weirdly in the opposite date order to normal use( instead of latest being at bottom of list it was at top)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just confiming, does Hellium doesnt back up the app data like TB?
I know ive read somewhere there is an app by chainfire for app and data backup for non rooted but at first glance it seem a bit long winded so never bothered with it.
I used easy backup which restored my apps, sms, mms, call log etc all no probs but yeah problem was no data backed up so had to set them all up like email, settings etc all over again.
I understand Unlocking and Rooting an Xperia is a tough task. But the stock ROM is good enough.
A good article here. It helped me and it may help you too buddy.
rexboy said:
Just confiming, does Hellium doesnt back up the app data like TB?
I know ive read somewhere there is an app by chainfire for app and data backup for non rooted but at first glance it seem a bit long winded so never bothered with it.
I used easy backup which restored my apps, sms, mms, call log etc all no probs but yeah problem was no data backed up so had to set them all up like email, settings etc all over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well your not gonna get the same level of backup due to lack of root, but for me it saved things like game progression(i.e angry birds) but didn't save things like custom widget sets in HD widgets app. But not the end of the world.
Ive started looking at my backups a bit more in detail and asking do I really need a backup of some apps, as some are just install-login to app and use no custom data to speak of to really backup. Or other apps like XDA app and game progression which have custom settings and progression Id like to save.
SwiftSmoke said:
I was in the same boat as yourself, Ive found a good one is HELIUM, plus helium will state what apps don't have a backup option coded into them so unlike sonys own app u wont be annoyed when some apps do/don't backup Also Helium allows cloud backups as well as internal and external sd card backups
Im currently using helium for apps and Mybackup pro for my text message backups as I found heliums message backups were weirdly in the opposite date order to normal use( instead of latest being at bottom of list it was at top)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bro, Last time I used Helium is when it was called Carbon, I tried it with Xperia S and it didn't worked at all, after that I saw this in it's description in Play Store
Note: Some Sony devices have issues with Helium. This includes the Xperia S and Xperia Z. Sony has *disabled* backup on these devices completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I lost hope after that, so does it work now on Z2 ?
I'm still not in a hurry to have Z2 as there's still no way to root without unlocking the bootloader, and I will not unlock the bootloader without backing up the TA partition first ( which requires root )... so I've been looking for a way to copy some of my app's data from my old phone to Z2, I used to use Titanium Backup always but you know, no root = no TB...
so can you confirm please that you used Helium to backup AND restore app's data to the Z2 ? or you're just guessing from a non-xperia experience ?
Xajel said:
bro, Last time I used Helium is when it was called Carbon, I tried it with Xperia S and it didn't worked at all, after that I saw this in it's description in Play Store
I lost hope after that, so does it work now on Z2 ?
I'm still not in a hurry to have Z2 as there's still no way to root without unlocking the bootloader, and I will not unlock the bootloader without backing up the TA partition first ( which requires root )... so I've been looking for a way to copy some of my app's data from my old phone to Z2, I used to use Titanium Backup always but you know, no root = no TB...
so can you confirm please that you used Helium to backup AND restore app's data to the Z2 ? or you're just guessing from a non-xperia experience ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used helium to backup my apps on my s3 then install them on my z2, ive also backedup up my current apps on my z2 since, but like ive already said helium cant backup certain apps as the app developer hasn't allowed backup function. Helium did the job for me for my game progression and a few apps where I wanted current setup saved.

Alternative to Helium for data backup

Hi guys.
Been searching for a solution, but couldn't find anything that seem updated. The issue is with Helium, which has always worked well enough in the past. On my S9+ it's acting up and failing, and now that I'm about to flash my phone I need a good backup of my app data.
Any good solutions? I would prefer not rooting my phone, but...would it be possible to root, titanium, flash root, titanium, unroot?
Smart switch should work. There you can backup your Apps and data
profi_fahrer said:
Smart switch should work. There you can backup your Apps and data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't backup app data unfortunately.
I have not found anything that would do the trick and I spent a good amount of time looking.
Unfortunately without the phone being rooted (assuming it can be, my phone is one of the s9+ models that no root exists) we do not have full access to the entire file system.

What app can transfer app DATA similar to Titanium backup but without root?

Hello everyone
So I've been using root and Titanium backup like since forever, not I switched to a Xaomi phone and I can't root it anytime soon. I want to transfer my apps and my app data the way Titanium does it. I don't just want to install apps in batch. I want to back up and restore apps user files
I looked into different apps but it seems like all of them.just backup apps without used data. I tried (to try) an app called cloneit and it kept disconnecting instantly. I didn't troubleshoot it because I wasn't sure it will even do what I want.
Any suggestions?

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