Database Users

Making better backups

Today I use a combination of Titanium and Mybackup pro to do my backups/restores. It works pretty well, there are just some questions I have:
I would like to backup my phone settings (ringer volumes, vibration settings, security settings, etc.) - Is this backed up using Android settings in Mybackuppro?????
When restoring applications I would like them to restore to their backed up location (Phone vs. SD Card). I tried to select the option in Titanium to do so, but it didn't work. Any tips on getting that to work?
Is there anyway to backup touchwiz settings??? (widget locations, icon locations, etc.)
I think this is it for now.

I am bumping this as these questions are still needing answers please.

Bumping again guys. Please help!

I too originally purchased MyBackup Pro. It does a decent job, but it doesn't work as well as it should. I too have found that it doesn't restore everything you need it to. But, that's because it doesn't give you the kind of control that Titanium Backup does.
I finally bought Titanium Backup and started doing some reading on how to use it properly. As you play in the program, you are going to need to look up terms and read on how to properly use the features. It's just how it is. Remember, Android is running Linux under the hood. They really didn't intend the average person to get in there and get their hands dirty. That's why you have to ROOT your phone to even be able to get access to your Apps data.
I really hope at some point Android will get better about being able to do App Data backups! I would love it if there was an option to not only sync the apps that I have purchased (free or paid), but also the app data. Hopefully Google will include that some day. They're willing to backup all my picture for free to Google Plus, you'd think they would also do my App Data.
Here's some helpful instructions for Titanium backup. Enjoy!
Just type this in to Google Search.
how to backup and restore with titanium backup
I was going to give you a link, but it won't let me until I post 8 times. LOL
Smoke.007

[Q] Smart Switch from S3 to S4 - App Settings & Icons

So, I installed Samsung's Smart Switch app on my old S3 and my new S4, then held the two phones together. NFC was used to setup a wifi direct connection, and then Smart Switch transferred photos, videos, messages (txt/mms), and a few other things... but, Samsung seems to ignored two of the most painful parts of getting a new phone: app settings and icon placement.
Anyone who has had an Android phone for more than a few months likely has more than 100 apps installed, each has been configured (login, settings, saved games, etc) and icons have been moved to your desired location on the home screen. Getting a new Android phone means you have to manually do all of this again...
Did I have too high of hopes for Smart Switch or did I miss something during the transfer?
Are there any other options for this that do not require rooting the phone?

shaunco said:
So, I installed Samsung's Smart Switch app on my old S3 and my new S4, then held the two phones together. NFC was used to setup a wifi direct connection, and then Smart Switch transferred photos, videos, messages (txt/mms), and a few other things... but, Samsung seems to ignored two of the most painful parts of getting a new phone: app settings and icon placement.
Anyone who has had an Android phone for more than a few months likely has more than 100 apps installed, each has been configured (login, settings, saved games, etc) and icons have been moved to your desired location on the home screen. Getting a new Android phone means you have to manually do all of this again...
Did I have too high of hopes for Smart Switch or did I miss something during the transfer?
Are there any other options for this that do not require rooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt any app or method would allow you to copy/replicate your app placement.
For app data, Titanium Backup is the best but you require root for that.
If you don't wanna root, you could try this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.backup&hl=en
You will need a pc, but it can restore apps as well as app data across devices without root. A word of caution though, don't restore samsung apps/app data as it may clash with newer versions of the apps on the S4. Use it only for other third party apps you may have installed.

Awesome! I'll give Carbon a try.

[Q] GS4 Multi Window don't work.

At&t GS4 32GB version.
Multi Window not working.
It is checked (lit up green) in the setting (notifications area).
DID a long press of the back button.
Rebooted.
Tried everything, it don't work.
Could root have broken it?
Titanium Backup Broke it?
All I did was root my device to be able to use Titanium backup to restore all ym data from my GS3.
That data was...
My call log, SMS / MMS History.
A few Games and the data from them.
Wifi Settings
Call History.
That was it.
Andorid 4.2.2 that came with the phone.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Restoring that type of system data can cause many odd issues. This why it is never advised to restore any system data at all. Only user apps
W.T Nexus 4

Is there a better way to restore call logs, MMS/SMS messages, contacts and all the WIFI hotspots (passwords) I have saved?
That stuff is pretty important to me. I use the phone for business so to have every SMS message is super important. My call logs are important an d obviously my contacts are important. The few games I play on a regular basis are important too (but there are only 3 of them).
Can something like restoring that kind of data KILL multi window?

Contacts are backed up with your google account so those are not a worry. There are a few sms backup programs out there that when restored work properly but non that do mms that I remember. Your games are fine as that is user data and nothing system related. The call logs can be backed up with some 3rd party apps as well. As for the Wi-Fi spots I don't know of any that backup those. Yes it could cause these issues as each device and OS version can handle how these are stored very differently.
W.T Nexus 4

zelendel said:
Contacts are backed up with your google account so those are not a worry. There are a few sms backup programs out there that when restored work properly but non that do mms that I remember. Your games are fine as that is user data and nothing system related. The call logs can be backed up with some 3rd party apps as well. As for the Wi-Fi spots I don't know of any that backup those. Yes it could cause these issues as each device and OS version can handle how these are stored very differently.
W.T Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possible solution to getting multi window working?

Your not gonna like the sound of this but most likely a factory reset and start from scratch. Make sure it is working and then go from there.
W.T Nexus 4

zelendel said:
Your not gonna like the sound of this but most likely a factory reset and start from scratch. Make sure it is working and then go from there.
W.T Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an option..(which I want to avoid)
Anyone one else want to weigh in?

Turn off multi window then turn back on. Then holdback button. If that doesn't work reboot phoneqnd try again

Comp1demon said:
It's an option..(which I want to avoid)
Anyone one else want to weigh in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, as far as I can remember all Call history, SMS/MMS and Wifi Settings, can be passed to the S4 via Kies, if I'm wrong, then just use the Samsung Smart Switcher, you can get this from the Samsung Apps, or at least in my case, inside the S4 box there were some instructions and a URL to go to do this. http://www.samsungsmartswitch.com
Second, once you get any annoying error on your phone, you don't have to many options to fix it, other than going the factory route, but for your information, if you use ODIN and the OEM Factory Rom that is on this site, you will install everything back to factory, but doing this won't affect any of your settings or Apps, it will just refresh all rest to factory all your system Apps, SO, just do this first (you can even do it on Kies, just use the Firmware Upgrade and Initialization option) and then Check for the Early Month Update, update your phone, then do the Smart Switch thing and you will be almost completely covered.
Just leave your re-root for the end, just in case. Good Luck.

erasat said:
First of all, as far as I can remember all Call history, SMS/MMS and Wifi Settings, can be passed to the S4 via Kies, if I'm wrong, then just use the Samsung Smart Switcher, you can get this from the Samsung Apps, or at least in my case, inside the S4 box there were some instructions and a URL to go to do this. http://www.samsungsmartswitch.com
Second, once you get any annoying error on your phone, you don't have to many options to fix it, other than going the factory route, but for your information, if you use ODIN and the OEM Factory Rom that is on this site, you will install everything back to factory, but doing this won't affect any of your settings or Apps, it will just refresh all rest to factory all your system Apps, SO, just do this first (you can even do it on Kies, just use the Firmware Upgrade and Initialization option) and then Check for the Early Month Update, update your phone, then do the Smart Switch thing and you will be almost completely covered.
Just leave your re-root for the end, just in case. Good Luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I guess it came to that.....
Kies is a really cool app - I had no clue it was better than titanium backup.
No need to root I guess.
Kies would not restore official rom IT kept locking up after download.
I ended up using ODIN.
Took Two times then a DATA WIPE.
Then Kies to restore everything but my Multi Window is working.
Thanks...
But now I am wondering if a data wipe was really all I needed instead of redoing the ROM?

Comp1demon said:
Well I guess it came to that.....
Kies is a really cool app - I had no clue it was better than titanium backup.
No need to root I guess.
Kies would not restore official rom IT kept locking up after download.
I ended up using ODIN.
Took Two times then a DATA WIPE.
Then Kies to restore everything but my Multi Window is working.
Thanks...
But now I am wondering if a data wipe was really all I needed instead of redoing the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad that at least is working and you have your data restored on your S4. but just FYI, I use Titanium Backup PRO in all my devices, is great for backup all your apps, and then you can restore all of them with even the data, BUT when you are moving from a device to another, or even with teh same device, when you change Roms, it's not recommended to restore all data and system apps, next time just do the restore your apps option. I have successfully restored all System and Apps before, when only when I had a good backup of all o fit, and then screwed something up, so I just reinstalled same Rom or do a factory reset, then do the full restore, it can definitely save you a lot of work and time.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore
I've been using this app forever give it a shot before doing a factory reset

zelendel said:
Contacts are backed up with your google account so those are not a worry. There are a few sms backup programs out there that when restored work properly but non that do mms that I remember. Your games are fine as that is user data and nothing system related. The call logs can be backed up with some 3rd party apps as well. As for the Wi-Fi spots I don't know of any that backup those. Yes it could cause these issues as each device and OS version can handle how these are stored very differently.
W.T Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just FYI, Google Account also backs up WiFi information (SSID + Passwords). I found this out surprisingly when I upgraded from an HTC EVO 3D to the GS 4. When I added my Google Account, it proceeded to restore my home screen wallpaper, my apps, my contacts, and my Wifi info.

Smart Switch or Start from Scratch?

Just curious if people use Smart Switch (or similar programs/apps) to transfer all the old data/contacts/music/apps to the new phone or start fresh, re-download apps one by one, etc? When I switch to a new device, I'm usually (maybe unreasonably) fearful that some stray bit of old or unused data or file will transfer over that will affect the performance of the new device, thinking I'm making it 'dirty'. I also use it as an opportunity to purge apps I don't use enough to warrant keeping them. Over time I always collect apps I use maybe one time and I leave them there, no reason why. Time to clean house!
Coming from S7E, when I go into Best Buy to pick up the S8+ I'm sure they'll ask if I want them to OTG the data over... No thanks, I want my baby clean.

With smart switch you can chose what you want to copy. Yo

I might have to check out this smart switch. I usually back up everything with Titanium then restore on the new device. The problem is that often causes problems if you restore the data that goes with the apps (last time I did that it screwed up notifications for things like whatsapp and emails), I think it was due to going from kitkat to marshmallow on my S5 and the difference in permissions handling between them probably screwed it up when restoring data. Of course not restoring the data means I lose all my save games, old messages in whatsapp, call logs, saved wifi networks etc etc so it would be nice to restore these things without screwing up anything on the new device. I wonder if Smart Switch (never heard of it before) could do it better than trying to restore from Titanium?
I guess not, just installed Smart Switch on my S5 and it won't even run. Tap to open it, it flashes up on the screen then vanishes.

I'm going to try smart switch, loading it now on my Nexus 6.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I used smart switch on my last couple of upgrades I usually backup to PC on the morning the new phones due to arrival.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Well I still can't get smart switch to even load on my S5. Same thing constantly, tap the icon to load it, a smart switch screen flashes up then vanishes. No error messages and it stil shows in the recents menu, selecting it from there does the same thing, smart switch comes up, then vanishes again.
No idea why, I am using phoenix rom for my S5 which I think has bits of S7E firmware in it but that shouldnt cause an issue, the phone itself couldnt be running any better and its still a samsung android phone so smart switch should at least run, instead of vanishing without any kind of error message to give me a bluddy clue as to what i need to do to make it work.
Are there any good alternatives to smart switch? googling it just brings up the usual bunch of junk you get in these types of searches that i dont trust at all.

When I use smart switch it always gives me a rouge run away app that kills my batter and I end up factory resetting to correct it so what I started doing was sms backup and restore to restore my call logs, txt and sms messages including pictures and allowing Google to restore my apps ( no data) and go from there. Yeah I know I have to reset up my apps but I don't care at least I start from a somewhat clean slate and have everything I need . That's just my experience and opinion.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

If we're coming from a non-Samsung device, is there another tool we could use to do the same thing? As the bootloader will be locked, I can't rely on TiBackup or anything which I've always used in the past.

sanjsrik said:
If we're coming from a non-Samsung device, is there another tool we could use to do the same thing? As the bootloader will be locked, I can't rely on TiBackup or anything which I've always used in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helium backup and mybackup.

I like to tranfer everything because i have so much.
But funny thing is tho when i first got my s7 edge the smart switch didnt work, everything didnt tranfer.
Went to the note 7. Then went to a new note 7 (recall) still didnt tranfer my apps. Back to the s7 i went fresh and it now backs up correctly. So ill try the smart switch again.
Then box up ky s7e and ship it back

sanjsrik said:
If we're coming from a non-Samsung device, is there another tool we could use to do the same thing? As the bootloader will be locked, I can't rely on TiBackup or anything which I've always used in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smart switch works on multiple devices on Android and iOS. I'm going to give it a go first.

I always just start from scratch. Had too many problems in the past with apps misbehaving. I'd rather just devote a few hours to reloading manually than devote days to figuring out wtf is going wrong.

Starting from scratch. Had some issues with my pixel XL when I transferred my data

Nothing works 100% right when you transfer. It's just a fact. I've gone from S6 to S7, S7 to Note, Note back to S7, and other Android to Android transfers. Inevitably some app or setting screws something up. It might be minor, it might cause reboots. Not worth the risk. SmartSwitch is very slick, but it still can cause grief.
This is what I'd suggest based on past experiences.
1) Use an unencrypted SD card to copy photos, music, ringtones, and anything else media related between phones. There is no downside to this. You can save new pics to the SD card on the new phone while keeping all your old pics and it will just work. (Make sure and back stuff up. Phone or SD card, you never know when things will die.) You're coming from an S7, so you have that SD card option. If other users don't have an SD slot, copy the files to your computer and then to the new phone.
2) Make a list of all the apps that are relevant to you. There is likely a lot of baggage on your current phone you just left there. That app you downloaded once for one purpose that you never deleted. The app that is specific for the phone you're coming from and has no use on the new one. The picture editing app you downloaded but then started using something else. Bottom line, only bring along the baggage that you use. Adding back unnecessary stuff can just slow down a phone.
3) Set up your shiny new S8. Get it on your network. Get your Google account signed in. Go through ALL the system preferences. Turn off garbage settings you won't ever use (Edge sports for instance...). Set the timeout and security settings you will use.
4) Look over the apps that are on the phone already. Disable the ones you don't need/want. You can keep it basic and just do it in the app list settings or you can go a bit deeper and use an app from the Play Store to disable apps or go all old school and use pm on the phone's shell to do it. (pm -hide com.vznavigator.Generic for example) Once you've done that, your phone will be as pure as it can be without putting a custom ROM on it. Update the apps now or later.
5) Log into your Google account on a desktop browser and go to the Play Store. Use that list of apps you made before to bring them all up in the browser. Hit install there and choose your shiny new S8 as the destination. (This is just quicker than going into the Play Store on your phone and searching for each of them.) They'll download in the background on your phone as you choose them.
6) The crappy part. Set up the apps again. They're all installed fresh and clean so you'll need to launch them and put in passwords, accounts, settings, etc. It's painful, but it is the only way to guarantee that no gremlins on the phone came along with transfers.
7) Pop in that SD card you had with all your pics, music, ringtones, etc. on it.
8) Finish set up. Set your camera to use the SD card, choose the SD card as the storage location for offline YouTube and Netflix videos, etc.
9) Enjoy your new phone.
---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 PM ----------
sebastianraven said:
Smart switch works on multiple devices on Android and iOS. I'm going to give it a go first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't do it. It seems so nice and slick, but it's caused grief every single time I've used it. Subtle glitches sometimes, force quits other times.

Averix said:
6) The crappy part. Set up the apps again. They're all installed fresh and clean so you'll need to launch them and put in passwords, accounts, settings, etc. It's painful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comprehensive list, good stuff there. To combat #6, I use a password manager (LastPass) which will autologin to my apps with a fingerprint. Saves a lot of typing, and I'll give the FPS a good workout and get used to the placement in the meanwhile.

i just use google account too download previous google store apps and populate the contacts. then get my 3rd party apk installed, that i keep on my sd card. things like unlimited skip pandora, etc.

I am coming from iOS, not sure how much it can be transferred... I guest only photo and contact, without apps...
Will missed some apps that I bought... need to buy it again on Google Store.

sanjsrik said:
If we're coming from a non-Samsung device, is there another tool we could use to do the same thing? As the bootloader will be locked, I can't rely on TiBackup or anything which I've always used in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cloneIT

i like to start from scratch

skyhew said:
I am coming from iOS, not sure how much it can be transferred... I guest only photo and contact, without apps...
Will missed some apps that I bought... need to buy it again on Google Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't even transfer photos. Just download Google Photos on iOS and upload them and then download them on the new device.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Q] Using Helium to restore apps and data? Keep getting errors.

So since I cant use TB right now. I am trying to use Helium to restore from my Galaxy S6 to my S8.
I already did smart switch to get the core around, but of course as expected it didnt do all my apps since some arent on play store. So now am trying to restore from my Helium backup, but many times it gets stuck on a restore for an app.
So just wondering, how else is everyone getting around all this? Thanks.

try again.
force stop the app on both devices and try again(make sure you do a sync, they're easier and more stable than backup-restore)
the backup process can be a bit unstable, some apps took several tries for me.
also good to know, running apps can't be transferred.
so kill any app you plan on transferring.
and smart switch does sideloaded and discontinued apps too if you use a cable to do the transfer.

Mysticales said:
So since I cant use TB right now. I am trying to use Helium to restore from my Galaxy S6 to my S8.
I already did smart switch to get the core around, but of course as expected it didnt do all my apps since some arent on play store. So now am trying to restore from my Helium backup, but many times it gets stuck on a restore for an app.
So just wondering, how else is everyone getting around all this? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the same problem. The next day, I tried restoring one at a time and it worked. Then, I was able to restore the rest as a batch. I can't explain it.

thedicemaster said:
try again.
force stop the app on both devices and try again(make sure you do a sync, they're easier and more stable than backup-restore)
the backup process can be a bit unstable, some apps took several tries for me.
also good to know, running apps can't be transferred.
so kill any app you plan on transferring.
and smart switch does sideloaded and discontinued apps too if you use a cable to do the transfer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smart Switch doesnt do the app data tho. So even with side loading, Id still be missing the data.
Now as for the sync. Are you doing to internal storage or google drive?
I did try restoring some apps one by one, and "says" complete, but never is. Doesnt even show it installed. So rather odd.
Just know right now. I am lil annoyed without root for a simple process to backup apps and data and restoring. Reminds me of when I do a clean windows install.... 3 days worth of setting up again vs 1 click of Titanium Backup restore. >.<

i used sync.
sync sends the backup straight to your new phone, and can only be triggered from your new phone.
you select your old phone from the restore screen, choose an app, and it will make a backup and sends it to your new phone, which then immediately installs it.

I can't get Helium to work on my S8+ at all. It says it restores apps and data, but the app is never installed. Tried one app at a time, everything. Helium worked fine going from my Note 4 to Note 7, then to my replacement Note 7, then from my Note 7 to my S7E. But from my S7E to my S8+ - it does not work. PITA and there are several apps I REALLY needed to migrate data.

did you try installing the app through the play store or smart switch first?
I didn't have any real issues, but I did go through smart switch first.

Anyone figure out the solution???? Please post

thedicemaster said:
i used sync.
sync sends the backup straight to your new phone, and can only be triggered from your new phone.
you select your old phone from the restore screen, choose an app, and it will make a backup and sends it to your new phone, which then immediately installs it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be nice if I knew how "sync" mode worked. All I get from the restore/sync list under my devices is "An error occured while retrieving your device list"

I can't get Helium to recognize that the S8 is in PTP mode. Even when it is, Helium states that the phone is in MTP mode. Anyone else experiencing this problem with Helium and their Galaxy S8 Plus?

Same issue with helium, it restores everything but then the apps simply aren't there.

I've tried everything to make Helium work - still says apps installed, but they never do. Surely there has to be an answer to this riddle.

Same here. No luck on data / settings being restored

Anyone have any updates or other solutions we can use? Helium devs never responded back to me.. so I feel like I just wasted 5$ on them.

Maybe time to give a one star rating for them on the playstore until they address the issue.

thedicemaster said:
i used sync.
sync sends the backup straight to your new phone, and can only be triggered from your new phone.
you select your old phone from the restore screen, choose an app, and it will make a backup and sends it to your new phone, which then immediately installs it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is sync part of Smart Switch or Helium? Forgive me if question is obvious but since thread is about Helium, just wanted to make sure you are referring to a feature of SmartSwitch
Thanks

it's a feature in helium.
i don't know exactly how the devices find each other, but in my restore screen i can see my old phone as a source and if i select it i can choose from almost any app currently installed on my old phone and have it start a backup on the old phone that immediately restores on my S8.
it is far more reliable than backup to cloud for me.

thedicemaster said:
it's a feature in helium.
i don't know exactly how the devices find each other, but in my restore screen i can see my old phone as a source and if i select it i can choose from almost any app currently installed on my old phone and have it start a backup on the old phone that immediately restores on my S8.
it is far more reliable than backup to cloud for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sync doesn't work for me. I have an error,
An error occurred while retrieving your device list. Getting this on both the new SO and the source phone.
Any secrets to getting the device to list? I am running the latest version of Helium.

Sync doesn't work with the S8. I do believe it was an option when I went from my Note 4 to my Note 7, then from my first Note 7 to my second Note 7, and also available from my second Note 7 to my S7E back in early February. But there is something not allowing sync between devices on Helium and the S8/S8+. So synicing isn't an option when the phones are not being "seen" as being available to sync. As others have said, there is an error message saying phones aren't available or something similar.

thedicemaster said:
it's a feature in helium.
i don't know exactly how the devices find each other, but in my restore screen i can see my old phone as a source and if i select it i can choose from almost any app currently installed on my old phone and have it start a backup on the old phone that immediately restores on my S8.
it is far more reliable than backup to cloud for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CrozB said:
Sync doesn't work for me. I have an error,
An error occurred while retrieving your device list. Getting this on both the new SO and the source phone.
Any secrets to getting the device to list? I am running the latest version of Helium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also do you have to have premium version ?