Database Users

App re-downloader script/program

I know I could use a program to back up my applications... but I am really against that kind of thing.
Every time I flash, which has become very often lately, I spend quite a bit of time getting the applications I really like from the market. I don't mind the download/install time, I just wonder if there would be some way to script this action so I could create a list of links or something to the applications, then just wait 10mins or so for them all to be downloaded and installed.

AndrewZorn said:
I know I could use a program to back up my applications... but I am really against that kind of thing.
Every time I flash, which has become very often lately, I spend quite a bit of time getting the applications I really like from the market. I don't mind the download/install time, I just wonder if there would be some way to script this action so I could create a list of links or something to the applications, then just wait 10mins or so for them all to be downloaded and installed.
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Click to collapse
AppBrain market is what I use... it'll save a list of your applications then it will chain link it through the Market when you need to A) reinstall or B) update.

This looks like what I need, thanks.

AndrewZorn said:
I know I could use a program to back up my applications... but I am really against that kind of thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your against backups?

I believe in backing up things like contacts, only if they are stored in a very pure form free of errors... like how Android currently implements this with Gmail, it is great. I hated even getting the pim.vol file in Windows Mobile days, I know that within that file is tons of markup garbage, version-specific information, cached information, and even problems.
I do not like backing up programs at all. When I reformat a Windows install, it makes sense to not bring old programs over... they should be clean-installed from the latest version. I have translated this thinking over to my phone. The only benefit of a backup is saving time, eventually a problem will come of it I think.
So on my phone, I back up nothing. I flash the phone, it grabs the contacts and calendar fresh from Gmail, and then I reinstall all applications. I never question the cleanliness of it.

AndrewZorn said:
I believe in backing up things like contacts, only if they are stored in a very pure form free of errors... like how Android currently implements this with Gmail, it is great. I hated even getting the pim.vol file in Windows Mobile days, I know that within that file is tons of markup garbage, version-specific information, cached information, and even problems.
I do not like backing up programs at all. When I reformat a Windows install, it makes sense to not bring old programs over... they should be clean-installed from the latest version. I have translated this thinking over to my phone. The only benefit of a backup is saving time, eventually a problem will come of it I think.
So on my phone, I back up nothing. I flash the phone, it grabs the contacts and calendar fresh from Gmail, and then I reinstall all applications. I never question the cleanliness of it.
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Click to collapse
I do the same exact thing... I always prefer installing the app from the market instead of from a backup.

0_o
ten chars

market backs up apps?

I decided to completely wipe my evo. Used format all zip and flashed cm6 and gapps. When I logged into my Google account it automatically restored all my apps paid and free. I thought only paid apps would show in market after a complete wipe. At least I have never had my free apps reappear that way. I expected to have to search and redownload like everytime before. It was a nice surprise.

Standard AOSP 2.2. If it eventually bothers you, just skip logging in at the welcome to android screen. (tap the four corners in a clockwise motion or just skip) and sign in through the market unchecking backup data with google.

Thanks for the info. What other data is backed up along with apps. Sounds like it could cause some problems if it backs up data u don't want.

Trash can

Hi again,
I`m new to android and have now got my Wildfire rooted and running the latest Wilpuzzle rom.I`ve also got live wallpapers running, got overclocking running and even Angry Birds so thanks to everyone for the help and advice on these forums.
The last little thing that is now got me is can you permanantly delete trash.As I`ve been playing around I have quite often put things on the screen then wanted to get rid of the icon etc.
So I do a long press and the trash icon appears in the notification bar at the top then I just drag the item to the bin and it`s gone.Over the past couple of weeks I`ve done this loads of times.My question is- Is there a permanent delete option like on Windows or is it permanently deleted each time I drag it to the trash?
If the permanent delete option is there where is it?
Thanks again

you can remove the app by downloading apps like easy uninstaller or uninstaller from the market.
or you can uninstall them from menu - settings - apps - manage apps... etc
or if you're using launcher pro, open app drawer, long press an app and drag it over the trash can until it says drop to uninstall, or something like that.

For the built in widget's, I dont think there is a permanent delete option. But, for 3rd party apps, you can simply uninstall the app itself.

you can also delete any folders that have been created by discarded apps using a file explorer

Thanks for the replys,
I have a file explorer and also know how to uninstall unwanted apps,but what I want to know is,when you drop something in the trash can, is it automatically permanently deleted or is it like Windows trash can where the files or whatever are dropped into sit with the option to permanently delete or restore.
If it is where do I find it on the system to find the recently deleted files/apps etc?

It (The widget) is just removed from the home screen, that's it. Its not uninstalled or removed or anything. (Unless you use LauncherPro/ADW's Uninstall Feature from the Trash Can).
Widgets are basically "functioning" shortcuts like the shortcuts on your Windows Desktop (Eg: Windows Vista/7 Clock, Calendar Widget etc), and, the same effect occurs when you remove a widget as is the case with removing a windows shortcut, i.e., only the shortcut gets removed. The app remains untouched. You can add it later as and when desired.
Lastly, there is no concept of Recycle Bin in Android as far as I know to view recently deleted apps / files etc.

Lastly, there is no concept of Recycle Bin in Android as far as I know to view recently deleted apps / files etc.
Thanks 3xeno thats exactly what I wanted to know.

[Q] Backup & Restore

How did you guys restore apps and data along with sms/mms, call history and bookmarks from your previous phone? I am coming from a rooted gs3 and would like to figure this out before I make the leap to the gs5. I have always used and loved titanium backup but know it won't work without root.

rotzy said:
How did you guys restore apps and data along with sms/mms, call history and bookmarks from your previous phone? I am coming from a rooted gs3 and would like to figure this out before I make the leap to the gs5. I have always used and loved titanium backup but know it won't work without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also migrated from rooted s3, no luck on app data (had to reenter some), apps that sync to cloud (i.e. google apps) restored data fine. Used samsung smart switch app to migrate call logs, sms, bookmarks, etc..see play store, worked well.

Really? Nobody saves and imports their app data when they switch phones or is it so simple to do that no one wants to tell me how to do it!?

rotzy said:
How did you guys restore apps and data along with sms/mms, call history and bookmarks from your previous phone? I am coming from a rooted gs3 and would like to figure this out before I make the leap to the gs5. I have always used and loved titanium backup but know it won't work without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use SMS Backup+ for SMS/MMS and call log. Apps and data I didn't really bring with, I started over, except for a couple with their own backup and restore functions, like Llama and Nova Launcher.
I prepared to restore more data using Koush's Helium, but decided against it so that none of the "issues" from my old phone would follow me to the new one...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

You can use Helium (on the app store) by Clockworkmod to back up the app data on unrooted phones (you need to plug into computer first and download a Helium app on the computer). It can backup app data on rooted phones without any issues. Note that saving the backups to external SD card and then transferring the SD card will not work - I don't think Helium has been updated to work with external SDs in KitKat yet. Therefore, use the cloud save or simply sync between your two devices.
I have run into some issues with game saves - for example, restoring a Plants vs Zombie save ended up causing a force close on the program (while PvZ 2 works fine). A couple other games refuse to back up (oddly enough, I never ran into this issue while my GS3 was on Jelly Bean 4.2, only after I updated to 4.3 and went to backup in prep for a move to the GS5). I also generally have bad luck restoring data to apps that have associated "accounts" - i.e. facebook and linkedin, so I take care to avoid restoring those and just login with my new information.
You can also use ADB on your computer to do a manual backup (Helium actually does this technically, it just spoofs your phone into thinking its still plugged in). Apparently this backup solution is a built in part of Android, just never utilized. Its not easy to use, and cannot selectively backup and restore apps unless you know the specific "com.android.xyz" app name. Google "ADB backup android" and you should find some tutorials - there is one on the Nexus forums here on XDA that walks through some of the flags and settings. Be careful to not backup system apps if you do that, you are asking for trouble.
Personally it bugs the crap out of me that there is no app data migration built into Android - yes contacts, calendar, etc can all be stored in the cloud, but why not app data? For all its rhetoric about the cloud and keeping information synced up, its a glaring oversight on Google's part. I think android theoretically restores app data on certain apps (if developers code it the right way) when the initial restore is performed after initially setting up a device, but I have yet to see that work correctly. Plus that initial restore process is full of holes - lots of apps don't re-download. You would think that, in order to sell more phones, at the very least manufacturers would want to make backup/restore as easy as possible. Samsung does have Smart Switch, but it doesn't backup app data and really only restores those items that are likely in the cloud or on SD cards anyway (pictures and contacts).
Even early 2000s blackberries had backup and restore functionality, as did old palm pilots from the 90s.

Thanks Rlin5741.
I've read such contradictory reviews about Helium that I didn't want to try it without hearing from someone here. Are you saying it is possible to plug my rooted GS3 into the computer and backup apps and data with Helium and then restore them onto the new phone OR would I need to plug both phones in and transfer directly?

rotzy said:
Thanks Rlin5741.
I've read such contradictory reviews about Helium that I didn't want to try it without hearing from someone here. Are you saying it is possible to plug my rooted GS3 into the computer and backup apps and data with Helium and then restore them onto the new phone OR would I need to plug both phones in and transfer directly?
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Click to collapse
Rooted GS3 can back up to Drive without a PC. New GS5 will need to be connected to a PC to restore.
You don't have to have both at once.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

JohnKuczek said:
Rooted GS3 can back up to Drive without a PC. New GS5 will need to be connected to a PC to restore.
You don't have to have both at once.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.

JohnKuczek said:
Rooted GS3 can back up to Drive without a PC. New GS5 will need to be connected to a PC to restore.
You don't have to have both at once.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've generally done very selective backups - game saves, etc, and perhaps call logs and SMS/MMS. I generally do not back up system apps (especially if you are moving to a different model phone), any app that has an associated "account" (email, facebook, linkedin) because those apps have deeper integration with the system. If you do not backup system apps, and selectively backup others, if you still run into issues you can clear app data through the app manager; that should clear out any restores.
Since Helium uses Android's built in, hidden backup functionality, it actually refuses to back up certain apps - such as Google Authenticator. I think app developers can flag their apps to prohibit backups for security reasons.
More on Android's built in backup solution (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351). I DO NOT recommend doing the full backup from your old phone and restoring it on your GS5 - the full backup will hit all apps. At the very least, use the flag to avoid system files.

Rlin5741 said:
I've generaly done very selective backups - game saves, etc, and perhaps call logs and SMS/Mook marks nerally do not back up system apps (especially if you are moving to a different model phone), any app that has an associated "account" (email, facebook, linkedin) because those apps have deeper integration with the system. If you do not backup system apps, and selectively backup others, if you still run into issues you can clear app data through the app manager; that should clear out any restores.
Since Helium uses Android's built in, hidden backup functionality, it actually refuses to back up certain apps - such as Google Authenticator. I think app developers can flag their apps to prohibit backups for security reasons.
More on Android's built in backup solution (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351). I DO NOT recommend doing the full backup from your old phone and restoring it on your GS5 - the full backup will hit all apps. At the very least, use the flag to avoid system files.
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Click to collapse
I definately don't want system apps or anything you can log into. I'm only looking to restore call logs, sms/mms, bookmarks and game data. I'll give helium a try when I'm ready to switch.

First-Time Rooting: Backing up Data

I have been informed when you unlock the boatloader your device storage is wiped. I have no problem with files like pictures, video, etc. because I have all that kind of stuff backed up to the cloud, but I would LOVE to avoid having to reinstall every app, but more importantly signing in to them again and changing all the settings to my liking. Is there any app I can use pre-root to backup apps, app data, app settings, and transfer that to my device post-root? I am not sure how much this matters, but almost all my apps are from Google Play, and I don't want to have to install an .apk of an app that is separate from the Play Store when there is a version on the Play Store. Not sure if that made any sense, but TL;DR if it's on the Play Store, I wanna keep it that way.
Thanks!

Helium.