Backing up Android?

[stockhausen]

For many years now I have had a policy of using Acronis True Image to make an image copy of the system disk of a newly built system. This allows me easily to restore a clean system in the event of a virus or other disaster. From time to time I will restore from this image, update all the relevant software, apply patches, etc. and then make an up-to-date image of the system disk.

Is there any similar technique available for Android on a Tablet or 'phone?
What happens if you install some piece of software that cannot readily be removed?

It will be pretty obvious that I am not at all familiar with Android. However, any Android user to whom I have spoken seems entirely unconcerned about backing up, a few of them copy off photos and perhaps contact lists but other than that, they don't seem to care.

 

[stockhausen]

What do you want backing up?

That really is the key issue.

The device in question (Samsung Galaxy Note Tablet) includes some reasonably expensive software (Memory-Map OS Explorer 1:25,000). The user in question doesn't want to have to pay for it again if she loses (or somehow corrupts) it.

What she would like to do and has asked my advice on is what I described above - make an image of the clean working system with the desired options loaded.

As to Google capturing her contact details and photos for whatever commercial uses they might dream up - I suspect that she could certainly live with out that happening - although I accept that they will probably do it anyhow

 

[stockhausen]

Helium or Titanium backup. . . .

Thanks for that, I will investigate further.

On a quick search there seem to be many ngative comments on the Helium Google Play page, e.g.:

Can't restore backups with free version. First tried copying backed up "carbon" folder from PC to phone storage but apparently that isn't supported; then used the "helium server" option to restore .ab files 1 by 1 and that doesn't work either - "invalid backup file". I'm not computer illiterate and this app claims to be an easy and workable solution for backing up apps and data without root on Android devices - it just doesn't work.

This doesn't preclude it as a solution but is "strange", especially since it is not mentioned and there is no (obvious) indication as to what the full version costs.

Titanium Backup Root seems more promising although I don't know what "Rooted Androids" means. Presumably it requires the user to have root access and I have no idea how one tests for this?

ps - thanks for moving the thread, much appreciated, I should have started there, sorry.

 

[stockhausen]

I am still trying - without success - to find a way to make a backup "image" of Android on a 'phone and then to restore it.

Has anything changed on this front?