How to backup Android devices?

darael · 13 Mar 2013 at 10:28

I've been a mostly Nokia user, but have recently got myself an HTC Desire. Now with Nokia, you could use Nokia Suite and do a one-click backup. If anything went wrong, it was literally a few clicks and all was restored.

Why can't things be this simple for the HTC and other Android devices? I don't want to pay for an application to do it for me, nor do I want to root my phone just now - I just want a one-click backup. If things go wrong, then I want to be able to restore my phone back to how it was - settings, address book, and all.

Maybe this is just asking for too much? Or maybe there is actually a free app that does all of this?

phil-k · 13 Mar 2013 at 10:51

I'm in the same situation, but from all the posts I have read the phone has to be rooted

Myshra · 13 Mar 2013 at 11:03

Address book is synced to google assuming you use it - contacts.google.com
Apps are synced to play - play.google.com
App settings - HUGE maybe - depends if you enable app settings backup and even then - most apps wont. You can manually backup /sdcard/android which contains most of the apps settings though, no root required iirc.

Closest thing I can suggest is Carbon for Android.

Chillimonster · 13 Mar 2013 at 15:21

i use Go Backup Pro.

Backs up apps (With Data), Contacts, Call Logs, SMS Messages, Wallpapers, Launcher Layouts - everything.

Can even backup to cloud based services such as Dropbox.

darael · 15 Mar 2013 at 20:29

It's all sounding to me as though it never occurred to the Android/whoever developers that people might actually want an easy way of backing up their phone.

chaparral · 16 Mar 2013 at 00:41

darael said:
Why can't things be this simple for the HTC and other Android devices?

Samsung Kies has a backup option...

http://www.samsung.com/ca/support/usefulsoftware/KIESTUTORIAL/JSP

But it not much use to you with an HTC...

Intratech · 16 Mar 2013 at 02:12

darael said:
It's all sounding to me as though it never occurred to the Android/whoever developers that people might actually want an easy way of backing up their phone.

Titanium Backup, App Backup & restore, My Backup, Nandroid backup via CWM... loads of options available so it looks like your hearing needs a checkup.

darael · 16 Mar 2013 at 10:18

Intratech said:
Titanium Backup, App Backup & restore, My Backup, Nandroid backup via CWM... loads of options available so it looks like your hearing needs a checkup.

darael said:
I don't want to pay for an application to do it for me, nor do I want to root my phone

Apparently I'm not the only one.

phil-k · 16 Mar 2013 at 10:40

There must be a way to backup an image of an unrooted phone to re-install the system in case it gets scrambled

Mekrel · 16 Mar 2013 at 11:39

You're pretty much out of luck because there are non root backup options, such as Carbon but this requires Android 4.0 as it utilises Androids built in backup manager which wasn't introduced until Ice Cream Sandwich hit the scene.

Myshra · 16 Mar 2013 at 15:50

darael said:
It's all sounding to me as though it never occurred to the Android/whoever developers that people might actually want an easy way of backing up their phone.

Android was designed around the requirement to not have another device to use for backup etc... (as opposed to iTunes / iOS in the beginning) so in a way - you're right.

lamboman · 16 Mar 2013 at 16:07

Sorry to come in without an answer, however, does Carbon Backup allow automatic restoring without having to interact (can it restore without having to press Install for every app)? Like the paid version of Titanium Backup does?

EDIT: Found out myself, didn't realise it utilised ADB backup/restore, so it appears that it does. May replace Titanium Backup for me if that's the case.