Question: how do you back up your Android Phone?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around various methods for backing up Android phones, focusing on both whole and partial backups. Participants share their personal experiences and preferences, including software tools and techniques used for data preservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants back up their phones individually using Android desktop manager.
  • Others utilize adb shell to perform complete backups of their devices.
  • One participant mentions using a custom recovery (TWRP) to create image backups, which they consider comprehensive but complicated.
  • There is a suggestion that for average users, manufacturer-provided software is a simpler alternative, though less comprehensive.
  • Some participants recommend using Titanium Backup for those with root access, while noting its slow performance with large files.
  • One participant highlights the convenience of Google services for automatic syncing of contacts and emails, but expresses concern about reinstalling apps if the phone is lost.
  • Another participant mentions using Moibledic Mobile transfer for backups, describing it as user-friendly but not free.
  • There are discussions about the effectiveness and convenience of various backup methods, with some participants expressing preference for solutions that involve backing up to a computer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of methods and preferences for backing up Android phones, with no clear consensus on the best approach. Some favor more technical solutions while others advocate for simpler, user-friendly options.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various tools and methods without resolving the effectiveness or reliability of each approach. There are also references to specific software and services, but no definitive conclusions are drawn regarding their superiority.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for Android users seeking different backup methods, particularly those interested in technical solutions versus simpler, more accessible options.

ChrisJ4303
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What your method to back up your Android phone? A whole back up or partial back up instead?

I usually back up my content individually via Android desktop manager.

How about your option?
 
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ChrisJ4303 said:
What your method to back up your Android phone? A whole back up or partial back up instead?
I usually back up my content individually via Android desktop manager.
How about your option?
I use adb shell to do that and back up the whole phone.
 
Silicon Waffle said:
I use adb shell to do that and back up the whole phone.

well, impressed. via command line?
 
I have a nexus 4. Because the bootloader is unlocked on the nexus line, I flashed a custom recovery on mine (TWRP) and make backup images of the phone from there which then I copy via ADB (over the USB cable) over to my computer for storage. This is a rather complicated way to do it but it is an image backup of the phone and copies literally everything. Something that needs to be done before modifying system files, in case you soft brick your phone (render unbootable)

For the average user, the simplest way would be to use the software package provided by the manufacturer of the phone. It's not as comprehensive as what I do but it's a gazallion times easier to setup and do, plus you get to choose exactly what you are backing up so its way faster.

If you have root access on your phone, then I recommend Titanium Backup.
 
Routaran said:
I have a nexus 4. Because the bootloader is unlocked on the nexus line, I flashed a custom recovery on mine (TWRP) and make backup images of the phone from there which then I copy via ADB (over the USB cable) over to my computer for storage. This is a rather complicated way to do it but it is an image backup of the phone and copies literally everything. Something that needs to be done before modifying system files, in case you soft brick your phone (render unbootable)

For the average user, the simplest way would be to use the software package provided by the manufacturer of the phone. It's not as comprehensive as what I do but it's a gazallion times easier to setup and do, plus you get to choose exactly what you are backing up so its way faster.

If you have root access on your phone, then I recommend Titanium Backup.

Titanium Backup is a mobile app runs on your phone, it works very slowly if back up large files, I think the best and safe solutions is back phone data to computer. I personally used Moibledic Mobile transfer, one click to backup and restore, but it's not free.
 
Because I have a Google Nexus phone and use the Google calendar and Gmail and Gmail Contacts, everything that matters (i.e., my email and contacts) just work automatically as soon as I logged on to Google using the phone. I can add contacts using my Desktop computer or my phone, and it immediately syncs across the platforms. I also use Google Keep. It's just bliss--no need to worry about losing contacts ever.

But if I lost my phone, I would have to reinstall all the apps.

And then, of course, Google's cloud knows everything about me. Sigh.
 
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Peterbrith said:
Titanium Backup is a mobile app runs on your phone, it works very slowly if back up large files, I think the best and safe solutions is back phone data to computer. I personally used Moibledic Mobile transfer, one click to backup and restore, but it's not free.

Yeah, I agree the process would be very slowly if the files were larget.

harborsparrow said:
Because I have a Google Nexus phone and use the Google calendar and Gmail and Gmail Contacts, everything that matters (i.e., my email and contacts) just work automatically as soon as I logged on to Google using the phone. I can add contacts using my Desktop computer or my phone, and it immediately syncs across the platforms. I also use Google Keep. It's just bliss--no need to worry about losing contacts ever.

But if I lost my phone, I would have to reinstall all the apps.

And then, of course, Google's cloud knows everything about me. Sigh.

The contacts are in safe with Google service. it also applies to photo and other files with Google Drive
 
ChrisJ4303 said:
Yeah, I agree the process would be very slowly if the files were larget.
The contacts are in safe with Google service. it also applies to photo and other files with Google Drive
That's too complex, if you have budget,you can buy Mobiledic Android manager tool, it's $39,I used it for 3 months, it works fine!
 
Peterbrith said:
That's too complex, if you have budget,you can buy Mobiledic Android manager tool, it's $39,I used it for 3 months, it works fine!
Sorry, I forget to give you the Moibledic link:
If you need to back up the contacts:
http://www.mobiledic.com/android-topic/transfer-contacts-from-android-to-computer.html

If you need to back up the text messages to computer.
http://www.mobiledic.com/android-topic/transfer-text-messages-from-android-to-computer.html

Note, you need to install the driver on your computer, or it doesn't identify your phone.
 
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