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Root [International] [INFO] My backup / Restore routines

SUroot

SUroot

Extreme Android User
I've created this thread so that when I am in a position to recommend how I would back up, I can simply refer to this thread.

This thread is predominantly for root backups, however some backups are non-root (which I will identify).

I will list each app and what I use it to backup and the settings I use, starting with non-root.


Non-Root
Description: Automatically backup SMS, MMS and call log entries using a separate label in Gmail / Google Calendar. It is also possible to restore SMS and call log entries back to the phone (MMS not supported yet).

My comment: Great app, syncs my call logs and SMS to Gmail. I can read them on my computer and I'm safe knowing that a couple of minutes after its sent / received, its in my gmail account.

My Settings:
Auto Backup > Yes
Auto Backup Settings >Regular Schedule > 2h
Auto Backup Settings >incoming Schedule > 3m
Advanced Settings > Backup Settings > Backup SMS - Yes
Advanced Settings > Backup Settings > Backup MMS - Yes
Advanced Settings > Backup Settings > Backup Call Log - Yes
Advanced Settings > Backup Settings > Call log settings > "Call Log" (gmail label)
Advanced Settings > Backup Settings > Mark As Read (Emails) - Yes
Advanced Settings > Backup Settings > "SMS" (gmail label)
Advanced Settings > Restore settings > Restore SMS - Yes
Advanced Settings > Restore settings > Restore Call Log - Yes
Advanced Settings > Restore settings > "500" (maximum restored)
Advanced Settings > Restore settings > Mark as Read - Yes

Description: Dropbox lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere.
Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere. After you install Dropbox on your computer, any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, your Android device, and even the Dropbox website!

My Comment: I like to have my photos sync'd wherever I am. With my 56GB Storage (S3 allowance included) its the perfect place to act as my reserve backup (more on that later)

My Settings:
Turn on camera upload
Upload using > Wi-Fi or data plan
Use data plan > for files under 25MB

Description:FolderSync enables easy sync of files between cloud storage and Android devices.
FolderSync is a application that enables simple sync to cloud based storage to and from local folders on the device memory card. It currently support multiple SkyDrive, Dropbox, SugarSync, Ubuntu One, Box.net, LiveDrive, HiDrive, Google Docs, NetDocuments, Amazon S3, FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV or windows share (Samba/CIFS) account

My Comment: I have a NAS but it also works for a Windows computer that is "Always on". I use this to sync my internal and external SD card (Excluding music folders - paid function only) over WiFi, whilst I sleep. No matter what content I generate on my sd cards from my S3, it backs up and I always have it available.

My Settings:
Accounts > SMB > "NAS" (IP Address of NAS, folder to backup to, log in creds)
Folderpairs > External > Account - "NAS"
Folderpairs > External > Remote folder - A folder within the backup folder in NAS account
Folderpairs > External > Local Folder - /mnt/extSdCard
Folderpairs > External > Sync Type - To Remote folder
Folderpairs > External > Scheduling - Use
Folderpairs > External > Scheduling > Sync Interval - Advanced
Folderpairs > External > Scheduling > Sync Days - M,W,F,S
Folderpairs > External > Scheduling > Sync Times - 03:00h
Folderpairs > External > Sync Options - Subfolders
Folderpairs > External > Sync Options - Hidden files
Folderpairs > External > Sync Options - Do not sync Deletions
Folderpairs > External > Sync Options > Overwrite old files - Never
Folderpairs > External > Sync Options > If conflicting modifications - Skip
Folderpairs > External > Connection - Use WiFi
Folderpairs > External > Connection > Allowed WiFi SSID (Name of my WiFi Network)
Folderpairs > External > Advanced - Use MD5
Folderpairs > External > Advanced - Use Temp-file Scheme
Folderpairs > External > Advanced > Sync Filters (Paid only) - "Music"

Internal is pretty much the same but on alternate days of the week.

Root

Description:You can backup, restore, freeze (with Pro) your apps + data + Market links. This includes all protected apps & system apps, plus external data on your SD card. You can do 0-click batch & scheduled backups. Backups will operate without closing any apps (with Pro).

My Comment: Very complicated app with lots of functions. Lets look only at backup and restore functions. As Restore is not managed by a setting, more a manual process, I will add my method at the end of the settings section

My Settings:
Preferences > Backup Folder location > ExtSdCard (because I trust it more, being removable)
Preferences > Max Backup History - 7
Schedules > Backup ALL user apps + System Data - M,W,F,S - 02:00h

My Restore Method:
Although I backup everything, If I had to factory reset for a reason, its usually that the reason is incompatible or corrupt system data so I never restore this.

To Restore, I do the following:

Titanium > Backup/Restore > Click to edit filters
Filter by Type - User (de-select System, Uninst.) > Press Green Tick
Press Tick to go to Batch > Restore Missing apps with data*

*If you have somehow got apps installed already that you want to restore data to, use "Restore All apps with data"
Description: Automate everything from settings to photos, SMS to speech. ADC2 prize winner.
Total Automation, from settings to SMS. ADC2 finalist!

My Comment: I Don't care who says x product is already backing up my EFS folder. I will continue to back it up myself. I could simply use a script to run at boot (init.d) just to copy the folder to SD card but I prefer to use Tasker as I already use it for other things. There are other ways to do this.

I copy to SD card, which is then also backed up by Foldersync as mentioned earlier

My Settings:
Profile > EFS
Context > Day - Mon
Context > Time - 02:00h
Task > Copy Dir > from /efs/ to /storage/extSdCard/backup

  • EFS Folder - Shotgun84's Suggestion - ktool

Description: Tool for a few functions after rooting. Kernel dump/flash, EFS backup/restore...

Shotgun84's comments: HC-Ktool is a quick and simple app to use, it can backup your efs folder in a matter of seconds at a touch of a button. All you need to do is open the app and press "Backup EFS to/sdcard/efs.img" and you're done. After the backup is complete it will prompt you to run a check to ensure there is no size difference between the original and the backup. If you ever need to restore just press "Restore EFS from backup".
It is also possible for this app to recover your efs folder if it became corrupted when you didn't have a backup. You can run the backup and restore on a corrupted efs and it will uncorrupt it upon restore.

Disadvantages:
There is no option to backup and restore from an external sd.
The app was originally written for the gs2 so the majority of the functions aren't relevant to the gs3, so only use it for the purpose of backing up/restoring your efs.

Description:It is based on Koush clockworkmod 6.x to which I added many features, and mainly, the most advanced touch interface for cwm

My Comment: Good recovery based on CWM sources but with cool additions such as a file manager built in to move files around, good UMS Support, Kernel Backups and EFS backups just to start.

I backup on no set schedule. Just before I do something major. I again, always backup to extSdCard

I will add to this as I do more backups but all this is easily sufficient for me at the time of writing.

I do hope if I point you to this thread, that it was of use to you.

Dan
 
:thumbup: nice
I hope you don't mind if I chuck in a free alternative for efs backup. This app got me out of some creek with no paddle once
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.hellcat.droiddev.ktool&hl=en

My comments

HC-Ktool is a quick and simple app to use, it can backup your efs folder in a matter of seconds at a touch of a button. All you need to do is open the app and press "Backup EFS to/sdcard/efs.img" and you're done. After the backup is complete it will prompt you to run a check to ensure there is no size difference between the original and the backup. If you ever need to restore just press "Restore EFS from backup".
It is also possible for this app to recover your efs folder if it became corrupted when you didn't have a backup. You can run the backup and restore on a corrupted efs and it will uncorrupt it upon restore.

Disadvantages:
There is no option to backup and restore from an external sd.
The app was originally written for the gs2 so the majority of the functions aren't relevant to the gs3, so only use it for the purpose of backing up/restoring your efs.
 
Sure. I will add a section underneath my efs for "other recommendations".

I can't promise to add everyone's as I may not entirely agree.

No qualms with that one though. Could you do a "my comment" for it though please? And if there are any settings / usage methods you would recommend?
 
Thanks SU - going to look at FolderSync now

fwiw currently running TWRP 2.3.3.0 recovery and it includes an option to backup efs (found this very handy today having got myself into a bit of trouble playing about with kernel tweaks and inadvertently restored efs folder as well, still can confirm it works at least)
 
Oops ok missed that. Don't mean to hijack needlessly does it use the blobs format? Find TWRP format easier to manage for backups to pc\cloud.
 
Yes it does. I like the look of twrp but I'm not going to mod scripts and repack everytime I want to flash vrt
 
Philz is my choice. It's the only recovery I haven't had problems recognising my exfat formatted sd card
 
Yeah saw that zipalign has to be replaced for vrt themes using TWRP. Might have to give Philz a try as well.

edit: guess I'd better install this + Perseus kernel since my h/ware is predisposed to SDS!
 
Thanks for the info. I personally prefer all memory clear and everything off for an image. Same with pc
 
How does Titanium work with non-rooted phones? Can I backup the apps, but not the data? I'd like a one-stop solution to back up my apps and other data, i.e. music, photos, sms, etc.
 
you cant use titanium with non rooted phones it wont work. There is an app that lets u back up apps on non rooted phone but cant seem to remember the name.
 
No idea. I've never looked at it.

I guess since apps need permissions to write to /data/data anyway (thats where their data is stored) then its a simple work around to access other apps' data
 
REALLLLLLY doubtful.

Infact, It's never happening for me. I had my S3 rooted 20 minutes after getting it home on day 1 ;)
 
Carbon operates in a very unusual way. The free version does all of it's operations on the phone, BUT requires being physically connected to a PC with usb debugging enabled. I think the pro version may allow it to operate connected via wifi.

I've installed and backed up my apps with it, but haven't restored anything yet. So I can't review its performance
 
Carbon will do a data only or full backup. So you could use Google to reinstall the app and then carbon to reinstall the data.
I forgot to mention, it does require you to run a program on the pc to get the app to function.
 
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