System backup and restore question

[strausd]

So I have been having a couple weird hiccups on my nexus 4 and want to try a system reset. But of course, that will wipe all my data. The problem is that I have a lot of stuff already done the way I want.

So I was wondering if there is an easy way to backup all my apps along with their data and settings. Then after I do a reset, I could just restore everything.

Does android have something built in for this? Do I need a specific app? Do I need to make some sort of disc image of the phone on my computer?

I am also interested as I may decide to root my phone in the next week or two and from what I have read, unlocking the bootloader will wipe everything.

 

[spriteboost]

not an expert but with installing roms i know it wipes your phone well your suppose to theres an app call titanium backup but i believe you have to be rooted for that it has a free version in play store and a premium. the premium version lets you restore everything at once but again i think u might have to be rooted and i forget if u need a sd card :O

 

[strausd]

Ya, I am not rooted yet, just looking to do a total reset on the phone. Any way to easily backup and restore that doesn't require rooting?

 

[Citizen Coyote]

Ya, I am not rooted yet, just looking to do a total reset on the phone. Any way to easily backup and restore that doesn't require rooting?

To back everything up? Sadly no. Some apps have their own backup features and you can certainly back up your contacts, calendar, and other Google things, but for whatever reason Google has not implemented an easy way to back up all app data. To do that you'll need root and an app like Titanium Backup or MyBackup Pro. Remember though that a factory reset will not wipe media (photos, music, videos, etc) stored in the "SD" section unless you specifically tell it to, but you can always back that up manually on to your computer just to be safe.

 

[lunatic59]

Sadly you'll have to bite the bullet and root which will reset everything before you can perform a nandroid backup or use Titanium to backup certain system areas.

FYI in Android 4.2 Google has virtualized the /sdcard partition so a reset will wipe *everything* on your phone.

 

[strausd]

So I have to root to do a complete backup, but once I root I would be doing a complete backup of default everything... That doesn't really help... at all. Google should really add something in for this. That was one thing I really loved about iOS, automatic iCloud backup on a daily basis.

Would this be able to back up and restore everything without root?
Android Contents Backup - Guide of how to backup Android contents

 

[desarenezitic]

Don't know about that software but Google backs up contacts, Wi-fi settings etc and you can back up texts with SMS Backup+ which doesn't require root. App settings are the only thing you should lose as long as you back up pics etc.

Take the plunge now and unlock boot loader and root, I think if you use the All in One Toolkit you can backup and restore apps also.

 

[Crashdamage]

Since your reason to do a reset is to cure some 'hiccups' you should pass on doing a full backup/restore. While you would save your setup, you would probably also save and restore the cause of your problems.

Bite the bullet and do a fresh install.