yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
You can take any app on your phone which isn't cloud based. Take the file manager app for example. I have set up several remote connections on my file manager. There is no way this information will be restored from the stock Android backup. I will have to setup all remote connections again if I were to uninstall this app and reinstall it. Same holds true if I factory reset my phone or migrate my information to a new device. Android will only reinstall the app for me automatically. I will have to setup all remote connections manually, AND also setup all the custom configurations for the app that I have setup in System Settings.

Only if the app itself provides a built-in way to export all the configurations, will I be able to export them and import it back after a factory reset/ migration. Even then, the configurations (or permissions, etc) for the app under System Settings must be redone manually on Android.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
can you please provide pkgname (or google play link) of your file manager, so I can double check?
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
Because this is applicable for all non-cloud based apps which are the majority, I don't have to be specific.

But, since you asked, here are a couple :

1. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alphainventor.filemanager&hl=en

2. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
okay I am not going to test crappy google one backup on my daily driver, as I don't want to safe my phone to cloud for reason.

Haven't checked Nova Launcher but for File Manager I can say android:allowBackup="true" is allowed in AndroidManifest.xml, so adb backup and restore of app data will work (I can test it later)

Not sure what you mean with non-cloud based apps, are you trying to say these apps can't backed up from google drive? If so, who decides if an app is "cloud based" or not?
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
Most of the important/ critical information are already in the cloud for almost everyone. This includes emails, photos & videos, documents, etc. for those who use Cloud Storage (which is pretty much everyone, with an exception of an insignificant minority, insignificant being purely in terms of numbers).

Which also means that all login credentials are already with the service providers in encrypted form, in the cloud. So there isn't really anything critical in the app backups that isn't already there in the cloud. App specific configurations don't come under critical information, and as such all that data should never leave the device, unless it is part of the system backup. More importantly, that data belongs to the user, and there is no reason app developers should have a say in whether that should be available for backup or not. It simply shows that Android is most likely limited by its flawed design on this issue.

Pretty much everyone uses the built-in Backup feature provided by Google, and it makes sense to use that over others like Samsung Cloud because a Google backup is available on all brands of Android devices. I haven't used Samsung Backup or other OEM specific backups, but I guess they are pretty much the exact same like Google Backup, the only difference being the service provider.

By cloud based apps, I mean apps that save all data in the cloud, e.g. Gmail, Outlook, Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. Apps like file managers, launchers, clipboard managers that don't use a cloud, firewall apps, etc that work locally are the apps whose data must be backed up to the cloud. Again, by app data I mean the user configurations (e.g. remote/ cloud connections set up in a file manager) and login credentials that belong to the user, and not the app or its maker.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
user configurations (e.g. remote/ cloud connections set up in a file manager) and login credentials for com.alphainventor.filemanager can backed up, I don't see a problem here besides the fact the app developer seems to agree with your opinion and does allow it (there are good reasons for app developers to deny, I can give you example if you want)

lets stay at facts, regardless of your opinion post #2 applies. Android is providing backup of app data
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
Please, adb doesn't come under official backup feature provided on phones. ADB, root, custom recovery, etc. are for a niche of users who are an insignificant minority of the user base.

So, Android needs to provide a way or redesign itself where it's Backup & Restore function is just as seamless and effortless, as it is on iOS.

Do let me know what 'good reasons' app developers have to opt out of data backups. Hope they do realise that no one is interested in the app specific stuff, they only care for their own configuration files. And those who do, they know how to root and extract all app data.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
you are not answering questions. instead you are arguing in circles
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
Which question did I not answer?
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
start with the first one, or with the last
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
All your questions have been answered, with examples and illustrations.

Google Backup doesn't restore all apps with their data after a factory reset. User's own settings and information provided to apps belong to the user, and Android has an inherent limitation in not being able to backup just those. This applies to both configurations set within apps, and those set for apps.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
nope, you haven't answered the first one

nor the last

for another question, your answer was

1. permissions

2. permissions

3. permissions

so for File Manager backup

why not test it yourself? you're contradictory claiming android would not differ between different kind of app data, but at the same time claiming only partially app data is restored. so what is true then? you're comparing sizes, so please tell me, is app data backed up or not? You gave the answer already...

I have already replied to your first post that files in EXTERNAL_STORAGE are memory wasting garbage (and no app data). fairly enough, let's mention that has changed now with Android 11 scoped storage where it contains important data (but still no app data to be backed up)
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
I'm talking of Google Backups, but you continue referring to ADB backups. The two are not the same. Google Backup is what over 98% users use.

Setting up permissions and configuring 100s of apps is a time consuming exercise. It takes hours to set them all up, if you are particular about app permissions. On an iPhone, if I factory reset, all I have to do is to login to my iCloud account and choose to restore a backup. That is all I have to do. iOS takes care of everything else. That is how the experience should be for Android too.

Just because I am not sure about 1 app, do you really think it makes sense to do a factory reset and test it? I showed you I have about 294 apps on my phone, but the backup includes only 90 apps in my case. Does that not tell you that the Google Backup leaves out a large majority of apps during the backup process?

Even though this particular app was included in the backup, the size of it tells me it is unlikely to include all the remote connections I have set up within the app. Out of some 15 file managers I have installed in my phone, I see only 3 in the backup.

What I know from my previous experience is what I have stated. It is not difficult to confirm as the numbers are clear.

If an app has not been coded nicely enough to protect user data, it is not an excuse to stop it from being backed up. It also shows weaknesses in the how Android is designed. And as mentioned before, the data that I am referring to is nothing crucial. These are simply configurations set inside the app, and those set for the apps.

All that said, since you claim there is very little work after a factory reset, why don't you give it a try? My device is in stock form and it is kind of a forbidden exercise for me, given how much time I know I'll have to put in after a factory reset.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
Thx I didn't know that. curious about where is the difference. My understanding was Google Backup Transport is using BackupManagerService.java
[General Questions and Answers] V0latyle:
Android segregates app data, so without root access, no process can access another app's data without explicit permission to do so. I believe Android system processes are also excluded from app data access. This is done through permissions - the application packages themselves reside in a directory to which system has access, but individual applications have their own directories in /data to which system does not have access. So, the system can only back up system settings as well as installed applications, but not the applications' private data.

The ADB daemon, which provides remote access to the device system shell, does not have root access, and therefore cannot access app data, unless the shell is elevated with su.

So, unless I'm sorely mistaken, the only way to fully backup a device, including private application data, is via root privileges, using either ADB, or an app such as Titanium Backup or Swift Backup.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
please read any of my posts
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
I don't know. All I know is that user has a lot of work to do after a factory reset. Google Backup is very basic and there is a huge scope for improvement.
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
The data in question isn't all that private or critical. It is simply the settings and configurations that the user has created both within the app, and for the app under System Settings. Android probably does not have a way to collect that data in isolation, which is why it is unable to provide features like 'Offloading apps' which is available on iPhones.
[General Questions and Answers] V0latyle:
"Private" in this context means data that belongs specifically to a particular app. Android was designed from the outset to prevent apps from accessing other apps' private data. So, again, the only way to perform a backup of app data is using a tool with root privileges.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
@V0latyle How can you explain the underlying technique for this nice little script then?

https://xdaforums.com/t/tool-whatsa...ot-updated-october-2016.2770982/post-81902381
[General Questions and Answers] V0latyle:
I'm not familiar with that script or any possible exploit it uses, so of course I can't offer an explanation.

As a general rule, I'd steer clear of anything that uses a security exploit in a 3rd party app.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
@V0latyle well, it's not a exploit at all. actually, it's very simple: any app data can be backed up without root, if the app developer has set android:allowBackup="true"

this was the case for WhatsApp up to v2.11.431 (later versions WhatsApp decided to change android:allowBackup="false")

so what this little script does

- install WhatsApp v2.11.431

- adb backup com.whatsapp

- extract app data from backup.ab

you could have known that if you had read the example about com.limebike in post #21 (or at least post #4)
[General Questions and Answers] scandiun:
It's up to Android developer to manually add support for adb backup, 99% of them just don't bother. iOS is more dictatorial and basically does it for most apps. In the past was for all apps but now some don't do it, for example Mozilla Firefox and some other. I have no clue but mobile os are evolving fast who know what will happen in 5 years.

Rooting is the only way for now to make sure you backup everything.
[General Questions and Answers] toddehb:
You took advantage auf a "bug" with criminal intent. Well, should everyone decide for themselves what to think about this. Does Juicer exist for Apple IOS? How did they solve the problem there? I rather thing the app developer should go back to the scratch book and should reconsider theri design instead of disallowing backup. I am using android for many years but this backup thing is really p**** me off. Years ago I had all my phones unrooted right after I got them, but nowadays I have gotten to lazy, besides warranty issues.
[General Questions and Answers] scandiun:
What is Juicer?
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
That's a guy that collect e-scooters thrown from bridges and rescue from rivers (for 2 bucks/unit) - don't call me criminal! ;)
[General Questions and Answers] sonic997:
Google is trying hard to make the backup easier but it is still a garbage compared wtih IOS backup. If you really want a easiest backup and restore, never buy android ! (I am not talking with what bla bla bla privacy problem, just standing in the ease of backup and restore)

For the whole backup of android, root is STILL essential in 2023. Only Titanium backup(TB) can do with completely backup root with purchase, which is very hard for users to have root of phone coming from IOS, to be honest. For restore, split apps make TB can't be restored successfully for recently years but you can first backup and restore the split apps from third-party app, then restore data only in TB. All your need is an unlocked phone and root, but your warrently void !

GOOGLE ONE offers an option for users but not user friendly since not most of apps can backup, and you cannot backup to your PC. You MUST buy their monthly plan for extra capacity which is completely not worth since some of apps data can't backup though.

I emphasize again, Android backup and restore for app data is still rubbish and please don't come to android if you change your phone frequently, which is nightmare. However, if you can use a phone for many years and no need to play games without snyc to any cloud drive. The Android buggy backup may not have much bad effect on you. Good Luck

PS. I'm using android phone and iPad
[General Questions and Answers] scandiun:
@sonic997 Titanium Backup hasn't received updates since 2019, is no longer working with latest versions of android. The only one that is working is Swift Backup.
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
Root access is only about the 'user' gaining administrative control over his device and the OS. And user can allow other apps to perform functions not possible without this privilege.

The System by itself always has access to all data on the device. It's just that without root, user cannot instruct/ make the system do things he wants it to do.

If that is true, I would say those 99% developers are plain stupid, who don't care about their users' requirements.
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
This also leads me to another question:

Why don't OEMs allow for creating a SYSTEM IMAGE that can be flashed via Recovery or even as a 'Local Upgrade' option, just as custom recoveries allow?
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
because embedded systems are not personal computers.
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
Not sure what you mean by 'embedded systems'. I have modified my previous post with more appropriate wordings.
[General Questions and Answers] V0latyle:
Do you mean like Generic System Images? Because that's a thing on Project Treble compliant devices - you use the OEM kernel (or a custom one), and the system image is strictly just that - you flash it to /system. The "generic" part of it means that there's nothing device specific in the system image, so you could use that same image on any other device (with Treble support).

Google Pixel firmware is basically these, with some device specific software in /system-ext and /product
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
what do you think is OTA update.zip for?
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
I mean an exact replica (aka System Image in Windows) of the current Android system configuration, which would include all installed apps (and their data), various configurations set by the user under System Settings, etc.

That way, user can play around with his device, exploring it. If he breaks something, he can always simply flash the backed up image to restore everything as before.

Even if it cannot include the OS itself (although that would be nice), atleast the ability to restore all apps (and their data) and all the user settings would save a lot of time for the user.
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
OTA update.zip is not the same as System Image. OTA update is just changes to the ROM alone, and released by the OEM.

System Image includes all apps, their data, user configurations, and if the user wants, he can include his files (documents, pictures, videos, etc.) too.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
No, you are talking about user data. That feature once existed in stock recovery, but with the introduction of encryption (and the hardware-backed keys) that became obsolete.

https://www.patchworkoftips.com/backup-restore-data-stock-android-system-recovery/5904
[General Questions and Answers] TheMystic:
How come custom recoveries like TWRP allow for such backups then?

TWRP, however, doesn't allow for backing up user files. But all apps, data, user configurations, etc. can be backed up and restored perfectly.
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
TWRP creates tarball archive of files. this is only possible for devices where TWRP is able to decrypt (not for Samsung devices for example). Actually TWRP can backup Internal Storage too, it's just maintainers aren't aware of it or don't care to add this line to fstab.

However, backup of encrypted partition would still pointless, wouldn't work from TWRP either.

Even restoring backup of apps that uses key storage will fail after factory reset.

stock recovery has no touch screen and therefore no way to ask for pattern, it can't decrypt or mount userdata.
[General Questions and Answers] scandiun:
He means that phones and tablets are treated more like a broadband router or devices requiring Policies for employee personal use of business equipment, rather than being treated as a personal computer where you have root (administrator) access to all software and hardware.

Everyone making apps for mobile devices (banks, Netflix, Disney, Spotify, Apple TV, etc.) demands device manufacturers to lock everything so their data is not leaked, copied or hacked. Things like Widevine or Samsung Knox require everything locked down or will not work because of this. And this will probably get worse with time. iPhones and Androids will get faster, more HDR screens, but will do narrower sorts of stuff.
[General Questions and Answers] V0latyle:
Oh okay, you're talking about a system BACKUP image.

I mean...with root, you can use ADB to dump partitions such as /data and the contents of directories...
[General Questions and Answers] scandiun:
Do you mean adb pull?
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
I prefer Migrate backup for apps (root) and 'adb pull' for emulated storage.
[General Questions and Answers] sonic997:
Thank you sir. I just checked swift backup. Good news is we can backup all apps but not partially like Helium. However, it still can't backup and restore data without root, which is disappointed.

The point of disappointed is due to Google still refusing to open the privilege to users to access data without root. We must sacrifice encryption and security to unlock the bootloader and root to do the backup and install process.

Okay, I know Google wants to earn money. So why Google won't offer a charged plan for backup and restore all apps with data, can't modified after backup. I think it can earn a lot. It's 2023 now....
[General Questions and Answers] alecxs:
go back to square one...
[General Questions and Answers] skyraven83:
I wanted to give up on root as it becomes harder with some eBanking apps to bypass safetynet so I backed up with Google One and restored from it...

What a marvellous surprise...we are in 2023 and Android/Google is still unable to do a restore of the apps complete with data.

This means I ended up in having to request the 2FA initial registration tokens again and for some banks those come via Post...

What can I say....modern operating system....

If I wanted to backup the list of apps I could have also done it manually and would have been the same thing to reinstall them...

A pity that despite technology evolving Stock Android is still garbage compared to having root or modding it.
[General Questions and Answers] scandiun:
Some things are backed up and restored to Google One, but I think only works with Pixel devices...
[OnePlus 9 Pro] Mr Hassan:
I'm searching for op9 pro T mobile le2127 msm file need

But latest not from 2.3.3 or 6.6 from opcs

What i need?

I need msm which have chose option

Target or Tmobile

If anyone have then share link
[OnePlus 9 Pro] luckylui:
Only one available is the 2.3.3
[OnePlus 9 Pro] Mr Hassan:
There's 2 available 6.6 something

But both have just start and enum option

Not have choice option

I need latest one
[OnePlus 9 Pro] EtherealRemnant:
Modded MSM for T-Mobile probably doesn't have the drop-down. I have tried to add a target drop-down to make a multi-target mod that can flash EU/NA/TMO but as soon as I add the string for TMO, the menu disappears.

You don't need a newer MSM, just MSM and take the OTAs to get where you want.
[OnePlus 9 Pro] Mr Hassan:
The prob is I'm like a kid who play out side all day but evening he want go back

But he forgot his way

Same like i converted my device to ind

And now want to go back but its not flashing tmo stock rom

Even i get the file from tmobile modem retention something

Thread was have file for in eu back to stock

But inside also have same stock nothing changed i try to flash but same error

Not match or id error
[Moto Edge X30] Abetterman2514:
I just received new update from CN ROM, has no idea what it said but so far so good View attachment 5648671
[Moto Edge X30] albertordzcz:
is the new update working properly? after update and lock the screen only shows a landscape clock and cant unlock my device
[Moto Edge X30] puzan2:
This turned on the mode for the cover of the Motorola. It is turned off in the settings.
[Moto Edge X30] puzan2:
View attachment 5649121
[Moto Edge X30] albertordzcz:
thanks for the tip mate, but i cant find that option on my device, can you tell where to find it please? thanks in advance.
[Moto Edge X30] puzan2:
App "Moto", go to "Display" and open.
[Moto Edge X30] zlebors:
anyone having issue with the lockscreen unable to unlocked (swipe) ?
[Moto Edge X30] Abetterman2514:
I have CN ROM on my X 30 been updated and so far I have no issues.
[Moto Edge X30] SnegovikRZN:
Download Full Images:

https://rsdsecure-cloud.motorola.com/download/HIPHIC_CN_S1SC32.52-69-24_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip
[Moto Edge X30] psychedelicNerd:
What are the steps involved in applying the update on a rooted phone? I Just received a notification of an update.
[Moto Edge X30] SnegovikRZN:
just flash with flashrom
[Moto Edge X30] psychedelicNerd:
I was able to figure it out. The steps can be easily found on the web detailing how you can install updates and keep root and magisk. Thanks
[Moto Edge X30] StuDentBR:
Can send the link of the tutorial you have followed?
[Moto Edge X30] psychedelicNerd:
https://topjohnwu.github.io/Magisk/ota.html I followed the steps in this.
[Moto Edge X30] StuDentBR:
So you followed the instructions for the A/B device right?
[Moto Edge X30] psychedelicNerd:
Correct
[Moto Edge X30] StuDentBR:
Didn't work for me, maybe because I did systemize android auto app in order to make it work, that was the reason a rooted my phone by the way...

Might try o desystemize it later...