There are many ways to save the installation file of the applications installed on an Android smartphone. If we can rely on Google for "pure" apps (without the customizations and its data), which remembers which apps are downloaded and purchased (through the account and Google Play Store), we will have to use other methods to save all the included apps their data (i.e. the progress, accounts and data generated on that specific phone). In this guide we will show you how to make full backups (i.e. containing any app data) on our smartphone, ready to be restored in case of need. For the guide we will show you both the methods to backup data and apps on smartphones without root permissions (i.e. most new devices), and the methods that can be applied to all devices with root permissions.
READ ALSO: Uninstall apps on Android completely, even all at once
1) Backup via Google Account
As already mentioned in the introduction, the most effective backup for the apps installed on the device is the one made by any Android smartphone using the Google account (applies to all Samsung Galaxy, Huawei, Pixel, Xiaomi smartphones etc.). Google which provides an automatic data backup system somewhat similar to that of Apple with iCloud. A significant part of the mobile data is then automatically saved in the cloud of your Google account used to access Android.
We open the Settings app and click on Account (or Synchronization) -> Add account (if we have not already done so), then choose the Google account and enter the credentials that we intend to use (those of Gmail and YouTube are fine) .
Once the account is added, we return to the Settings menu and click on Backup and restore, then on the item Backup my data or on Automatic backup (based on the smartphone model in possession).
Make sure to activate all the items necessary to enable automatic backup, then connect to a Wi-Fi network to be able to run it (it can be very large). We won't have to worry about anything else: the Google account will take care of backing up the apps installed on the phone. If we format the phone or change it to another more recent Android, just enter the Google account previously used in the startup phase to be able to quickly restore all the apps saved on the cloud, so as to have immediately what we have at hand It serves.
To activate this automatic backup, go to Settings -> Backup and Restore and then to " Back up my data " and " Automatic restore ".
With these options activated, you can restore or reset your Android phone and always find the address book and all the settings of the applications unchanged. The initial backup may take some time, but only the first time, then it becomes incremental and fast.
Google backup does not save music, photos, videos and SMS messages. These files can be saved on the computer by connecting the smartphone via USB cable with USB memory option . You can then browse the folders of memory from your computer resources and drag the files making a copy where you want.
The connection can also be made in wifi, with applications such as Airdroid to manage the Android phone from the PC in wi-fi.
2) Manufacturer specific backup
In addition to Google backup, you can back up the apps and settings of your Android smartphone using the backup service offered by the phone manufacturer.
For example, Xiaomi offer backup of the apps and settings of the entire ROM (MIUI), so that you can restore everything in a few clicks.
If we want to take advantage of this type of backup, go to the Backup and restore menu of our smartphone and look for the item that indicates the automatic backup offered to the manufacturer (in our case the item is Auto Backup, at the top of the menu).
We enable the entry and indicate when to back up and what to include in it; obviously in order to use this service properly we will need to have an account registered with the smartphone manufacturer's website (usually offered for free).
This type of backup is very effective and also saves the personalized data of the various apps (in most cases), but is limited to the devices of the same manufacturer: if we change the phone we will have to make sure to choose the same manufacturer in order to take advantage of the backup (a unlike the Google backup which can be used on any Android smartphone).
To restore the backup it is sufficient, at the first start after a restore or on a new phone, enter the login credentials for the owner account, so you can restore all the apps and settings (such as Wi-Fi networks saved and customizations).
3) Backup via PC software
Another very effective method to backup apps without root permissions is to use the management programs offered by the various manufacturers, which include valid backup tools with which to save everything that is present on the phone (including personal files).To use them, simply download the right installer, connect your smartphone via USB cable and follow the procedures offered by the software to make a full backup.
Usually the programs report the lack of a backup and ask to make it from the first connection, so that they can immediately save all the important data of the phone.
This backup can only be used on the phone from which it is obtained, but it is very complete (all app data are included in most cases).
The software necessary to carry out this type of backup can be downloaded from the following list:
- Samsung Smart Switch
- Huawei HiSuite
- Xiaomi Mi PC Suite
- LG PC Suite
- Sony Xperia Companion
We choose the right program according to the manufacturer of our smartphone and we proceed with this backup in order to save our most important data without using the cloud (which we can still activate as a security backup, as it is not invasive).
4) Backup app for Android
On an Android mobile phone you can also install an external app capable of automatic backup of all or almost all memory .My Backup Pro (not free) saves personal data from your Android smartphone without the need for root.
Photos, application data, browser favorites, contacts, system settings, home screen, alarms, calendars, MMS messages, SMS messages, music playlists and almost anything else can be saved.
The information can be stored on the SD card (for transfer to a new phone) or in the cloud (if the phone is stolen).
Another article lists the 10 best free apps to backup Android similar to My Backup.
Alternatively, you can also use cloud services to make automatic backups and synchronization of Android smartphone files .
5) Full app backup (root)
If we want to make a full backup of the apps, including data and customizations, we will necessarily have to unlock the root permissions on our Android smartphone and proceed with the specific app.In order to unlock root permissions, we recommend reading our guide -> How to do the Android Root to unlock the mobile phone .
Once the special permissions are obtained, we recommend purchasing the Titanium Backup app, which allows you to save each app and its data in a convenient file, which we can save on Drive or on a microSD.
Just install the app on the unlocked phone, then go to the Backup / Restore tab and select the apps that we intend to include in the backup.
For convenience we can also use automated procedures (Batch) that allow you to backup and restore everything with a click on the screen, without much effort.
The app we can buy it from here -> Titanium Backup PRO Key (€ 6.49).
6) Full backup via custom recovery (Nandroid)
Another very effective backup is the one that can be performed by the recovery, i.e. from that mode which is still before the operating system and which allows to act in depth in the system.To perform this type of backup we will have to change the recovery system present by default and replace it with the TWRP, which offers a valid backup tool to save the Android operating system in a system image.
To install the new recovery we advise you to follow the initial steps of our guide -> How to install a Custom Android ROM .
Once the new recovery is correctly installed, we restart the phone in this mode (a particular key press may be required, better read carefully on this) and click on the Backup button, present on the TWRP home screen.
We select all the various sectors of the whole memory, then we swipe the button below to start the full backup of the phone; the backup will be saved in the internal memory in a specific folder.
To restore it, just have the TWRP installed and proceed with the Restore item, so you can select this file and restore the phone as it was at the time of the backup.
READ ALSO -> How iCloud works for photos, address book and backup on iPhone and iPad
