[BETA] Backup Wonder Machine (no root, ICS only)

**Jerry Hildenbrand** · 02-14-2012, 09:24 PM

What is it?

The Backup Wonder Machine is a Windows (XP, Vista, 7) application designed to back up your user apps and their associated data to a file on your computer, with no root required. It's simply a front end for the new backup method built into Ice Cream Sandwich, distributed in one easy to use self contained folder. You can then restore this backup to your phone after a data wipe and have all your apps and their settings back.

Requirements

An Android phone running Ice Cream Sandwich
A Windows (XP, Vista, or W7) computer.
.
The appropriate USB driver for your phone.

Known limitations

Desktop settings, Wifi credentials, and other system data is not restored for the Galaxy Nexus.
Custom builds of ICS may or may not work. Talk to your ROM developer about adding support for Native Android Desktop backup.
You tell me.

How to use
Download the zip file attached to the post

Unzip the entire directory anywhere on your harddrive. The entire directory. We will point and laugh if you don't unzip the entire directory.
Install the adb driver for your phone. Visit the manufacturer device page or the appropriate device forum for assistance.
Turn on USB debugging.
Plug phone into a high speed primary port on your computer.
Run the BWM.exe file
Choose "Backup" or "Restore"
Look at the screen on your phone
Wait for it to finish

You'll then have a large file named backup.ab in the application folder. You can place this file anywhere you like, but it will need to be there and have the same name to use as a restore. Warning, this file can be very large -- as in 4GB in size. this depends on the number of apps and their data you have on your phone.

Good luck, sing out if there's any issues.

**jstntp** · 02-14-2012, 09:34 PM

Nicely done Jerry. This will be a big help to all. +1

**j1787** · 02-14-2012, 09:36 PM

This sounds fantastic!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

**pgm131** · 02-15-2012, 08:44 AM

Seems to be working. Backing up now! Should have taken yours and Phils advice from the start and unlocked bootloader when I first got it!

**Paul627g** · 02-15-2012, 08:45 AM

Awesome work Jerry! Finally a way for non rooted users to backup their device.

**Wicket** · 02-16-2012, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by pgm131

...Should have taken yours and Phils advice from the start and unlocked bootloader when I first got it!

ditto ^_^

**Root.Me** · 02-23-2012, 12:57 AM

How do you know it worked. I do have a new ab file but it looks to small to be representing 25GB of data

**commisherwood** · 03-03-2012, 04:45 PM

Thanks much! This was a nice solution for backing up and restoring my phone to a new galaxy nexus after I cracked my screen. I've used Titanium in the past, but this is a work phone and no rooting so I was happy to stumble across this solution.

Cheers!

**kuoirad** · 04-11-2012, 01:33 PM

Now we just need an OS X-based version.

**Paul627g** · 04-11-2012, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by kuoirad

Now we just need an OS X-based version.

Windows Bootcamp for OS X? I know many OS X users have Windows on standby for these very reasons...

**rosenfeldkid1111** · 04-12-2012, 11:00 AM

How do you know when its done?????

**g0dchaser** · 04-15-2012, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the tips. I backed it up and it will not restore the phone. I put a simple encrypted password in and it says "Restore started..." then almost immediately "Restore ended."... Ideas?

**Paul627g** · 04-15-2012, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by g0dchaser

Thanks for the tips. I backed it up and it will not restore the phone. I put a simple encrypted password in and it says "Restore started..." then almost immediately "Restore ended."... Ideas?

Were you trying to restore your backup to ICS or GB? Remember this is ICS supported only.

**g0dchaser** · 04-15-2012, 03:04 PM

Yes ICS. I updated to the ICS the other day when you dropped the update file to use without rooting. As others, I've experienced MISERABLE battery performance, only making it until mid-afternoon with moderate use and hardly anything running in the background (as have the other 2 NS4Gs in our house). I tried this so I could factory reset my device after reading that that could help.

**Dave_N** · 04-18-2012, 11:46 PM

Hi,

I just used "adb backup -all" to create a backup before I discovered this utility.

Is the backup file that it created compatiable with BWM?

Thanks,

**jschriesheim** · 04-19-2012, 01:50 PM

Attempting to back up a Verizon Gnex with stock 4.02 ICS, I get prompted to enter an encryption password, even though I have not encrypted the phone.

Nothing I enter seems to make the backup proceed (pressing Back up my data after entering an encryption password).

Any ideas?

**byrds8** · 04-22-2012, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by rosenfeldkid1111

How do you know when its done?????

It told me when mine was done. I dont see that large of a file though kinda like someone else pointed out. I hope it actually backed up everything. Anyone know if it backs up the saved data so I dont loose game info? I tried that Moborobo app and it wouldnt restore saved info. Im about to just say heck with waiting on VZW to push the update and run the leak myself lol.

**kbboykin** · 04-24-2012, 06:06 AM

Anyone know if I backed up my NS 4G, can I restore that to my GNex when it arrives?

**JohannesT** · 04-30-2012, 02:13 AM

Is there any way to selectively restore app data?

**Paul627g** · 04-30-2012, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by JohannesT

Is there any way to selectively restore app data?

Not with this application. It's all or nothing.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Android Central Forums

**KnocturnalPhx** · 05-02-2012, 01:48 AM

Does anybody know if this also backs up pics and videos, etc... saved on the SD card partition of the Galaxy Nexus??

**turninginward** · 05-02-2012, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by jschriesheim

Attempting to back up a Verizon Gnex with stock 4.02 ICS, I get prompted to enter an encryption password, even though I have not encrypted the phone.

Nothing I enter seems to make the backup proceed (pressing Back up my data after entering an encryption password).

Any ideas?

I dont know if anyone answered you or not but just dont type anything and start it, that worked for me at least.

**ConTejas** · 05-07-2012, 10:15 PM

This was the first step to me unlocking/rooting (onto Wug's). As someone mentioned, I do see a backup.ab file but it's only ~290kb. I don't have all that much on my phone, just some pics and apps. I walked away and came back to a "process could not be completed" or something to that effect I've seen before after a reboot that has no effect to my knowledge (used to a bb storm lol). Thanks, Jerry! Would just appreciate some advice on how to verify I'm good to go.

**TreoDru** · 05-16-2012, 01:23 PM

I just used this on my VZE GNEX before rooting. Seemed to backup fine. When restoring, how do you know it is done?
And... all my photos in the gallery now show up as blank, it seems they are there just not displayed. any ideas?

**jschriesheim** · 06-04-2012, 08:52 AM

I still can't get either BWM or ADB backup to work on my Verizon Galaxy Nexus. On both 4.0.2 and current 4.0.4, the Full Backup screen appears on the phone, prompting me for a password. I've tried entering a password and leaving it blank. In both cases, the "Back up my data" button at bottom right does not respond to touch. The "Do not baclk up" button does respond?

What setting or application could prevent this from working? The only thing I can suspect is that I have an Exchange email account setup. Perhaps the security policies enabled when I set that up prevent backup? I've tried removing that account, but it doesn't fix the problem.

Any thoughts on the cause or things I could try to get backup to work?