Copying app data to a new phone - please help

groston

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2018
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I am setting up a new phone and I would like to transfer six apps of data from the old phone to the new phone (though the app versions may not be identical).

My first try was this: I connected the old phone to my PC, ran ‘adb shell pm list packages’ to get the package names, and then ‘adb backup -noapk <package name> -f fname.ab’. This worked and I got several .ab files. Then I connected the new phone to my PC and ran ‘adb restore fname.ab. Though the restore seems to have run properly, but when I ran the app, no data.

So then I figured I would install Titanium Backup and use it; but Titanium Backup is no longer functional

So then I installed Swift Backup on both phones, made a backup of the apps on the old phone, moved the backed up data to the new phone, but when I clicked Restore, it said nothing there.

I am hesitant to use google backup because a) I don’t feel that google should have access to my data (even though it is meaningless) and b) I kinda know how to backup, but no idea how to restore.

What might you suggest I try?
 
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Please help! The stuff I have seen for using google backup is useful only during setup - I am past that phase. Please make a suggestion!
 
I am setting up a new phone and I would like to transfer six apps of data from the old phone to the new phone (though the app versions may not be identical).

My first try was this: I connected the old phone to my PC, ran ‘adb shell pm list packages’ to get the package names, and then ‘adb backup -noapk <package name> -f fname.ab’. This worked and I got several .ab files. Then I connected the new phone to my PC and ran ‘adb restore fname.ab. Though the restore seems to have run properly, but when I ran the app, no data.

So then I figured I would install Titanium Backup and use it; but Titanium Backup is no longer functional

So then I installed Swift Backup on both phones, made a backup of the apps on the old phone, moved the backed up data to the new phone, but when I clicked Restore, it said nothing there.

I am hesitant to use google backup because a) I don’t feel that google should have access to my data (even though it is meaningless) and b) I kinda know how to backup, but no idea how to restore.

What might you suggest I try?
ADB backup has been deprecated since around Android 11, it won't work at all now. The only way to transfer the app data is to have root on both the phones. Titanium backup needs root too.
If you happen to have Seedvault or any AOSP backup provider on both the phones (Seedvault comes with lineage OS and other custom roms, but since pixels run stock android, they might have it too), then you can use that.
I am hesitant to use google backup because a) I don’t feel that google should have access to my data (even though it is meaningless)
It is NOT meaningless at all! They should not have access to your data. They sell your data to show you targeted ads, so every personal data has value to them.
 
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I am setting up a new phone and I would like to transfer six apps of data from the old phone to the new phone (though the app versions may not be identical).

My first try was this: I connected the old phone to my PC, ran ‘adb shell pm list packages’ to get the package names, and then ‘adb backup -noapk -f fname.ab’. This worked and I got several .ab files. Then I connected the new phone to my PC and ran ‘adb restore fname.ab. Though the restore seems to have run properly, but when I ran the app, no data.

So then I figured I would install Titanium Backup and use it; but Titanium Backup is no longer functional

So then I installed Swift Backup on both phones, made a backup of the apps on the old phone, moved the backed up data to the new phone, but when I clicked Restore, it said nothing there.

I am hesitant to use google backup because a) I don’t feel that google should have access to my data (even though it is meaningless) and b) I kinda know how to backup, but no idea how to restore.

What might you suggest I try?
Swift back up seems like It would need root for both devices and adb write with permissions granted.

One plus and Google have app data transfer during setup which would mean you would have to start from beginning again.

App data back up is usually encrypted especially device to device transfer so nothing about trusting Google there as you can turn off all other things Google.

Android doesn't really have a good method for restoring , probably Samsung version is the best I've seen on Android which allow you but if u don't trust Google then I'm going assume u don't Samsung lol...no clear way what I'm trying to get at.

It's very difficult these days to have a balance you're looking for as everything now usually wants cloud back up which I use I don't see many issues and for years now.

Which 6 apps data are you wanting to restore because some apps can be problematic to do depending what version and all that .
 
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ADB backup has been deprecated since around Android 11, it won't work at all now. The only way to transfer the app data is to have root on both the phones. Titanium backup needs root too.
If you happen to have Seedvault or any AOSP backup provider on both the phones (Seedvault comes with lineage OS and other custom roms, but since pixels run stock android, they might have it too), then you can use that.

It is NOT meaningless at all! They should not have access to your data. They sell your data to show you targeted ads, so every personal data has value to them.
Titanium. JHC... Haven't heard that in years. Wonder 🤔 if it's still a nightmare to navigate and looks like GB.




Getting data from errrr "data" can be done without root but putting it back though is as @IsHacker said.

If there is zero chance of root and the apps really don't have anything sensitive, just use Google Drive if it's built into the apps back/restore. Sort of lazy those apps don't have local backup/restore but is what it is.

Edit: Fricken @mustang7757 ninja-posting me
 
Just took a shower and it woke me up.

What the hell are these apps that have Drive backup and not local? Thats more sketchy than Google hosting it even temporary.

They can't see your drive files but it does phone home some identifiers about you
 

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