Google app backup question

[David Rosen]

So I know I can use Helium if I really want to (and probably will at least back up with it just in case), but if I have all my apps backing up with Google, but don't restore it all when getting a new phone... Will it restore on an app by app basis when and if I do decide to install an app from the Play Store that I used to have?

Thanks

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[B. Diddy]

I think that's what the "Automatically Restore" option is for in ​Settings>Backup & Reset.

 

[David Rosen]

I think if Automatically Restore is checked, it will just start downloading EVERY app I had on my old phone and I don't want that. I just want to one by one download a handful of the apps I had, and for the ones that I do, I want it to restore the data as well...

 

[B. Diddy]

The description for the Automatic Restore option says "When reinstalling an app, restore backed up settings and data." I also used to think this setting would cause all apps to be reinstalled after a reset, but that description makes it sound like it's talking about when you reinstall any app on your own.

I know that apps often start automatically reinstalling after a factory reset--I wonder if that happens regardless of the Automatic Restore setting (i.e., it's a function of your logging into your Google account--I've never tested this out). In any case, if you don't want apps to automatically reinstall after a reset, I usually suggest going straight to the Play Store after the Setup Wizard is done, go to My Apps, and tap the Stop button if anything is downloading.