Hello all,

Currently I am debating whether or not to switch to a (preferably private/secure) custom rom on my device, however said device had been in use for a while now.

My question is the following: For those who have been in this situation, how have you dealt with the existing data on the device in terms of migration? After all, switching ROM usually involves a factory reset. Creating backups of everything is a bit tedious and timeconsuming and there is always the possibility of forgetting something.

  • @ege
    5•7 months ago

    I use DivestOS which is based on LineageOS and these have SeedVault integrated in it as a backup solution, but since it doesn’t work well I’ll tell what I do (If your OS has Google’s backup solution, it works well to a certain extent, but there are times when it cannot restore things like call log/sms even though it backs them up).

    • I backup apps, SMS/MMS and call logs with Swift Backup
      • Since I don’t have many applications, I examine each application one by one to see which data can be transferred and in what way.
      • I backup data of the apps like Aegis, NewPipe etc. to their respective Android/media folder, which means I basically export Aegis’ backup file into /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.beemdevelopment.aegis/backups, with this way, I can back up and restore the media along with the APK of the application using Swift Backup. If you find this step unnecessary/complicated, you can create a folder called Backups anywhere and put all your backup files there.
    • I backup files and folders with Syncthing, it basically sync’s 2 directories between 2 devices and I sync all my folders into my PC with some ignore rules (for example, to avoid synchronizing the .thumbnails folder unnecessarily). Also if you stashed all your backups/exports into some folder, it will also sync.
    • Technically there is no need for a non-APK backup for applications that have their own cloud based backup mechanism or are cloud-based.

    When I take these backups, I can completely restore the phone to its previous state even after factory settings. Of course, for a cleaner start, sometimes I don’t sync some folders back or don’t reinstall some applications. To do this the way I want, I reinstall and restore data of the applications one by one.

        • @wreckedcarzzEnglish
          4•7 months ago

          I’m skimming this thread but, uh

          ⚠️ Root required for backup & restore

          • @ege
            2•7 months ago

            Yes, I wish you had quoted the entire text.

            Data

            The private app data in /data/data/ or /data/user/*/ that stores your app preferences, login info, databases, etc. This is the most important part to restore apps potentially with their state preserved.

            Requirements:

            ⚠️ Root required for backup & restore

            ⚠️ Shizuku mode (ADB access) cannot read/write at these path

            Nowhere in my instructions did I say that I used this feature (“backing up app data”) or that it should be used. You do not need root to backup SMS/MMS & call logs & APKs & external data (Android/data) / expansion (Android/obb) / media (Android/media) of the apps installed… I have also stated many times that I use the in-app backup/export method for application data.

            • @wreckedcarzzEnglish
              1•7 months ago

              Right sure, but everyone else uses backups for the app data. I can install apps in a couple minutes, but the data takes ages, if the app even offers a built-in ability at all. It’d be like saying ‘I have backups’ but just of your computers operating system and programs, but no personal documents or data. It’s technically a backup, and it’s useful for someone with some use-case, but it’s not the general definition of a ‘backup’.

              To quote your quote of my quote:

              This is the most important part to restore apps

              I have also stated that I am “skimming this thread”, so getting all defensive is hilarious.

              • @ege
                1•7 months ago

                😒

    • @[email protected]
      0•7 months ago

      I’d add SMS Backup & Restore is a great backup tool for SMS/MMS, and doesn’t require root to backup. I’ve been using it since about 2010, and still have most of my messages from that time (saved as text files that can be exported).

      It may require root to restore, but I don’t think so anymore.