How to back up app data?

humdrum23

Hello,

I'm wondering if there is a way to back up app data (settings, save games, etc.) for apps that are missing an option to export these things. A full phone backup is not feasible for me here I think, since it is for moving some apps to another user profile rather than another phone.

From what I understand apps store their relevant data in Android/data/, Android/media/, and Android/obb. When I mount my phone (GrapheneOS) on my computer most of those app's directories are empty, and some do not even have folders there. Do I need root access for this or is there another way?

Thanks for your help!

DeletedUser370

humdrum23 Android/data/, Android/media/, and Android/obb

Yes, accessing those folders require root access.

humdrum23 I'm wondering if there is a way to back up app data (settings, save games, etc.) for apps that are missing an option to export these things. A full phone backup is not feasible for me here I think, since it is for moving some apps to another user profile rather than another phone.

Yes, this can be done by using the system backup feature in the Settings app > System > Backup. It allows you to select only individual apps to back up, so you don't need to back up every app or system setting. When you start a new backup, you can select which apps to back up. After you have set up the backup, you can select "Backup status" > the vertical ellipsis top-right > "Exclude apps" to select additional apps you want to back up.

Not all apps will be able to be backed up. I recommend creating a backup and then test restoring that backup in a new profile before deleting the original app.

Fay_Wilmont

DeletedUser370 humdrum23 Android/data/, Android/media/, and Android/obb

Yes, accessing those folders require root access.

On regular Android they can be accessed by the user through the system file browser, is this different on GrapheneOS (I have yet to install it)?

humdrum23

DeletedUser370
Just tried it out with a couple of apps, worked like a charm and will save me lot of time, thank you!

A heads up for anyone else, make sure the profile you're restoring into has permissions for installing apps via the owner profile or else it won't work. You will get a message about the app not being installed, even if it is.

Can I mark this as solved somehow?

troika

Titanium Backup?

DeletedUser370

troika Titanium Backup?

That requires root? Honestly it's a lot easier to just try out the GrapheneOS included backup app explained above.

KleinesSinchen

troika
Titanium? Leaving the rooting problem aside, this app hasn't been updated in a very long time and doesn't handle split apks to my knowledge.

The lack of a robust backup solution working without root is a big problem on Android based OS (in my opinion). For now Seedvault is all we have.

mar2112

troika Ti Backup has not been updated in many years.

humdrum23

Fay_Wilmont

I can access them with the preinstalled file manager but most folders are empty. If I try with Material Files it says that I need root.

Fay_Wilmont

Exactly. And yes, most of these folders are empty, as most apps store their data under /data/user/<user id>/<package name>/, which is only accessible to the app itself and some system processes like backup services, and of course root.

DeletedUser370

Fay_Wilmont Thanks, I was wrong.

Fay_Wilmont

Agree, it shouldn't be too hard to provide the option to export and import app data from the App info screen for example. It would be such a useful feature, but I've never seen anyone implement this (SeedVault is something else, and broken).

Commercial parties probably don't want to give users this much access, as you could manipulate lots of things in apps this way (e.g. block ads & nag screens, remove permissions). But hobbyist ROM makers? Idealists behind privacy and security focused firmware? Please give us back control over our app data!