Backing up phone to SD card

As it was already mentioned above there’s no way (without root and backup tools) to do the local general back-up you’d like to do.
You’re right that there was a way. For example with the TWRP recovery and an older Android version. But later, encryption broke that and it could no longer be used.
So the only way now (on FPOS) is to save all data manually and per app - lots of apps (like Signal) allow that function.

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BTW, Titanium Backup unfortunatly is dead since 2019. Anyway, the only way to have a proper local backup (and restore) is root and appropriate app (in my case I migrated from Titanium to SwiftBackup years ago).
For me this is one of 2 reasons to have root at all.

Also, some apps like Signal or WhatsApp bring their own backup and AFAIK there is now other way than using this. Otherwise you will not be able to restore data.

I’m using Neo Backup and can restore almost everything after a re-install. Some apps refuse to accept the data when the device ID changes, banking apps are amongst them. I had no issues what so ever with Signal and Whatsapp unless I completely wipe system (factory resets gave no issue).

Root is required though to be able to use Neo Backup. (and yes, Titanium Backup was my go-to until a few Android versions ago)

At least, that’s the case with all other devices, mt FP6 refuses to keep my SD mounted rw and switches to ro within hours of a reboot. I now backup to the internal memory and when I want to reflasu, I just copy the data of the device to the SD card when it’s mounted on my pc, reflash and mount the SD on the phone.

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Thanks! What is the easiest way to get root on a FP5, and does it void warranties etc.?

I’m surprised why you’re supposed to “back up” Android?

I switched from my old smartphone to the FP6 and even had to set it up again after a repair and factory reset. Ok, all apps had to be re-installed and there settings checked.

What data do you need for a new phone/factory reset?

  • Contacts (save/restore with the Contacts app, export file to SD-Card)

  • Signal/WhatsApp have their own functions to copy them to a (temporary) second smartphone via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth if you don’t want to use Google Drive.

  • You have to set up specific apps (banking) again anyway.

  • With Google Wallet, the saved cards are already in the cloud (but I don’t think you use any cloud apps).

  • Yes, and you can copy your pictures, videos and audio with Files app to the SD card if you haven’t already set the SD card as the storage medium for the camera app.

  • Hey, and yes, my special ring tone. Found with the Files app in folder “ringtone” and also copied to SD-Card.

Which apps have you to backup? Ask the vendor or Google.

However, there’s no backup for the Android settings. You have to write down the most important settings or take screenshots.

After the factory reset, you also have to reconnect your Android to your Google account.

I was hoping to avoid exactly that long list you provided. As in “save current phone state, so it can be restored after a factory reset / wipe”.

Is it not possible to format an SD card and use the file manager to move or copy the internal memory to it? I have done this with e/OS.

@CFA You can do that with your file system administrator by far. A simply copy and paste or move files to internal storage, at least with images,videos,documents, even files of some backups from game apps.

What you cannot do its use a SD card with a whole backup storage to run the device ( +bootloader, image file OS,etc), you need //root access for doing that with Android and e/OS.

How does one get root access?

This is a really good question though. Could you please contact Google and tell us the answer? :nerd_face:

the forum has a search function and the perfect answer to this…

and to avoid frustration

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Yikes… OK, guess I just have to copy what I can copy, and then reinstall/restore each app.