Backup Android Phone Apps, Settings

One of the good things of the iPhone was its complete data backup. But coz the sync is limited to USB, its clunky and not very dynamic in nature. Android 2.2 (froyo) seems to have a solution OTA to backup and sync most of the stuff, if not all.

Android Froyo backups and restores complete list of apps plus their respective data, but, with a twist. This data backup to the cloud is left on to the mercy of app developer. App developer has to write the app in such a way that the data can be backed-up to the cloud in the background. okay, so lets assume you have those apps, but what about other things like backing up your HomeScreen?

However, as per today, there are hardly any apps in the market that do that.

Backup Android HomeScreen

One of the strong wills of Android is its powerful customizable Homescreen. Each one of us spends so much time customizing it to soimething that suits our flavor, and next time you update or clean your phone, its all gone.

The problem with most backup apps is that you have to trigger it everytime, yourself.

This is exactly where app called MyBackup Pro ($4.99,  30-day free trial) comes to the rescue. Apart from Ondemand backups, MyBackup Pro lets you schedule regular automated backups of all your phone’s data — Everything from contacts to Apps, Text messages(sms), call logs, system settings, individual app settings, home screen configurations. All the data can be backed up to either your SD card or a secure Cloud service. (This data is stored at their servers rather than any other cloud service)

You can tell the app to schedule the backup process to happen recursively and defined repeat period  — either daily or weekly at the time of your choice.

And when you have a brand new “Clean” phone, install the app and signing and hit Restore … all of your settings, icons and widgets went back exactly where you had them last time.

Free alternative: Titanium backup

In case you are tight on budget and can afford not having scheduled backups, I recommend: Titanium Backup (free, with optional donation), but the Android Phone needs to be Rooted.

Rooting Android is not hard but voids warranty, by virginizing it back to factory isn’t hard either. Rooting is worth it.

P.S. There’s lot of other apps that backup almost anything on Android phones, checkout Sprite backup too.

Know a better app?  Let us know in comments.

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