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Software Reviewed: Titanium Backup
Version: 2.7.2
Date of review: 22/FEB/2010
I was looking for an application that would allow me to:
1) Migrate to another phone easily.
2) Backup my applications (with ease)
3) Backup my DATA (with ease)
After some playing around with the market of available applications to backup applications/data, I found some very interesting applications which allowed scheduled backups (which I believe is a must have..) well that’s my opinion anyway… but out of all the applications I tried, titanium was the only application which after restoring the applications, also restored the links into the marketplace under downloads… which allowed me to then receive further updates in the future..!!! Most backup applications will restore the application, no problem, but what about future updates? You WONT get them….!!
Just recently, the developer of Titanium released the market doctor feature (only for donate users) which will attempt to fix any applications that don’t show up in the marketplace after a restore (before this feature you had to restore, sometimes twice before it would show up) GREAT WORK !!
I am abit (personally) disappointed with the GUI of titanium… I believe that it should have an option (wizard) when you first startup the application which asks you, are you an advanced user or beginner, and if you’re a beginner it shouldn’t show you all the advanced information (that half the people wont understand anyway)
What I’d like to see added?
1) beginner / advanced view of home page
2) shortcut options (or widget to run defined backup)
3) Scheduled backups
4) Backup of (SMS, call logs, bookmarks, system settings?)
5) Option to move most recent backup to remote location (i.e. network share over wifi, ftp over data etc)
The Following User Says Thank You to joshuah For This Useful Post:
Titanium is not the prettiest app on the market but for me it has saved my but many times (actually, twice today). If you use your Android device as more than a phone, get under the hood (as in ROOTING) this is a must have. One of those "you don't need it until you NEED it." Thanks for a great review of one of my favorite member of my Android toolbox. Now I can wipe my entire device, reflash, and be good to go in 10 minutes.
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Neil
Currently hooked on GB (rooted, overclocked and deoxed). Tomorrow, who knows
Some comments on specific points:
- Point 4: SMS, call logs, bookmarks, system settings can already be backed up - they are shown as green items in the list.
- Point 5: I have set up a poll at MoDaCo but no one seemed interested about uploading backups?
- The GUI: Imho you're being a bit harsh - but I agree that it could really be improved !
Again, your review contains really good ideas - thanks again for your work !
By the way, I have just added a "System app uninstaller" in Titanium, which helps to get rid of some useless stuff in your ROMs :-)
Last edited by Keramidas; February 21st, 2010 at 07:45 PM.
Some comments below:
- Point 4: SMS, call logs, bookmarks, system settings can already be backed up - they are shown as green items in the list.
- GUI: Imho you're being a bit harsh but I agree that it could really be improved.
- Point 5: I have set up a poll at MoDaCo but no one seemed interested about uploading backups?
Again, your review contains really good ideas - thanks again for your work !
By the way, I have just added a "System app uninstaller" in Titanium, which helps to get rid of some useless stuff in your ROMs :-)
I love the app. One of my faves. Donated to get the full version and couldn't be happier.
Does the program have the option of backing up all? Or is it just one at a time? Cause its a pain if you have to back up each app?
Yes, you have many options to do 1-click batch backups, and it's included in the free version too.
You can filter the apps list (if you want) by "app type" or by "app name" or by "Apps Organizer label" and then backup everything that you see. Before the actual backup takes place, you see the list of apps with a checkbox next to each, so you can exclude some apps manually at the last minute, too
Yes, you have many options to do 1-click batch backups, and it's included in the free version too.
Just try it...
I'm going to buy your app. Backups are too important in any computer related device not to have.
However, One concern I have is regarding the OS. Does the app backup the OS as well as apps [etc.].??. The reason I need to know is I have a replacement DROID on it's way to me because voice dial does not work. Verizon knows there are problems with it for BT but this one doesn't work on the phone. I'm told it can be hardware or in the OS. If it's in the OS, I sure don't want to restore a faulty OS over one that's not a problem.
EDIT: Just downloaded and found the phone has to be rooted. At this point, mine is not and won't be since rooting voids warranty.
Last edited by SteveAikens; March 12th, 2010 at 10:17 AM.
This app will backup more things: protected apps, all app settings, and the Market link for each app. You can restore 50 apps with their settings, in 2 minutes, without doing a single click. And the apps can be upgraded from Market afterwards, just like if you had installed from the Market again - except that you didn't waste 2 hours clicking
MyBackup Pro is a little more intuitive for "phone data" backups (ie: contacts, calendar etc) and works without root. But it can't backup protected apps or even any app setting.
I have donation version of Titanium Backup, love this app but still cannot figure how to backup/restore Contacts and SMS. I backed up all green records and restored them on new rom but neither contacts nor sms were restored. I tried a few things and apparently to restore contacts I had to restore Contacts 2.1-update-1 but restoring green [CONTACTS...] didnt do any good. The same is with [SMS...] there are two of green records containing that but neither can actually restore sms. Would anyone tell me what to restore to get sms back?
you need to reboot after restoring call logs or SMS before they show up
I did reboot and some other dances. However, I dont need to reboot apparently everything restores just fine without reboot ONLY if I restore all system data. But what if I only want to restore SMS, which particular system data I need to restore?
I would absolutely love the ability to upload my backups to any server. The typical problem with this kind of feature is that it uploads to a specific 3rd-party server, with no option of using your own if you happen to already have your own server. If Titanium did this, I would certainly make another donation!
I agree. This is the one must have app. And by that I mean the donate version. Very much worth every penny. I don't care about its looks. I care about its functionality. I love the automatic updates. I believe in safety nets. And this one is the Grand Poobah of all safety nets.
[REVIEW] Titanium backup
