Help Backing up NOVA and Apex

[WalkaboutDavid]

I just finished doing a factory reset, which was motivated by the recent software upgrade. I am on VZW and wanted the WiFi button in the pull down dialog.

I dutifully backed up both of the third party launchers I have (Apex and Nova), made sure everthing possible was set to back up to my Google account, and then flicked the switch!

Once I fired up the S4 to get everything set up again, I found that all my apps were rapidly installed, and stuff like the WiFi settings for my home router was automatically there.

I was not able to restore either Nova or Apex though. Both launchers could not find the backup.

From what I can now gather, the backup went to the internal SD card not external storage. The reset wipe internal memory, so the backup was gone. And, that aspect of application memory was not backed up to my google account.

What did I do wrong? Is there a way to tell NOVA to store backups on the external card and then go look for backups to restore on the card?

 

[trucky]

Right now there isn't a way to change the folder where the Nova backups are stored (/sdcard/data/com.teslacoilsw.launcher/backup). What you can do next time is make your backup and then copy it to your SD card or PC. When you do your next reset you can copy that backup file back to where it's expected to be and be back in business. Kind of poor coding that you can't just save it to your SD in the first place...

 

[Shotgun84]

Google won't backup app data it'll only backup the apps. If you want to backup your app data you'll need to use a third party alternative. If you are rooted there are lots of options but if you're not rooted I think this apps your only option

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.backup&hl=en_GB

 

[WalkaboutDavid]

Right now there isn't a way to change the folder where the Nova backups are stored (/sdcard/data/com.teslacoilsw.launcher/backup). What you can do next time is make your backup and then copy it to your SD card or PC. When you do your next reset you can copy that backup file back to where it's expected to be and be back in business. Kind of poor coding that you can't just save it to your SD in the first place...

Wow, that is dumb. But, this sound like a very reasonable workaround.

I am really not seeing the benefits of expandable storage.

 

[Cobravision]

If you didn't have removable storage, where would you put the backup file? You still have to copy it off and copy it back since everything on internal memory will be wiped.

It's more of an issue that Nova and Widgetlocker won't let you designate where the backups reside and force you to keep it in internal storage.

 

[Colchicine]

Once I fired up the S4 to get everything set up again, I found that all my apps were rapidly installed, and stuff like the WiFi settings for my home router was automatically there.

With the 3 Android phones and numerous resets, I have never had this happen. I have to manually find the apps to reinstall, and redo my wifi passwords. I have all Google back ups checked on.

 

[trucky]

With the 3 Android phones and numerous resets, I have never had this happen. I have to manually find the apps to reinstall, and redo my wifi passwords. I have all Google back ups checked on.

Make sure the first account you sign in with whenever you do a reset, reload or new ROM, is the same account you use for Google Play Store. I have multiple email accounts to deal with and I had the same issue too, until I learned that trick.

 

[WalkaboutDavid]

If you didn't have removable storage, where would you put the backup file? You still have to copy it off and copy it back since everything on internal memory will be wiped.

It's more of an issue that Nova and Widgetlocker won't let you designate where the backups reside and force you to keep it in internal storage.

I have never used widget locker but with nova and other apps, sd card counter intuitively means internal storage. And, because android phones only rarely come with SD slots, there is often no option for saving a file to the card.

 

[WalkaboutDavid]

With the 3 Android phones and numerous resets, I have never had this happen. I have to manually find the apps to reinstall, and redo my wifi passwords. I have all Google back ups checked on.

I have never had this issue with any of the android devices I have around the house (three phones, two tablets).

 

[Colchicine]

Make sure the first account you sign in with whenever you do a reset, reload or new ROM, is the same account you use for Google Play Store.

Alas, but I have but one Google account. I have no explanation for why I have to do it manually. After posting, I thought back to the many ROMs I flashed to my Inc and remember it did sync once.

 

[trucky]

I have never used widget locker but with nova and other apps, sd card counter intuitively means internal storage. And, because android phones only rarely come with SD slots, there is often no option for saving a file to the card.

Which Android phones only rarely come with SD slots? Certainly the S4 has one.

 

[WalkaboutDavid]

Which Android phones only rarely come with SD slots? Certainly the S4 has one.

Yup, but the S4 is the only one of the main flagship Androids that come with an SD slot right now. The competition from LG, HTC, Sony, and Moto is all phones that are sealed, no removable battery and no memory expansion.

Google is clearly pushing away from expandable storage and future versions of Android will offer little support.

I really wouldn't be surprised if this works out to be the last gen of the Galaxy with an SD slot.

 

[speedlever]

I really wouldn't be surprised if this works out to be the last gen of the Galaxy with an SD slot.

I, for one, certainly hope not!

Removable battery and expandable SD card storage were high on my priority list when shopping for a new phone.

 

[Shotgun84]

I, for one, certainly hope not!

Removable battery and expandable SD card storage were high on my priority list when shopping for a new phone.

:ditto:

They'd be pretty stupid to change their ways as a lot of people see those two features as important so why give up the niche the other manufacturers have handed to them.

 

[WalkaboutDavid]

:ditto:

They'd be pretty stupid to change their ways as a lot of people see those two features as important so why give up the niche the other manufacturers have handed to them.

You and I care about these features, but the 11 million folk who purchased an S4 are not the typical Phandroid types. In fact, most smartphone buyers don't care about removable batteries, SD cards, etc.

I also think that Samsung is swimming against the tide with SD cards. Google/Android is clearly orienting away from removable storage. SD cards are becoming less and less useful. You can't download movies or music to them directly from google play, can't load app data on them. Basically, you can store photos there, music sideloaded from your desktop, and movies you rip and move there on your own. And, that is about it.

I don't think we are all that far from a future where there are no available smartphones with SD cards. Like hard keyboards and compare flash slots, going the way of the dodo bird.

But, I'm with you. If not for the SD card and battery, I'd be holding an HTC One in my hand right now!

 

[Shotgun84]

Yeah I have a bad feeling you're right. At the end of the day everything's about the bottom line. Manufacturers have two options, sell you a 16gb which lets you buy expandable storage for 40 to 50 quid or just charge you an extra

 

[WalkaboutDavid]

Yeah I have a bad feeling you're right. At the end of the day everything's about the bottom line. Manufacturers have two options, sell you a 16gb which lets you buy expandable storage for 40 to 50 quid or just charge you an extra