Google backup - confused

[RickPJ]

(HTC Desire-Z, AOS 2.2.1)

I've worked out what I think the built-in backup to Google does, but I'd like to be able to see what has been backed up, and when. The system is completely opaque - how do I know it's working until I loose my phone and then find it doesn't restore to the replacement ?!?

Also, there is now an API that app developers can use to get their data included in the Google backup - but I have no idea which if any apps are using it. And again, if they say they are, how do I know it's working?

I'd have expected a web page under my Google account where I could see my Android backup, but no such thing seems to exist - am I missing anything? There's a whole "just trust us, we're Google" feel to this!

I've added an app specifically for SMS & call log (SMS Backup+), and I use rsync to backup the sdcard to my Linux box, but there's a big gap. It seems bonkers to have to root the phone just to do this.

Most of the Android ecosystem seems well thought out, but I just don't understand this part!

Cheers, Rick

 

[bigbadwulff]

Join the crowd. Google leaves a LOT to be desired with that kind of stuff.

 

[snapper.fishes]

No freaking idea. I am using titanium backup instead.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

I must have missed something. What google back up are you guys talking about on Android?

 

[RickPJ]

I must have missed something. What google back up are you guys talking about on Android?

Go into the main settings, then Privacy - there are two check boxes where you can turn backup and/or restore on or off. That's it! It backs "stuff" onto Googles servers, somewhere under your Google account, but you cannot see it, and have no idea what's in it!

Quite why it's under Privacy beats me too, especially as it's the only thing in that section.

Cheers, Rick
HTC Desire-Z, AOS 2.2.1

 

[T.M.M.L]

This must be phone specific, I don't have this on my Fascinate. The closest mines comes to this, is the auto sync, which just backs up my contacts.

 

[Slug]

This must be phone specific, I don't have this on my Fascinate.

I think it's OS version-specific and was introduced with Froyo.

I know it backs up the Market data associated with the primary Google account on the handset, as after a factory reset your purchased apps automagically start reinstalling themselves if the "Restore" option is checked during initial setup. Other than that it's speculation.

 

[mrsbelpit]

Yeah, I noticed it once I installed Froyo. I think it will be utilized in the future once the market goes online and if and when they enable web installing.

I did a factory reset and I enabled the backup stuff, but idk what came back with google and what came back with mybackup pro.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Hmmm this setting is not on my Evo (2.2) or my Epic (2.1).

 

[torquey]

(HTC Desire-Z, AOS 2.2.1)

There's a whole "just trust us, we're Google" feel to this!

Cheers, Rick

Just trust them, they're Google.