Root Seems to be a Catch 22

[aszy_wrlk]

Good day all. I've retired my faithful EVO 4G mostly because it started becoming cranky. I have a number of apps that are no longer available and I want to move them to my new device. Here's the Catch 22:
It appears that I can not get at the apps unless I root - they are not on the SD card and can't be moved there.
It appears that I can't backup ( NANDroid etc ) with out rooting.
It appears that I can't unlock the bootlocker without erasing all data.

So, basically it appears that I am stuck without any way of getting these apps extracted. I'd love to try rooting, but not with the guarantee of losing all the data. It's no longer a phone, so all internet work will be done via WiFi.

Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
aszy

 

[Mikestony]

Helium is what you are looking for if you want your apps AND data for those apps

No root needed.

Otherwise, if all you want is your apps without data onto your new device, all your downloaded apps are stored on your google account

Edit: Whoops! Welcome to AF!!

 

[aszy_wrlk]

Thanks Mikestony, for the reply. The apps in question no longer exist ( for various reasons according to their respective developers ) on Play, so even though there is record that I've purchased them, they can not be gotten from the store any longer.
I will certainly look into the tip on Helium. Thanks again.
aszy