Best way to backup an Android Device (Xoom)?

[markw10]

I have had an iPad for a couple years and back it up relatively frequently to iTunes and will begin backing it up to iCloud.
I've had a Xoom for a year but have had difficulty with backing it up. I mainly use the Mac and when I posted earlier I was directed to the Android File Transfer program. I was able to hook up my Xoom with the USB Cable and when the File Transfer would open up I'd simply highlight everything and drag it to copy it to a folder on my Mac. This worked well but sometimes it would cause my Mac to beachball and it would simply not back it up.
For some reason this problem has become much worse where I'm not really able to back it up anymore. I know the Android File Transfer program is not needed for Windows and I have a Windows 7 laptop. The files simply come up when I click on the Xoom in Windows Explorer. The problem is once again I have the same problem. When I try to copy everything it says something like Calculating Disk Space but does not go further. I even let it do that overnight to wake up to see the same message on my screen. Later I just tried copying groups of folders such as 3-5 at a time and this worked better but some simply won't copy.

Does anyone know what is causing this problem with copying files? Is there any type of program that will simply backup everything on my Xoom to a folder? I am just looking for simply way to do this that works or either a way that my Xoom will allow me to copy files in one of the two ways I've tried.

Thanks for your help.

 

[chanchan05]

What exactly are you trying to backup anyway? A complete backup of the apps, files etc, or you just want certain files to be both on the computer and the Xoom?

The best method of backing up would entirely depend on what you want to backup.

If you want a backup that would restore all your apps and data if you need to reset the device, you need to be rooted and install either Titanium Pro or MyBackUp Pro and hook the data up to DropBox.

 

[markw10]

What I'm looking for is a complete backup. I know I have it set up for syncing my gmail account which I believe will sync things like my calendars, etc. I also know that I can get my apps back from the Android Market.
What I don't want to lose is the settings and data I have in my apps, the configuration of the xoom and screens, etc. In case something happens to my Xoom I would get a replacement tablet and would like to be able to restore it so that it's just like my Xoom is set up now. I know this can be done with an iPad but if something like this possible with the Xoom or would I have to root it?

 

[chanchan05]

Complete backups are only possible with root.

 

[markw10]

How hard is it to use one of the solutions that would involve rooting my device. I have some knowledge of computers but yet I'm not very tech savvy either.
If i choose not to root my device is the best option to simply do things like continue to have my data sync to google (contacts, etc) and of course have the option of restoring apps from Android Market? I guess what I'm asking is is there any way of also backing up data from the apps, my settings on the xoom, screens, etc?
Thanks again for your help.

 

[chanchan05]

Data from apps and those screen setups cannot be backed up without root.

You can backup stuff not related to apps like pictures, songs, etc without root, but not system files.

As for how difficult it is to root, depends on the method you use.

 

[kristalsoldier]

It's odd isn't it - why do i need to be rooted and/or resort to other things just make back-ups of how my tab is configured at any given point in time? I would think this should be an option and a capability always built into the OS and at the disposal of the user. Don't all Os already have this?

 

[UssjTrunks]

It's odd isn't it - why do i need to be rooted and/or resort to other things just make back-ups of how my tab is configured at any given point in time? I would think this should be an option and a capability always built into the OS and at the disposal of the user. Don't all Os already have this?

There are a few backup apps for unrooted devices. I can't tell you what they are right now though since in not at my computer. I doubt they're as comprehensive as Titanium but they are available.

 

[chanchan05]

It's odd isn't it - why do i need to be rooted and/or resort to other things just make back-ups of how my tab is configured at any given point in time? I would think this should be an option and a capability always built into the OS and at the disposal of the user. Don't all Os already have this?

Because you need a comprehensive backup for that. When you restore and certain apps are still missing that were part of settings, well you'll get errors. You can try restoring apps then restoring those settings separately, but thats the only other option you got. Also the settings are part of the Launcher's data which is inaccessible without root, since its considered app data. Some launchers do have a setup backup option.

 

[HUYI82]

I have had an iPad for a couple years and back it up relatively frequently to iTunes and will begin backing it up to iCloud.
I've had a Xoom for a year but have had difficulty with backing it up. I mainly use the Mac and when I posted earlier I was directed to the Android File Transfer program. I was able to hook up my Xoom with the USB Cable and when the File Transfer would open up I'd simply highlight everything and drag it to copy it to a folder on my Mac. This worked well but sometimes it would cause my Mac to beachball and it would simply not back it up.
For some reason this problem has become much worse where I'm not really able to back it up anymore. I know the Android File Transfer program is not needed for Windows and I have a Windows 7 laptop. The files simply come up when I click on the Xoom in Windows Explorer. The problem is once again I have the same problem. When I try to copy everything it says something like Calculating Disk Space but does not go further. I even let it do that overnight to wake up to see the same message on my screen. Later I just tried copying groups of folders such as 3-5 at a time and this worked better but some simply won't copy.

Does anyone know what is causing this problem with copying files? Is there any type of program that will simply backup everything on my Xoom to a folder? I am just looking for simply way to do this that works or either a way that my Xoom will allow me to copy files in one of the two ways I've tried.

Thanks for your help.

just wasted hours with google searching for a solution and this topic popped up, i have the same problem, it really is stupid that there is no backup utility built into android, even sony and Microsoft has a backup setting on their consoles without modifying the console, also why would you want to format and reset your tablet to BACKUP YOUR DATA isn't that a stupid thing to say to someone? i want to GED my device and i can't because i can't get any data from it from internal storage, it simply won't copy over to windows into a folder, i've even tried adb pull / backup with dos commands and that even freezes, it's really frustrating when no one will help and they give you stupid dumb answers.

 

[Hexadecimus]

This works on ICS: backing up xoom apps (saves) with ICS