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Help Backing up apps to google: how about using multiple devices?

cdl

Android Enthusiast
Feb 4, 2010
448
60
Android has an option to back up apps and settings to your google account, and to restore them. How does this work when you have multiple devices? Say I buy a tablet; I set it up with my google account, and I'm asked if I want to restore apps from my account. If I click yes, will it restore the same apps as are on my phone?

Going forward, how does google manage differences between the phone and the tablet? E.g. if I replace the phone with a completely different one, set it up with my google account and tell google to restore my apps, which ones will be restored? Those of the previous phone or those of the tablet?
 
Each device has a specific GSF number. With that it can identify separate devices.
GSF=Google Services Framework
I see, thanks.
Does this GSF number get reset after a factory reset or when a new ROM is flashed?

When I connect a new device to my google account and choose to restore apps, what happens? Am I given the option to choose which device I want to restore from?
 
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Yes every time you factory reset or flash a ROM. The GSF number is downloaded when you sign into Google in Set-up Wizard. You can choose which apps to restore, but not which device. What is it exactly that you are trying to do?

If you visit the Playstore on the internet from a computer, You can choose from a list of your devices to install to.
 
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Yes every time you factory reset or flash a ROM. The GSF number is downloaded when you sign into Google in Set-up Wizard. You can choose which apps to restore, but not which device. What is it exactly that you are trying to do?
I have a smartphone, and am about to get an Android tablet. When I set up the tablet, will I have the option to choose which apps to restore from my google smartphone profile (I only need about half the apps I use on the phone)? If I won't, and if Android will automatically install on the tablet all the apps I have on my phone, it would be easier to manually install only the apps I need.
 
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