Ask HN: How do you backup your Android?

Hacker News Discussion ↗

Built‑in Google / Cloud Backups

  • Many rely entirely on Google’s backup (contacts, SMS, photos, app list), sometimes plus Google Takeout.
  • Experiences vary: some say app re‑installation and basic data restore are “surprisingly good”; others say app data and settings almost never restore, leaving a “new phone” feel.
  • Some note Google Authenticator and other TOTP apps now sync via Google; others see that as weakening MFA.
  • Concerns: partial scope (little/no app state), privacy (data in Google’s cloud, no easy LAN‑only full backup).

Rooted Full‑App Backups & Local Tools

  • Classic tools: Titanium Backup (now effectively dead), Swift Backup, NeoBackup, 3C Toolbox. Require root for meaningful app‑data backup and restore, including “do not back up” flags.
  • Users report mixed restore success; banking/ID apps may break on rooted devices, partially mitigated with Magisk and Play Integrity bypass modules.
  • Some want full flashable images via recovery; current tools usually don’t deliver a turnkey “phone image” restore.

File / Photo Sync to Personal Infrastructure

  • Very common pattern: treat apps as disposable, but aggressively back up photos, documents, notes.
  • Tools: Syncthing / Syncthing‑Fork, rsync via Termux (sometimes with restic, rclone, borg), FolderSync, Nextcloud, SMB/FTP, NAS vendor apps, KDE Connect, MyPhoneExplorer, Immich, Resilio Sync.
  • Many sync to home NAS/servers, then back those up (ZFS snapshots, Borg, Backblaze, Glacier, tapes).
  • Debate: sync vs true backup; versioning and deletions require server‑side backups/snapshots.

Custom ROM / OS‑Integrated Backup (Seedvault, GrapheneOS, LineageOS, etc.)

  • Seedvault (bundled with LineageOS/crDroid) draws strong disagreement: some report near‑complete, fast restores; others call it “a trainwreck” with frequent backup/restore failures.
  • GrapheneOS backup, CalyxOS, crDroid integrations are mentioned positively but without deep detail.

2FA, Passwords, and Sensitive Data

  • Common approaches: Aegis (+Syncthing), Bitwarden, Authy, Google Authenticator export, storing TOTP secrets in password managers.
  • Some warn that Google‑synced OTPs and app‑level opt‑outs from backup exist for security reasons; others argue device owners should still be able to fully back up everything.

iOS vs Android Comparisons & Philosophy

  • Several contrast Android’s fragmented, partial backups with iOS’s near “phone image” iCloud/iTunes restore; others counter that even iOS still requires re‑logins for some apps.
  • A notable minority deliberately avoid backing up much: treat phones as disposable, only preserve photos/contacts, and accept re‑configuring apps as a periodic clean slate.