You’ll get the screen as shown at the right.
To install Helium, search for it in Google Play and install it. This is how the developers get around the non-root device application data backup dilemma. It’s unique in that there is a desktop component also required, at least to start the backup process.
Now that we’ve covered backups and the types, let’s look at Helium.
There is only one backup tool for non-rooted devices that also backs up application data. However if you've taken the risk to root the device spend the money and pay for a quality backup tool for it!įor non-rooted devices, there are many free and paid highly-rated backup tools. There are many backup tools that backup application data when the device is rooted, including My Backup, Titanium and others. Having said this, one exploit that rooting brings is the ability to backup application data. There are very few reasons to root your device, other than to say you've rooted it and watch the puzzled looks on the faces of those who don’t know what this means. You can brick (make the device unusable) a device. Root exploits areas not available for every device. Unless the device is rooted, you are running as a user with no way of performing privileged tasks such as backing up application data. It’s basically running with administrator privilege on Windows devices. The first question you have to answer when you decide to backup a device “is to be backed up "rooted"? Rooting is the term used to indicate any privilege restrictions imposed by Google or the device manufacturer has been removed. All this points to the need for a 3rd party backup utility perhaps two or more depending on the capabilities of the backup utility. Assuming you don't want every app you've ever purchased on the new device, Google backup is not a great option at least for new devices.
You get all the apps, no application data associated with each. Unlike iTunes, you are not asked to select a backup to use. If you've never used the device before Google can also install all non-system, non-private applications from every device that is backed up to the Google clouds. And Google does a great job of restoring settings like contacts and Wi-Fi networks. Yes, you can have the device backed up to your Google account.
Now some will remind me that when you first sign onto the Android device with your Google account you are offered the choice to backup and/or restore the device to the Google account. Complicating the process is each application has application data (high scores for games, user ID and passwords for banking, etc.) that should be backed up for a restore to be complete. There are at least two types of applications: system, those that are installed on the device when it's purchased and those installed after the device is first turned on. Phone history, phone contacts, SMS messages, system settings, customizations (Wi-Fi networks, etc.), applications and application data. It's available in the Google Play store, both free and paid editions.īefore continuing we must digress and discuss what does backup mean and what is included in a backup?Īn android device can have multiple objects to backup.
The Helium of this review is a backup program for Android phones and tablets. By Frank Ramsey, Editor, ACPCUG, Akron Canton PC Users Group, Ohio