Android Lollipop - Restore functionality identical to Apple now (plus an NFC goodie!)

[Lloydbm41]

So, we knew that Lollipop was supposed to have this functionality and now I can confirm that it works flawlessly. I downloaded the Nexus 5's factory image from Google and installed it. This erases the entire phone (and I do mean everything) and installed the official release of Lollipop. I had the Developer Preview before this, so I was able to have my data backed up to the Cloud, just like what Apple does for iDevices.

After I installed the factory image of Lollipop, I went the the set up process, just like you would get with a new phone. After it asked me for the language I wanted and what my wifi network was, it asked for my gmail account info. After typing it in and hitting 'next', this is what I was presented with (see pic):

I let the phone do it's thing and after about 30 minutes (had to download and update about 65 apps!), my phone was set up exactly like it was prior to the install of Lollipop. Worked exactly like my iPhone (without any need for iTunes that is.)

So finally, Android users have a feature that has been with Apple since near the beginning and Apple users can no longer laugh at Android users for missing this feature.

P.S. If you have another Android device (say the phone you are getting rid of or putting away) and want to use it for all your apps and homescreen setup (and it has NFC), there is the option to hold both devices together and your new device will ''pull'' the data from your old device. Pretty cool feature too!

 

[jamezr]

So, we knew that Lollipop was supposed to have this functionality and now I can confirm that it works flawlessly. I downloaded the Nexus 5's factory image from Google and installed it. This erases the entire phone (and I do mean everything) and installed the official release of Lollipop. I had the Developer Preview before this, so I was able to have my data backed up to the Cloud, just like what Apple does for iDevices.

After I installed the factory image of Lollipop, I went the the set up process, just like you would get with a new phone. After it asked me for the language I wanted and what my wifi network was, it asked for my gmail account info. After typing it in and hitting 'next', this is what I was presented with (see pic):

I let the phone do it's thing and after about 30 minutes (had to download and update about 65 apps!), my phone was set up exactly like it was prior to the install of Lollipop. Worked exactly like my iPhone (without any need for iTunes that is.)

So finally, Android users have a feature that has been with Apple since near the beginning and Apple users can no longer laugh at Android users for missing this feature.

P.S. If you have another Android device (say the phone you are getting rid of or putting away) and want to use it for all your apps and homescreen setup (and it has NFC), there is the option to hold both devices together and your new device will ''pull'' the data from your old device. Pretty cool feature too!

And the best think about it..... No iTunes! What a horrible app!

 

[soulreaver99]

And the best think about it..... No iTunes! What a horrible app!

Well you don't really need iTunes for anything anymore these days.

 

[I7guy]

Wha are us iOS users supposed to say. Welcome to 2007!

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Wha are us iOS users supposed to say. Welcome to 2007!

You Jelly, cause your stuck with limited NFC?

 

[Ddyracer]

Wait app data is it like before lollipop where it just does the app? Or will it actually restore local files from the data/data partition? And how about /sdcard? I have a few apps that keep their data there I assume it doesn't backup anything in that file path?

 

[mib1800]

After I installed the factory image of Lollipop, I went the the set up process, just like you would get with a new phone. After it asked me for the language I wanted and what my wifi network was, it asked for my gmail account info. After typing it in and hitting 'next', this is what I was presented with (see pic):

I let the phone do it's thing and after about 30 minutes (had to download and update about 65 apps!), my phone was set up exactly like it was prior to the install of Lollipop. Worked exactly like my iPhone (without any need for iTunes that is.)

Does it backup all your apps+data or is it limited to only Playstore apps downloaded by the current google account?

 

[Lloydbm41]

Wait app data is it like before lollipop where it just does the app? Or will it actually restore local files from the data/data partition? And how about /sdcard? I have a few apps that keep their data there I assume it doesn't backup anything in that file path?

Does it backup all your apps+data or is it limited to only Playstore apps downloaded by the current google account?

This I am unsure of because I did a full reset and wiped the entire phone with the factory image. I assume if it is pulling from the cloud, app data will not be included (mine was not). If you update via OTA or via NFC from an old phone, it should pull all data. (Key word is 'should'). This would be similar to restoring from iTunes via PC.

 

[Ddyracer]

So I guess I still need titanium backup. Man, so close to not needing to root android anymore so I can take otas organically.

So, when you restored your apps you restored from an old backup however if you flash the images without wiping your data or OTA you still have your apps plus data. Is that what you are saying? This bit I know however it still requires using a computer.

And NFC I won't use because I am restoring from the same tablet not restoring to a new one. Still nice feature I guess.

 

[Lloydbm41]

So I guess I still need titanium backup. Man, so close to not needing to root android anymore so I can take otas organically.

So, when you restored your apps you restored from an old backup however if you flash the images without wiping your data or OTA you still have your apps plus data. Is that what you are saying? This bit I know however it still requires using a computer.

And NFC I won't use because I am restoring from the same tablet not restoring to a new one. Still nice feature I guess.

I can't answer the question because I didn't do an OTA update or restore from an old Android device. I could have done another restore to try it out, but I didn't. And I'm not gonna bother now. I'll ask the Google devs on their next live Hangout.

 

[RandomKamikaze]

I just want to check, did this include SMS and call history?

 

[Tinmania]

Wha are us iOS users supposed to say. Welcome to 2007!

You couldn't do that on iOS in 2007. I was there. I know.

For that matter you didn't need to: the apps were all hard-coded to the device and you couldn't install any others.

Finally, for years to come you would be married to iTunes.

So, no, you couldn't do that in 2007.



Michael

 

[tbayrgs]

It's a great start but unless all app data is saved/restored, it's still not on par with iOS's backup/restore process. And my understanding is that this is contingient upon the individual app developers so unless Google forces devs hands, this likely isn't going to change anytime soon.

And, yes, you can do all of this on iOS (well, no NFC initiated transfer of course) without iTunes using the Cloud, and you get your app data restored.

 

[I7guy]

You couldn't do that on iOS in 2007. I was there. I know.

For that matter you didn't need to: the apps were all hard-coded to the device and you couldn't install any others.

Finally, for years to come you would be married to iTunes.

So, no, you couldn't do that in 2007.



Michael

So then what year? 2010?

 

[mjcharlton71]

limited to only Playstore apps downloaded by the current google account?

From experience so far, this ^^^^

Hasn't restored app data for anything as far as I can tell. Reports as a completely different device, so apps like Kindle end up with another device manage.

Other than that, it's absolutely brilliant so far. Face unlock + PIN is pretty sweet, although I wish it was possible to add a wifi network to Trusted Devices in Smart Lock, as that would more than make up for Skiplock not being compatible with 5.x now.

 

[g0df4th3r]

Wha are us iOS users supposed to say. Welcome to 2007!

iOS users don't say anything, only trolls like you say something. You are no different than some Fandroids hijacking a thread about iOS getting NFC, 3rd party keyboards, widgets, or the iPhone having a big screen.

 

[mercuryjones]

Odd. I don't need to use iTunes to do a full restore of my data onto a new iPhone. In fact, should you buy your phone in an Apple retail store, they encourage you to hang around and use their wifi for the entire restore process.
But hey, at least Google finally got it implemented. I can't believe it's taken them this long.

 

[jamezr]

It's a great start but unless all app data is saved/restored, it's still not on par with iOS's backup/restore process. And my understanding is that this is contingient upon the individual app developers so unless Google forces devs hands, this likely isn't going to change anytime soon.

And, yes, you can do all of this on iOS (well, no NFC initiated transfer of course) without iTunes using the Cloud, and you get your app data restored.

Have to agree with you. It's a step in the right direction..... But if needs to restore app data as well.

 

[Switchback666]

When you restore did you get the same icon arrangements that you had?

 

[mjcharlton71]

When you restore did you get the same icon arrangements that you had?

Yes. Folders and positions therein too.

 

[jrswizzle]

Sooo......my Nexus 5 is waiting......

 

[dojoman]

You don't need iTunes to backup or restore entire phone. So much disinformation passed around here. Typical Android fans.

 

[Lloydbm41]

When you restore did you get the same icon arrangements that you had?

Yes. Same wallpaper too.

 

[mercuryjones]

Yes. Same wallpaper too.

Wow. The exact same wallpaper??? Impressive.

I kid. It must be pretty cool to have this whiz bang technological advancement.

 

[Lloydbm41]

You don't need iTunes to backup or restore entire phone. So much disinformation passed around here. Typical Android fans.

No you don't absolutely need it, but without it all those custom ringtones, personal video files and music that you want is going to be missing, isn't it?