Backing Up Your Android Apps and Other Phone Info

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When you first buy a new smartphone or tablet, thinking about installing an app that backs up things like apps, photos, texts, and other information is recommended. Since many new users aren’t 100% familiar with the inner workings of a smartphone operating system and how it handles your phone’s data, 3rd party apps that automate processes like backing up are a great idea. In this mini-tutorial, we’ll tackle the benefits of backing up and some of the apps worth a look. 

App Backups

As a new user to Android, there may be times when you need to backup your apps, however, with the most recent versions of Android getting more advanced and a Google Play store that continues to evolve, it has become less and less important. For novice users, backing up can be good when you need to keep older versions of apps that are no longer available or because you think Google’s automated backup system from Google Play doesn’t work all that well. Thankfully, with apps being attached to your account for life, it’s not necessary to worry about always backing up apps unless you become an advanced user and root (gain system access) your phone. At that point, you can make full backups of apps that contain your user data and settings, something that can’t be done by normal non-root access.
Basically, what I’m saying is that for new users, app backups aren’t all that important. If you have to factory reset your phone or uninstall an app, you can simply load the Google Play store back up and re-install the app, if Google doesn’t do it automatically for you. The only problem here, is that you lose all of the data from the previously installed version. That’s when having root access can be beneficial, as you can backup user data and restore it. But you will rarely have to worry about not being able to install an app again.
I know this tutorial is about backing up apps, but again, it’s not something you really need to worry about unless you become a power user that is constantly factory resetting your phone.

Photos, Texts, and Other Info

On the flip side of backups, I would say that it is important to backup your photos, text messages, call logs, and other info. This information, if deleted during a factory reset or lost because you changed phones, might be missed. There are a number of apps that will store this info in the cloud so that it can be accessed from anywhere in the world, or on your phone’s microSD card for safe keeping.
Two of the most popular are apps called My Backup Pro and Ultimate Backup, both of which allow you to back up all of your personal data (photos, texts, etc.), store it on device or in the cloud (recommended), in a file that can be restored from any device. They are simple to use, can be automated to do it regularly, and only cost a couple of dollars. Free options like Dropbox are what I personally use for things like photos, however, they aren’t as automated and are more of a storage locker than anything. The best part, though, is the fact that Dropbox is easily accessed from PC browser to tablet to phone. There are also options for advanced users that are more of a file manager than anything, or if you decide to root your phone, you can have even more control.
Most of the apps I’ve laid out are super simple to use, and that’s on purpose. No one wants to have to worry about backups, so feel free to check out the couple of options we have included below and decide which you like the best. Most of them have free or trial options, giving you the time to find your favorite.

Cloud Backups

One thing that I definitely recommend, is using an option that can store your personal info in the cloud, so that if you lose your device, it’s stolen, or you change to something new, you can pull back your data with ease. Storing information on local drives has become a thing of the past, especially since many of us tend to carry around multiple devices that all need access to the same data.

Contacts

There is no need to backup your contacts with an app or 3rd party service (like Verizon’s Backup Assistant). Google automatically backs up, updates, and restores your contacts, calendar, and Gmail once you login to your phone with your Google account. Using 3rd party apps only makes the situation a mess, often times creating doubles of contacts.

(Kellex)

Transfer applications between 2 Android devices over a Bluetooth connection

Astro and Transer Bluetooth App  will help you do that, from the need to access the online application store.

Basically, users of Android devices can download and install apps from the app store online Google Play.However, many people still prefer to get right to the application has been installed on an Android device of friends, both fast and comfortable. To do this, you need to install the application before 2 Astro and Transer Bluetooth App to Android devices need to share, then follow the steps below.



1. Packaged into APK file applications with “Astro”
Astro is the best file manager application for Android devices. We will take advantage of feature-packed applications installed on your Android device’s memory card into the APK file to share for another Android device via Bluetooth connection. Thus, this APK files can easily install apps on your friends.
First, Astro launch the application on your Android device. From the main interface, you select Application Backup if you are using version install 3.1.427std. If you use an older version, you’ll have to click the Settingsbutton to open the Tools dialog before they can select Applications Backup as shown below.


After selecting the Application Backup, please wait a moment to Astro listed the full list of applications installed on your Android device. Next, you check to select the application to be sent to the Android device of your friends and click the Backup button to begin the process of packing the APK file. You can also select multiple applications to be packaged in this step.


At this point you have completed the process of packaging the application on your Android device by Astro and know. You can check by opening the Backup folder> Apps from Astro app’s main interface to view the applications that are packaged complete.
2. Packaged applications via Bluetooth transmission with “Bluetooth File Transfer”
Launch the Bluetooth File Transfer application. In the application, find and select the application to send to friends in the above path as the test procedure. When you do, you press the button with the Bluetooth icon, finding the right Android device name to send. The recipient can install the application as soon as the data transfer is complete.


This method is ideal when you need to share an application already installed on your Android device with another Android device, from concern with network connection or not.

Top 20 Things Every First-Time Android User Should Know

Choosing a new device like a new phone or tablet should be fun. But there are so many choices out there, and it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re thinking about anAndroid device, or if you’ve just bought one and want to get the most out of it, we have some basic tips to get you started.






1. What is Android?
Android is an operating system, like Windows for computers or iOS for iPhones and iPads
2. Who makes Android?
Google makes Android, and a lot of manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC and Motorola put it on their phones, tablets and now even cameras.
3. Why does everyone keep talking about desserts?
As well as regular version numbers, every time Google makes a significant update to Android, it names the update after a dessert. The desserts run alphabetically, so you can keep track of different Android versions. In the past few years, devices have upgraded from Eclair, to Froyo, to Gingerbread, to Honeycomb, to Ice Cream Sandwich. The latest devices to be released are currently running Jelly Bean.
4. Does Android have apps?
Yes. Android has a huge app market called Google Play, where you can download books, music and movies as well as apps, all from one place. Amazon also has its own app store for Android phones, giving you even more choice.
5. Can I use Twitter and Facebook on Android phones?
Yes. Pretty much every phone released nowadays is a smartphone with Internet capabilities. Whether you choose a BlackBerry, an iPhone, a Windows phone or a phone running Android, you’ll be able to use Facebook and Twitter.
6. How do I download apps to my Android device?
You can install new apps on your Android device in two ways. First, you can use the Google Play app that you’ll find on your device when you power it up the first time. No need to be connected to a computer; Android devices can install apps all by themselves. Second, you can use the Google Play website on your computer. If you log in with the Google Account you used on your Android device, Google Play will give you the option to install straight to your device. This can be handy when you want a big screen to browse through lots of apps.
7. Wait, I don’t have to tether my phone to my computer to install new apps?
Nope! You can do it via cellular data or Wi-Fi directly to your phone or tablet. No cables.
8. Okay, I understand apps now, but what if I want to put some pictures or a movie on my phone?
There are a couple of super-simple ways to move your personal files on and off an Android device. First, you can use a Dropbox account plus the Dropbox app. Upload everything to Dropbox via your computer, log into Dropbox on your phone or tablet, and they’ll all be there waiting for you. Even easier, connect your phone to your computer and treat it like a fancy USB stick — just drag and drop the files, and Android will know how to organize them.
9. I have lots of music in iTunes. Can I listen to it on my Android phone?
Yes. There’s a piece of software called doubleTwist that works just like iTunes, letting you install your iTunes music collection on your Android phone or tablet. If you store your music collection outside of iTunes, then the drag-and-drop method of file transfer should work just fine.
10. There’s a game called Angry Birds that I keep hearing about. Can I play it on Android?
Yes. It’s one of the top free games on Android. Download Angry Birds from Google Play.
11. My friend has an Android phone from Samsung, and my Android phone is from HTC. Why does Android look a bit different on our phones?
Google makes the Android software and then lets hardware manufacturers such as HTC and Samsung install it on their phones and tablets. Device manufacturers usually add their own design tweaks to the standard Android operating system. These design tweaks are known as skins, and manufacturers use them to help Android devices stand out from the competition.
12. What if I just want pure Android without a skin?
If you want the pure Android experience straight from Google, then you should choose a device with “Nexus” in the title, such as the Nexus 7 tablet or the Galaxy Nexus phone. These devices always get updated to the latest version of Android first, too, because they don’t use any extra tweaks from the hardware manufacturers that might hold up the upgrade process.
13. What’s the difference between home screens and the app drawer?
The app drawer is where you can find all of the apps installed on your device. On Apple devices, all of your apps are live on your home screens. But Android devices have (up to) seven home screens that you can fill with your favorite apps and widgets for quick access — any apps you don’t choose to keep on your home screen will still be in your app drawer.
14. Widgets? What are widgets?
Widgets are one of our favorite features of Android. Super useful at both displaying information and saving power, they are a little like snapshots of apps that live on your home screens. Widgets come in all different sizes. They can display simple things like how much data you’ve used this month or show more complex things like your Facebook news feed. Because they’re designed for basic interactions like posting updates to Facebook or Twitter, widgets can help you save battery power because you don’t need to open up the full app every time you want to make a simple update or reply to comments.
15. Do I need a Google account to use Android?
Yes. Just like you need an Apple ID to use an iDevice, you need a Google account to use Android. You don’t have to use any of the specific Google services like Gmail on a daily basis if you don’t want to, and Google lets you add other email accounts to your Android phone or tablet. But if you really don’t want a Google account, Android might not be right for you. Google’s software and cloud services are really slickly integrated into the Android experience, and you’ll miss out on some of the best features of Android if you don’t want to use them.
16. What’s the easiest way to move all my contacts onto my phone?
You can enter them as contacts into Gmail, and they’ll be automatically synced to your phone, or you can transfer saved numbers off your SIM card.
17. How do I save battery power on my Android device?
We’ve got some battery-saving tips right here for you.
18. Are there any good Android productivity apps?
Yes, loads! Here are some of our favorite Android productivity apps.
19. Which Android games do you recommend?
We’ve got a list of cool (and free) Android games.
20. How do I keep my Android phone secure?
Android has plenty of security features. We make understanding Android security featuressimple.

Have you got any pointers for first-time Android users? Let us know in the comments!

Image courtesy of Flickr, Johan Larsson
This article originally published at Tecca here