Backing up the apps you've installed on your HTC EVO 4G may not seem like something you need to since purchased apps are linked to your Google account and free apps can be downloaded again with no problem, but it's a simple task that can save you lots of time and frustration if you ever need to get your phone replaced or you do a factory reset.
With your apps backed up, you can restore them all at once (or pick and choose if you're running low on space) instead of trying to remember what you had and then searching for each one. The latter step could be especially tricky if not all of your apps were from Android Market.
So save yourself the trouble and backup your apps.
Here's how to do it on your HTC EVO:
1. Download and install ASTRO File Manager from Android Market. There are other app backup tools available, but I think this one is the best. It can also do a lot more than just backup/restore apps, so it's good to have on your EVO anyway.
2. Launch ASTRO. There's no splash screen or anything, so what you're looking at above is what you'll see when you open the app and/or press the Home icon in the top bar.
3. Press the Menu button on the EVO and tap Tools.
4. Tap "Application Manager/Backup" from the pop-up window that appears.
5. A list of the apps installed on your EVO will appear. Select all of them (note that some apps can't be backed up and won't allow you to select them) by tapping the box at the top of the list or pick which apps you want to backup by tapping their corresponding box.
6. Hit the Backup button.
And you're done!
A new folder called "backups" will appear on your card with an "apps" subfolder containing all of the apps you backed up. You can copy this folder to your computer or other backup solution if you're worried about the card's reliability in the future.
When you want to restore any of the backed up apps, repeat steps 2-4 above, and tap the "Backed Up Apps" tab. Apps already installed on your EVO are listed in green; those that aren't are listed in white. Choose what you want (or select everything by tapping the box at the top) and press the Install button.
Thanks! Can this be used to move to a larger card, or to migrate apps to a different Android?
I also sync with Appbrain.com for all my apps. I can choose to install from the PC and then sync on my phone later on (which is great while I’m at work).
I recently had to do a factory reset, and all my apps (bought and free) were all right there for me to install again!
Thanks for the tip! I will also use this as a back up!
how bout using titanium backup? this app also allows you to backup the apps saved data so your settings etc would also be restored. theres both a free and paid version in the app store.
I see gameloft games on there…….will this work with the gameloft games you have to download from there site?
Jenn,
Was wondering what your using for screenshots now that Shoot me is done.
Thanks!
i started using astro now i use estrongs file manager
No, I downloaded a gameloft game (hawx), however I had to exchange my evo because of the screen seperation issue and my apk did not work. I emailed gameloft support and they sent me a new download link after asking me a few questions to make sure I was a legit customer.
The problem with Titanium is that you have to be root, and therefore void your warrantee. Which is why Sprint made it clear that the recent update should not be performed by folks with rooted phones.
While I really would like a full backup solution, I prefer to keep my phone safe at least until the original warrantee expires.
Also remember not all apps are backed up by Astro. Swype, for instance, is hidden from backups by the publisher.
Since I didn’t root my EVO and think having to use the SDK to take screenshots on a non-rooted EVO is crazy, I actually haven’t applied the update. None of the improvements are worth giving up ShootMe!
Ah, good to know. Did you get that “this is not an original copy” message when you tried to run it or could it not even be installed?
Thank you for posting this. In light of the interesting events, i will be using this ASAP.
A late night frustrated email got me this response -
“Tiradora: Gmail – Re: Care #20100701200751794 (Equipment – Upgrade/New Handset) (KMM73002928I15977L0KM) : http://bit.ly/9h51E2 via @addthis”
–http://www.twitter.com/Tiradora/status/17604312089
I use mybackup pro and on a rooted phone it does backup some data and it has worked for me when I rooted and overclocked my Hero and when Sprint replaced my EVO for a faulty headphone connector.
I been using Sprite since it was on my WM phone and worked pretty well. I actually bought it for $.99 before it went up in price. i was able to install the latest version without a charge.
I wish Spb would come out with an Android version of their Backup program it was the best that I have seen but on WM so far. I have Astro but did not think it did backup’s, the Sprite Backup claims to back up the most amount of data that any other program. I have been in IT for a long time and I am very sensitive to backup’s.
Don’t laugh but I even copied my SD card to the PC.
Hope this helps out.
Tom
Actually, the reason to NOT take a Sprint update if you are rooted is that you will lose your root access and all that goes with it.
You should root to show some of the benefits to users.
I would not have given up Shoot Me either, to be honest… I use it all the time when showing my family and friends how to use their phone.
is there an audio book player that will play m4b or m4a for the evo
thanks! worked like a charm. is it possible to also copy the items on the original sd card to another card through windows explorer if your pc has a multimedia card reader?
I use ES File Explorer. It has a built in App Manager and you can select User Apps, System Apps, or All Apps, then use multi select to choose the individual ones to back up, or just choose Select all and back them up to SD
Yep. It has to be the same system version though, to ensure no probs. I went to the newest version and lost 2 apps.