Backup settings.
Add a function to back everything up via either SD card or the web.
RAG1
shared this idea
AUTOMATIC BACKUP/RESTORE
Locale has automatic backup and restore using the cloud-based backup mechanism in Android 2.2 or later. There are no configuration options within Locale—it just works!
To use this feature, simply make sure that backup/restore is enabled by going to the Android Settings and verifying that Backup and Restore is enabled. (This option might be in a different place on different devices. With Android 2.2, it can be found under Android settings → Privacy. With Android 4.0, it can be found under Android settings → Backup & reset). Whenever Locale is uninstalled and reinstalled, the device is factory reset, or you upgrade to a new device, your Locale situations will be automatically restored. If there are no options for backup and restore under the Android Settings, then the device does not support automatic backup and restore.
Since backups are tried to a Google account, be sure to always use the same Google account when setting up your Android devices.
If you’ve ever previously installed a pirated copy of Locale, automatic backup and restore will not work correctly.
MANUAL BACKUP/RESTORE USING ADB
For Android 4.0 and later, the Android developer tools can perform a backup to a desktop computer:
1. Install the Android developer tools http://developer.android.com/sdk/tools-notes.html
2. Enable USB debugging on your device
3. Create a backup called locale.apk in your computer terminal’s current working directory: adb backup -f locale.bak com.twofortyfouram.locale
4. Restore a backup from your computer terminal’s current working directory: adb restore locale.bak
MANUAL BACKUP/RESTORE TO EXTERNAL STORAGE
Locale contains a beta manual backup/restore feature to create a manual backup to external storage. (“External storage” does not necessarily mean the SD card. The definition of external storage varies from device to device.) Because Locale already has cloud-based backup and restore, most users should have no reason to worry about manual backup and restore.
Locale’s manual backup and restore is primarily meant for support and diagnostic purposes and is disabled by default. To enable manual backups, please follow the instructions below.
1. Allow installing apps outside of the Android Market
a. From the Home screen, go to the “Settings” app
b. For Android 1.5 through Android 3.2: Choose “Applications” and make sure that “Unknown sources” is checked. For Android 4.0: Choose “Security” and make sure that “Unknown sources” is checked
2. Install Backup Enabler
a. Open the web browser on your phone
b. Go to this address: www.twofortyfouram.com/backup.apk
c. Once the download completes, tap on the download
d. Follow the instructions to install
After manual backups are enabled, a new Backup menu item will appear under the menu of the Locale situation list screen. From that menu item, you can create a backup to external storage. When Locale is re-installed, it will automatically detect any existing backups and ask whether you’d like to restore them. Manual backups are an unsupported beta feature.
32 comments
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AdminCarter
(Admin, two forty four a.m.) commented
@PraetorianGuard: Locale saves backups to "external memory" however that is defined by the device. The Galaxy S II may define "external memory" differently from other devices, but Locale is working as intended.
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PraetorianGuard commented
Manual backups are NOT saved on External Memory on the SGS2. I just made a backup and it got saved to the InternalSD
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AdminCarter
(Admin, two forty four a.m.) commented
@series3c: Manual backups are indeed stored on external memory
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series3c
commented
Why the backup is not saved on the external SD card? After a firmware update are you loose all data.
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mholland
commented
Is the restore feature supposed to be available in 1.3 (after installing the backup enabler ) ?
I can backup, but I don't see the ability to restore .
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bigredcndymn
commented
how do I put the info back on my new phone?
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Fogcat
commented
I'm getting a backup failed message on my HTC hero (now updated to 2.1)
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masterjo
commented
is this already built in in the current version?
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andocromn
commented
I'm on the motorola backflip, and there is option for Unknown sources in applications. how can i install? is this in the market yet?
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Ryan B
commented
thank you for the beta feature! i'm very glad to see this happening.
my only additional request would be scheduled/automatic backups. i'm not particular whether that comes built in or via integration with something like mybackup pro, i just know that automated backups are way, way more effective and valuable than manual.
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farble1670
commented
re: the data format being incompatible.
that fact that the format for beta and 1.0 data isn't 100% compatible doesn't stop you from writing import / export code. that's what import / export means. bridging one data format to another.
you obviously have the code to read beta settings and the code to write 1.0 settings. you should have added export to beta that wrote the data into an intermediary format. and had import in 1.0 that read the intermediary format and wrote it into the 1.0 format.
this is the sort of thing i expect in a paid, $10 app. as for adding back up and restore, i'd vote against it. if my phone crashes and i lose my locale data, that's the very, very least of my concerns.
the time for this feature was 1.0, it's of little use now.
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Umberto
commented
I already did the migration. It's ok for me if this is the last time. From now on I want backup-restore features!
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gordon byers
commented
I had to upgrade the firmware on my HTC Hero... Lost all of my locale situations.
When the Android 2.0 update is realeased for Hero i'll have the same problem again....
Export/Import of settings is a must! -
Steven Rothkin
commented
At least give the ability to copy the data files to the sdcard and then reimport them (within the same version of locale). This will be very helpful if I have to factory reset my phone (as Motorola is suggesting).
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Steven Rothkin
commented
I encourage you to provide backup support for your application by integrating with an application called MyBackup Pro, developed by RerWare, LLC. They have instructions on how you can integrate with their application for backup and restore functionality at the following link: http://www.rerware.com/MyBackup/integration.html
You can also contact their support team by email with any questions at the following email address: Support@RerWare.comThank you for a wonderful application, and I look forward to having the ability to backup and restore your application's data using MyBackup Pro.
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ttabbal
commented
backup: tar cvf /sdcard/locale.tar /data/data/edu.mit.locale
restore: tar xvf /sdcard/locale.tar -C /I put those into GScript and it seems to work for me. It's crude, and might cause other problems, but it does in fact work. I can backup, remove locale, reinstall locale, and restore the backup. When I load locale, I can see the situation I configured before the backup. I'd rather have something like the auto-snapshot system mentioned before, but this gets the job done for me.
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ttabbal
commented
I don't mind if it's a manual command line thing. Where are the settings stored so I can backup/restore them myself as needed? I'm fine with it possibly not working, I'd just like to be able to do something to possibly save myself some time. I totally understand it not working between versions, and if I make it crash, I promise I won't ask for help with it.
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raynerape commented
I agree with Carter that Backups should be implemented only when they can be implemented properly. Therefore I suggest the following features for backup functionality:
* Backup files should carry version used to create them.
* Backup Data convert plugins can be developed and maintained by first- or third-party. Locale should simply allow that when a backup is imported, a backup data convert plugin can be called to chew the data. The backup data convert plugin can read the version of the Backup, knows the current version and should be able to convert or strip uncompatible and deprecated conditions. -
AdminCarter
(Admin, two forty four a.m.) commented
The remaining duplicate functionality is basically covered by: http://feedback.twofortyfouram.com/pages/5655-locale-feedback/suggestions/223013-i-think-it-would-be-neat-if-an-external-application-like-astrid-could-create-a-temporary-situation?ref=title
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Allow third party applications to add new Locale rules using intents. This will allow third party apps to automatically add default rules useful for novice and casual users (i.e. an app that can be launched via Locale can automatically set Locale to launch it at certain times, i.e. apk backuper, etc.). Precaution should be taken against dangerous rules implemented by third party apps - all rules added by third party apps should be manually approved within Locale before activated (i.e. they are added as deactivated rules, and must be manually activated to work).
