I want to upgrade my phone, as I haven’t done it in a while (and as that was the first and only time, I’ve forgotten how I did it). I think I used TWRP to backup before, but now I am reading it no longer backs up everything - or have I misunderstood? I’ve already imported my photos to my PC, but how do I make sure my files and contacts are backed up? I’ve also got an app that has saved messages on it that I would like to keep.
However, I am in USB Preferences, and the USB is controlled by This Device (my phone). When I click on ‘connected device’ it says, ‘couldn’t switch’. And so no folder is appearing on my PC screen to allow me to proceed.
Is USB debugging switched on Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock, this should allow you to start the “First step” of the Backup support topic
Slide your finger from top of the screen downwards, and click on “Android System. Charging this device via USB” 2 times.You will see USB preferences menu. Select File transfer. If you don’t see this option, try using another cable or another USB port on your computer.
The “device controlled by” is explored in the following thread, where I add screenshots in Post #7. This may help indicate if you are using an unsuitable cable.
I can see my phone in My PC and I can open up what I saved last time I did a backup. Under USB Preferences, I am able to click on ‘file transfer’, and for the phone to permit that. So I assume I don’t need to debug?
I keep making attempts to follow the instructions but I don’t seem to be able to export contacts. It looks like it might be working, because I am asked to save the file, and choose where to save it: Contacts - settings - export - export to .vcf file - and I chose to save it to downloads, and an arrow moves up a few times, but nothing seems to happen after that. There are files called ‘contacts’ in My PC - my phone - shared internal storage, but when I open it, it only shows one contact, with a ‘save’ button option.
I have no clue, and would be grateful if you could help me get unstuck.
@aibd - Sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean. There doesn’t seem to be any options showing after I attempt to save the contacts, which never is more than one contact (the same one), out of a total of 35 contacts that I have on my phone. I also don’t have a small SD card that will fit my phone.
I have switched to using Linux Mint and tried again, but the only contact that comes through is just the same one, and in LM it shows in a kind of text box.
Would it be easier to use Murena? Is there a tutorial on obtaining Murena for the purpose of using it as backup? Thank you
So I understand, what are the backup options? SD card, cloud, storing on a PC? Is that correct? Thank you.
For simple use, Android will only export to some inert media like internal storage, SD card or an OTG drive.
I do not quite follow what you aim to do with the PC, but it just feels wrong. It is as if you are asking Android to write to another live system whether it is Windows or Linux. Not a thing I ever did.
Once you have a successful export, only then do you use the PC to come in and copy and save the .vcf file. Export in this context is taking the data out of the Contacts app, and rewriting it in a portable format (the .vcf file).
There is Create a free Murena Workspace account but right now you will have to work round the limited availability of the whole cloud service as it recovers from the outage.
I haven’t done this before and don’t know anything about anything much when it comes to my phone.
I followed the instructions and I get .vcf files, but they are small with only one contact. So how do I get a ‘successful export’, as it looks like I am but I am also not?
I will have a look at what an OTG drive is, but I think I will buy an SD card, after I look into which one will be compatible with my phone.
You open the Contacts app – you do see all your contacts?
Top left 3 bar menu > Settings
Read through the contents of Settings to confirm where your contacts are located. If you are not using Murena cloud, check what you have showing for “Default account for new contacts”. Anything shows that might explain previous errors?
Tap export > Export to .vcf file. The next screen will get you to select a location on the phone for your .vcf file – default name prefilled contacts.vcf > SAVE.
Alternatively under Export is “Share all contacts”. I have always felt this is a less useful option, but you can generate a text based file to share.
Nothing showing under “Default account for new contacts”. There it just shows that things will be saved to my device.
Your instructions are what I am doing, and I see the arrow moving upwards, and then a triangle with an exclamation mark inside it, and when I slide my finger down from top, I see a Notification about the Android System: USB debugging connected. Tap to turn off USB debugging.
Under Developer options it shows USB debugging is on.
I also see a blue triangle with an exclamation mark - ‘Contacts. Exporting raw:/storage/emulated/0/Download/Contacts 1’
When I look in my phone as mounted to my PC and open downloads, and then the Contacts folder, the same happens - just the one contact in a kind of text box.
Should I be opening the Contacts folder in my PC with a particular program?
OK, sorry. I’ve tried it now without the PC. Where do I look to see if it’s worked? The size of the folder I’ve just saved this time is still small, at 73.58KB
