Extension to the whole of Android

[linux-lukas]

A. Problem / Goal

Creating regular data backups is just as important on desktop PCs and laptops as it is on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. There are few (usable) applications for Android that enable a complete and regular data backup.

The goal would be to expand the Privacy Friendly Backup (PFA) app so that it can be used to back up not only PFAs, but basically an entire mobile device.

B. Solution(s)

A considered solution would be to extend this application to the whole of Android as a backup solution in a step-by-step process.

C. Alternatives

Do not expand the PFA with a view to extending it to the whole of Android.

D. Effort

I would assume that since many things change in the Android versions from v10 onwards compared to the respective predecessor versions, a comparatively high effort could be expected.

E. Responsibilities

I would see responsibilities for both the project maintainers and the community.

F. Notes

[Kamuno]

This would basically require a completely different application. This backup application operates on a very specific protocol that requires the respective application to basically send the data to the backup application via an authenticated interface.

There are applications that can create backups of any other application by using the adb backup command. This can even be done without root.

That being said.. anyone is free to integrate the backup-api and request their signature to be added to the authentication mechanism. We would probably need to post an explanation on how you would do that.

[linux-lukas]

Perhaps a stupid question, but couldn't the protocol be adapted to a standardised Android protocol for creating data backups?

Alternatively, if a general backup Android app were to be developed, I would think that this app would have to be renamed or the general app would have to be made sub-divisible accordingly.