How to backup your phone

Updated on December 19, 2024

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Seedvault is the open source built-in backup service designed to help you securely back up apps and data on your phone. This guide walks you through the process of creating and restoring backups to avoid data loss in the possible situation where you lose or break your device.


Locating the Backup Section #

  1. Open your phone’s Settings.
  2. Search for “Backup” using the search bar at the top.
  3. Alternatively, navigate to Settings > System > Backup.

Setting Up Seedvault Backup for the first time #

Generating a New Seed #

  1. Tap on the menu and select GENERATE NEW CODE.
  2. A 12-word recovery seed will be displayed. Write these down and store them safely later. These words are critical for restoring your backup.
  3. Note: Screenshots of the seed are blocked for security reasons.
  4. Confirm the seed by entering all 12 words and tapping VERIFY.

Choosing a Backup Location #

Seedvault allows backups to:

  • Local storage (NOT recommended).
  • Cloud services, such as Nextcloud or WebDAV
  • External USB drives (a USB-A to USB-C adapter or a usb-c drive required).

We recommend that you choose the external drive option. just make sure you store that drive somewhere safe.


Configuring Backup Content #

  1. In the backup settings, you’ll see two main toggles:
    • Backup my Apps: Includes app data and apps themselves.
      • This option includes; Contacts, SMS message history, Device Settings, Wallpaper, Home Screen Layout and Call History
    • Backup my files: Includes only the device files you select.
      • This option includes only the files and folders selected.
  2. Customize exclusions for specific apps or folders if needed.

Important Note: #

  • Some apps may not allow backups via Seedvault for extra security reasons
  • Backing up numerous files and folders via Seedvault is not recommended. Instead, we suggest maintaining a separate copy of essential files and periodically offloading your media to a computer for safe storage.

Starting the Backup #

  1. In the main menu, tap the three dots in the top right corner.
  2. Choose Backup Now to begin the process.
  3. Monitor progress via the notification panel. Backup results, including successes and failures, are displayed once the process is complete.

Restoring Data with Seedvault #

Preparing to Restore #

  1. Ensure you’re using the same OS and Android version for the best compatibility.
  2. Plug in the external drive or mount your cloud drive.
    • In advanced circumstances you may need to copy the .SeedVaultAndroidBackup folder (hidden by default) to the new device.

Starting the Restore #

  1. You can restore the backup upon initial device setup when prompted, or;
    • Open Backup Settings and tap Restore from the menu.
    • Alternatively, dial *#*#7378673#*#* in the phone app to access the restore menu (think of it as typing RESTORE).
  2. Choose the backup location and follow the prompts to restore:
    • Apps are reinstalled first.
    • System and app data restoration follow.
    • File restoration completes in the background.
  3. Done! Your backup should have restored.

Note: Depending on how and when the backup was initiated, the app layout and wallpaper may not restore. In such cases, you can find your apps in the app drawer.


Tips and Considerations #

  • Backup Files: Copy the hidden .SeedVaultAndroidBackup folder to an additional location for redundancy.
  • Confirm successful backup of all your data each time by tapping “Backup Status” or the backup notification after it completes.
  • App-Specific Data: Some apps (like Aegis) may require manual export and import for backups.
  • Hidden Files: To view hidden files, enable Show hidden files in your file manager.

By following this guide, you can securely back up and restore your phone’s data with Seedvault, ensuring seamless transitions to a newer device or safeguarding your data.


Let me know if you need further refinements or additions!

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