How to back-up files from android tablet ?

ravisingh1 · 06-19-2014, 09:09 PM

I'm in high need of backing up my android tablet data because I've to reset the tablet to company defaults as it isn't working properly.
The files of much importance are photos & videos. I'm not getting a way to back up data which will retain the time stamp.

Through command line, I tried using tar in my Ubuntu13.04 laptop.

Code:

ravbholua@ravbholua-Aspire-5315:/run/user/ravbholua/gvfs/mtp:host=%5Busb%3A002%2C003%5D/65537/9$ tar -cvf /media/ravbholua/f34890dd-20d2-4d78-92c9-1de7c0957f00/jackal.tar .
./
tar: ./33: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./34: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./35: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./36: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./37: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./38: Cannot open: Operation not supported
./50/
./50/62/
tar: ./50/209: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/210: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/211: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/216: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/217: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/218: Cannot open: Operation not supported
./50/236/
./50/249/
tar: ./50/903: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/904: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/905: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/906: Cannot open: Operation not supported
tar: ./50/907: Cannot open: Operation not supported

ravbholua@ravbholua-Aspire-5315:/run/user/ravbholua/gvfs/mtp:host=%5Busb%3A002%2C003%5D/65537/9$ sudo tar -cvf /media/ravbholua/f34890dd-20d2-4d78-92c9-1de7c0957f00/jackal.tar .
[sudo] password for ravbholua: 
tar: .: Cannot stat: Permission denied
tar: Exiting with failure status due to previous errors

I haven't tried any other command though as it seems they also won't work.

Through GUI via nautilus, though I'm able to copy & paste the files from tablet to laptop but the time stamp can't be retained. I've this thread for this.

If not in laptop, can the data be directly transferred to external HDD. But that also doesn't seem to be possible as both tablet & external HDD have micro usb port but the cable I got with tablet has micro usb at one end & usb at the other end; the same with the cable of HDD.

business_kid · 06-20-2014, 03:41 AM

Recent android versions (i.e. all but ancient ones) use libmtp. Try libmobiledevice, or search this site properly. Loads of answers already

ravisingh1 · 06-22-2014, 02:47 AM

Yes, I've got the solution. See there were 2 options for connecting tablet. 1) Media device (MTP) 2) Camera (PTP)

I'd been using the 1st one where via command line I was failing to do & via GUI, I wasn't able to retain the time stamp. This option uses mtp to connect. See attachment named 'mtp'.

Then yesterday, it stroked my mind & I connected via the 2nd option , i.e. camera. Now via GUI (shotwell software), I was able to import the files. Then in nautilus, I found it was connected not via mtp but gphoto2. See attachment named 'gphoto2'.

Now I was able to use the command line & copy via cp -a command retaining the time stamp & it worked. Now I know all command line commands like tar will work as with any external HDD or pen-drive. A great relief!

business_kid · 06-22-2014, 09:21 AM

Having mastered bluetooth here, I've gone bone idle and use an sd card. As my laptop has a card reader, that takes pain out of any such effort.

/awk/ · 06-23-2014, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

I'm in high need of backing up my android tablet data because I've to reset the tablet to company defaults as it isn't working properly.

A few years ago this was a breeze to do in linux because android used the USB mass storage protocol for easy drag-and-drop ease. Today, it's been replace with MTP.

There is a free app in the google play store called Airdorid. It uses the web browser to interact with the device. You can upload and download files between the android device and the computer.

Another option is a free linux program called PCManFM, It's a file manager that can mount mtp devices.

schneidz · 06-23-2014, 03:31 PM

good point. but from what i understand airdroid (and most/all non-rooted/r00ted apps) dont have access to the android filesystem.

i am trying to copy a nexus-5 nandroid backup to my pc. i copied data.ext3.tar.a and system.ext3.tar.a to /system/emulated/sdcard/Download/ but only the old files show up on my pc when plugged in.

was a breeze on my galaxy-s2.

/awk/ · 06-23-2014, 03:48 PM

@ schneidz

When I use Airdroid it works fine on folders where you can upload and download files from. I think it depends on the device and how its permissions are setup by the manufacturer.

dolphin_oracle · 06-23-2014, 06:27 PM

I use ES File Explorer, which can access samba/windows shares, and has a zip/compression setting to make zip files.

sgosnell · 06-23-2014, 10:00 PM

There are a number of backup solutions for Android. I prefer Titanium Backup. I have it do regular scheduled backups to both my external SD card and to cloud storage. It needs root to really do the job properly, but one of the first things I do with an Android device is to root it.