Backup on Android note - a mistake I falled into in 2021

[Charles-Tim]

First of all, I will like to discourage people not to have backups on phone or devices that can access online, offline backup is the best, some people just like to backup anything they like on their mobile device. This has been how many people lost access to their wallet as they lost access to their seed phrase, private keys and other sensitive data on their devices that must not also be revealed to anyone but youself.

Although, what happened to me was very different, I have some backup on my Android note app (I can not be so foolish to backup my seed phrase on phone), I had backups like some links to Bitcointalk useful threads and some other backups that I am not bothered for anyone to access as it would do me no harm. I was thinking nothing can make me lose such access thinking it is automatically backing up on SD card.

I Upgraded from Android 9 to 10 and I was unable to access the note again, it displayed 'error' and 'close app'. I did not see any backup so I will be able to access what I stored on it, I checked the apps that can be backup on my device and no note was found among. And the only way I can access that app again is to clear note data which will delete everything I backup on the note. I updraded the phone again with the newest update but no difference.

I always upgraded my OS but nothing happened before until I upgraded to Android 10. I just want to let people to know not to fall for this that will leave you no option than lost files, do not backup anything on Android note be it sensitive or nonsensitive.

[NeuroticFish]

I was thinking nothing can make me lose such access thinking it is automatically backing up on SD card.

I use a method I know it's not perfect, but it's better than backup on SD, especially because if your phone gets stolen, also the SD is gone.
My method is to backup to cloud. Of course, it's not sensitive data. And of course, the data goes automatically to my laptop HDD from there.

I have an older setup and I backup to Dropbox; that may no longer work that good and backup to Google Drive would be easier to find.
I'd say that's a direction you should think about.

[passwordnow]

I have read of similar experience that after they've updated their phone, they cannot access their files and back up anymore. Thanks for sharing because it's really important for anyone who used to backup things including the seeds on their phone to know about this.
We may have different ways of backing up as long as you've got it backed up well and if sudden turn of events don't allow you to access where you've stored it like in your laptop or desktop, then you can still have access on it since you've got other back ups. For the newbies, do not be too lazy to write down it's still the best conventional way of doing back ups for your seeds.

[KingsDen]

Actually, a backup on mobile phone or SD cards is not supposed to be called a backup, it should rather be called save for later use. Files on Phone or SD card can be lost to theft, SD card can corrupt at anytime. I usually do double to triple saving. I save on phone, Samsung account, Gdrive and Gkeep notes, all are synchronised.

Seed phrases can be saved offline, but bitcointalk and other important links would be tiring to save offline, because wanting to visit the link will require manually typing in the link into the system or mobile, which I consider time waste.

[lovesmayfamilis]

Users complained about backups already in 2019.
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/3189761/my-phone-won-t-back-up-to-google-drive-the-back-up-now-button-is-greyed-out-i-ve-had-the-phone-a-w?hl=en

And I am amazed at those who today trust their files to mobile phones. You can expect anything at any time. And this is not due to external factors. I had a personal example, a few years ago, when the phone itself reset all its settings to factory settings. In this case, all contacts were lost, and the photo was on it.
To be honest, I am very surprised Charles to learn that you use a mobile phone and write on the forum. At the same time, he creates great themes. I would like to express one more recognition to you, as I do not imagine the complete convenience of using the forum via mobile devices. Even though tablets.
Therefore, I prefer to store all my data either on a laptop, computer, and very important ones on flash storage.

[taufik123]

I have several backups stored on android, but also stored offline and in my personal cloud storage.
Storing any backup data on an android phone is indeed risky, because there will be some damage that might occur to the android phone that we use, or it is exposed to a virus and the phone cannot be used.
I don't keep the main backup data on just one device. I store in a secure storage that can be accessed offline or online.
Having a paid private cloud storage will also help so that backup data is not lost when one of the devices is damaged or has an error such as an android phone or a personal computer.

[KingsDen]

Actually, a backup on mobile phone or SD cards is not supposed to be called a backup, it should rather be called save for later use. Files on Phone or SD card can be lost to theft, SD card can corrupt at anytime.

I disagree, it's still can be called a backup (although less effective than backup on different device/location). For example, if the phone suddenly died, you could simply remove the SD card and put in on your computer. Additionally steps may be required (such as using SQLite to read the note), but it's better than never make backup.

You are correct! It is true to call it a backup device but more true if we can agree to call it a temporary backup device.

I usually do double to triple saving. I save on phone, Samsung account, Gdrive and Gkeep notes, all are synchronised.

FYI, GDrive and GNote aren't encrypted.

I know little/nothing about encryption, I will appreciate if you can share me a thread that discusses encryption from the scratch.
Thank you!

[bL4nkcode]

Happened to me this kind of scenario years ago, I have an extra phone where some of my files saved on SD including encrypted wallet backups and it fell somewhere upon going home. Good thing I have other backup saves on my laptop, and even though it was encrypted out of distress I transfer all my funds to a new wallet/seed as soon as I go home. Good thing nothing bad happens to my funds that time.

[20kevin20]

Lost a ton of sensitive data along the way with almost every single phone I ever owned. At some point after purchasing a new device, I either have the unfortunate luck to lose some of the most important data (or everything through bootloops and other issues that come from factory) or the smartphones that are built nowadays have a crappy resistance to time.

I usually backup all my data before updates and every few weeks at most to an external drive. This way, I can at least ensure that everything until ~1-2 weeks ago has been properly, safely backed up should anything happen to my phone.

[Igebotz]

Although, what happened to me was very different, I have some backup on my Android note app (I can not be so foolish to backup my seed phrase on phone), I had backups like some links to Bitcointalk useful threads and some other backups that I am not bothered for anyone to access as it would do me no harm. I was thinking nothing can make me lose such access thinking it is automatically backing up on SD card.

This way of backup and keeping some of my important links has become an addiction for me. I even save my seed phrase and credit card information for easy access, and I have some hidden vaults applications on my phone where I store some sensitive materials but not private keys or seed phrases. I lost some of my backup a few months ago, but my case was different because I bought a new phone and gave my old phone to my little cousin, who formatted it without my consent.

I Upgraded from Android 9 to 10 and I was unable to access the note again, it displayed 'error' and 'close app'. I did not see any backup so I will be able to access what I stored on it,

I've always upgraded my Android version without issue with my phone Note pad I believe I need to revisit my Note and get something out.

To be honest, I am very surprised Charles to learn that you use a mobile phone and write on the forum. At the same time, he creates great themes. I would like to express one more recognition to you, as I do not imagine the complete convenience of using the forum via mobile devices. Even though tablets.

Writing on the forum from my desktop or PC makes me feel uneasy. I'm more at ease when I'm on my phone. I don't recall visiting the site from my PC; the forum is mobile friendly, and it simplifies everything for me.