Android smartphone upgrade carryover

Discussion in 'mobile device security' started by GDev_111, Jun 11, 2019.

  1. GDev_111

    GDev_111 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2007
    Posts:
    8
    Please excuse if this topic has been covered here before.

    It was a few years ago when I last updated the model of my Samsung Galaxy phone. (I tend to keep a phone for awhile, jumping about 3 model #s by the time of an upgrade.) This has so far been done at a local Verizon store, though I think it was probably a contractor / agent shop, rather than Verizon proper. (?) Their store name and marquee says Verizon, though. At that time, they performed some sort of a cloning operation in the back room, over to the new model.

    The last time around, there was not that much of a confidential nature on the phone, beyond perhaps whatever was in the Address Book. Only about 85 % of the installed apps, data, settings, etc. completely transferred successfully . . . but that's another story. I may be about to upgrade again, but this time there is a great deal more that is on the phone, with substantially more storage capacity represented. The main concern I would have that occurs to me right off the bat is that there is now a BTC wallet app. on the phone, which would seem to pose some security issues regarding a transfer. (I have twice in the past contacted the wallet app. developers with other tech questions. Each time they promised to get back to me with an answer, but never did. So I wouldn't hold out much hope there.)

    How should I proceed with this, with security in mind ?

    Some other related questions:

    Can they clone the phone's contents over to a new phone while it is locked ?
    Can a relative novice (me) perform this transfer procedure easily enough, on my own ?
    Are there any good, published step-by-step instructions for this that I could draw upon ?

    If relying on the shop to handle this poses some major problems, is there a way I can back up this app with all it's data to somewhere entirely under my control, delete / uninstall it from the old phone, and then back it up myself onto a new phone later ? (I'm not particularly adept with the phone tech stuff.)

    I have also been thinking about the possibility of getting an unlocked / rooted version of the new phone, because I'm tired of all the bundled-but-unwanted and unremovable apps that we are always saddled with, which only serve to add clutter and degrade performance.

    Thanks in Advance.
     
  2. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Posts:
    9,065
    Most phones come with a data transfer cable and software to transfer everything to the new phone.
    Samsung have a tool https://www.samsung.com/uk/getting-started/smart-switch/ I haven't personally used the samsung tool but I would think it would be similar to the google transfer tool they use on the pixel phones which I used to transfer from my old lg phone.

    Some apps backup the data to google drive so it is worth checking that because if they do they will either automatically or ask you if you want to restore the data when you login on the new device.

    You won't be able to transfer the data when the phone is locked as the data will be encrypted once locked to prevent this.

    I personally prefer stock android or near stock android as I hate the bloatware that you can't remove which is normally a duplicate of what google already provides. it also slows down the process of system updates as they have to be tested before it can be updated.

    Nokia, Google pixel and oneplus are great options for stock android experience and fast updates.

    I wouldn't recommend rooting unless you know what you are doing as it can cause multiple issues. rooting can void the warranty as well as cause potential security issues.
     
  3. trott3r

    trott3r Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    Posts:
    1,283
    Location:
    UK
    Tryng to upgrade my android PRIV to Samsung s10e and using the cable doesn't seem to start.

    Just sits there waiting for the already inserted cable to go in. It is showing cable insert animation.

    Got some basics via Google backup. But no app settings
     
  4. GDev_111

    GDev_111 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2007
    Posts:
    8
    Thanks for your reply. I'm inclined to stick with Samsung, for familiarity and other reasons. (I don't have a whole lot of trust for Google in the privacy sphere.) Fry's and other sellers offer unlocked Samsung models: don't know if that is the same thing as rooted, or if so whether it would constitute an exception to the cautions you raised. These must be being sold under some sort of a warranty . . . .
     
  5. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Posts:
    9,065
    To clear up that point Unlocked phones simply mean they can be used on any carrier network and has nothing to do with rooting. Unlocked phones normally get faster updates due to not having to wait for the carrier to approve the updates as well as less bloatware installed.
     
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