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HTC One

How to Completely Back Up Your Apps & App Data on Your HTC One or Other Android Device

May 29, 2013 08:05 PM
May 29, 2013 08:13 PM
HTC smartphone displaying apps on its screen.

When you upgrade to a new Android smartphone like the HTC One, you can have browser bookmarks, Wi-Fi passwords, and other settings quickly transferred over from your old device using your Google Account backup. However, you'll still have to download apps individually from your Google Play list, and not all of your saved progress will be transferred over.

HTC One smartphone displaying an app interface on a wooden surface.

Fortunately, there is a third-party app that will allow you to backup and restore your apps—with all their data.

Download Helium on Your HTC One

Download the Helium - App Sync and Backup app (previously known as Carbon) from the Google Play Store and install it.

Search results for "Helium" app with suggested options.
App Sync and Backup application interface with description and user ratings.
App permissions list on a mobile device.
Search results for "Helium" app with suggested options.
App Sync and Backup application interface with description and user ratings.
App permissions list on a mobile device.

Download the Helium Desktop App

Note: You may skip this step if your HTC One is rooted.

If you're using Windows and don't have the HTC drivers installed, either download them from the ClockworkMod site or install HTC Sync Manager, which includes the drivers. Once installed, restart your computer.

HTC Sync Manager promotional image with smartphone and computer interface.

Download and Install Helium Desktop from the ClockworkMod website and open it.

Helium Desktop installer for Windows, Mac, and Linux with a note on Windows drivers.
Helium app interface prompting Android connection via USB.
Helium Desktop installer for Windows, Mac, and Linux with a note on Windows drivers.
Helium app interface prompting Android connection via USB.

Back Up Your Apps

Open the Helium app on your HTC One. You'll be prompted to download Helium Desktop. Fortunately, we already did this, and if you're rooted, you don't even need it.

Welcome screen of the Helium application on a mobile device.
Loading screen for the Helium app with a prompt to connect the device's Android USB.
Android app backup notification for Helium app.
Welcome screen of the Helium application on a mobile device.
Loading screen for the Helium app with a prompt to connect the device's Android USB.
Android app backup notification for Helium app.

If you're not rooted, connect your phone to your computer via USB now.

Smartphone displaying a cloud storage application next to a laptop with a syncing interface.

You can back up everything or select apps individually, and you can select to back up the app with data, or just the data if you don't mind downloading later and want to save space.

Helium app interface showing backup options and settings.
How to Completely Back Up Your Apps & App Data on Your HTC One or Other Android Device
Helium app interface showing backup options and settings.
How to Completely Back Up Your Apps & App Data on Your HTC One or Other Android Device

Once you make your selection, tap Backup. Select either internal storage, SD card, Dropbox, or set up a backup schedule, and watch it work its magic.

Performing backup on Android device, 15% complete.
Backup complete notification on a mobile device.
Performing backup on Android device, 15% complete.
Backup complete notification on a mobile device.

You can also back up to your computer. Tap the menu button on the top right, and select PC Download. It will start a server and give you the IP address to put in your browser's address bar.

Helium app menu options including backup, settings, and login.
Helium Server status indicator showing "running" with an IP address.
Helium app menu options including backup, settings, and login.
Helium Server status indicator showing "running" with an IP address.

Navigate to this address in your browser and you will see a simple interface.

Backup options interface with selected applications displayed.

Easy! As you see in the screenshot above you can easily drag a backup into the webpage to...

Restore Your Backed Up Apps or Data

To backup using the app, simply tap Restore and Sync and select where your backup is located.

Now you'll be able to recover your apps and app data if you upgrade or replace a damaged phone without spending hours trying to figure it out. For a walkthrough of the process explained above, check out the video below.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below, or post them to the HTC One softModder forum.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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