How to Backup Apps and Data without Root using Helium Android App

The most basic reason to root your device is to be able to use Titanium Backup or similar app to take backup of apps with app-data, meaning app settings, game progress, etc. Android doesn’t provide a solution for backup of app-data, and none of the OEMs either.

But, thankfully, there is an app for this, which would take apps and games backup for you, without requiring rot access at all, and you’ll need only PC to set it up.

The app we’re talking about is Helium, and is made by the Koush, who’s famous in Android blogosphere for his ClockworkMod recovery and other work.

WHAT HELIUM CAN DO?

Helium can backup your apps — offering you a choice to back up data only, or .APK files too. Helium can create backup on your internal and external SD card or, online to your Dropbox, Box and Google Drive after you connect it to the service.

It gets immensely helpful when you are looking to sync your apps — games, actually, are the fun here — across two or more devices. Just read the section below for this, titled: HOW TO SYNC BACKUP OF APPS USING HELIUM ON ANDROID DEVICES.

COMPATIBILITY!

Helium is not compatible with Motorola devices, and there are issues with some devices of Sony too, mainly Xperia S and Xperia Z. As the helium developer says, Sony has disabled backup on these devices. Here’s the quote from the developer:

Note: Helium is NOT available to Motorola devices. This is because Motorola phones have a bug that break Android’s backup mechanism. Until this is fixed by Motorola, Helium will not work on those Androids. You can download Helium manually here: http://download.clockworkmod.com/apks/Backup.apk

If you find that Helium *does* work on your Motorola Android, please notify me.

Note: Some Sony devices have issues with Helium. This includes the Xperia S and Xperia Z. Sony has *disabled* backup on these devices completely.

WHAT’S .APK AND APP-DATA?

Well, .APK is app installer file, like the .EXE for Windows. It simply install the apps, as if downloaded from play store. Completely fresh install.

App-data, is app’s data on your phone. It includes app’s settings mainly, and other cache files. So, for games, it’s your game progress — levels cleared, item unlocked, achievements, etc. stuff. And for apps, well let’s take an alarm app for example, it would alarms created by you, ringtones selected, etc. stuff.

App-data doesn’t include files saved on your SD card. For example, if you downloaded an attachment from Gmail android app, then it’s not its data, and because it’s already saved on PC, you really don’t need to back up these files.

You get to choose whether you want Data Only, or Data plus .APK file, for backup of your Apps and Games.

As you can see in step 3 of the guide ‘How to Backup Apps using Helium Android App’ below, you can select and deselect the option App Data Only (smaller backups) after selecting the apps for backup, to tell app whether .apk files are be backed up or not along with the data of apps.

HOW TO USE HELIUM TO CREATE BACKUP OF APPS

1. ENABLE USB DEBUGGING

On Android 2.3 and below: Go to devices’s Settings » Applications » Development – select the ‘USB debugging’ checkbox. On Android 4.0 and above, do this:

  • Enable developer options first: Go to your Settings » About device » scroll to the bottom and tap on “Build number” seven times to enable developer options
  • Enable USB Debugging: Open Settings » select Developer options » Tick the “USB debugging” checkbox (under Debugging section)

2. INSTALL DRIVERS

Without appropriate drivers installed and working, it’s impossible for this beauty called Helium to work. So, head over to this page for drivers and install the driver for your device. We’ve got some neat guides to help you out, btw. See the below:

  • Google Nexus devices: Download for any Nexus from here, and then see our guides for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7, to get idea on how to do this. For Galaxy Nexus (Verizon and others), use this link, and then see this guide to install Samsung drivers.
  • Samsung devices: For Note 3, see this; and for other Samsung android phones and tablets, see this.
  • HTC devices: Here. It’s simple: download the .exe file and run it to install drivers.
  • Sony devices: Download .exe file of company’s PC companion, and then run it to install drivers.
  • LG devices: Download this .exe file of LG drivers, and then run it to install drivers.
  • Motorola devices: Here, this page. Alternate way → Download this .exe file of Moto drivers, run it to install drivers.
  • Asus devices: Download this file, extract it and then install it using this guide for Nexus 5 — as the process is very similar.
  • Huawei devices: Download this file, extract it and then install it using this guide for Nexus 5 — as the process is very similar.
  • ZTE devices: Download this file, extract it and then install it using this guide for Nexus 5 — as the process is very similar.
  • Micromax devices: See this page.
  • UNIVERSAL DRIVERS GUIDE: Here. Applicable for all android devices. Try this if the above fails or your device of other company than above.

3. VERIFY DRIVERS

Connect your android device to PC. It should show up in My Computer if the drivers are correctly installed. Although, this isn’t very fool proof way to check, it’s good.

To confirm that drivers are working 100%, connect your device to your Windows PC and then open device manager on PC. Then, look for an entry, named, either of Android USB Device or ADB Interface. That’s your device. If drivers are installed properly and are fully working, then there should not be a small yellow triangle with exclamation sign on device’s tab.

If it’s there, it means drivers were not installed properly.

Verifying Drivers Installation under Device Manager

4. INSTALL HELIUM ANDROID APP

Go to the Play Store listing (here) on either PC or on phone using this link and install the app.

5. INSTALL HELIUM PC SOFTWARE

Download Helium for your desktop from here. Choose between Windows, mac or Linux, whichever OS you got. Now, on Windows PC, just click the CarbonSetup.msi file to begin installation and complete it. Restart your PC now.

6. ENABLE APPLICATION BACKUP NOW..

This is important part. It involves establishing connection between the Helium Android app and its PC counterpart. Once this is done, Application Backup gets enabled on your device, and you can start backing up apps.

  1. Open the Helium on PC. (It might be already ON and running in background as it’s set to auto-start with Windows when you power on PC.) See the screenshot below, it will look like this. Now, move to next step. Helium PC Software
  2. Open the Helium app on your Android device. Tap on Helium’s icon in app drawer. It will ask you to connect to your Google account for online backups to your account, which is optional. If you cancel it, it will just say that it’s a no problem, and that you can take backups on device’s USB storage (that is: internal or external SD card).
    └  icon-info-circle Tip: As restoring Helium backup form your Google account requires premium version of the app (costing $4.99), choose it only if you plan to buy paid version or already have it. Not good otherwise. So, you can ignore it if you wish to.
    └ That said, it’s extremely helpful to have backup online on your Google account, when you are looking to backup form one device and restore on another device of yours.
    └ In fact, the best way there currently is this! (Without root, of course, otherwise Titanium backup and other apps are cool, too.)
  3. On rooted devices, Helium will look for root access. And if it finds one, it will ask for Superuser permission to have root access. If Helium is provided with root access, then there is no need for anything more to be done. Just select the apps for backup and start to back them up.
    — But as we’re focusing on non-root backup solution here, let’s see further in case of non-root devices. See next step as you’re probably not rooted.
  4. Welcome screen will appear. Tap on OK. Now the app would wait for.. uh, see next steps.
    Helium Backup Enable Application Backup
  5. It’s time to connect Helium Android app to Helium PC software using the USB cable. Connect, and then just wait.
    Helium Desktop Software Connection
  6. The Helium PC software and the app would communicate to each other and when the connection has been established all fine, the desktop software will show the tick sign, as shown below.
    └ If the connection isn’t established, try the PTP mode, especially for Nexus line of devices: Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Nexus 5, etc.
    └ If PTP mode also fails you, then there is surely a problem with drivers. Try to re-install the drivers. Be sure to uninstall current drivers, if any, then reboot and then re-install drivers.
    Helium Android App and Desktop Connection
  7. Once you get the above on Helium desktop, you can close the PC software and disconnect the device too. Active connection with PC isn’t required for backup and restore. Plus, only when you Power Off your android device, will you need to connect with Helium desktop software again, not otherwise.

7. HOW TO BACKUP APPS USING THE HELIUM ANDROID APP

  1. Now, the easy part, which was worth all this. Taking backup of apps with their data. Open the Helium app on your Android device.
  2. Select the Apps you want to backup.
  3. You can swipe up from below (try from that blue line) to see the options as regards backup. Now, let’s discuss backing up with its .apk file and without .apk file (app-data only):
    • Data Backup Only: If you want to take back up of data only of the apps, then swipe up and then keep the checkbox of the option App Data Only (smaller backups) selected, which it is by default. In this case, Helium will ask you to download the app from Play Store and after that the app will restore data, so that the app/game will be exactly as it was at the time of backup. It’s good especially for online backups, as size is small compared to full backups.
    • Full Backup: While, if you want to back up both the .apk file and data of apps, then deselect the checkbox of option “App Data Only (smaller backups)”. In this case, both app and app’s data will restored without the need to download from play store. If you have enough space on your device’s internal/external memory, then sure choose this option as it provides full backup and restore. Evidently, it’s not good for Online backups and restore as its backup size is huge. Helium Backup - data only or with .apk
  4. After you’ve selected apps for the backup, tap on Backup to start backing up the data of apps, or .APK installation files too, depending on whether you select or deselected the checkbox discussed above.
  5. The app will ask for storage to be used. Choose one.
  6. A black screen will appear with space to enter password. Ignore it. It will be gone anyway in a matter of seconds. And backup progress will show up.

That’s it.

BACKUP SAVE LOCATION?

Well, backups are saved in Carbon folder on the storage you chose — your internal, external or any of the online storage supported.

Now, one cool and very helpful tip: regarding syncing the data from one device to another (or more) and vice versa. Read below.

 icon-android HOW TO SYNC BACKUP OF APPS USING HELIUM ON ANDROID DEVICES

It is fun!

But, you will need well-worth paid version of the app, Helium (Premium), costing $4.99, to be abel to restore from online storage. And of course, once bought, it can be used on any no. of Android devices.

So, let’s say, you are playing Wind-up Knight — oh, that game is PURE fun, and a great challenge, even for seasonal PC gamers! — on your Nexus 7 at home, and want to continue on your Nexus 4 at office, school or wherever. And vice versa.

You can do so without much fuss, or root access if you prefer, using one and only Helium.

So, let’s take the above game and devices as our example for the guide below, and let’s call Nexus 7 as our first device and Nexus 4 as our second device. And the concerned app/game is Wind-up Knight.

  1. Make sure you’ve enabled application backups — as discussed at length above — on both of the devices (Nexus 7 and Nexus 4).
  2. Sign into any of the online storage facility available — Google Drive, Dropbox and Box are supported, fyi — on both or all of your devices (both Nexus 7 and Nexus 4) you’re looking to sync data of and with.
  3. Create a Data Only backup of the games or apps you want to sync. (Wind-up Knight in our case.) That is, keep the checkbox of the option ‘App Data Only (smaller backups)’ selected so that .APK aren’t backup and the backup size is small.
    └ Important tip: Keep track of which device as the newest data, so that you don’t restore old data with the newest data. For example: If you last played a game on Nexus 7, then take this backup on first device (Nexus 7) and then restore it on your second device (Nexus 4). And when you’re done playing on Nexus 4, backup from Nexus 4 and to restore on Nexus 7 or any other device of yours.
  4. Select your online storage (either of Google Drive, Dropbox or Box) as the backup destination on your first device (Nexus 7). Backup will be saved here.
  5. Now, on your second device (Nexus 4), where you want to restore the data, or sync the data to, make sure you have the Helium android app installed and have logged into online storage you chose in step 4 above.
  6. Make sure you have got the app or the game installed on this second device (Nexus 4) of yours, so that Helium can restore its data.
  7. Open Helium on second device (Nexus 4), swipe right to left to go to Restore option and select the online storage (that you chose in step 4).
  8. You backed up apps and games will show up. Select all apps and games (Wind-up Knight in our example) of whose data that you want to restore on your second device (Nexus 4).
  9. Tap on Restore. This will require paid version of the app, as I mentioned above. And.. that’s it. You just synced data across two Android devices, without Root. You’re a genius! I have already continued playing the game on Nexus 4, btw. And the game’s total fun, did I tell you that?

Let us know what you think of it.

 icon-group HOW TO GROUP APPS

How To - Helium Apps Group

You can apps under Helium, so that if you want to take backup of some specific apps only, you won’t have to select them every time.

  1. Open the app and select the apps to be grouped.
  2. Now, swipe up from blue line.
  3. Write Group name under the option: Remember Group of Apps.
  4. Tap on Backup.
  5. You will get to Storage selection screen. But your group has been created too silently. If you wish to really back them up right now, tap on the storage you prefer, otherwise just go back using the back key.
  6. See the group you just created appearing at the top under SAVED GROUPS.

 icon-info-circle HOW TO RESTORE APPS

Helium Android App Restore Apps Process

Well it’s easy. Very easy. Here’s how.

  1. Open your Helium Android app.
  2. Swipe right to left to go to Restore and Sync tab.
  3. Click on the storage from which you want to restore your apps from.
  4. Select the apps and games you want to restore.
    └ If there is data-only backup of the app (without its .apk), and that app is currently not installed on your device, then Helium will prompt you to download it so that it can restore its data.
    └ Swipe up from blue line to get Select All and Deselect All options.
  5. Tap on Restore to begin restoration of apps and games.
  6. A black screen will appear with space to enter password. Ignore it. It will be gone anyway in a matter of seconds. And restore progress will show up.

That’s it.

 icon-info-circle HOW TO DELETE BACKUPS

Delete Backup of Apps in Helium Android App

Well it’s easy. Very easy. Here’s how.

  1. Open your Helium Android app.
  2. Swipe right to left to go to Restore and Sync tab.
  3. Click on the storage from which you want to delete your apps from.
  4. Select the apps and games you want to delete. └ Swipe up from blue line to get Select All and Deselect All options.
  5. Tap on the bin icon (represents delete option) in the right top corner.
  6. Tap on OK to confirm deletion of the selected apps and games. You can’t get back deleted apps, it’s permanent delete.

That’s it.

Small Tips!

→ If you took backup on either of internal or external SD card, then keep a copy of it on PC for safety. Copy paste the folder, Carbon, to your PC, after connecting the phone to PC with USB cable.

→ You can also set the Helium’s backup folder, Carbon, for sync with PC so that all backups are copied to PC automatically. Use an app like Cheetah for this.

→ If you don’t want to buy paid version for restoring from online storage, you can try this: download the files to your phone from the online storage and then copy paste the backup files to your Carbon folder on internal/external SD card, and then restore from here.

Problems?

If you run into any problem and need help with Helium Android app, backups, restore or anything, let us know in comments below. We’ll try our best to help you!

Your feedback, and suggestions and corrections if any, for this article are welcomed!

Posted by
Kapil Malani

A die-hard Liverpool FC fan, Kapil is a big fan of Batman, Android and street Cricket. In that order, probably. Email: [email protected]

67 Comments

  1. I backed up Dungeon Hunter 4 (DH4) data only. After reinstall DH4 helium doesn’t want to restore game data. It said that DH4 is not installed and promt me to market (google play) where it said that is not such an app. I tried multiple time with different apk outside android market, I tried to play dh4 and then to restore, etc NO solution Nothing work. Don’t tell me I lost all my in game progress. Please help!

  2. I backed up Dungeon Hunter 4 (DH4) data only. After reinstall DH4 helium doesn’t want to restore game data. It said that DH4 is not installed and promt me to market (google play) where it said that is not such an app. I tried multiple time with different apk outside android market, I tried to play dh4 and then to restore, etc NO solution Nothing work. Don’t tell me I lost all my in game progress. Please help!

  3. I backed up Dungeon Hunter 4 (DH4) data only. After reinstall DH4 helium doesn’t want to restore game data. It said that DH4 is not installed and promt me to market (google play) where it said that is not such an app. I tried multiple time with different apk outside android market, I tried to play dh4 and then to restore, etc NO solution Nothing work. Don’t tell me I lost all my in game progress. Please help!

  4. after backing up castle TD from my phone, and trying to restoring it on my tablet it wont work, i got no safe game data.. what to do?!

    1. Sorry to hear that. Helium sometimes ceases to recognize its backups when trying to restore on a different device. Read the discussion here for tips to get it sorted – http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/364077-how-does-helium-work.html

  5. after backing up castle TD from my phone, and trying to restoring it on my tablet it wont work, i got no safe game data.. what to do?!

    1. Sorry to hear that. Helium sometimes ceases to recognize its backups when trying to restore on a different device. Read the discussion here for tips to get it sorted – http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/364077-how-does-helium-work.html

  6. after backing up castle TD from my phone, and trying to restoring it on my tablet it wont work, i got no safe game data.. what to do?!

    1. Sorry to hear that. Helium sometimes ceases to recognize its backups when trying to restore on a different device. Read the discussion here for tips to get it sorted – http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/364077-how-does-helium-work.html

  7. I can backup from my Galaxy S3 fine but when going to my MeMo Pad HD 7 the apps install, but the data doesn’t. the apps only works by file dragging between the devices. However they never actually complete the restore, Helium just hangs at 100% for one app and 20% for another one, even though the apps do show up. Without save data. If I try to use the backup/restore option through the browser http:// ip thing they just never install anything.

  8. I can backup from my Galaxy S3 fine but when going to my MeMo Pad HD 7 the apps install, but the data doesn’t. the apps only works by file dragging between the devices. However they never actually complete the restore, Helium just hangs at 100% for one app and 20% for another one, even though the apps do show up. Without save data. If I try to use the backup/restore option through the browser http:// ip thing they just never install anything.

  9. I can backup from my Galaxy S3 fine but when going to my MeMo Pad HD 7 the apps install, but the data doesn’t. the apps only works by file dragging between the devices. However they never actually complete the restore, Helium just hangs at 100% for one app and 20% for another one, even though the apps do show up. Without save data. If I try to use the backup/restore option through the browser http:// ip thing they just never install anything.

  10. Hi,
    i have two problems with Helium at present.
    I used Helium (Free) to save backups (of all Angry Bird Apps and Candy Crush) to Box with the plan of upgrading android device. i changed devices and downloaded Helium (premium this time) however the helium app will not allow me to restore from or backup to Box. the window opens and then dissapears before the username and password page comes up. it allows me to backup to internal drive.
    with this is mind i have copied al of the backup files from box to the newly created Helium folders on my internal drive and al of the Angry birds apps have now restored to previous state, however Candy Crush continues to fail restore – saying ‘an eror occured while performing your app restore. a log has been sent to clockworkmod ….
    do you have any thoughts as to –
    why i canot connect to or restore from Box
    Why candy crush continues to fail on restor when others have succeeded
    thankyou in advance
    Shaun

  11. Hi,
    i have two problems with Helium at present.
    I used Helium (Free) to save backups (of all Angry Bird Apps and Candy Crush) to Box with the plan of upgrading android device. i changed devices and downloaded Helium (premium this time) however the helium app will not allow me to restore from or backup to Box. the window opens and then dissapears before the username and password page comes up. it allows me to backup to internal drive.
    with this is mind i have copied al of the backup files from box to the newly created Helium folders on my internal drive and al of the Angry birds apps have now restored to previous state, however Candy Crush continues to fail restore – saying ‘an eror occured while performing your app restore. a log has been sent to clockworkmod ….
    do you have any thoughts as to –
    why i canot connect to or restore from Box
    Why candy crush continues to fail on restor when others have succeeded
    thankyou in advance
    Shaun

  12. Hi,
    i have two problems with Helium at present.
    I used Helium (Free) to save backups (of all Angry Bird Apps and Candy Crush) to Box with the plan of upgrading android device. i changed devices and downloaded Helium (premium this time) however the helium app will not allow me to restore from or backup to Box. the window opens and then dissapears before the username and password page comes up. it allows me to backup to internal drive.
    with this is mind i have copied al of the backup files from box to the newly created Helium folders on my internal drive and al of the Angry birds apps have now restored to previous state, however Candy Crush continues to fail restore – saying ‘an eror occured while performing your app restore. a log has been sent to clockworkmod ….
    do you have any thoughts as to –
    why i canot connect to or restore from Box
    Why candy crush continues to fail on restor when others have succeeded
    thankyou in advance
    Shaun

  13. I saved the backup created by helium on my pc. And after factory resetting my nexus 5 i pasted the backup files back in carbon folder. BUT HELIUM IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE BACKUP. Digging around, i got to know that this is usual. So what are you referring to to restore those files when you say keep a copy on pc for safety?

    HELP.
    Also could you elaborate the functions and usability of Cheetah app?
    Thankyou

  14. I saved the backup created by helium on my pc. And after factory resetting my nexus 5 i pasted the backup files back in carbon folder. BUT HELIUM IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE BACKUP. Digging around, i got to know that this is usual. So what are you referring to to restore those files when you say keep a copy on pc for safety?

    HELP.
    Also could you elaborate the functions and usability of Cheetah app?
    Thankyou

  15. I saved the backup created by helium on my pc. And after factory resetting my nexus 5 i pasted the backup files back in carbon folder. BUT HELIUM IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE BACKUP. Digging around, i got to know that this is usual. So what are you referring to to restore those files when you say keep a copy on pc for safety?

    HELP.
    Also could you elaborate the functions and usability of Cheetah app?
    Thankyou

  16. How can i restore apps from a “saved group” after factory restore or restoring saved group of apps to another phone?
    When I move my backup from PC back onto SD-card apps populate a backup list for restoring of individual apps. I actualy woud like to restore my saved group and i’m not able to do that.

  17. How can i restore apps from a “saved group” after factory restore or restoring saved group of apps to another phone?
    When I move my backup from PC back onto SD-card apps populate a backup list for restoring of individual apps. I actualy woud like to restore my saved group and i’m not able to do that.

  18. How can i restore apps from a “saved group” after factory restore or restoring saved group of apps to another phone?
    When I move my backup from PC back onto SD-card apps populate a backup list for restoring of individual apps. I actualy woud like to restore my saved group and i’m not able to do that.

  19. Hi iam unable to backup my data on my S3 it says”Error Desktop backup password”
    what to do now????

    1. Root your phone?

    2. I have also done the process of rooting my Cool Pad Note 5. Even after rooting I couldn’t be able to backup my data. It throws an error that says “Error Desktop Backup”. Could you help me recover from this?

  20. Hi iam unable to backup my data on my S3 it says”Error Desktop backup password”
    what to do now????

    1. Root your phone?

      1. I have also done the process of rooting my Cool Pad Note 5. Even after rooting I couldn’t be able to backup my data. It throws an error that says “Error Desktop Backup”. Could you help me recover from this?

  21. Hi iam unable to backup my data on my S3 it says”Error Desktop backup password”
    what to do now????

    1. Root your phone?

  22. Hi! I tried to backup followed the steps and when I select any of the options to save the files it says there was a problem and that a log was send to clockworkmod… Can you help me?

  23. Hi! I tried to backup followed the steps and when I select any of the options to save the files it says there was a problem and that a log was send to clockworkmod… Can you help me?

  24. Hi! I tried to backup followed the steps and when I select any of the options to save the files it says there was a problem and that a log was send to clockworkmod… Can you help me?

  25. hi iiwant to backup dungeon hunter 5 on my android phone but it doesnt work the way as it should. I took backup before using resources successfully and then usEd lots of resources in gamess including gems that i bought. When i restored it didnt returned any of my resources or gems although it showed successfull message of restored.Please help as i was able to restore it previous version of this game ( dungeon hunter 4).
    My phone : LG G3
    Android version: 5.0
    Helium latest version used

  26. hi iiwant to backup dungeon hunter 5 on my android phone but it doesnt work the way as it should. I took backup before using resources successfully and then usEd lots of resources in gamess including gems that i bought. When i restored it didnt returned any of my resources or gems although it showed successfull message of restored.Please help as i was able to restore it previous version of this game ( dungeon hunter 4).
    My phone : LG G3
    Android version: 5.0
    Helium latest version used

  27. hi iiwant to backup dungeon hunter 5 on my android phone but it doesnt work the way as it should. I took backup before using resources successfully and then usEd lots of resources in gamess including gems that i bought. When i restored it didnt returned any of my resources or gems although it showed successfull message of restored.Please help as i was able to restore it previous version of this game ( dungeon hunter 4).
    My phone : LG G3
    Android version: 5.0
    Helium latest version used

  28. Purchased premium, tried to add to second device. Play recognizes my purchase but will not allow to download it without repurchasing. Any suggestions

  29. Purchased premium, tried to add to second device. Play recognizes my purchase but will not allow to download it without repurchasing. Any suggestions

  30. My internal memory is too small for my backups so I want to backup to my external. I thought this might be a premium option since this page says it’s an option. I bought premium but I still don’t see how to select my external SD card. I’m using an LG GPad 8.3.

    1. I just tried rebooting my device to see if that would allow me to select my external SD card and now when I plug it into my PC it won’t connect to the Helium App. It did before with no problems, but now it won’t.

    2. Ignore my second issue. Another reboot fixed that. I’m still unable to select my external SD card though. Any help is greatly appreciated.

  31. My internal memory is too small for my backups so I want to backup to my external. I thought this might be a premium option since this page says it’s an option. I bought premium but I still don’t see how to select my external SD card. I’m using an LG GPad 8.3.

    1. I just tried rebooting my device to see if that would allow me to select my external SD card and now when I plug it into my PC it won’t connect to the Helium App. It did before with no problems, but now it won’t.

    2. Ignore my second issue. Another reboot fixed that. I’m still unable to select my external SD card though. Any help is greatly appreciated.

  32. tried helium but I get “An error occured while performing app
    backup. :—-
    “This error may be caused by having a Desktop Backup Password.
    Please verify your Desktop Backup Password is a blank password then
    press back to return to helium.”
    Strangely it works when I try to backup from the system like messaging
    storage and user dictionary

  33. tried helium but I get “An error occured while performing app
    backup. :—-
    “This error may be caused by having a Desktop Backup Password.
    Please verify your Desktop Backup Password is a blank password then
    press back to return to helium.”
    Strangely it works when I try to backup from the system like messaging
    storage and user dictionary

  34. Hi. I’m trying to use Helium to backup my Samsung Galaxy S5 before doing a reset on the phone. I have installed the app on the phone and on the PC (Windows 7) as well as the driver Helium suggests in its opening window. And have connected them by USB cable of course. But the phone is stuck on “Waiting for the Helium Desktop application to enable application backup on your Android…”

    The phone’s OS is 5.1.1

    Suggestions?

    1. I have the same problem with Galaxy s6+. Were you able to find a solution?

  35. Hi. I’m trying to use Helium to backup my Samsung Galaxy S5 before doing a reset on the phone. I have installed the app on the phone and on the PC (Windows 7) as well as the driver Helium suggests in its opening window. And have connected them by USB cable of course. But the phone is stuck on “Waiting for the Helium Desktop application to enable application backup on your Android…”

    The phone’s OS is 5.1.1

    Suggestions?

    1. Francesca Kenigel

      I have the same problem with Galaxy s6+. Were you able to find a solution?

  36. Backup disallowed on many apps. Does this require root? Or does the premium version allow more apps? And when the app is directed to backup to SD card, it backs up to device storage? Is this normal?

  37. Backup disallowed on many apps. Does this require root? Or does the premium version allow more apps? And when the app is directed to backup to SD card, it backs up to device storage? Is this normal?

  38. Old Phone: Galaxy Note 2 New Phone: Motorola Turbo 2
    I was able to back-up the Galaxy and restore it to the Motorola Turbo 2, but it was tricky. It took several tries before the Helium desktop app would recognize that the Turbo 2 was connected. I think the solution that finally worked was:

    1. Install the desktop app and have it running
    2. Set the Turbo 2 to PTP mode
    3. Connect the Turbo 2 to the computer via USB
    4. Install the Helium app on the Turbo 2

    I think the key is to have the PTP mode set before installing Helium on the phone. After this, I was able to connect to my google drive and was able to backup the app data (as noted, in many cases you need to install the app via the Play store before you backup the data — it makes sense, you need the app before you can use the data).

  39. Old Phone: Galaxy Note 2 New Phone: Motorola Turbo 2
    I was able to back-up the Galaxy and restore it to the Motorola Turbo 2, but it was tricky. It took several tries before the Helium desktop app would recognize that the Turbo 2 was connected. I think the solution that finally worked was:

    1. Install the desktop app and have it running
    2. Set the Turbo 2 to PTP mode
    3. Connect the Turbo 2 to the computer via USB
    4. Install the Helium app on the Turbo 2

    I think the key is to have the PTP mode set before installing Helium on the phone. After this, I was able to connect to my google drive and was able to backup the app data (as noted, in many cases you need to install the app via the Play store before you backup the data — it makes sense, you need the app before you can use the data).

  40. My tablet has a couple of users. Helium only find the apps linked to the primary user account? How do I backup the data from all user ?

  41. My tablet has a couple of users. Helium only find the apps linked to the primary user account? How do I backup the data from all user ?

  42. I synchronized from my MotoG2 to a MotoG4 Plus seamlessly, great app, thanks for the advice!

  43. I synchronized from my MotoG2 to a MotoG4 Plus seamlessly, great app, thanks for the advice!

  44. hello,
    i want to know whether i can directly save the apps data on to my PC rather than an online storage space like google drive. so from phone it gives me option like internal, SD card or other cloud storage but instead of these options i want an option for PC. is it possible?
    This would be great help.
    Thanks

  45. hello,
    i want to know whether i can directly save the apps data on to my PC rather than an online storage space like google drive. so from phone it gives me option like internal, SD card or other cloud storage but instead of these options i want an option for PC. is it possible?
    This would be great help.
    Thanks

  46. Helium is indeed very useful backup apps that almost without a flaw.

  47. Helium is indeed very useful backup apps that almost without a flaw.

  48. Does not recognize USB PTP mode on OnePlus5 Android 7.1.1, insists it is in MTP mode. Next solution Java and APK I guess.

  49. I Backup my device application, but restoring / syncing time my mobile phone hanging.

  50. Trying to backup my Galaxy S8 with OS v 8.0.0 Whatever I do I get the “Backup Error: …Please verify your Desktop Backup Password is a blank passoword…” I have then entered into SET PASSWORD and verified that it is blank (and has allways been). How should I proceed?

    In 12 hours I have to send inn my S8 for service:-( so time is soon out…

    1. Helium does not ask for Superuser. I have a rooted device with magisk. I have several apps which required root and i have granted them. But if i start Helium app it does not ask for Superuser, it only shows that i have to connect to pc

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