Mobile operating system Android 6.0 Marshmallow, despite its age, is still used on millions of devices around the world. Owners of such gadgets often face the risk of losing valuable information when changing devices or sudden software failures. Creating a backup copy is the only reliable way to save your contacts, photos, correspondence and application settings.
The process of archiving data on this version of the OS has its own characteristics that differ from newer releases. B Marshmallow the backup function is tightly integrated with services Google, but also allows you to use local storage and third-party utilities. Understanding the various methods will allow you to choose the optimal scenario for protecting information.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of creating a backup on devices running Android 6. We will look at standard system tools, the capabilities of cloud services and methods for manually copying files to a computer. You will learn how to safely save data and restore it if necessary.
Preparing the device for the backup procedure
Before starting any data manipulation, you must make sure that your device is ready for use. Charge your smartphone or tablet battery to at least 50-60%. The process of creating a full copy may take considerable time and require a stable power supply.
Check the availability of free space in the storage. If you plan to use cloud services, make sure your account Google has a sufficient space limit. For local backup, free up space on the SD card or in the internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting the procedure, be sure to disable the power saving mode. It can restrict background processes and interrupt data synchronization with the server.
Make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Transferring large amounts of data over the mobile data can be expensive and slow. It is also recommended to close all unnecessary applications so that the system can allocate maximum resources for the archiving process.
☑️ Preparing for backup
Using built-in Google synchronization tools
The simplest and most accessible method of saving data on Android 6 is to use the built-in synchronization mechanism with a Google account. This feature automatically saves contacts, calendars, notes and some system settings in the cloud.
To activate this option, you must go to the device settings. Find the section Accounts or Users and accounts. Select your Google profile and make sure that the switches next to the desired data categories are active. The system will begin immediate synchronization.
Special attention should be paid to the function Backup and restore. It is located in the settings section, often hidden in a subsection Restore and reset. Here you can enable the option to automatically save application data and Wi-Fi passwords on the corporation's servers.
- 📱 Contacts and calendar events are synchronized instantly when there is a network.
- 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi networks are saved in encrypted form for quick connection on a new device.
- 📸 Photos and videos require separate settings in the Google Photos application to be fully uploaded to the cloud.
It is important to understand that this method does not create a complete image of the system. It stores primarily user content and settings. Third-party apps may not be included in the archive if their developers did not provide support for the Android 6 backup API.
Use the Google Photos app in High Quality mode (not original) to upload an unlimited number of photos for free, saving space in the main cloud.
Manually copying files to your computer via USB
The most reliable way to save media files, documents and download folders is a direct connection to a personal computer. This method allows you to create an exact copy of the file structure without compression and loss of quality.
Connect your device to the PC using the original USB cable. A notification about the connection mode will appear on the smartphone screen. Select mode MTP (File Transfer) or Media File Transfer. This will open the internal memory of the phone as an external drive on the computer.
Copy important directories to the PC hard drive. Pay special attention to the folders DCIM (photos and videos from the camera), Download (downloads), Documents and Pictures. Don't forget to check the folders of specific applications that may store data in the internal memory.
| Data type | Memory location | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and Videos | /DCIM/Camera | Full folder copying |
| Documents | /Documents | Selective copying |
| Downloads | /Download | Checking and cleaning before copying |
| Voice recorder | /Recordings | Copying all files |
After copying is complete, safely remove the device. In your computer's system tray, click on the USB drive icon and select "Safely Remove". Only after confirming the disconnection can you remove the cable from the smartphone.
Direct USB connection provides maximum data transfer speed and does not depend on the quality of the Internet connection or cloud storage limits.
Backup SMS and call logs
Standard Android 6 tools often do not provide full preservation of the history of SMS messages and call logs in readable format. To solve this problem, it is best to use specialized utilities.
One of the most popular solutions is the application SMS Backup & Restore. It allows you to create an XML file with the entire history of correspondence and calls. This file can be saved to internal memory, to an SD card, or directly sent to cloud storage, for example Google Drive.
The setup process is simple: install the application, provide the necessary permissions to access messages and storage. Start creating a backup by selecting the desired data categories. Once completed, you will receive a file that can be used for recovery on any device with a similar application.
⚠️ Attention: When restoring SMS from a backup, old messages may be duplicated if you do not first clear the messenger database.
Regularly update the message archive, especially if you use SMS to receive confirmation codes from banks or services. Losing this data can create serious problems with access to your accounts in the future.
Where is the SMS backup file stored?
By default, the application creates the SMSBackupRestore folder in the internal memory or on the SD card. The path to the file usually looks like /SMSBackupRestore/sms-date-time.xml. Do not delete this folder when wiping your phone.
Creating a full system image (Nandroid Backup)
For advanced users with rights Root, a method for creating a full system image known as Nandroid backup is available. This method saves absolutely all memory sections, including the system, applications, settings and data.
To implement this method, you need to install a custom recovery, for example, TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). After installation, boot into recovery mode by holding the Volume and Power key combination. In the recovery menu, select Backup.
Mark the partitions that you want to save. Usually this is System, Data, Boot i EFS (section with IMEI and network settings, critical for communication). Select the save location - internal memory or SD card, and start the process by swiping.
- 🛠 Superuser rights (Root) are required, obtaining which may void the warranty.
- 💾 The size of a full copy can reach several gigabytes, depending on how full the memory is.
- 🔄 Recovery is only possible through the same custom recovery on the same device or a similar model.
This method is “heavy artillery” and allows you to return the phone to the “as it was” state, right down to the icon on the desktop. However, it requires technical literacy and an understanding of the risks associated with modifying system software.
Restoring data from a backup
The recovery process depends on the previously selected archive creation method. If you used Google synchronization, just enter your login and password on a new device or after resetting the settings. The system will automatically offer to restore data from the last available point.
When restoring from a local copy on your computer, simply copy the files back to the corresponding directories in the smartphone’s internal memory. To restore SMS, use the same application that created the archive and specify the path to the XML file.
If using a full system image via TWRP, boot into recovery mode, select Restore, specify the path to the backup folder and confirm the action. The device will reboot with the restored data.
⚠️ Attention: Restoring a full system image (Nandroid) will overwrite all current data on the phone. Make sure that new files created after the backup are saved separately.
Always check the integrity of the restored data. Open some photos, check for contacts, and try launching key apps. This will ensure that the procedure is successful and that no files are damaged.
When restoring a large amount of data, give the device time to index the files. In the first hours after recovery, the phone may work slower than usual.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to restore data from Android 6 to a phone with Android 10?
Yes, most data, such as contacts, photos and documents, will be restored without problems. However, system settings and some older applications may not be compatible with the new OS version. Applications will have to be reinstalled from the store.
How much space does a Google backup take up?
The volume depends on the amount of data. Contacts and settings take up kilobytes. Photos and videos can take up gigabytes. A basic Google account provides 15 GB of free space, which is divided between Mail, Drive and Photos.
What to do if the backup process is stuck?
Try to restart the device and clear the cache of the application responsible for copying. Check the stability of the Wi-Fi connection and the availability of free space. If the problem persists, try another method, such as connecting to a PC.
Do you need to encrypt your backup?
When using Google cloud services, data is encrypted during transmission and storage. For local copies on a PC, it is recommended to use archivers with a password if confidential documents or personal photos are stored on the computer.
Are application passwords saved during backup?
Passwords for Wi-Fi and some system services are saved via a Google account. Passwords inside third-party applications (banks, social networks) are usually not saved in a general backup for security reasons. You need to remember them or use password managers.