Unlocking the bootloader and consequently rooting an Android device, means loosing all your apps, the data that followed along, and all your settings. This may not seem like a big deal to experienced Android users who will take a few minutes in setting up their phone as it was before, but if a user has build up quite some data on a completely stock Android device and now wishes to root it, it’s safe to to say, will be caught up in loads of trouble trying to get the apps back and obviously the data will be lost. Luckily for such users, XDA-Developers forum member Gigadroid has released a Windows based tool called Ultimate Backup Tool that lets you backup all data onto your PC, letting you restore it later. The specialty that Ultimate Backup holds over its peers is the ability to backup apps and data without root! The tool was tested by the developer on a Galaxy Nexus and is said to work for an Android device running Android 4.0 and up.

We tested this tool with a Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S II, both running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, but the devices were rooted. While we cannot confirm its flawless functioning on devices with locked bootloaders, we can confirm it works with Android 4.0 and 4.1 both. The tool allows you to backup your Android device in 5 different ways:

Backup all without system apps.

Backup all with system apps.

Backup app and device data.

Backup apps.

Backup device shared storage/SD card contents.

However, before you proceed with backing up, make sure you set a password for backing up data to desktop in the Developers options in the Android Settings menu on your device. This is to ensure that the tool does not encounter any issues while backing up your data, and is a recommendation by the developer himself. The screenshot above shows you what you’re looking for.

Once you initiate the backup of your choice from the tool, you will see a screen similar to the one above on your Android device. This is where you can confirm whether or not to proceed with the desktop backup, and incase you did not supply a pre set password in the Developer Options you can do so now.

Once the data has been backed up, simply choose the 6th option if it wasn’t already obvious enough. Our devices restored without any issues at all, what about you?

For updates and queries related to this tool, head over to the forum thread at XDA-Developers.

Download Ultimate Backup Tool for Windows

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