Thread by @t_grote

More than 7 years ago, I started the #FreeYourAndroid campaign for @fsfe: FreeYourAndroid.org
Today, it is easier than ever to run a system with only free (libre) apps...

However, 7 years later, there are still some gaps. One of these is backup. Google users get a convenient one click cloud backup while users of a free system need insecure root or debug bridge hacks.

That is why I have been working on a #FreeSoftware backup app that does not need root and saves backups wherever you want (e.g. flash drive, @Nextclouders).

Backups happen automatically in the background and are encrypted on your device before uploaded. To restore a backup, you need a 12-word recovery code (BIP39).

This work is sponsored by @calyxinstitute as part of their mission to spread free privacy software. They accept donations and have an interesting membership program!

When setting up a new phone, the process to restore a backup currently looks like this. It needs your recovery code to decrypt the backup.

There have been many questions about the backup app presented in this thread. So yes, it works like Google's backup, will also restore WiFi passwords, systems settings, wallpaper, etc.

The app works without root by using the internal backup API of the OS, but to do this it needs to be installed as a system app. Ideally, it ships with whatever non-Google Android you are using, e.g. @LineageAndroid, @GrapheneOS, etc.

While it could also work on other versions, the development is targeting Android 10 exclusively. The reason for that has been explained by @DanielMicay here: github.com/stevesoltys/ba…

Note that the work is not done yet, but if you want to look at the code, it is available here: github.com/grote/backup/b…

You can donate to the @calyxinstitute, the non-profit sponsor of this work here: calyxinstitute.org/civicrm/contri…

Encrypted #FreeSoftware backup for Android is now called Seedvault and has reached beta quality. Check out the video I made about it!