Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Index
1. General
2. Backup & Restore (APK)
3. Backup & Restore (Data)
4. APK Organizer
5. Export APK
6. Move Apps (App2SD)
7. Cache Cleaner
8. App Permissions
9. Installs History
10. Import APK
11. Rename APK
12. Search APK
13. Send To Storage
14. PRO key
15. ROOT
General
1. What is this "Base folder"?
2. I don't see "xyz" app when I select share/send?
3. The app's icon show up when I open my image viewer app.
4. Can I revert back to a pre-v0.3.2 release?
5. In addition to OI File Manager, can you support another file manager?
6. What are system apps?
7. I restarted the app after I changed the "Display language" settings, but the language did not change.
8. Can I change the APK name format of the "Export apk" function?
9. What is a frozen app?
10. What does the different filter mean?
11. How to exclude system apps from "Backed up", "Not backup" and "No backup" filter?
12. I can't browse the exported APK.
13. My battery is sometime being hit hard by AppWererabbit.
14. The app is not working when the "Base folder" is located on the external SD card.
15. What is a stopped app?
16. After upgraded Android, I can't find the backups I did before the upgrade?
17. What is sideload?
18. How to manually grant/revoke permissions on Marshmallow?
19. The list of installed apps does not correspond with those installed on the device?
20. AppWererabbit can't write to storage on Marshmallow?
21. I get the "Can't find Activity" message when I try to change the base folder or search path.
22. Why is there a foreground service constantly running?
23. How to remove the foreground service notification from the status bar?
24. What is Doze Mode?
25. Why is the share apk file always base.apk?
26. What is usage access permission?
Top
Backup & Restore (APK)
1. Are there folders where backed up files should not be kept?
2. Where to keep the backed up files?
3. Does it backup data of apps?
4. What are "Protected" apps?
5. Why can't I restore apps?
6. What is the different between package Delete and Purge?
7. Why uses Package Name and Version Code as backup name?
8. Why not use App Name and Version Name as backup name?
9. I want to move my backup folder to a new location.
10. Can I prevent a version backup from being purge?
11. How do I restore all my apps on my new phone?
12. I can't find the backup files after inserting my SD card from my old phone to my new phone?
13. How can I migrate my existing apk files to AppWererabbit?
14. Why some apps show the "Skipped" status after I performed a batch Backup?
15. I want to cleanup my backup and only keep x number of version. How do I do this?
16. What does the coloured version name in the Installed Apps screen mean?
17. I wish to maintain backups for my installed apps only, can I config AppWererabbit to delete the corresponding backup if I uninstall the app?
18. I wish to maintain backups of a selection of my installed apps only, can I config AppWererabbit to automate this?
19. After enabled "Auto backup", my device's storage dropped significantly.
20. An app stop running after I downgraded it?
21. The app does not backup apps before it is updated.
22. On Backed Up APK screen, the Version name show "?".
23. Trying to backup apk, I get error message "File not writable: ...".
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Backup & Restore (Data)
1. Where is the data backup kept and their filenames?
2. My device is rooted, but I can't perform any data backup/restore.
3. How do I restore on device B with a data backup taken on device A?
4. I only have the data backup archive file, can I restore from that alone?
5. Anything I should be aware when performing data backup/restore?
6. What is external data, when do I needs to include it for backup?
7. I performed a data backup/restore, and it failed?
8. I confirm AppWererabbit is granted root access, but the data backup/restore still failed.
9. Is BusyBox really required?
10. After a successful data restore, the app does not seem to recognize the restored data.
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APK Organizer
1. The list of backups listed by APK Organizer does not correspond with the actual backups in storage?
2. What can cause the database to go out-of-sync?
3. Why not auto detect any changes, and maintain the database in sync?
4. I don't see any labels, how do I add them?
5. How do I rename a label?
6. How do I delete a label?
7. How do I easily assign a label to multiple apps?
8. I switched out of AppWererabbit during DB loading, upon restarting AppWererabbit, I get a partial list in APK Organizer?
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Export APK
1. Can you add similar functionality like versions control, auto purge, etc...
2. The exported apk is not showing its icon.
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Move Apps (App2SD)
1. What is App2SD?
2. Do I needs a rooted device for App2SD?
3. How do I know if my device support App2SD?
4. I don't see the "Move to SD card" button on the App info screen.
5. After moving "xyz" app to SD, it stop working.
6. Why is the install location of AppWererabbit changed to internalOnly?
7. What is the 3 different panel?
8. Why is the "On SD Card" panel always empty?
9. The App2SD indicator on Installed Apps screen and on the panels of Move Apps screen is incorrect.
10. What does the coloured App2SD status mean?
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Cache Cleaner
1. What is a cache?
2. Do I needs a rooted device to clean cache?
3. Is it safe to clear the cache?
4. Which is the best method to clear cache?
5. 1-Tap cache cleaning not working.
6. 1-Tap cache cleaning not working on Android 6.0.
7. How do I use the Large Cache Cleaner function?
8. I want to exclude some apps from the Large Cache Cleaner. How do I do this?
9. 1-Tap cache cleaning on non-rooted devices with Android 6.0.
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App Permissions
1. Why is the permission description in xyz language?
2. What is the protection level?
3. How do I determine if an app is "malicious"?
4. Which permissions should I look out for?
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Installs History
1. Why is the Installs History screen and Uninstalled Apps screen empty?
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Import APK
1. What does Import APK do?
2. I am current using "xyz" for backup, how to I migrate my existing apk files to AppWererabbit?
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Rename APK
1. What does Rename APK do?
2. How do I use the Rename APK function?
3. What does the BLUE colour indicate?
4. I did a Rename all, and found some files have a number in bracket at the end of the name, what does this mean?
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Search APK
1. What does Search APK do?
2. How do I use the Search APK function?
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Send To Storage
1. What does it do, how to use it?
2. How to copy/move to SD card?
3. Why is the "Copy to" dimmed?
4. Why is the "Move to" not shown?
5. What does "No file to send" mean?
6. Can't copy/move to SD card anymore.
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PRO key
1. AppWererabbit is not recognizing the PRO key.
2. I tap on "Activate PRO key", I just get a toast message saying it is checking license. What do I do?
3. I installed PRO Key from Play Store, now "Activate PRO key" say the key is in frozen state. What do I do?
4. I have PRO Key installed, but on tap "Activate PRO key", I just get a toast message saying PRO Key not installed. Why?
5. When I launch AppWererabbit, I sometime get a blank screen. What do I do?
6. How often do AppWererabbit check license?
7. How do I know if the Google email address I'm using is the one I used to purchase the PRO Key?
8. Can you give the steps for me to follow to verify Pro key?
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ROOT
1. What is Rooting?
2. How do I root my device?
3. Why no root access after enabled Root access option?
Top
What is this "Base folder"?
All folders AppWererabbit uses for storage are located under the "Base folder".
The location of the folder is user definable, if your device is not on Android 4.4 (KitKat) and with a true SD card, it is preferred to define it there, otherwise, point it to a folder on the primary external storage.
Note:
- Don't point the "Base folder" to the root of the SD card storage, but a folder on the SD card storage. This also apply for primary external storage.
- Remember, if the base folder is located on the system internal storage, the content would be erased after a factory reset.
- You should also read FAQ-(General)-14.
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I don't see "xyz" app when I select share/send?
AppWererabbit may not actually perform the share or send action, but the action is handle by others app installed on your device,
if you don't see a particular app, install it from Play Store.
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The app's icon show up when I open my image viewer app.
The problem is with the image viewer app, it is not observing the Android convention to "hide" media files in folders with the ".nomedia" file.
Please report it to image viewer app's developers, so they may fix the problem.
Note:
- As of v0.3.2, the icon's filename changed to "icon" from "icon.png".
- If icon images still show up on your image viewer app, you may needs to refresh your viewer's thrumbnail cache.
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Can I revert back to a pre-v0.3.2 release?
Yes, but no icon would show up on the "Backed Up Apps" screen.
Top
In addition to OI File Manager, can you support another file manager?
Any file manager that support below intent is launchable.
- intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
- intent.setData(Uri.parse(<starting folder location>));
- startActivity(intent);
Below is the intent filter to capture the above intent.
- <intent-filter>
- <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />
- <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
- <data scheme="file" />
- </intent-filter>
If your favourite file manager is not listed, email the developer of the file manager with your situation, and request if they would support the above intent.
Note:
- Above intent is a generic way of requesting another app to launch and open at the specified folder.
- It is not practical for a client (AppWererabbit) to tailor an intent for each server (File Manager),
as this requires the users to determine (via settings) the appropriate intent to use. Furthermore, it is
likely many users would have their own favourite file manager, it would be overwhelming to the client's
developers to support them all. While if implemented by the server (File Manager), upon users trigger the
above intent, the system will prompt all the apps available to handle the intent for users to choose, the
process is inline with the design of Android, and more intuitive to the users.
- As of v4.1.0, AppWererabbit contains internal viewer for exported apk.
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What are system apps?
System apps are applications pre-installed by the device manufacturer.
Note:
- These applications cannot be uninstall by AppWererabbit, because they are installed in a section of the storage that AppWererabbit cannot access.
Top
I restarted the app after I changed the "Display language" settings, but the language did not change.
If app restart don't seem to works, do a device orientation change will also effect the "Display language" settings.
Top
Can I change the APK name format of the "Export apk" function?
Goto "Settings > APK Export > APK name format" to define the prefer format.
Note:
- The settings is shared with the Rename APK function.
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What is a frozen app?
A frozen app is an application that is disabled to prevent it from running and is hiden from the launcher, the app itself is still installed and its data kept. The app can be unfreeze (enabled) if the Android device is rooted.
Note:
- Freeze and Unfreeze requires ROOT access.
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What does the different filter mean?
- All: System apps + User apps.
- System: System apps.
- User: User apps.
- apk backed up: Apps with current installed apk version backed up.
- apk not backed up: Apps with current installed apk version not backed up, but backup of other version is found.
- No apk backup: Apps with no apk backup.
- Has data backup: Apps with data backup.
- Frozen: Disabled apps.
- Updated: Updated system apps. For example, Gmail after updated from Play Store.
- Running: Apps in running state.
- Stopped: Apps in stopped state.
- Stoppable: Apps not in stopped state.
- Xposed module: Xposed module.
Note:
- See here for more info on stopped app.
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How to exclude system apps from "Backed up", "Not backup" and "No backup" filter?
Goto "Settings > Basic > Filter", and check the appropriate settings.
Top
I can't browse the exported APK.
AppWererabbit handle this via an external "file manager" app. Several file manager are supported, one of them is OI File Manager.
For support criteria, see here.
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My battery is sometime being hit hard by AppWererabbit.
This is out dated. AppWererabbit no longer have continuously running service to maintain app list.
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The app is not working when the "Base folder" is located on the external SD card.
In Android, there are two type of external storage:
(1) Primary external storage - part of the device's internal storage.
(2) Secondary external storage - everything not "primary external storage", including SD card storage.
Starting from Android 4.4 (KitKat), only system apps can write to secondary external storage, this mean user apps like AppWererabbit are prohibited from writing to secondary external storage.
Google/Android created the situation. It is not possible to overcome this on unrooted devices. On rooted devices, it is possible to open up the secondary external storage to user apps. If you're interested, google for the information for your device.
The Storage Access Framework updated in Android 5.0 (Lollipop), does include the necessary support, therefore, AppWererabbit v6.0.0 do support external SD card.
Note:
- I have seen advice suggesting using the application specific folder, "/<path to external SD>/Android/data/<package name>/files", located on SD card for storage. For AppWererabbit, this folder is "/<path to external SD>/Android/data/com.aw.AppWererabbit/files".
This location is not advisable for following reasons:
(1) Android automatically remove the folder upon the corresponding app is uninstalled.
(2) Only the specific application owner have write access. For AppWererabbit, it may mean APK Organizer cannot be used.
- The Storage Access Framework introduced in KitKat is not suitable for following resaon:
(1) The framework support writing files, but this is NOT OK for app like AppWererabbit, where during an app backup, it may involve multiple files and folders creation.
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What is a stopped app?
A application in stopped state does not consume any resources (CPU, memory, battery), in addition, stopped app does not response to any intent until it is manually launched once.
This application state is introduced in Android 4.0, and all newly installed app is in this state to prevent possible malice app from doing harm without being launched by the user.
Note:
- To stop an app, (1) Tap the entry, (2) Select "Manage", (3) Tap "Force stop" to stop app.
- Not all apps, especially system app, may be "Force stop", they are stopped, then immediately restarted by the system.
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After upgraded Android, I can't find the backups I did before the upgrade?
This is probably due to changes in the file-system structure, causing the previously defined "Base folder" path to be invalid.
Correct the "Base folder" path to rectify the situation.
Read on if you want to know more.
Using the Galaxy Nexus as an example, below five paths all point to the same folder.
(1) /sdcard/AppWererabbit
(2) /storage/emulated/0/AppWererabbit
(3) /storage/emulated/legacy/AppWererabbit
(4) /sdcard0/AppWererabbit
(5) /mnt/sdcard/AppWererabbit
The path (2) is used by AppWererabbit by default on a fresh install, because when the app request for the location of the external storage, this path "/storage/emulated/0" is returned.
If after an Android system upgrade, the file-system structure changed, and the "emulated" folder is no longer defined, then both (2) and (3) would become invalid, and any access via them would result in error.
This is also true if your "Base folder" is located on a true SD card, and after an Android system upgrade, the mount point may changed, and invalidating the previously defined path.
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What is sideload?
"Sideloading" is installing an Android application onto your device from a local APK file.
When you restore (re-installing) an app using AppWererabbit from your local backups, you're "Sideloading".
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How to manually grant/revoke permissions on Marshmallow?
In Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), certain permissions can be grant/revoke by user at runtime.
Runtime permissions is not handled by AppWererabbit v5.5.1 and v5.5.2, user must manually grant the Storage permission before AppWererabbit can write to the internal SD storage.
Follow below steps:
(1) Goto Android App permissions screen. "Settings > Apps > AppWererabbit > Permissions > Enable Storage".
(2) Kill current copy of AppWererabbit.
(3) Restart AppWererabbit.
As of v6.0.0, AppWererabbit rightly handle runtime storage permission request.
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The list of installed apps does not correspond with those installed on the device?
There are two methods to resolve this, it depends on the severity of the situation.
Method 1
Refresh the on screen installed apps list via the "Refresh" function on the Installed Apps screen.
Method 2
The database is out-of-sync. Re-build the installed apps list via the "Reload" function on the Installed Apps screen.
Note:
- Method 1 should resolve any problem not caused by database out-of-sync.
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AppWererabbit can't write to storage on Marshmallow?
There are two situation here, (1) backup to internal storage, (2) backup to true external SD storage.
(1) backup to internal storage
This is affected by the "Storage" permission.
Solution:
- Revoke the storage permission, the re-grant the permission. You can revoke and regrant permission on the "App info" screen.
(2) backup to true external SD storage
This is control by the Android's SAF (Storage Access Framework), which is granted when the "Base folder" is defined.
You will see on AppWererabbit Settings, "Base folder" is show to be on the external SD storage, but this is for info only, is what Android remember that is important. Sometime Android forget this, which will result in write storage failure.
Solution:
- Redefine the "Base folder" in "Settings > Base folder".
Note:
- If neither solutions works, do an uninstall/install.
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I get the "Can't find Activity" message when I try to change the base folder or search path.
On Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or above, the path is selected via the system's picker, for some reason, Android is unable to find the activity on the picker to service the intent from AppWererabbit, and throw an ActivityNotFoundException.
Solution:
Reboot the device may solve the problem, else uninstall/install AppWererabbit.
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Why is there a foreground service constantly running?
As part of the Android 8.0 (Oreo) Background Execution Limits, apps that target the API level 26 or higher can no longer register broadcast receivers for implicit broadcasts in their manifest.
For AppWererabbit, functions like auto backup, update internal database on installed apps would cease to function without some of these implicit broadcasts.
To continue to receive these implicit broadcasts from Android, a service is running in the background, the notification is there to prevent Android from killing the service.
Note:
- If you have some apps killer installed, ensure AppWererabbit is included in its whitelist, to ensure AppWererabbit normal function.
- The ImplicitBroadcastReceiverService service exist to receive the implicit broadcasts only, no CPU resource is consume if no broadcast is received.
- If AppWererabbit is installed on devices below Android 8.0, it will continue to receive implicit broadcasts registered via the manifest, the ImplicitBroadcastReceiverService service is not needed.
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How to remove the foreground service notification from the status bar?
Follow below steps:
(1) Goto the App info screen of AppWererabbit.
(2) Tap on "App notifications".
(3) Uncheck "Foreground service status" category.
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What is Doze Mode?
In Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), the Doze Mode was introduced to prevents certain tasks from running if your device is in idle state, this is to reduce power consumption by deferring background CPU and network activity for applications.
This may cause AppWererabbit to stop working, because the app uses some of the Doze mode restricted functions (wake lock, AlarmManager, JobScheduler).
If app is affected, consider excluding the app from battery optimization to allows timely execution of required functions.
Follow below steps to exclude app from optimization:
(1) goto the App info screen of AppWererabbit.
(2) tap on "Battery" to goto the Battery usage screen.
(3) tap on "Battery optimization" to goto the Battery optimization screen.
(4) filter for "All apps".
(5) locate AppWererabbit, then tap it to select.
(6) select "Don't optimize".
or from System settings with below steps:
(1) goto System settings.
(2) tap on "Battery" to goto Battery screen.
(3) select "Battery optimization" from the menu bar to goto the Battery optimization screen.
(4) filter for "All apps".
(5) locate AppWererabbit, then tap it to select.
(6) select "Don't optimize".
Note:
- The exact location of "Battery optimization" in settings may differ between Android version.
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Why is the share apk file always base.apk?
Is base.apk, because after install the app is renamed by Android to base.apk.
Follow below steps to share apk file with a different name:
(1) export the app using Export apk function.
(2) goto Exported APK screen.
(3) share the apk file with the Send apk function.
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What is usage access permission?
In Android 8.0 (Oreo), other application's usage information such as its size is not accessibility unless the requesting app (AppWererabbit) is granted usage access permission at runtime.
Without this permission, the Cache Cleaner function would return an empty list. Please grant permission upon request to restore functionality.
The usage access permission can also be granted/revoked from the System settings, follow below steps:
(1) goto System settings.
(2) select "Security > Apps with usage access".
(3) locate AppWererabbit, then tap it to select.
(4) tap "Permit usage access" to grant/revoke the permission.
Note:
- The exact location of "Apps with usage access" in settings may differ between Android version.
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Are there folders where backed up files should not be kept?
Anywhere that would interfere with the system is a bad location. If your device is not on Android 4.4 (KitKat), the best place is on an external storage like SD card, otherwise, see FAQ-(General)-14.
Note:
- See "Base folder" for more information.
- You should also read FAQ-(General)-14.
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Where to keep the backed up files?
The best location is a folder on SD storage, the SD storage is usually located at "/mnt/sdcard". On some phones, GSII for example,
this may not point to a real SD card storage. The backup folder can be changed to anywhere, just ensure the backup folder is
writable by the app, and not in a location that would interfere with the system.
See "Base folder" for more information.
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Does it backup data of apps?
No, it only backup the application file (apk).
The data of apps are usually stored in private folders, and app like AppWererabbit have no read/write access to these folders.
Note:
- Not yet. (ROOT is required)
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What are "Protected" apps?
"Protected" means the app is "Copy Protected" to prevent the apk file from being copied, therefore, the app cannot be
truely backup, instead, only information regarding the app is backup to facilities restore from Play Store.
Note:
- As of v3.0.0, provided your device is ROOTed, protected app can be backup.
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Why can't I restore apps?
By default, a phone can only install apps from Google Play Store. To install from third parties sources, goto
"Settings"->"Security", enable the "Unknown sources" setting, then you can restore apps from SD card.
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What is the different between package Delete and Purge?
Delete remove all backup information associated with the package, while
Purge remove only those version backup not marked as "Retain".
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Why uses Package Name and Version Code as backup name?
- "Package Name" is a good choice, because it is unique for every apps from Play Store.
- "Version Code" is a good choice, because it is unique for each release of the same app from Play Store.
- Both uses filesystem friendly characters set.
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Why not use App Name and Version Name as backup name?
- "App name" is not ideal, because some apps uses identical name, "Angry Birds" for example.
- Both could contains characters not valid for filename.
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I want to move my backup folder to a new location.
Use follow steps.
- Use a "file manager" or "file explorer" app to move the current application "Base folder" to the new location.
- Update the application "Base folder" preference to point to the new location.
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Can I prevent a version backup from being purge?
Yes. Any version backup marked as "Retain" is ignore during purging.
To mark a version backup as "Retain".
- goto the "Backed Up APK" screen of the particular app.
- tap on the version you like to retain.
- select "Toggle retain" to change its retain status.
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How do I restore all my apps on my new phone?
Below steps assume both phones support a true SD card storage, and the application "Base folder" is located on the SD card storage,
if not, then you will needs to do a manual copy of the application "Base folder", the minimum is to copy the app list under the "export_app_list" folder.
(1) on the old phone, export the app list to the SD card storage.
(2) transfer the SD card to the new phone. (if phones does not support a true SD card storage, do a manual copy here)
(3) install AppWererabbit on the new phone (manual install from SD or via Play Store).
(4) after install, point the application "Base folder" to the required folder.
(5) import the app list exported from step 1.
From this list you can either
(a) install the apps from Play Store, or
(b) if a backups is available, install from SD.
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I can't find my backup files after inserting my SD card from my old phone to my new phone?
Ensure on your old phone, the application "Base folder" is really pointing to a folder on the external SD card storage,
otherwise, your backups files is actually stored on your phone's internal storage memory, and not on your SD card storage.
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How can I migrate my existing apk files to AppWererabbit?
After configured the "Base folder", use the Import APK function to import the apk files.
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Why some apps show the "Skipped" status after I performed a batch Backup?
AppWererabbit skip over any apps already backed up. You can confirm this by trigging a single app backup, which will prompt user to confirm if a backup already exists.
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I want to cleanup my backup and only keep x number of version. How do I do this?
Follow below steps:
(1) Goto "Settings > Backup APK".
(2) Set "Maximum version limit" as required.
(3) Tap "Purge now" to start purging.
Note:
- Retained version are not purge.
- If "Auto purge" is selected, AppWererabbit automatically do a purge of the app's backup after a backup is performed.
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What does the coloured version name in the Installed Apps screen mean?
The coloured version name indicate the backup status.
- "NORMAL" indicate current installed version is backed up.
- "ORANGE" indicate current installed version is not backup, but backup of other version is found.
- "RED" indicate no backup found.
Note:
- Protected apps are always displayed as NORMAL.
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I wish to maintain backups for my installed apps only, can I config AppWererabbit to delete the corresponding backup if I uninstall the app?
PRO only *** USE WITH CAUTION ***
Follow below steps to config AppWererabbit.
(1) Goto "Settings > Advanced".
(2) Select "After app uninstall".
(3) Select "Delete all".
(4) Enable notification as requires.
From now, if an app is uninstall (via any apps), the corresponding backups is also deleted.
Note:
- Notification only popup if there is a backups to delete.
- This feature is best accompany with the "Auto backup" feature, to automate the whole "backup"/"delete backup" process.
- Backup can take up a fair amount of storage space, config "Auto purge" to limit this.
- Use the "Retain" feature to prevent a particular backed up version from being purge.
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I wish to maintain backups of a selection of my installed apps only, can I config AppWererabbit to automate this?
There are several methods to perform selective auto backup.
(a) After every update and with previous backups.
Follow below steps to config AppWererabbit (PRO only).
(1) Goto "Settings > Backup APK > Auto backup criteria".
(2) Select "After every update and with previous backups".
(3) Enable notification as requires.
(4) Perform a manual backup of the required apps.
(5) From now, when an app from step (4) is updated, a backup is automatically taken.
(b) If in whitelist.
Follow below steps to config AppWererabbit (PRO only).
(1) Goto "Settings > Backup APK > Auto backup criteria".
(2) Select "If in whitelist".
(3) Select "Edit whitelist" to select the apps to auto backup.
(4) Enable notification as requires.
(5) From now, when any app selected in step (3) is updated, a backup is automatically taken.
(c) If not in blacklist.
Follow below steps to config AppWererabbit (PRO only).
(1) Goto "Settings > Backup APK > Auto backup criteria".
(2) Select "If not in blacklist".
(3) Select "Edit blacklist" to select the apps not to auto backup.
(4) Enable notification as requires.
(5) From now, when any app not selected in step (3) is updated/installed, a backup is automatically taken.
(d) If previous backups exist.
Follow below steps to config AppWererabbit (PRO only).
(1) Goto "Settings > Backup APK > Auto backup criteria".
(2) Select "If previous backups exist".
(3) Enable notification as requires.
(4) From now, any app with a version backed up in AppWererabbit is updated/installed, a backup is automatically taken.
Note:
- Backups can take up a fair amount of storage space, config "Auto purge" to limit this.
- APK above a specified size may be excluded from auto backup to conserve storage space.
- Use the "Retain" feature to prevent a particular backed up version from being purge.
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After enabled "Auto backup", my device's storage dropped significantly.
Following affect the amount of storage used by your backups.
(1) The size of the apps.
(2) The number of copies (versions) kept.
Use below methods to reduce the amount of storage used.
(a) Enable "Auto purge".
- (i) Goto "Settings > Backup APK".
- (ii) Set "Maximum version limit" to desired value.
- (iii) Enable "Auto purge".
(b) If you prefer not to enable "Auto purge", then perform a manual purge as required.
- (i) Goto "Settings > Backup APK".
- (ii) Set "Maximum version limit" to desired value.
- (iii) Select "Purge now" to start the purge process.
Note:
- Method (a) is the prefer method, since it is automated.
- After setting up method (a), it maybe advisable to immediately do a manual purge, because auto purge is perform after backup completed for a particular app.
- Use the "Retain" feature to prevent a particular version from being purge.
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An app stop running after I downgraded it?
Usually after downgrading an installed app to a lower version, the app would continue to function without problem.
This is not the case if there is database changes between the two versions, or newer version introduced new features that changes the settings significantly.
If unsure, take a data backup before performing a downgrade.
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The app does not backup apps before it is updated.
It is not possible (this is an Android constraint) to auto backup current version of an installed app before updating it with a newer version.
The "Auto backup" feature provided by AppWererabbit will backup the app (new version) after its installation.
Follow below steps to config auto backup:
- (1) Goto "Settings > Backup APK"
- (2) Set "Auto backup criteria" to "After every install"
- (3) Set "Auto backup size limit" to "No limit"
- (4) Set "Auto backup for app installed via" to "All installation"
- (5) From now, when an app is updated, a backup is automatically taken.
Note:
- To be able to revert back to a previous version of an app, a initial manual backup is required, afterward, the auto backup feature would take over.
- The Android constraint is the reason why the setting "Settings > Backup APK > Maximum version limit" minimum value is 2 and not 1.
- See here for more information on selective auto backup.
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On Backed Up APK screen, the Version name show "?".
First, confirm this is not a problem if the "Base folder" is on internal storage.
The apk file maybe corrupted. You can confirm this by installing the app.
- if install failed, then apk file is corrupted.
Is the "Base folder" is located on a true SD card. If yes, then maybe Android is not refreshing files on the SD card.
Rebooting the device should force a scan, then on the Backed Up APK screen the corresponding version name would be displayed.
If all failed, change the "Base folder" back to the internal storage.
Note:
- The first time I encountered this problem is on the Galaxy S4 after upgraded LineageOS to 16.0 from 14.1.
- Retry "Base folder" on SD card storage after an Android OS upgrade.
- See here for more information.
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Trying to backup apk, I get error message "File not writable: ...".
First, confirm this is not a problem if the "Base folder" is on internal storage.
Change the "Base folder" to somewhere else, then change it back again, if problem resolved, then it is likely Android "forgotten" the storage permission granted for SD card access.
See if the problem goes always after rebooting the device.
If all failed, change the "Base folder" back to the internal storage.
Note:
- The first time I encountered this problem is on the Galaxy S4 after upgraded LineageOS to 16.0 from 14.1.
- Retry "Base folder" on SD card storage after an Android OS upgrade.
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Where is the data backup kept and their filenames?
The data backups are kept under "<base folder>/backup_data", with actual backups in their respective "package name" folder.
For example, data backup for AppWererabbit would be located in "<base folder>/backup_data/com.aw.AppWererabbit".
From v5.4.0:
- A single data backup can consist of four files.
1. (Mandatory) The data backup archive of internal data.
Filename format: <package name>_<timestamp>.tar.gz
2. (Optional) The data backup archive of external data.
Filename format: <package name>_external_<timestamp>.tar.gz
3. (Mandatory) The properties file. Contains information regarding the corresponding data archive and the environment it was taken.
Filename format: <package name>_<timestamp>.properties
4. (Optional) The APK file corresponding to the data backup archive.
Filename format: <package name>_<md5>.apk
From v4.0.0 to v5.3.0:
- A single data backup can consist of three files.
1. (Mandatory) The actual data backup archive.
Filename format: <package name>_<timestamp>.tar.gz
2. (Mandatory) The properties file. Contains information regarding the corresponding data archive and the environment it was taken.
Filename format: <package name>_<timestamp>.properties
3. (Optional) The APK file corresponding to the data backup archive.
Filename format: <package name>_<md5>.apk
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My device is rooted, but I can't perform any data backup/restore.
In addition to requiring a rooted device, to perform data backup/restore requires several linux utilities. For example: tar, mv, etc...
These utilities are usually provided by BusyBox. If you don't have BusyBox installed on your device, find and install a copy from Play Store. Tap here to search Play Store for BusyBox.
Note:
- You may use any implementation of BusyBox, just as long as it support the utilities (know as applet in BusyBox) required by AppWererabbit.
- All BusyBox implementation should contains the required utilities, as the default implementation of BusyBox have them.
- If you don't know which BusyBox implementation to choose, try this for size.
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How do I restore on device B with a data backup taken on device A?
Assuming the data backup is compatible on device B, follow below steps.
(1) Determine the location and files of the data backup on device A. (See FAQ-(Backup & Restore (Data))-1 for more information)
(2) Determine the destination folder on device B. If the folder does not already exists, then manually create it using a file manager app. (See note below)
(3) Copy the requires files from device A to destination folder of device B.
(4) Perform data restore as normal on device B.
Note:
- Another way to quickly create the destination folder is to have AppWererabbit create it by perform a data backup of the app on device B.
- It is important the "package name" folder is correctly spelt, otherwise, AppWererabbit would delete the folder if there is no data archive file found inside the corresponding "package name" folder.
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I only have the data backup archive file, can I restore from that alone?
Yes.
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Anything I should be aware when performing data backup/restore?
General:
(1) Your device is rooted and with BusyBox installed.
(2) You have enough storage space for the backup/restore, especially if backup/restore include external data.
Backup:
(3) Determine if you needs to backup external data. (See FAQ-(Backup & Restore (Data))-6 for more information)
(4) Determine if you needs to backup app cache data. (Generally not required, as the app would re-create the cache as necessary)
(5) Determine if you needs to backup the apk file.
Restore:
(6) The corresponding app must first be installed.
(7) You're restoring data to a compatible version of the app.
(8) Be aware of data backup containing database (SQLite). Should the database layout changed between the different versions of the app, the newer (higher) version of the app would contains codes to upgrade the database from older (lower) version of the app, vice versa is not true, and even if restore is successful, launching the app would probably result in failure.
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What is external data, when do I needs to include it for backup?
App's data is divided into internal data (always included in backup) and external data.
External data is located on "<share storage>/Android/data/<package name>".
For example, the external data location for AppWererabbit on the Galaxy Nexus is "/mnt/sdcard/Android/data/com.aw.AppWererabbit".
(1) Include external data in backup, if it contains data necessary for the app to fully functional after data restore, or the external data contains specific data pertaining to the data backup instance.
(2) It is safe to exclude external data (resulting in smaller data backup archive file), if data is generic and can be re-created by the app. If you decide to include the data, then the data backup file archive file would be bigger, but you save the app from having to re-create it, which requires time and/or internet access as the case may be.
It is for you to decide.
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I performed a data backup/restore, and it failed?
Performing a data backup or data restore requires root access.
Use one of below tests to confirm AppWererabbit is granted root access.
Test 1: Confirm root access by performing an app "Downgrade".
(1) Start AppWererabbit.
(2) Goto Installed Apps screen.
(3) Select an app you know you have multiple APK backups.
(4) Select "View apk versions".
(5) Tap on a version lower then the installed version.
(6) Select "Downgrade".
(7) If downgrade is successful, then AppWererabbit is granted root access.
Test 2: Confirm root access by performing an app "Freeze" or "Unfreeze". (PRO only)
(1) Start AppWererabbit.
(2) Goto Installed Apps screen.
(3) Select an app to freeze or unfreeze as required.
(4) Select "Freeze" or "Unfreeze" as appropriate.
(5) If freeze/unfreeze is successful, then AppWererabbit is granted root access.
If above test failed, it mean root access is not granted to AppWererabbit, check the su (Super User) installed on your device is working correctly.
Note:
- If AppWererabbit is granted root access, both tests will success, because they do not depends on anythings that is not already on a Android device.
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I confirm AppWererabbit is granted root access, but the data backup/restore still failed.
Failure could be related to the Linux environment or BusyBox.
Backup failures
- If failure message is "ei:tar" or "i:tar", then data backup failed during tar command (archiving the data), this command is provided by BusyBox. Some possible likely cause are (1) "insufficient storage space", (2) "unreachable path" or (3) "BusyBox related".
- If failure message is "wp", then data backup failed during creation of .properties file, failure is likely caused by "no write access to storage" or "insufficient storage space".
- If failure message is "mb", then data backup failed during moving the data archive, failure is likely caused by "no write access to storage" or "insufficient storage space".
Restore failures
- If failure message is "e:tar" or "i:tar", then data restore failed during tar command (unarchiving the data), this command is provided by BusyBox. Some possible likely cause are (1) "insufficient storage space", (2) "unreachable path" or (3) "BusyBox related".
- If failure message is "m:", then data restore failed during moving the data to its appropriate directory, this uses the mv command provided by BusyBox. Some possible likely cause are (1) "insufficient storage space", or (2) "BusyBox related".
Note:
- See FAQ-(Backup & Restore (Data))-2 for more information on BusyBox.
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Is BusyBox really required?
- For Lollipop and below, Android is shipped with toolbox to provide a limited set of linux command line utilities, toolbox does not provided all the utilities required by AppWererabbit, therefore, BusyBox is required.
- For Marshmallow and above, Android replaced toolbox with toybox, which is designed to replace BusyBox (one command at a time) on Android.
Therefore it depends on the version of toybox, if all the utilites needed by AppWererabbit is implemented, then BusyBox is not required, otherwise, BusyBox is required.
As of v6.1.0, shell command is prefixed with "busybox" if BusyBox is present.
Note:
- On cm13 (jfltexx), data backup/restore tested ok with toybox. YMMV depending on how toybox is implemented on your version of Android.
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After a successful data restore, the app does not seem to recognize the restored data.
This seem to happen on devices with SD card configured as internal storage, on these devices, if data restore is performed while the app is installed on SD card, moving the app back to internal storage would remedy the situation.
Note:
- The action to move an app to internal storage is the same as that for apps that support App2SD, the process is triggered in the app's App info screen. Goto "App info > Storage", then tap "Change" to start the move process.
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The list of backups listed by APK Organizer does not correspond with the actual backups in storage?
The database is out-of-sync with the actual storage. To remedy the situation, re-build the backups list via the "Reload" function.
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What can cause the database to go out-of-sync?
The most likely situation is the backup storage is changed manually via some other app, and APK Organizer is unaware of it, this is why all changes should be performed via AppWererabbit.
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Why not auto detect any changes, and maintain the database in sync?
In Android, just after an app is installed, system broadcast this information, and any apps listening to this broadcast can take action accordingly. Such broadcast does not exists for changes to the storage, this is why all changes should be performed via AppWererabbit to maintain the database.
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I don't see any labels, how do I add them?
Initially, APK Organizer just show the "?" label, which indicate backups with no label assigned.
Follow below steps to create a new label.
(1) Tap on a backed up item to bring up the popup menu.
(2) Select "Choose labels".
(3) Tap the "+" button to create a new label.
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How do I rename a label?
Long press on the label item to bring up the popup menu, then select "Rename".
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How do I delete a label?
Long press on the label item to bring up the popup menu, then select "Delete".
Note:
- This delete the label, any backups associated with the label are NOT deleted.
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How do I easily assign a label to multiple apps?
Long press on the label item to bring up the popup menu, then select "Choose apps".
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I switched out of AppWererabbit during DB loading, upon restarting AppWererabbit, I get a partial list in APK Organizer?
- If everything is still in order, then the reason is because the DB loading is still in progress.
- If things is NOT in order, then the app is in a hang state.
Whatever the reason, rectify the situation by re-build the backups list via the "Reload" function.
Note:
- Always let the DB loading to complete before switching to out of APK Organizer.
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Can you add similar functionality like versions control, auto purge, etc...
Unlikely.
Due to the flexibility of AppWererabbit allowing users to define the export apk name format, these would be
time consuming tasks, which is further complicated by users can change the export apk name format, and rename the
apk files anytime.
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The exported apk is not showing its icon.
First, confirm this is not a problem if the "Base folder" is on internal storage.
The apk file maybe corrupted. You can confirm this by installing the app.
- if install failed, then apk file is corrupted.
Is the "Base folder" is located on a true SD card. If yes, then maybe Android is not refreshing files on the SD card.
Rebooting the device should force a scan, then on the Exported APK screen the corresponding icon would be displayed.
If all failed, change the "Base folder" back to the internal storage.
Note:
- This no icon display is not limited to AppWererabbit, any apps that extract the icon from the apk file is affected, for example file manager apps.
- The first time I encountered this problem is on the Galaxy S4 after upgraded LineageOS to 16.0 from 14.1.
- Retry "Base folder" on SD card storage after an Android OS upgrade.
- See here for more information.
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What is App2SD?
App2SD is a Android system function that move an app from the system internal memory to the external SD card storage.
There are two main advantages with more free internal memory.
- Allow more apps to be installed.
- The system slow down when internal memory is low.
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Do I needs a rooted device for App2SD?
No, but below criteria are required.
- Only apps specifically written to support this function can be moved to the SD card storage.
- An Android device with a true SD card storage installed.
- App2SD was added to Android from 2.2 (Froyo), specific support depends on the actual device's implementation.
Note:
- Not all version of Android 3.0 or above support App2SD, this is not the fault of AppWererabbit, but a system constraint.
- If you still want App2SD, your only option is to "ROOT" your device, and install an apps2sd app for rooted devices, google for more information if you still interested.
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How do I know if my device support App2SD?
The easiest way to know is first ensure your device have a true SD card installed, then from AppWererabbit, find an
app with "App2SD" status, then goto the "App info" screen of this app, if you see the "Move to SD card" button on the App info
screen then your device support App2SD.
Note:
- Not all version of Android 3.0 or above support App2SD, this is not the fault of AppWererabbit, but a system constraint imposed by the device manufacturer.
- On some devices, the "Move to SD card" button is shown, but does not actually support App2SD. So confirm your devices really have support by doing a move.
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I don't see the "Move to SD card" button on the App info screen.
AppWererabbit only notify if an app support App2SD, and provide an UI to facilitate easy access to the Android system
"App info" screen. Actual support is dependent on the specific device.
Note:
- Not all devices support App2SD, for example, Galaxy Nexus does not support this, because it does not have a true SD card storage.
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After moving "xyz" app to SD, it stop working.
Not all apps can be moved to SD, this is an Android limitation.
If an app start to malfunction after moved to external SD storage. It most likely contains one or more of below features.
- Services
- Alarm Services
- Input Method Engines
- Live Wallpapers
- Live Folders
- App Widgets
- Account Managers
- Sync Adapters
- Device Administrators
- Broadcast Receivers listening for "boot completed"
More information here.
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Why is the install location of AppWererabbit changed to internalOnly?
AppWererabbit uses some of those features that Android suggest not to move to SD.
Note:
- Support for App2SD is re-introduced in v6.2.0.
- If you experience problem with AppWererabbit installed on SD, move it back to internal storage.
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What is the 3 different panel?
On device
On SD Card
- Listed applications are those you installed.
- Listed applications are currently installed on SD card storage, but can be moved back to internal storage.
- Developers allows them to be moved to SD storage. See How do I know if my device support App2SD?
Unmovable
- Listed applications are those you installed.
- Listed applications are currently installed on internal storage, and cannot be moved.
- Developers insisted applications be install on internal storage only.
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Why is the "On SD Card" panel always empty?
See On SD Card.
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The App2SD indicator on Installed Apps screen and on the panels of Move Apps screen is incorrect.
The database holding the App2SD indicator of each app is out-of-sync.
For v6.2.0 or newer, follow below steps to force a re-sync.
(1) Goto Installed Apps screen.
(2) Tap "Reload" on the app menu.
For v4.2.0 or v5.5.2, follow below steps to force a re-sync.
(1) Goto "Settings > Move Apps".
(2) Disable "Cache App2SD status".
(3) Enable "Cache App2SD status".
(4) Restart AppWererabbit.
For v3.8.0 to v4.0.0, follow below steps to force a re-sync.
(1) At Installed Apps screen, tap on AppWererabbit entry to pull up menu.
(2) Select "Manage" to access the App info screen.
(3) Select "Clear data" to clear all app related data.
(4) Restart AppWererabbit.
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What does the coloured App2SD status mean?
- "BLUE" indicate app support App2SD.
- "ORANGE" indicate app support App2SD, but it also contains (and/or):
Input Method Engines
Live Wallpapers
App Widget
Sync Adapters
Device Administrators
Broadcast Receivers listening for "boot completed"
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What is a cache?
A cache is a mechanism of storing data, so that future request for that data can be served faster, thereby improve application performance.
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Do I needs a rooted device to clean cache?
No, but the function is dependent on availability of corresponding Android system functions, especially for 1-Tap cache cleaning.
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Is it safe to clear the cache?
It is safe.
This app provide three methods to clear cache.
- Manually via the app info screen provided by the Android system.
- Manually via 1-Tap cleaning, this clean all apps cache in 1-Tap of the delete button.
- Automatically clean all apps cache at set intervals.
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Which is the best method to clear cache?
The best method depends on your needs, but the automatic method is the simplest.
For FREE
- Enable "Clean after startup", so on subsequence AppWererabbit startup, the cache is automatically cleaned.
For PRO
- Just pick the most appropriate interval for your needs, and let the system do all the works.
- To verify automatic cleaning is running as defined, goto "Settings > Basic > View log" to view the auto clean log.
Note:
- As the "Automatic" and "1-Tap" cleaning depends on the Android system, after an OS upgrade, check everything is still working as expected.
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1-Tap cache cleaning not working.
There is a bug in Android 4.0.1 and 4.0.2, this is fixed by Google in 4.0.3.
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1-Tap cache cleaning not working on Android 6.0.
Starting with Android 6.0, the protection level of CLEAR_APP_CACHE permission changed from "Dangerous" to "SignatureOrSystem", therefore no longer available to regular applications, since this permission is required for cleaning of internal cache, AppWererabbit is not able to 1-Tap clean the internal cache on Android 6.0 or newer.
As of v6.2.8, rooted devices with Android 6.0+, 1-Tap cache cleaning is possible, provided AppWererabbit is given root access.
Note:
- 1-Tap cleaning will clean the external cache only.
- Both "Automatic" and "1-Tap" cleaning depends on the CLEAR_APP_CACHE permission.
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How do I use the Large Cache Cleaner function?
The function is intended to allows quick identification of apps with cache exceeding a predefined size, so they may be manually clear.
Define the large cache criteria via "Settings > Cache Cleaner > Notify when large cache found".
Note:
- The function operate via the alarm manager, this mean there is NO constantly running service in the background.
- A check is triggered at approx. 7 days interval.
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I want to exclude some apps from the Large Cache Cleaner. How do I do this?
On the Large Cache Cleaner screen, long press on the selected app to bring up the menu, then select "Exclude".
On subsequent large cache scanning, the excluded app is ignored, but still get displayed at the bottom of the large cache list.
Note:
- For excluded apps, a "x" is displayed next to the cache size.
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1-Tap cache cleaning on non-rooted devices with Android 6.0.
As of v7.2.0, non-rooted devices with Android 6.0+, 1-Tap cache cleaning is possible, provided Accessibility Service is enabled.
This function depends on "AppWererabbit > Settings > Advanced > Root access" is NOT checked. If this option is checked, regardless of the device is rooted or not, Accessibility Service will not be called.
Note:
- Only apps with cache size greater then 100KB is process.
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Why is the permission description in xyz language?
The API returns the permission label and permission description according the system locale, regardless of AppWererabbit locale settings.
Example:
- System locale: English
- AppWererabbit locale: Whichever language of your choice
The API will returns the permission label and permission description in English.
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What is the protection level?
- "Normal" indicate a lower-risk permission.
- "Dangerous" indicate a higher-risk permission.
- "Signature" indicate a permission that the system grants only if the requesting application is signed with the same certificate as the application that declared the permission.
- "SignatureOrSystem" indicate a permission that the system grants only to applications that are in the Android system image or that are signed with the same certificate as the application that declared the permission.
- "Unknown" indicate a permission not classified as any of the above.
Note:
- See Android API reference for more information, tap here and here.
- "android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATION" is an example of a permission classified as "Unknown". See here.
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How do I determine if an app is "malicious"?
Quote: "Common sense is not so common." - Voltaire
Use common sense.
Reasons:
- No app is able to declare if a particular app is "safe" or "malicious" just by looking at it.
- An "anti-xxx" type app may catch a "malicious" app by checking it against its database, but this is only good for known bad apps, therefore not going to protect you from the latest and greatest malicious apps you just installed on your device.
Example:
A Flash Light app. This type of app is very common in Play Store.
- It will definitely request "android.permission.CAMERA" permission.
- The protection level of CAMERA permission is dangerous, because it allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera, but is necessary for the app to control the camera flash, to use it as a flash light.
- In fact, "android.permission.CAMERA" is the only permission needed, any additional permissions requested is used for something else, therefore you needs to question why are they requested, if the reasons is not acceptable, then don't use the app, and uninstall it.
Note:
- AppWererabbit provide information so you may use common sense to determine if an app is "safe" to use. It will not declare an app is "safe" or "malicious".
- With regard to common sense, you're on your own.
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Which permissions should I look out for?
As the previous example have shown, not all permissions with "Dangerous" protection level is automatically bad, rather is a combination of requested permissions.
Below are some, not all, permissions to look out for.
- android.permission.INTERNET
- android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE
Why:
- If an app is to steal your personal information, it needs to send it "home", the easiest method is via the internet, that is provided by the INTERNET permission.
- The CHANGE_WIFI_STATE is important, because it allows the app to connect/disconnect wifi, so together with the INTERNET permission, an app could, not necessary will, call "home" in the middle of the night while you sleep. This does requires you previously connected via wifi, otherwise Android would not have the password to connect to the router.
Example:
INTERNET permission plus:
- ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION or ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, could leak your location.
- READ_CONTACTS, could leak your contacts information.
- READ_CALENDAR, could leak your calendar information.
- READ_CALL_LOG, could leak your call history.
- READ_HISTORY_BOOKMARKS, could leak your browsing history.
- READ_PHONE_STATE, could leak your phone information.
- READ_SMS, could leak your SMS messages.
Above are just some combination, there are many more combination out there, use your common sense.
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Why is the Installs History screen and Uninstalled Apps screen empty?
Only apps install/uninstall after install of AppWererabbit are tracked.
Note:
- Upon an app is uninstalled, the corresponding history is kept for 10 days, then it is deleted.
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What does Import APK do?
The purpose is to search the storage (Internal or SD) for apk files and import the apk files found to AppWererabbit for easy management.
Example of usage would be:
- Migrating to AppWererabbit from another backup app.
- Importing apk files to AppWererabbit without first installing the apps.
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I am current using "xyz" for backup, how to I migrate my existing apk files to AppWererabbit?
To migrate or just want to import some apk files from storage, follow below steps:
(1) Using a file manager, locate the folder where the apk files are stored by "xyz", this maybe a single folder or a folders tree (you want the root of the tree).
(2) Open AppWererabbit.
(3) Ensure the "Base folder" is pointing to your prefered folder, if you not already done so.
(4) Select the "Import APK" function from the menu.
(5) Read the Introduction.
(6) Set the "Search path" to point to the folder found in step (1).
(7) Enable "Search sub-folders" as required.
(8) Start the process by tapping on "Start importing".
(9) Upon completed, you can review which apk files got imported by looking at the log.
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What does Rename APK do?
The purpose is to search the storage (Internal or SD) for apk files and rename them using a custom name of your choice.
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How do I use the Rename APK function?
Follow below steps:
(1) Open AppWererabbit.
(2) Select the "Rename APK" function from the menu.
(3) Tap on "APK name format" to set the desired name format.
(4) Set the "Search path" to point to the folder where the apk files is located.
(5) Enable "Search sub-folders" as required.
(6) Start the search process by tapping on "Start searching".
(7) Upon seach completed, the list of apk found is listed, from this list you can do bulk rename (Rename all), or just those you want by tapping on the entry.
Note:
- The Search path should not be within the base folder.
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What does the BLUE colour indicate?
Each entry in the list show the full path of the apk file, and its name in MAGENTA, below this is the new name if you rename it.
If both name is in BLUE, it mean the apk file is already in the desired name format.
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I did a Rename all, and found some files have a number in bracket at the end of the name, what does this mean?
It mean within the same folder, two or more apk files have the same apk filename, to avoid overwriting the file, they are renamed with a sequence number.
You can delete them by using the "Delete" option, or "Rename (Overwrite)" option.
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What does Search APK do?
The purpose is to search the storage (Internal or SD) for apk files, from the result, you can install or delete the apk file.
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How do I use the Search APK function?
Refer to "How do I use Rename APK function?".
Note:
- The Search path should not be within the base folder.
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What does it do, how to use it?
This is a function to copy/move files triggered from any app via intent, either to internal storage or to external SD storage.
Follow below steps to use it:
(1) Trigger the intent from the any app, this is usually via a menu option labeled "Send" or "Share".
(2) Select "Storage" from the displayed app chooser menu.
(3) Select the destination folder.
(4) Tap "Copy to"/"Move to" to perform the desired operation.
Note:
- In AppWererabbit, the "Share" option in Installed Apps screen is an example of a trigger via intent.
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How to copy/move to SD card?
For devices on Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or above
Users must grant AppWererabbit write access to SD card before the app can write to SD card.
Follow below steps to grant access.
(1) Goto "Settings > Send To Storage > SD card location" to start the system's folder selector.
(2) Select the SD card root folder.
For devices on Android 4.4 (KitKat)
There is write restriction imposed by Android, SD card write is not supported.
For devices on Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) or below
There is no write restriction imposed by Android, SD card is freely writable.
Note:
- If for whatever reason SD card access is losted by Android, just re-grant it again.
- If device is on Android 5.0+, see FAQ-(Send To Storage)-6 for more information.
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Why is the "Copy to" dimmed?
The "Copy to" option is dimmed if the folder is not writable.
Note:
- If device is on Android 5.0+, see FAQ-(Send To Storage)-2 for more information.
- If device is on Android 6.0+, and the destination folder is on internal storage, this mean AppWererabbit is not granted write access to internal storage.
FAQ-(General)-18 for more information.
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Why is the "Move to" not shown?
The "Move to" option is shown for files that can be moved, otherwise, the option is not available.
Note:
- For multiple files send, all the files needs to be movable.
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What does "No file to send" mean?
The app check the intent for files, and remove any files that is not readable by the app. The "No file to send" message is displayed if no readable file is found.
Note:
- The function does no support root read/write.
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Can't copy/move to SD card anymore.
The previous SD card location may have changed, invalidated or losted by Android.
Some possible cause:
(1) The SD card is reformatted.
(2) The SD card is replaced by another SD card.
Re-grant SD card access by redefine the "SD card location".
Note:
- Redefine the "Base folder" is likely necessary, if it is located on the SD card. See FAQ-(General)-1 for more information.
- See FAQ-(Send To Storage)-2 for more information.
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AppWererabbit is not recognizing the PRO key.
- Goto "Settings > PRO key", and tap on "Activate PRO key" (don't multiple tap) to issue a verification request. Also see FAQ-(PRO key)-2 and FAQ-(PRO key)-8.
- Sometime uninstall/install the PRO Key may helps. After key re-install, restart AppWererabbit.
- If you still can't get verify, try again at another time, as there maybe problem/maintenance at Google Play.
- If problem persist, contact Google Play support regarding the problem of unable to verify license against Google Play.
Note:
- Ensure verification is perform using the same Google email address used to purchase the PRO Key, otherwise the verification will failed.
- Internet connection is required for the license verification process.
- App developers is not involve in the license verification process, it is between the user's device and Google Play.
- Google Play support: https://support.google.com/googleplay/
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I tap on "Activate PRO key", I just get a toast message saying it is checking license. What do I do?
The actual license checking is done by the PRO Key app via Google Play, The toast message indicate AppWererabbit just issued a request to the PRO Key app to do the checking, and is waiting for the result to come back. Depending on the network speed and Google Play server, this may take a few seconds.
As a reference, I do the follow to test verification during development.
Tap on "Activate PRO key", wait say 5 to 10 seconds, then tap on "Activate PRO key" to see the result, if get another check license message, it mean the last check failed or had not yet returns. There is NO NEEDS to tap on "Activate PRO key" again, as the last tap had already issued another request.
If problem persist, contact Google Play support regarding the problem of unable to verify license against Google Play.
Note:
- Do not multiple tap on "Activate PRO key", this will not speed up the verification process, it may even cause problem, as Google Play server will not response well with such multiple request. It may even cause a fail verification response, which will require you to wait a set time interval (I don't how long) before the server will response again.
- Sometime rebooting the device may helps. (This does not reset the waiting time interval the Goolge Play server may already have in effect.)
- Ensure verification is perform using the same Google email address used to purchase the PRO Key, otherwise the verification will failed.
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I installed PRO Key from Play Store, now "Activate PRO key" say the key is in frozen state. What do I do?
The PRO Key app should not be changed to "Frozen" state. Do an uninstall/install or unfreeze it via the Play Store app.
Note:
- Don't manually change the PRO Key app state to "Stopped" or "Frozen", as this will prevent the PRO Key app from processing request, thereby resulting AppWererabbit losing PRO status.
- Always install the PRO Key app from Play Store.
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I have PRO Key installed, but on tap "Activate PRO key", I just get a toast message saying PRO Key not installed. Why?
Most likely the installed PRO Key app is corrupted. Reinstall the PRO Key app from Play Store.
Note:
- Always install the PRO Key app from Play Store.
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When I launch AppWererabbit, I sometime get a blank screen. What do I do?
Exit AppWererabbit completely via the BACK key, then relaunch AppWererbbit.
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How often do AppWererabbit check license?
As of AppWererabbit v4.0.0, after a successful verification, no further verification is required for at least six months (max. 12 months).
Note:
- Re-verification is required if PRO Key app is reinstalled.
- Ensure re-verification is perform using the same Google email address used to purchase the PRO Key, otherwise the verification will failed.
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How do I know if the Google email address I'm using is the one I used to purchase the PRO Key?
For purchased apps, it is possible to reinstall from Play Store without re-purchase.
So uninstall the PRO Key, then reinstall the PRO Key from Play Store. If Play Store requires you to purchase, then the Google email address currently in use is not the same email address used to originally purchase the PRO Key.
Note:
- Re-verification is required if PRO Key app is reinstalled.
- Ensure re-verification is perform using the same Google email address used to purchase the PRO Key, otherwise the verification will failed.
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Can you give the steps for me to follow to verify Pro key?
Let us start afresh.
Follow below steps:
(1) Uninstall both AppWererabbit and Pro key.
(2) Install AppWererabbit.
(3) Start AppWererabbit:
- Accept the disclaimer.
- Grant it storage permission.
- Grant it root access as required.
- Config settings as required.
(4) Ensure the free version of AppWererabbit is functioning without the Pro key.
(5) Install Pro key from Play Store.
(6) Start AppWererabbit, this should auto trigger the license verification process.
Note:
- Ensure verification is perform using the same Google email address used to purchase the PRO Key, otherwise the verification will failed.
- Internet connection is required for the license verification process.
- App developers is not involve in the license verification process, it is between the user's device and Google Play.
- Google Play support: https://support.google.com/googleplay/
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What is Rooting?
For more information on rooting, tap here and here.
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How do I root my device?
Google search for "root <your device name>".
e.g. "root Galaxy Nexus" to search for information on rooting the Galaxy Nexus.
For more information on rooting an Android device, tap here.
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Why no root access after enabled Root access option?
Checking "Root access" does not give AppWererabbit root access, the device still needs to be rooted.
The purpose of "Root access" is to tell AppWererabbit not to perform root functions even if the device is rooted.
For more information on rooting an Android device, tap here.
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