Samsung Kies Backup problems

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yggdrasil

59 posts

Master Geek

#128752 22-Aug-2013 13:23

Hello all

Samsung Kies - the software that comes with all their devices - seems to have consistent problems no matter how often it's updated. I see posts about the kinds of problems I'm having from owners of multiple versions of their devices going back years.

I've been trying to use Kies to backup my S4 since it was brand new, with the same result every time. I tried again this morning: started the program and it told me there was an update, great, I updated. Then I tried to do a full backup: it went through each of the list of items until it reached "Call Log"... where it stayed for the next three hours until I manually terminated the backup. Then I tried again, deselecting call log, then it stuck on "Wallpaper" (the next thing in the list) for over two hours, until, once again, I quit (over two hours to back up the built-in wallpaper. gee, I guess that's working). It is impossible to make a backup copy of my device data and settings for use in an emergency. This is unacceptable - this thing is not a toy.

I searched the forum for "Kies" and got no hits. Has anybody already had these problems and come up with a solution? And what is wrong with Samsung? How can they not be able to write an application that is capable of doing a simple backup of their own device? Is there some way of complaining about this so that someone might actually fix it? The 'net is full of horror stories about wasting time with front-line tech support, but I just want a way to do a reliable backup in case some day I need it.

Any suggestions welcome.

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2780 posts

Uber Geek

#882752 22-Aug-2013 13:27

I can't really help, I'm just posting because I'm amazed anyone uses Kies. What are you trying to back up, that isn't backed up by syncing a samsung and/or google account?

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#882761 22-Aug-2013 13:38

Inphinity: I can't really help, I'm just posting because I'm amazed anyone uses Kies. What are you trying to back up, that isn't backed up by syncing a samsung and/or google account?

Samusng Kies is hopeless software. I managed to backup, and did a restore it it, and the restore didn't restore all of it. Google backup also is limited, as you then have to manually download all the software again if restoring it. The system is nowhere near as good as apples backup system. I believe you can buy other third party backup systems that work similar to apples and which work well, although some require the phone to be rooted. I was looking ofr something that could easily just mirror the phone on a brand new one, if the phone failed, but kies doesn't do that.

timmmay

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#882762 22-Aug-2013 13:41

I'm a new S4 owner as well. The best backup solution seems to be root your S4, then use Titanium backup. Instructions here.

mattwnz

20141 posts

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#882764 22-Aug-2013 13:46

The only problem with that is that you may void your warranty when it is rooted. So I don't bother with backing it up, apart from teh normal google and samsung backup system.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#882766 22-Aug-2013 13:47

I'm still unsure what it is you need backed up that isn't captured in any of the account syncs?

yggdrasil

59 posts

Master Geek

#882773 22-Aug-2013 14:02

Thanks for replying.

It's true that a lot of crucial data might be captured in the accounts, but there's also hours of work involved in configuration of the device. If u break it and need a replacement, just chaining it to all the different accounts could take forever. Plus there's the whole "but I paid for it" thing.

Also, rooting lets them reject warranty claims. Don't see why I should, unless I need to. I shouldn't need to, just to run a backup.

Let the ranting continue, and does anyone have a real Samsung address to complain?

timmmay

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#882774 22-Aug-2013 14:02

Desktop setup, game save data, apps not installed via the market, all your logins, alarms, my automation scripts for Llama, stored WiFi passwords (they may be sync'd actually), maybe other stuff.

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old3eyes

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#883166 23-Aug-2013 08:44

Inphinity: I'm still unsure what it is you need backed up that isn't captured in any of the account syncs?

I find with my wife's SGS2 that everything except the contacts are backed up to Google account. can't see any reason for this as when i had the fone it work OK so i still use Kies to backup her fone..

Regards,

Old3eyes

timmmay

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#883169 23-Aug-2013 08:48

Contacts are backed up to google

https://www.google.com/contacts/

Application data isn't backed up.

jeffnz

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#883234 23-Aug-2013 10:26

yggdrasil: Thanks for replying.

It's true that a lot of crucial data might be captured in the accounts, but there's also hours of work involved in configuration of the device. If u break it and need a replacement, just chaining it to all the different accounts could take forever. Plus there's the whole "but I paid for it" thing.

Also, rooting lets them reject warranty claims. Don't see why I should, unless I need to. I shouldn't need to, just to run a backup.

Let the ranting continue, and does anyone have a real Samsung address to complain?

Complain about what exactly?..

Understand your frustration but maybe do some reading first, Kies is rubbish fullstop. Use your gmail a/c and et it up to sync you contacts etc. txt, well you will need an app for those there is plenty around use search. Your apps are saved in playstore and as long as you use the same gmail a/c you can access from any android device.

Can you explain better the hours in configuration you need to do its a bit lost on me.

Setup one of the many cloud storage options or just use your gmail a/c to setup up google drive, google docs and google chrome, you will find that you can sync amongst any device so if you log into chrome on PC all you contacts and docs will be available. Takes a wee bit of time to setup but worth it. If you setup google drive you can get it to sync any new folders/data when you are in wifi range .

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yggdrasil

59 posts

Master Geek

#883251 23-Aug-2013 11:08

jeffnz:
yggdrasil: Thanks for replying.

It's true that a lot of crucial data might be captured in the accounts, but there's also hours of work involved in configuration of the device. If u break it and need a replacement, just chaining it to all the different accounts could take forever. Plus there's the whole "but I paid for it" thing.

Also, rooting lets them reject warranty claims. Don't see why I should, unless I need to. I shouldn't need to, just to run a backup.

Let the ranting continue, and does anyone have a real Samsung address to complain?

Complain about what exactly?..

Understand your frustration but maybe do some reading first, Kies is rubbish fullstop. Use your gmail a/c and et it up to sync you contacts etc. txt, well you will need an app for those there is plenty around use search. Your apps are saved in playstore and as long as you use the same gmail a/c you can access from any android device.

Can you explain better the hours in configuration you need to do its a bit lost on me.

Setup one of the many cloud storage options or just use your gmail a/c to setup up google drive, google docs and google chrome, you will find that you can sync amongst any device so if you log into chrome on PC all you contacts and docs will be available. Takes a wee bit of time to setup but worth it. If you setup google drive you can get it to sync any new folders/data when you are in wifi range .

Interesting reply, here's my response:

You answered your first question in the second line of your message: complain about the fact that the support software distributed with the device cannot carry out a basic function out of the box. My original post did indicate that I have done some reading, that's why I was aware that this was a general problem with Kies and not a specific technical problem with my machine. Third-party apps ought to be necessary if you have special requirements, but taking a snapshot of the device is a basic function that the manufacturer-supplied software package should be able to handle. It is something you pay for as part of the purchase price, so I think it's reasonable to expect it to work.

The hours of configuration refer to all the little tweaks that you do to the machine over time - rearranging icons, setting app preferences, choosing defaults, etc etc; some of those might be saved to your accounts, some might not. The only safe way to be able to store ALL those things reliably in a way that does not risk losing the hours that you put into it (over time), is a full backup file. Also, for me, the operative word is "file". Cloud services are not under your control and, in addition to the now well-known security issues, there are also many things that concern professionals about relying entirely on "the cloud"for basic services like backup - such as lack of control over access policy changes, and lack easy internet access in other parts of the world when you travel. There is no substitute for a full backup on your own local device.

Kies has been rubbish for a long time. The reason why Samsung has not bothered to make sure that even the basic functionality works is because the people who paid their money and got rubbish, just accept it. I want to complain - not to some front-line support tech who doesn't make decisions, but to someone whose time matters.

timmmay

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#883258 23-Aug-2013 11:12

Did you look into titanium backup? That's what I've used, though not sure if it does things like home screen arrangements... I hope so.

jeffnz

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#883294 23-Aug-2013 11:55

yggdrasil:
jeffnz:
yggdrasil: Thanks for replying.

It's true that a lot of crucial data might be captured in the accounts, but there's also hours of work involved in configuration of the device. If u break it and need a replacement, just chaining it to all the different accounts could take forever. Plus there's the whole "but I paid for it" thing.

Also, rooting lets them reject warranty claims. Don't see why I should, unless I need to. I shouldn't need to, just to run a backup.

Let the ranting continue, and does anyone have a real Samsung address to complain?

Complain about what exactly?..

Understand your frustration but maybe do some reading first, Kies is rubbish fullstop. Use your gmail a/c and et it up to sync you contacts etc. txt, well you will need an app for those there is plenty around use search. Your apps are saved in playstore and as long as you use the same gmail a/c you can access from any android device.

Can you explain better the hours in configuration you need to do its a bit lost on me.

Setup one of the many cloud storage options or just use your gmail a/c to setup up google drive, google docs and google chrome, you will find that you can sync amongst any device so if you log into chrome on PC all you contacts and docs will be available. Takes a wee bit of time to setup but worth it. If you setup google drive you can get it to sync any new folders/data when you are in wifi range .

Interesting reply, here's my response:

You answered your first question in the second line of your message: complain about the fact that the support software distributed with the device cannot carry out a basic function out of the box. My original post did indicate that I have done some reading, that's why I was aware that this was a general problem with Kies and not a specific technical problem with my machine. Third-party apps ought to be necessary if you have special requirements, but taking a snapshot of the device is a basic function that the manufacturer-supplied software package should be able to handle. It is something you pay for as part of the purchase price, so I think it's reasonable to expect it to work.

The hours of configuration refer to all the little tweaks that you do to the machine over time - rearranging icons, setting app preferences, choosing defaults, etc etc; some of those might be saved to your accounts, some might not. The only safe way to be able to store ALL those things reliably in a way that does not risk losing the hours that you put into it (over time), is a full backup file. Also, for me, the operative word is "file". Cloud services are not under your control and, in addition to the now well-known security issues, there are also many things that concern professionals about relying entirely on "the cloud"for basic services like backup - such as lack of control over access policy changes, and lack easy internet access in other parts of the world when you travel. There is no substitute for a full backup on your own local device.

Kies has been rubbish for a long time. The reason why Samsung has not bothered to make sure that even the basic functionality works is because the people who paid their money and got rubbish, just accept it. I want to complain - not to some front-line support tech who doesn't make decisions, but to someone whose time matters.

my my maybe you have the wrong phone or your expectations are too high. Kies is only one method of backup and if your whole world revolves around it then you are in for a miserable time.

Backup to your PC then if you don't like the cloud option.

Remember its Android and most things can be changed or adapted to users requirements thats why some like it but its also its downfall for those that expect everything to be perfect.

Buy an Iphone I've heard they are great for things that "just work"

Galaxy S10

Garmin Fenix 5

muppet

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#883298 23-Aug-2013 12:04

Kies is a god aweful mess. It does work - but you have to baby it along.

Things I've found that help to get Kies to finish a backup (why I do them though I don't know, Google plus Dropbox seems to backup pretty much everything for me)

Restart the PC so it's fresh.
Ensure you don't have EMET running in Super Paranoid mode - Kies seems to have a number of memory bugs which EMET catches (as it's supposed to)
Use the cable that came with your phone
Pray*

As other posters have mentioned, Kies really is a joke. I know it seems odd that you've paid all this money and Kies is terrible, but then just look at Apple and iTunes. High quality hardware with a big uptake doesn't equal good robust companion software.

(*Optional)

Inphinity

2780 posts

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#883300 23-Aug-2013 12:07

I'm finding it entertaining that people are referencing paying for Kies. Really, you paid for the phone. Would you have bought a different product if Kies didn't exist? It's not like Samsung promote Kies as a feature on many (if any) of their products, they know it's a decidedly flakey companion product...

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