Desktop backup password setting allows you to specify a password which will be used to encrypt full desktop backups you perform over USB.
Android’s USB debugging feature includes a relatively hidden option allowing you to perform a full backup of your Android device to a desktop computer via the USB cable.USB debugging must be enabled to use this option.
The Desktop backup password option allows you to set a password used to encrypt these backups. If you do use such a password, it is important that you remember it or keep a record of it as there will be no way to recover your backups or change the password without it.
How to perform a full desktop backup over USB
The ADB tool, supplied by Android to developers, can be used to initiate a full desktop backup from your attached computer.
Specifically, the ADB command you need to use to create the backup from the computer is adb backup
. Further options can be specified for this command as described in this forum post.
When you attempt to initiate a backup from your computer, a pop-up message will appear on your device asking you to confirm that you want to proceed.
Before you create a backup using Android tools on your desktop, you can first create a password for your backup in the developer options. To put protection on your backup from being accessed easily:
- Head to Settings > Developer Options.
- Tap on Desktop backup password.
- Fill in the current password, then type and retype the new password for full backup.