> The big kahuna is backing up the _data_ along with the apps.
UPDATE:
My first test of backing up an app along with its settings & data seems to
have worked, where I wrote up a tutorial for others to follow over here:
In addition, I'll be testing this short list of potential promising apps,
all of which appear to be free and, for the most part, they don't appear to
require root and don't use the cloud.
o SMS Backup & Restore, by SyncTech Pty Ltd
<
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore>
"backs up and restores your phone's SMS and MMS messages and call logs."
o JS Backup ĄV Restore & Migrate, by JOHOSPACE
<
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.johospace.backup>
"Backup and restore contacts, call history, SMS, MMS text messages,
calendars, bookmarks, system settings, home shortcuts, alarms,
dictionaries, music playlists, images, songs and videos."
o Super Backup & Restore, by MobileIdea Studio
<
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.idea.backup.smscontacts>
"You can backup applications, contacts, text messages, call history,
bookmarks, calendars to your SD card, Gmail, or Google Drive"
(some functions require root)
This one is confusing as to whether it uses the cloud, or if it just sets
up a private cloud between your own machines (time testing will tell):
o Resilio Sync, by Resilio Inc.
<
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.resilio.sync>
"Create your own private cloud. Connect devices and sync files securely
between your Mac, PC, NAS"
And this one "seems" too good to be true (and probably has a catch):
o SyncDroid, Free Android Sync Manager
<
https://www.sync-droid.com/syncdroid-for-android.html>
"Free SyncDroid is an easy way to transfer call logs, SMS, contacts,
bookmarks and ohter items between your Android Phone and computer through
the USB cable."
I'll report back what I find out in the tests if it's of general use.