The folks at Genie9 developed an “essential” Android backup app that “is an intelligent, effortless and automatic way to protect and backup all your Android’s data to a secure cloud location. G Cloud can backup your call log, contacts, messages, pictures, videos, music and documents silently without rooting, special requirements, or any user intervention.” Well, that’s at least according to my contact, Amanda.
When I first read the spiel, I almost threw up. “This is an over-the-top marketing guru trying to sell me on their crappy app,” I thought. Well, I was a little disappointed, but the other way. This GCloud app is actually, in theory, pretty useful, and aside from some minor glitches that took moments to resolve, fairly straight forward and simple.
The concept, as the blurb shows, is to backup the important information on your Android device. Now, backup apps for Android are a dime a dozen (over 1000 in Google Play). The problem though with most, which GCloud seeks to correct, is the transfer of the backup from the device to a more secure storage location. GCloud remedies this problem by offering cloud-based storage (1 GB free, additional 10 GB for $0.99/month or $11.88/year), and automatic transfer of your information to the cloud.
Now, my favorite backup app is Titanium Backup (free). The problem with Titanium is that it requires root access. Now, my I have/had root access on my Motorola Droid Bionic, but discovered after my Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade, root access is gone, sort of. So now I have a semi-rooted phone, without access to Titanium Backup. Bummer if I want to backup. I also have my Asus Transformer Pad Infinity, which I’m keeping stock until Asus releases the Android 4.1 update. Now, neither of my devices has a true, simple backup. While I don’t care about the information on the Transformer so much, I have lost information on my phone, including SMS messages, pictures, videos, etc., which I was unable to recover.
So now, hopefully, GCloud will remedy that simple problem.
The process is simple, almost.
First, you need to register your device for access to GCloud’s storage. This process, unfortunately, turned into a disaster on both the Transformer and my Droid Bionic.
Ultimately, I abandoned the Asus and concentrated on the Bionic. I remedied any sign-on issues by connecting via 4G, then enabling my WiFi. Much too difficult of a process for a relatively-simple sign on task. Makes me really question security.
My second disappointment with the app came when I discovered you’re only allowed to sync one device with a GCloud account.
While my main goal is to backup the messages, pictures, and other content on my phone, there is a random occasion I can contemplate wanting to store pictures on the Transformer. Not being able to sync both devices (at least under the free account) becomes a fail.
